Wedding Shoot

[perfectoarts]

Well I had the honour of assisting a guru of photography last weekend. What a day that was, it blew me away. My photography went backwards, but the learning curve was so huge, I need to digest it all. But here are 3 photos that I shall share with you. Will need to go through the rest and see what I can resurrect :) No flash was used, just the available light.
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[janine]

these are really nice!! especially second and third ones. funny how sepia tones always look so suited to weddings!

[LensBaby]

WOW I really really like the second one. It almost looks as if he is telling her a secret. Nice job. What lens did you use for these photos?

[dkippen]

Ingrid - what lovely shots. I love the last one with the mystery and you can almost see the anticipation. Wonderful job!!

[perfectoarts]

I used both my cameras on the day. The Canon 40D with my 24-105mm f4 L lens and 20D with 100mm macro f2.4lens and all in RAW format.
For the 3 photos posted above it was the 20d with 100mm. I have never been too comfortable using this without a tripod due to my slight hand tremor but I was lucky. Naturally there is PP and watching my guru later at home, boy do they do a lot of PP.
The Canon 24-205 did not perform well at all. I was shattered at the end of the day to the point of wanting to give up photography all together, but took stock the next day and realised that there are quite a few good shots after all. We are so hard on ourselves.
My guru (Shelton Muller) was a great encouragement to me. He kept reinforcing that I was not the prime shooter, rather the assistant and had other duties. He was just happy that I could fit in some photography for my assignments.
He is a total prime lens guy and wrote down a whole list of what lenses I ought to be looking at for future purchases. We know there is quite a debate whether to buy zoom or prime lenses. Perhaps we should talk about this in another section.

If interested I can post a few more photos.

[jerryph]

I used both my cameras on the day. The Canon 40D with my 24-105mm f4 L lens and 20D with 100mm macro f2.4lens and all in RAW format.

Good move! I never shoot events in anything but RAW as well at any events I've had the pleasure to do. RAW has greater latitude for recovery of quality and in some cases, reduction of digital noise than JPG ever can. Having 16-bit files vs 8-bit does that and a lot more for you.


I have never been too comfortable using this without a tripod due to my slight hand tremor but I was lucky.

I think less luck and some good decisions on settings and some good technique on your part that were the answer!


Naturally there is PP and watching my guru later at home, boy do they do a lot of PP.

This really depends on the one doing the PP, and the final goals. With the friend I have had the pleasure to do 4 weddings with as a 2nd shooter, 75% of his shots are basically straight out of camera, sharpened lightly, WB balanced and exported to JPG. The other 25%... well some are a little more and a very few have as much as 2-4 hours of PPing per picture done to them.


My guru (Shelton Muller) was a great encouragement to me. He kept reinforcing that I was not the prime shooter, rather the assistant and had other duties. He was just happy that I could fit in some photography for my assignments.

I think you did VERY well for your first time!


He is a total prime lens guy and wrote down a whole list of what lenses I ought to be looking at for future purchases. We know there is quite a debate whether to buy zoom or prime lenses. Perhaps we should talk about this in another section.

Most definately... but I can tell you that it will depend on the lenses. The top of the line zoom lenses today are incredibly sharp, and it has been proven over and over that even experienced professionals could not tell which picture was taken with what lens. I would not be talking about lower end lenses, but top primes vs top zooms.

I am more attuned to the Nikon side of things, and 90% of the Nikon wedding photographers use the gold ringed Nikkor 70-200mm VR F/2.8 because of it's incredible sharpness and quality output. Primes kick in more when you need low light capabilities (F/1.4 to F/1.8), in today's wedding photography.


If interested I can post a few more photos.

I'd love to see more, post away! :)

[LensBaby]

He is a total prime lens guy and wrote down a whole list of what lenses I ought to be looking at for future purchases. We know there is quite a debate whether to buy zoom or prime lenses. Perhaps we should talk about this in another section.

If interested I can post a few more photos.[/QUOTE]

Yes I wanna see!!! Also, it is true that prime lenses are better, BUT zoom are just so much easier. I had a pro tell me that zoom lenses are actually most effective at the half way mark. ( The middle point of what the zoom is capable of.) I love prime lenses, and hey I have a Canon, so if you want to tell me what he said was good, because I am looking to buy some great lenses for my Canon.

[perfectoarts]

Jerry here are a few more pix.
The two that are out of focus I could not toss out. They added to the mood of the moment. Not sure what your thoughts are on these, but I really liked them. I personally feel that we should always try something with our mishaps and see what develops.
Out of time to sift through the many other photos, since none of mine are required by the bride I can do what I like with them :)
BTW I have an 85mm prime lens coming this week. Should be fun!


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[LensBaby]

Ingrid I love your work. The photo of the bride that has the tractor in the back _ I LOVE IT. I love the way it is composed and I just love the feel of the moment.

[janine]

my! can i get married again? just so you can take my photos!!???

[jerryph]

A pity about #1, it is a combination of motion and focus blurs. Sometimes if you have one or the other, it can be sharpened out to save it... it is a lovely picture that displays a special moment. Not one that would normally make it into the albums. Don't worry, this happens a LOT in weddings due to their dynamics and ever flowing progression. I have a couple hundred of these kinds... lol

#2... lots of motion blur, but you know what? This kind/type is one that I have seen placed in albums, even with lots of blur. It is a very important moment to many brides and the motion adds to the feeling (though a little less feeling in this case would have been better... lol). The vignette is a nice touch, but there are plug-ins in PS that make a blur vignette... I would have added that to make sure it is focused on the bride's head, and likely tried a little directional motion sharpening reduction in CS3 to see if it would clear her head up a touch. Still, I bet you the B&G would like this picture as a keeper. :)

Getting to #3 later. ;)

#4 would have been magnificent except your bride is a fast blinker. This is one of the things that I watch a LOT for and even once I get 1 good one, I take 2-3 more just for insurance. Even if the next picture was not as nice, I could still take the open eyes from a lesser shot and photoshop them to the one that has all that I need. :)

#5 is a nice shot, well thought out, the angle would not have worked on a busy background... just really, really nice!

#3... this is my favorite. What a powerful shot and very nicely post processed! About the only tiny thing I would have changed is the angle of her head... looking to the side instead of at the truck, but still, that doesn't change what this pic does for me. Just Awesome!

When I look at this picture, I say to myself THIS is where I want to get to. :D

Thank-you very much for sharing again!

[perfectoarts]

Thank you....Hey remember I was the assistant and when time permitted I could take my own photographs. So I cannot take too much credit. But, I was the person that found these locations. That ought to give me extra brownie points.

[colelover178]

These are very beautiful

I have a question about wedding shoots though when do they get time to go get photos like of the ones by the tractor and special ones away from the actual ceremony and reception??? do they take a break in between those just for the photos? See i am married but i was only 17 when i got married and we were working with what we had and we didnt have a photographer at the wedding other than a few disposable cameras lol so we just got basic pics but i wanna renew our vows now and hire a photographer so i was just wondering how that goes when you fit it in. seems like the rest of the ppl at the wedding will miss the bride and groom if they run away for pics lol

[perfectoarts]

Well here in Australia and I probably think it is the same elsewhere, the basic routine is this.

1. The photographer goes to the bride's home and photographs there where everyone gets ready....bride, bridesmaids, parents etc. The poor blokes dip out until you get to the church or wherever.
2. Then we fly out ahead and be at the church before the bride arrives. More pix there of them getting out etc.
Then you have to be inside before they come in. Photographing a service can be very tricky and demanding. You cannot be obvious and need to quietly float about and take the snaps that are so important. I did not manage very well there and only managed a couple of shots (yeh, the blurred ones above).
3. Then take snaps bride & groom coming out & the crowd doing their congratulations etc.
4. Then we went off to a pre-selected couple of venues for the photo shoot.
5. Guests would have gone slowly to the venue for canapes & drinks.
6. We arrived at the venue and gathered the full crowd for a big photo session. Then the mandatory family shots.
7. Up to the reception room. Do a mock cake cutting photo shoot and the decorated room etc.
8. Then guests arrive and be seated and then the bridal party shots walking in and being introduced as Mr & Mrs.
9. If you are not required to stay on, you try and just linger until the opening speeches are done and depart quietly when the food comes out.

Now there are many different ways of organising YOUR day. What a lovely gesture for you both to be
You can have beautiful photographs taken when you are both preening yourselves and departing to wherever you are planning to have your service.
If you are planning to have a gathering there and go to another venue to celebrate, make the time difference about 1-2 hours.
That gives you the time to head off to somewhere close of your choosing for your photoshoot.

Naturally if you are retaking your vows somewhere lovely ie beach, forest etc why not just think of some gorgeous different poses that you can have taken. It means your guests can linger about having champagne and just chat.
I saw the most exquisite pose on flickr the other day. This photo would have to be 1 in a million.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7265373@N06/2852043601/
Go through flickr and just put in wedding photography and you can see what stunning images there are.

Simple but romantic....that is the go. You are trying to show to each other your love, it is your private moment and if that can be captured you are a lucky girl.

Not sure if that answers your question. It was a very quick run down.

[perfectoarts]

Jerry I just noticed your extensive reply above. My apologies for not noting. As I was assisting the guru, I was a little intimidated to get to take the real angle shot I would have liked. I did not know this photographer until a day before. So I was a tad nervous.
Yes I agree about the bride appearing to have her eyes closed. But on large view she has a nice downward glance which is not appreciated I guess on the small image. I am sure the real photographer would have snapped her with eyes open from 'his' angle.
The portrait shot I was very lucky to get. Quite frankly I thought my angle turned out better than his. But he was standing up high in front of her with his 85mm lens. A very tiny room with no place to move. I was pretty limited, but was stoked to have them turn out.
I am still in my infancy of learning photography. So when I have some successes I am over the moon. Then I hit rock bottom again. The more theory I am learning the worse my photos become. But I guess I am trying out so many new options that in due course it might all go CLICK (pardon the pun) It is a roller coaster ride for me right now.
Thank you for your encouragement, critique and added knowledge. It is all well heeded.
You will have to run the vignetting blur by me. I think I did it differently. Perhaps, I should upload the original of the photo you want and we can all have a play with it
Cheers Ingrid. :)

[jerryph]

when do they get time to go get photos like of the ones by the tractor and special ones away from the actual ceremony and reception???

In wedding photography, preparation is 99% of the job. The taking of the pics is the fastest and shortest part of the event for the photographer.

By preparation, I speak of things like:
- the B&G meeting
This happens at LEAST 2-3 weeks before the event. It is sometimes called the "get to know the couple" session. Others call it an engagement session and pictures are taken there (my preference!). During this meet, two of the things that SHOULD come out are: 1)where the event takes place 2)what does the couple want as formals and where they take place and how much time is dedicated to this part. There are at least 20 other things discussed but for your question, this is where these things are defined.

- Once you know "when and where", a pro will scout out the locations and areas nearby and write down all the potential shots they may wish to want to take (or take pics of the areas... lol). If they have been there before, this step may be skipped, but that is generally not a good idea.


do they take a break in between those just for the photos?
Most weddings dedicate 2-4 hours of time between the wedding and the reception. During this time, the photographer is allocated part of this time to race with the B&G to the locations above, do the formals and either race with the B&G to a place where they change *or* they should follow them to the reception. On rare occaissions, the formals are taken either before or after the wedding and staged. I'm surprised that Ingrid mentioned staged pics of the wedding cake cut... I never heard of anyone doing that, but then again, I do not know all photographers... lol.


See i am married but i was only 17 when i got married

Wow, that is young! It does have it's advantages, though... you will be around longer for your children and as someone who's mother married young also, I can tell you I appreciate it no end.


but i wanna renew our vows now and hire a photographer so i was just wondering how that goes when you fit it in. seems like the rest of the ppl at the wedding will miss the bride and groom if they run away for pics lol

Awesome idea, I do hope you do this!

As for being missed... not really. The trick is to send off everyone to the reception and get the booze flowing (ha-ha!). You would be surprised how much time the B&G can have. if that is well planned. ;) It is important that the people KNOW, though.

Another trick that I used was that the 2nd time I did the 2nd shooter thing, I volunteered to pass on the formals, zoom ahead to the reception area, take 30-45 min with all our backed up photos and create a sideshow for the guests of the events starting from the getting ready at the house pictures of the B&G ending at the end of the wedding ceremony (Absolutely NOTHING risqué shown. If in doubt...pass on the pic ;) ).

The slideshow thing I was already good at (it is very easy)... little to no PPing of the pics was done, I just set exposure settings to "auto", sharpened 25% and converted to JPG and exported the pics (all done in a very fast batch mode), then imported the pics into the slideshow that was shown on a large white wall with a projector tied in to my laptop. That kept the guests busy for 1 hour alone. During the slideshow, I also set up a small portrait area about 5 feet away (3 lightstands/battery operated strobes in front of a commercially available backdrop), and as they came to watch and cry over the just freshly taken pics, I stood them in the "picture area" and took portrait shots of almost every guest in attendance. They loved it!

I've started a little blog on wedding photography here (http://jerryphpics.blogspot.com/2008/06/000-intro-to-weddings-for-beginners.html) but it's far from complete. Wow, just thinking, I have about 10 photography projects started and incomplete because of how little free time I have had this summer. Fall is coming soon, lets see if things slow down to a more sane pace for me. That would give me a chance to get more of these things closer to completion.

Anyways, I hope that answers your questions a little. :)

[dkippen]

Ingrid - I see a lot of talent in these. I envy those that get wonderful portrait and wedding shots.

Jerry - you are becoming a jack of all trades in regards to photography. You're another one I envy. I'll stick to the outdoors and animals for now!

[colelover178]

Well thank you both of you that answered my questions very well. my husband isnt very fond of getting his picture taken but i am definatly doing it with photots this time if we can do it. thanks again i dont think i will be shooting any weddings soon lol sounds hard!