First wedding as an official photographer (2nd shooter).

So, I managed to persuade a good friend of mine, to let me second shoot at one of her weddings, and the day has finally come, I'm shooting the groom's preparation and then providing another vantage point during the formals and some candid work. I believe this is the first time she's had a second shooter, and I'm honoured that she's let me join her.

We've had a meeting and run through the list of shots that she's expecting from me, and i'm happy with that.

I'm happy with my kit, (although I have no modifiers for my flashes), I will probably take my 350D as a backup, but it'll be very odd to go back to it after using the 1D for the last 7 months. I plan to run at f2.8, 1/250 and let the camera deal with the ISO.

So, a plea to all those professionals out there, and those that have done lots of second shooting, what should I be looking out for, does and don'ts, anything helpful? I've taken photos at a number of recent family weddings, but always as a guest-with-a-camera.

Apologies if this is a little rambling, it's taken me a few weeks to pluck up the courage to post in this section of the forum.

Thanks in advance to anyone who takes the time to respond.

edit: I should add, that I have read the FAQs a couple of times, and will no doubt read them more over there next week, but if there's any advice people can give that aren't in the FAQ...

Congrats and good luck - I'm sure it will go well.

Depending on the natural light at the event, you might want to think about being a little less rigid with the 2.8 - DOF might be an issue as you have more people (and therefore more 'planes for focus' in the image.

My wife and I always shoot together, so we always have a second vantage point, which I think is great. Plus, we have different tastes, so one person can find a great shot the other would not have considered. It might be worth your time to think along those lines - compliment the primary shooter, so long as you follow her instructions (she is the primary, after all).

Peter
--
Wedding Photography Tallahassee
Wedding Photographers Tallahassee

Colin Morey wrote in post #10777458
I'm happy with my kit, (although I have no modifiers for my flashes), I will probably take my 350D as a backup, but it'll be very odd to go back to it after using the 1D for the last 7 months. I plan to run at f2.8, 1/250 and let the camera deal with the ISO.

The walls/ceilings work fine as a modifier

Bring snacks, dress appropriately.
Sync your camera with the main shooter before you begin shooting.

I'm sure I'll come up with more.

peterhanowell wrote in post #10777539
Congrats and good luck - I'm sure it will go well.

Thanks, there isn't any reason it shouldn't, positive thinking and all that,

peterhanowell wrote in post #10777539
Congrats and good luck - I'm sure it will go well.
Depending on the natural light at the event, you might want to think about being a little less rigid with the 2.8 - DOF might be an issue as you have more people (and therefore more 'planes for focus' in the image.

Ah yes, I don't think I explained myself, this was a trap I fell into a recent wedding, (not decreasing the aperture when there is more than one person in the shot, I was more meaning I'd let the body work out the ISO.

egordon99 wrote in post #10777644
The walls/ceilings work fine as a modifier

Ah yes, I meant modifiers like softboxes, lightspheres etc, etc. but then you knew that

Red Tie Photography wrote in post #10778371
Bring snacks, dress appropriately.
Sync your camera with the main shooter before you begin shooting.

I'm sure I'll come up with more.

Ah, excellent suggestions, I'll have to get some suitable food that won't get sticky in the heat, (so chocolate is out). I think the first shooter has asked for shirt and tie, rather than full suit, so that's good.

Thanks for all your comments, the more the merrier.


Cheers,

Colin

As for s acks, granola bars a d water work great. One of the recent weddings i shot was about 2 hours away and i rode with the main photographer, so I brought a cooler with soda and water, and a few snickers bsrs to leave in the car.

Wear sunscreen if you will be outside a lot.
Comfortable shoes are a must.
Format your cards before you leave.
Bring mints (great after dinner, and the main and wedding planner always appreciate the gesture).

Personally, I would want to be in control of my ISO. I want to make sure that my abient balances well with my flash rather than letting the camera decide.

I dont mind it dictating my shutter speed since I can compensate by raising my ISO if needs be.

Red Tie Photography wrote in post #10778572
As for s acks, granola bars a d water work great.
Format your cards before you leave.
Bring mints (great after dinner, and the main and wedding planner always appreciate the gesture).

Definitely taking water and hopefully something to much on, got some good shoes, will pick up some mints, (or perhaps make the snack Kendle mint cake).

elysium wrote in post #10778584
Personally, I would want to be in control of my ISO. I want to make sure that my abient balances well with my flash rather than letting the camera decide.

I dont mind it dictating my shutter speed since I can compensate by raising my ISO if needs be.

I'm currently finding it easier to keep an eye on the ISO than the aperture or shutter speed. (but I'm working on it).

Colin Morey wrote in post #10780046
Definitely taking water and hopefully something to much on, got some good shoes, will pick up some mints, (or perhaps make the snack Kendle mint cake).

I'm currently finding it easier to keep an eye on the ISO than the aperture or shutter speed. (but I'm working on it).

Yep, energy bar or Granola bar is good. Water, Gatorade or anything else that can get you hydrated is a good idea as well.

Wear comfy shoes...but obviously not sneakers.

As for Auto ISO, I would just make sure it's a conscious decision on your part and not out of laziness or lack of understanding of aperture/shutter. Not sure what you meant by "finding it easier to keep an eye on the ISO than the aperture or shutter speed" so that's why I bring that up.

Set the aperture, shutter speed to achieve the results you are looking for. As mentioned already, for group shots, you probably want to stop down a few stops to get greater DOF.

Are you shooting in Av mode? M mode?

You comfortable with using flash indoors? Outdoors? Bounced? Direct? Off Camera? Etc?

Also, don't get in the primary's way and don't be in the vicinity of the primary when the primary is shooting people. Or at least make sure you aren't the cause of wandering eyes, etc. Just shoot what you are assigned and try not to squeeze in the "money shots". Some primary shooters will allow you to do that, some won't.

Etc....

nicksan wrote in post #10780174
Yep, energy bar or Granola bar is good. Water, Gatorade or anything else that can get you hydrated is a good idea as well.

Wear comfy shoes...but obviously not sneakers.

I have some smart shoes that are good for 12+ hours

nicksan wrote in post #10780174
As for Auto ISO, I would just make sure it's a conscious decision on your part and not out of laziness or lack of understanding of aperture/shutter. Not sure what you meant by "finding it easier to keep an eye on the ISO than the aperture or shutter speed" so that's why I bring that up.

I think it's because of where it is in the view finder,

nicksan wrote in post #10780174
Set the aperture, shutter speed to achieve the results you are looking for. As mentioned already, for group shots, you probably want to stop down a few stops to get greater DOF.

Are you shooting in Av mode? M mode?

Manual with Automatic ISO

nicksan wrote in post #10780174
You comfortable with using flash indoors? Outdoors? Bounced? Direct? Off Camera? Etc?

I would say i'm not as comfortable as I would like, In the past I have done mostly ambient, but I'm working on balancing ambient and flash. I am happier working with either ettl on a single on-body flash or multiple manually set flashes.

This isn't something I intend to play with on the day though I will be spending most of this week with some subjects and getting used to FEC

nicksan wrote in post #10780174
Also, don't get in the primary's way and don't be in the vicinity of the primary when the primary is shooting people. Or at least make sure you aren't the cause of wandering eyes, etc. Just shoot what you are assigned and try not to squeeze in the "money shots". Some primary shooters will allow you to do that, some won't.

Etc....

I intend to back well away from the posed shots and capture unguarded moments then, I have another meeting with the principle photographer at the end of this week to finalize things.

Cheers,


Colin

Colin Morey wrote in post #10780344
Manual with Automatic ISO

The only issue with Auto ISO in M is you have no exposure compensation. I think this is the case with the 1DMKIV. Not really sure. I don't remember. I owned that body about a month before I switched to Nikon. On my D3/D700, when I use Auto ISO in M mode I lose the ability to do exposure compensation. The needle always goes to the middle unless there's not enough light, in which case something will "budge" settings wise.

Thanks Nicksan, I'll check that out and bare it in mind.

Well, almost a week later, and I'm still riding the wave, it was a good wedding, there are a number of things that I know I can improve on. But the things I was most concerned about, the working with the primary, shooting the groom's setup solo, and a few other things all appeared to go off well. A lot of this is down to the Primaries fiancé who had already met the bride and groom and handled all of meet-and-greet, leaving me to concentrate on shooting.

Best of all, I'll be helping at another wedding tomorrow, so I guess things went well.

I have second shot a lot, so my thoughts would be:

-you're there to help the 1st shooter, so if it means holding lights so they can get the shot even if you can't (like during the first dance) - help them.
-help them organize the guests for the formals, fix the bride's dress if need be, etc...
-bring water/snacks
-be clear of the expectations from you - the groom's getting ready shots are a must (I am not sure about your settings though - Manual with auto ISO??, just shoot manual or at least Av).

Jasmine Star and her husband JD have it all well written down here (second post from the top).

Svetlana wrote in post #10836173
I have second shot a lot, so my thoughts would be:

-you're there to help the 1st shooter, so if it means holding lights so they can get the shot even if you can't (like during the first dance) - help them.
-help them organize the guests for the formals, fix the bride's dress if need be, etc...
-bring water/snacks
-be clear of the expectations from you - the groom's getting ready shots are a must (I am not sure about your settings though - Manual with auto ISO??, just shoot manual or at least Av).

I was privileged to be 2nd shooter, but without the organisational responsibilities, those were taken care of by the 1st shooter's fiancé.

settings wise, I ended up shooting fully manual, however, Auto ISO did come in handy for the dance and the band shooting afterwards.