Crash Course in Wedding Photography. Help!

[big_apple_ken]

Alright, so I'm supposed to be the 2nd shooter for my cousin's wedding in about 3 weeks time in Bali. Never really done any wedding photography before but I have the gear. very comfortable using my flash and I'm pretty experienced in event photography. I don't shoot a great deal of candids and with that being said I think I need a crash course in wedding photography. Anyone got some helpful links or online videos you can recommend?

I came across the following thread about "must have" shots in wedding photography:

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=464510

Now I'm personally not big on 'checklists' but I after a quick read I believe 90% of the shots are 'expected' shots from a wedding. Quick side question: what is the reason with photogs shooting photos of the brides shoes or just of people's feet/shoes at weddings?

Can anyone help me out? Thanks!

[Eliza_Day]

From a woman's point of view, a hell of a lot gets put into planning and eventually having your wedding. Some pay loads of attention/time/money on every little detail hoping that the day is going to be exactly the way they want it to be.

And that is why it is so important to get up-close and personal. Record every little item you see that have been carefully chosen by the bride-to-be. Not only will you fill up your selection nicely, but she will love you forever for not forgetting the little bows on the church chairs, or the tiny little bells on the flowergirl's dress.

If anything, your rule of thirds play a huge role. And always make sure you have a quick shutterspeed. 125 is a safe bet.

And enjoy, feel the vibe and it will most likely show in the photos. :)

[tim]

2nd shooter means you get the grab shots, you don't have to worry. Actually trying to get them will spoil the shot for the main photographer, if people look at the wrong camera. Just enjoy yourself and get some fun photos :)

Wedding FAQ (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=255604).

Quick list of shots:
- Bride with people helping her get ready
- Wide and long shot during ceremony
- All guests, each family, each immediate family
- B&G alone, B&G with wedding party
- People doing speeches
- Cake cutting, first dance

Get all that and you have the basics. Everything else is gravy.

[tim]

btw Bali's very humid, if you go inside air conditioned buildings and outside a lot you'll get fogged lenses. There's not much you can do about it except to give your equipment 20 mins to reach the temp in the new area before you shoot, or keep equipment in each location.

[jonwhite]

Generally speaking (there's always exceptions of course) brides will have put a lot of thought into the shoes that they will be wearing on their wedding day which is why its important to capture them. Sometimes they will look quite plain but other times you will get lucky and they will be extra special, these are the best ones I have had.

http://boundlessphotos.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/sutton-coldfield-wedding-photography-bp073-004.jpg

http://boundlessphotos.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/sutton-coldfield-wedding-photography-bp073-020.jpg

[big_apple_ken]

From a woman's point of view, a hell of a lot gets put into planning and eventually having your wedding. Some pay loads of attention/time/money on every little detail hoping that the day is going to be exactly the way they want it to be.

And that is why it is so important to get up-close and personal. Record every little item you see that have been carefully chosen by the bride-to-be. Not only will you fill up your selection nicely, but she will love you forever for not forgetting the little bows on the church chairs, or the tiny little bells on the flowergirl's dress.

If anything, your rule of thirds play a huge role. And always make sure you have a quick shutterspeed. 125 is a safe bet.

And enjoy, feel the vibe and it will most likely show in the photos. :)

That's actually a really good explanation. Thanks! Obviously stylistically everyone's approach will be different but it looks like there is some basic 'formulaic' approach to capturing these little details (e.g. wedding dress hanging in closet/window, rings side by side etc). What's a good resource on learning how to capture these little details?

[big_apple_ken]

2nd shooter means you get the grab shots, you don't have to worry. Actually trying to get them will spoil the shot for the main photographer, if people look at the wrong camera. Just enjoy yourself and get some fun photos :)

Wedding FAQ (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=255604).

Quick list of shots:
- Bride with people helping her get ready
- Wide and long shot during ceremony
- All guests, each family, each immediate family
- B&G alone, B&G with wedding party
- People doing speeches
- Cake cutting, first dance

Get all that and you have the basics. Everything else is gravy.

Agreed. It isn't my intention to get in the way of the main photog but my approach will mainly be to approach it like the main photog with the limited resources I am given (e.g. not the best angles/timing). Basically to do the best of my ability.

I was kind of curious: generally speaking in weddings when is it most ideal for shots with a flash? Given it is in Bali I would assume I would be shooting more under natural lighting until the dinner/reception whereby I'd break out the flash for more 'posed' group shots. Obviously if we are outside I might want to break out the flash for portraits to act as fill light.

[big_apple_ken]

btw Bali's very humid, if you go inside air conditioned buildings and outside a lot you'll get fogged lenses. There's not much you can do about it except to give your equipment 20 mins to reach the temp in the new area before you shoot, or keep equipment in each location.

Good tip but I live in Hong Kong now so I'm pretty used to working with my camera in the humidity. Thanks anyway!

[big_apple_ken]

Generally speaking (there's always exceptions of course) brides will have put a lot of thought into the shoes that they will be wearing on their wedding day which is why its important to capture them. Sometimes they will look quite plain but other times you will get lucky and they will be extra special, these are the best ones I have had.


http://boundlessphotos.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/sutton-coldfield-wedding-photography-bp073-020.jpg

Very cute detail! That's very interesting.

[tim]

Agreed. It isn't my intention to get in the way of the main photog but my approach will mainly be to approach it like the main photog with the limited resources I am given (e.g. not the best angles/timing). Basically to do the best of my ability.

I was kind of curious: generally speaking in weddings when is it most ideal for shots with a flash? Given it is in Bali I would assume I would be shooting more under natural lighting until the dinner/reception whereby I'd break out the flash for more 'posed' group shots. Obviously if we are outside I might want to break out the flash for portraits to act as fill light.

You have it backwards - during sunlight use the flash 100% of the time to reduce harsh shadows. Using the flash at night is optional, depends how much light you have to work with, sometimes I light whole rooms.

Good tip but I live in Hong Kong now so I'm pretty used to working with my camera in the humidity. Thanks anyway!

Your location says NYC.

[big_apple_ken]

You have it backwards - during sunlight use the flash 100% of the time to reduce harsh shadows. Using the flash at night is optional, depends how much light you have to work with, sometimes I light whole rooms.

Well as I said above when outside I will use the flash as a fill (hence used to reduce harsh shadows) but it really depends on the lighting. I'm sure you would approach it differently when you are presented with harsh overhead lighting at noon versus warmer lighting from an angle later in the afternoon.

Your location says NYC.

Yes, I recently moved and haven't updated my profile here on POTN.