rubyjaya

I bought a canon 5 D a year ago and am beginning to get my head around it. Some how...I have agreed to do the wedding photos for someone, should I be a wimp, play safe and do everything,including flash, in auto mode?

dasloaf

Questions for you?
1. Backup camera for wedding? Backup equipment?
2. experience to do a wedding? are you the 2nd photographer?
3. if you have to ask the question are you ready to do the job?

Weddings are tough for everyone, are you ready for it?

Festina Lente Loc: Florida & Missouri

Three very good questions.
Unless this is an informal 10 minute ceremony in a flower garden with just six guests, you may need some experienced help.
When it comes to weddings, it's not just the camera that you need to get your "head around."

Georgia Peddler Loc: Brunswick, GA

Why would you want to do something like this? Do you know the bridie and groom personally? Are you good friends? If so, then beg off unless they know that you are not really a "wedding photographer" but instead an aspiring photographer. Do not be ashamed to beg off and let them know that you really appreciate the offer but your friendship is more important. There is more than just a few "snapshot" opportunities at a wedding. The parents, other family members, etc. expect great photos - can you supply such? If so, then forge ahead - good luck!

rubyjaya

Thanks for your reply, and concern.
1.Canon compact as back up.
2.No experience other than taking photos at my daughters very formal wedding.I understand other people will have cameras...
3. Am I ready for the job? I'll let you know after the event. The bride posted a request on our local camera club site wanting a photographer to take informal photos during her weddding, she knows I'm not a pro, we have met, obviously I want to do a great job. For the candid shots I can "play" about, different lenses etc but I wonder about playing safe for the ceremony and arrival, I should explain that the venue is in a field in Scotland with a marquee in case of rain. Lighting will be very hard to plan for so I was thinking auto, auto,auto?

Georgia Peddler Loc: Brunswick, GA

How soon is the wedding? Get a couple of your friends and go to a church or wedding hall or some such venue and ask if you can "play" wedding photog? Most would gladly accomodate your request. Then, just shoot-shoot-shoot. That is what digital is for, eh? You will quickly learn some things about available light, window lighting, mixed source lighting, etc. You can also experiment with depth of field, f/stop, shutter speed, etc. All critical things to know something about. Not rocket science, but still requires a little knowledge. You sound like you are not a total newbie, so just burn some pixels and see what you get, if you like it or not, what you need to change, etc etc. With a little knowledge, you will do well and also have fun with this opportunity. Go for it !!!

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

If they pay for transportation and room, I'll do it for free and throw in my bagpiping wife!


Hope you have a flash and know how to use is as a fill light.

rubyjaya

I do have a flash, and that is what I am trying to ask, should I use all the auto settings to be safe? I know they are entering the field with the sun, if there is any, behind them.

Georgia Peddler Loc: Brunswick, GA

Like I said (as have others) PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE on anybody and everybody that will pose for you in a churchlike or venue hall environment. Play with your camera until you are comfortable with the results you get with a given setting, f/stop, SS, etc. You cannot just show up with camera in hand and expect it to do the work for you. It will, but you might be disappointed with the results it chooses to render??
Good luck - enjoy and have fun, and - - DO GOOD WORK!

dasloaf

develop a battle plan, find out what are the must have pictures for the bride, the bride's mother and the groom's mother. It is the brides day and keep her happy. The other two, think it is their day, so talk to them and keep them in the loop. Remember that a good lens will make your job easier. A 24-70F2.8 is an awesome lens. A 70-200F2.8 for the ceremony will make it easier to get good shots and you will be out of the way

rubyjaya

k, point taken, no easy way out, thanks everyone

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

I use aperture preferred auto mode a lot, but I know what the camera is doing. I learned with film on cameras that had no light meter, flash that was manual and lenses that were manual focus. There are times when auto won't work and your experience takes over. If you have no experience, then it might be hard/impossible to get the shot you want. How much time do you have to practice before the wedding?

les_stockton Loc: Eastern Oklahoma

If I owned the camera for a year, and don't feel comfortable with it, I would absolutely never agree to do a wedding. I know some non-photographers have a lot of confidence in the equipment, but the truth is that it is the photographer, not the camera. A 5D is nice, but if you aren't comfortable with it and you aren't an experienced wedding photographer, I would decline.

Festina Lente Loc: Florida & Missouri

OK. Some suggestions:
1) I'd use Av (which is auto but you set the f/stop, which you may want to vary, but I generally used largest aperture unless I'm up close).
2) Flash is automatic TTL, adjust +/- using camera and lean towards under exposure.
3) Shoot RAW if you are familiar with using it in post processing. You can also shoot both raw & large jpeg (that's generally my preference)
4) Perhaps MOST IMPORTANTLY use a flash bracket to get the flash off axis (off of that hot shoe). A bracket will also be more comfortable to carry and hold. Get one that allows you to flip quickly from horizontal to vertical. Something inexpensive like the ALZO V-H Flip Bracket works just fine.
5) You will also need a flash extension cord to connect the flash to the hot shoe. Canon's cord is 2x the price of aftermarket brands; your choice.
6) As others have suggested here, practice using the expected conditions, become familiar with your set up.
7) Make sure you have enough CF memory cards, a spare camera battery or two, extra AA batteries for the flash, etc.

When you get back please post one of your favorite shots; would like to see and hear how this all turns out.
Scotland has so many photo ops, that you will probably come back with hundreds of photos besides the wedding.

rubyjaya

thanks for that, I usually use AV and I shoot raw to photoshop and small jpg. So keep flash on auto,(one less thing to worry about, great)underexpose 1 stop? good idea, easier to pull thing up. Not sure why a bracket is so important, whats a few inches amongst friends? I notice that pros use them, I will check one out. Thanks very much, that has helped, I will post a couple of results, cheers