Jcor

I am new to the site and thought I would run this by those with experience. I have been asked by a friend to take their wedding pictures. Something I am not comfortable with. I would like to stay with landscapes. Anyway, I will be taking them around 3 in the afternoon with plenty of sun. My camera is a Canon 5D MKll. I will be using either the 16-35 f 2.8 lens or the 24-105 L lens. I also have a Canon 580 EX ll flash. My questions are, which camera settings should I use, which lens and a setting for fill flash. Any advise is most welcome. I know, leave it for the pros.

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

3....2....1

If you are asking about settings, it's time to take your last advice: leave for the pro's.

Can they afford a real photographer?
I understand you wanting to help them out....maybe you can help with finding a photographer with experience.

Weddings are probably the hardest thing I've ever shot as a pro, and after 36 years, they still stress me out.
Do you have any experience using the flash?
You mentioned it almost as almost an aside.
Yes, it's at 3pm during the day but you will still probably need it to fill in shadows in some shots. Do you know how to balance flash with daylight?
What other similar experience do you have?
It's not landscape photography.
You may eventually get information you need here, but be advised, there should be a "Scared Straight" wedding photography video to watch.
Cameras malfunction (have a spare body and flash), power in the church goes out, radiators blow between the wedding and reception, tornadoes...these are all experiences I've dealt with.

All of this being said, at the end of the day and no matter what happens with photos at the wedding, they will still be married. My wife and I have been married 23 years and we aren't really sure where our wedding album is.

twindad Loc: SW Michigan, frolicking in the snow.

You may want to read some of these before you commit to this project.
This question has been asked and answered many times here.
The answer is no, don't do it.

http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/search.jsp?q=wedding&u=&s=0

Wahawk Loc: NE IA

ONCE, way back in film days, I was agreed to take an outdoor wedding for a cousin.... DISASTER!!! NEVER AGAIN!!

I will only agree to take pictures under MY conditions and that rarely includes portraits and NEVER weddings.

Tea8 Loc: Where the wind comes sweeping down the plain.

Ok, I'll admit I'm just here to watch this one cause I know what responses you are likely to get. I need a little drama in my life that's not my own right now so... Good Luck.

Wall-E Loc: Phoenix, AZ

You're late to the party.
Read ALL the previous responses.
They all say the same thing.
"Don't do it!"

Bruce with a Canon Loc: Islip

D O

N O T

D O

T H I S


Pro wedding shooters spend Y E A R S perfecting their craft.



D O

N O T

D O

T H I S




Have a wonderful day!

wilsondl2 Loc: Lincoln, Nebraska

I am not going to be a nah sayer. You will get plenty of those. I would use your 24-105. That way you should be able to get the group shots with the wide and zoom out to get Bride close ups. I would set the aperture at f/8 so that you will have good depth of field. ISO 400. Read your manual on how to do fill flash. A few other things. - Make a list of shots you want to take before during and after the Wedding. Since they asked you to do the Wedding make sure that they agree to cooperate with you in taking the pictures. Have them supply a "helper" from each side that will round up those that are needed for pictures. Make sure those that are going to be in pictures know when they are going to be needed for pictures. Look at all the wedding pictures you can between now and the wedding. You may want to make a "Swipe File" of those you like and take it with you to help in posing. For me Weddings have always been enjoyable. You know what is going to happen and when. It does not move very fast. The ceremony is slow enough so you can take your pictures and then "chimp" to make sure they are OK. And no matter what anyone says the pictures are fun and nice to have but the commitment made to each other is the most important thing. We had three pictures taken with a box camera of us on the day we were married and cherish them but I don't think our love for each other would be any different if we didn't have them and I consider our 52 years just a good start. - Dave

2MATO Loc: CNY -Central NoWhere

Yep, I am making more popcorn for this one. It is almost like a recurring soap opera with bad writing --- ok some good stuff.... Wilson decided to play nice. SO, SO much potential for bad outcome.

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

If you do decide to do this, might I suggest another photographer friend to assist you.

lighthouse Loc: No Fixed Abode

Valium?

Tea8 Loc: Where the wind comes sweeping down the plain.

I am in no way late to the party. I saw the other responses, but I know those were also the tame ones. So I'm hanging around to see how mean we are going to be to the newb.

ChuckL Loc: near Macon GA

I have not taken wedding photos but i have taken Santa photos at my store for many years. I do it for free so people know they are getting what they paid for. I also would suggest a helper. At least two cameras. Bounce the flash when possible or mount the flash on an extender on the camera.

mikeyatc Loc: Reno,NV/Folsom,CA

I think you should do it. Just do it. What's the worst that could happen? Have a few beers first. It will make you a better photographer!

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

I'm with Wilson on the choice of the 24-105 of the two lenses offered. Use the bounce flash capabilities of the 580 whenever indoors with a ceiling available. Use the defuser in other situations. A list of the 'required' shots should be developed from online research and written on a 3x5 for handy reference. This assumes you decide to push into that headwind of 'no's ....It's Wednesday already ... if that 3pm isn't this coming Sat / Sun :-), you've got time to research and hone your skills via practice and analysis and planning. Check out the wedding and reception locations as well at approx the same time.