Assisting at a Wedding in 8 days!

Hi

I'm assisting a wedding photographer friend of mine next Saturday. My equipment and skills feel a bit limited and although I'm just assisting and my friend's advise has been 'don't worry, play with your camera and see how we work together' is lovely but vague. And I'm the sort of person who hates not knowing what I'm doing or what I should be doing.

I have read Tims really helpful thread on first time weddings which has been great.

The wedding is at a football ground (if the weather is good and the couple get permission there will shots on the grass as well getting the children to have a kick around.)

I have a 20D and 18-55mm lense and speedlite 430EX

Basically, the long and short of it is... should I invest in another lense before then?

Any other tips, suggestions, advice welcome
Thank you
Cate

Just stick the camera in auto mode and have a laugh, there's a pro there so you don't have to worry about anything.

you'll be pretty limited with what you can do with that. Is it a pro you are assisting? Does he have kit you can borrow? I love the 70-200 f2.8L IS which is great for candid shots (but it's not cheap). The 70-200 f4L is cheaper and a stop slower but is also a great buy. Not great in lower light but a great lens.

You can stand back and use the zoom to capture some special candid moments and different angles of formals.

JD

Hi JD

She is a pro yes, but doesn't have anything I can borrow.

I've just looked up the pricing of the lens and it's just outside of my price range!

But you are right I will be very limited with what I can do I guess as tim says I will just have to do what I can and accept that a miracle is not going to happen within the next 8 days!

Thanks for the replies

try renting some stuff, you won't be limited on budget and will get to try some creative stuff. the 85L is really fun

Thank you I hadn't thought of renting - great idea!

If you are going to be shooting indoors also, look at purchasing a 50mm f1.8 - very cheap and very sharp. Much sharper than the 18-55 kit lens.

Zoom with your feet

i think just have a pratice, try experimenting (Your allowed too, the wedding isnt ON YOU its on the pro!) So you may aswell try things, stand behind the pro and just 2nd shoot the whole day. If youc an hire a better zoom it would be benificial i think because you can be inconspicuous and zoom on to things people might not see. Like focus more on the guests rather than the B&G themselves? Of course get shots of them, but during the ceremony the pro will be working on that, turn around and see what the mother of bride etc. are doing some happy tears are heart renching!!!

GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Del

haha I like that zoom with my feet!

Del thank you some great advice. I'll let you know how I get on

EOS_JD wrote:
If you are going to be shooting indoors also, look at purchasing a 50mm f1.8 - very cheap and very sharp. Much sharper than the 18-55 kit lens.

Zoom with your feet

I did that tonight at a wedding Kinda tough when alot of people are standing around but I managed none the less

I like Tim's advice the best so far...enjoy it! Capture some nice moments, pay attention to composition. Look around at what the pro's NOT shooting too...you might catch some nice moments that will be useful for the album later. let us know how it went!

Sorry don't know how to 'Quote' but thanks Jaertx

although nervous, I'm really looking forward to it. If it's not a total disaster will post some images afterwards