Second time being the second shooter.

My buddy called me up a week before the wedding asking if I could take some pictures of his wedding. I hesitated and made sure it was alright with the fiance before accepting. Didn't want to leave her hanging as we were both invited. Just said I'll take random snaps throughout the day. No posed shots for me as I'm absolutely terrible at them!

I just told the main photo I'd stay out of their way. Although I got an odd request asking if I'd give all my photos to her to edit and give to them. I nicely declined as I had no idea how good her work is and I want to edit them myself. From what I hear it was the right choice .

Pretty much used the 5d mII and 70-200 2.8 II the entire time. Other than while the guys were getting ready. I used the 50 1.4 then.

Please let me know what you think and what you would change. (wish I could upload more than 8 photos)

1.

8. Ah yes speeches are always fun.

I'm confused. If you were the second shooter as in the title of the thread, why would you decline to give the main photog your photos for editing?

bbvdm wrote in post #15486518
I'm confused. If you were the second shooter as in the title of the thread, why would you decline to give the main photog your photos for editing?

There was no contract. The main photog was a relative of theirs. Sounded like she would be mad if she was not asked to take their photos. They weren't happy with the photos they got from her either.

1-good moment. The framing could have been improved a little to cut out clutter on the left side, perhaps.
2-a little cool CB-wise; but cute.
3-color balance (CB) seems a little magenta. It would have been nice to be able to swivel over to your right in order to avoid the cars in the BG--I understand how as a second shooter that's not always possible. Good photo, though.
4-Photos often present a dilemma in terms of how you expose / CB--sometimes there are two portions of the image and to 'fix' one portion is to sully another. It seems to me that your exposure / color balance here was set according to your background (which looks good). The problem is that your subject here is the dude. As such the image appears underexposed and very cool / magenta-ish in terms of color balance.
5-6nice. CB seems off again.
7-were you the sole shooter here ? if so, the background (cars on left) could have been improved. If not, I'd have been shooting long and looking for expressions. Shooting wide and off to the side always gives off the impression of photos that were taken from a spectator (read: amateur). You seem to be setting your color balance perfectly for the background (which is getting direct sunlight) as opposed to the foreground where your subjects are located. This looks a little cool to me.
8-looks pretty good; maybe a smidgen underexposed.

So.. you weren't actually the 'second shooter'.. you were a friend with a camera taking photos. Just be clear, you know? I think you got some cute moments, although some of your lines feel a little thick and I'd watch your reds and magentas in the skin tones. #4 is underexposed.

Thanks for the comments. I had a lot of trouble with the white balance. The other photographer was doing posed shots and I just snapped random things that were going on behind the scenes. I didn't set anything up or move anyone. I didn't even notice the vehicles until after it was all over.

auroraskye wrote in post #15488908
So.. you weren't actually the 'second shooter'.. you were a friend with a camera taking photos. Just be clear, you know? I think you got some cute moments, although some of your lines feel a little thick and I'd watch your reds and magentas in the skin tones. #4 is underexposed.

Well I was called upon to take photos at his wedding. Neither the main photographer had a contract nor did I. I agreed to take photos of the men getting ready, random ceremony shots, then misc shots throughout the rest of the day. I had fun doing it whether I would be considered the second photographer or not.

Thanks for the critiques. What do you mean when you feel the lines are thick?

That panning shot is great!

the Motorcycle shot is priceless, especially with the child on it

Fester wrote in post #15489088
the Motorcycle shot is priceless, especially with the child on it

And dangerous. Put a lid on the kid if you are going to be dumb enough to give him a ride like that.
Imagine a car pulling out in front of them, or them going down for whatever reason....boom, kid dies or has life threatening injuries on the day of your wedding. Bug-bye wedding day.

jst1cam wrote in post #15509115
And dangerous. Put a lid on the kid if you are going to be dumb enough to give him a ride like that.
Imagine a car pulling out in front of them, or them going down for whatever reason....boom, kid dies or has life threatening injuries on the day of your wedding. Bug-bye wedding day.

I agree about it being dangerous but it was about as controlled as you could get. There was no danger of vehicles pulling out in front and he was going very slow. But a helmet is always recommended! I'm surprised that didn't get brought up sooner.