Beercat Loc: Central Coast of California

When shooting weddings and engagement sessions I'm trying to figure out what works best and also what will align well with what I feel comfortable with.

This last weekend I used a tripod with a ball head and then connected my laptop to the camera so I could see things in 'live view' on the screen, it also allowed me to trigger the shutter remotely but the biggie for me was to view the pictures immediately to see the focus, exposure and composition. I'm 59 so my eyes don't see a small LCD screen well (on the camera). I also noticed it made me slow down and think through each picture whereas when I free hand the camera I don't.

I don't ever see myself wanting to 'spray & pray', just isn't me but I also know there are times when I will need to free hand the camera.

My thoughts were to use the tripod and computer when I'm doing engagement shoots, portrait/family time pictures during the wedding day and then to free hand during the ceremony and reception.

Would like to hear feedback from those who have gone through this .....

Thanks ahead of time for your feed back.

wj cody Loc: springfield illinois

the tripod will always be your best friend.

architect Loc: Chattanooga

For deliberate work, your set up with camera, tripod and computer is great, and perfect for studio work. My only reservation is that, for weddings, spontaneity will not be part of your work plan, as it could be with handheld captures. I do not believe in the "spray and pray" approach either. I am talking about pre-planned and unplanned shots where you can quickly control the composition with your camera position, making intelligent use of semi-auto settings including auto ISO.

DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX

Consider a dolly tripod and a CamRanger.

Beercat Loc: Central Coast of California

Interesting you should say that. When on the tripod last weekend I had things pretty much in manual including the ISO. I then wanted to capture some fun stuff with the couple so I took the camera off the tripod but forgot I had locked the ISO at 100. As I can't see the small LCD screen I couldn't see the blur because my shutter speeds were down around 1/30 with the image stabilization off as I had been on the tripod. I'll hopefully never make that mistake again, guess I can chalk it up to newbie syndrome :roll:

Beercat Loc: Central Coast of California

Interesting, I had 2 dolly's for tripods but didn't care for them,, can't roll that across the grass and in a church it looks rather strange, well IMO.

I sold the 2 dolly's

pappy0352 Loc: Oregon

Mine never leaves my backpack except to use it.

Pappy

Beercat Loc: Central Coast of California

Do you shoot weddings and if so when do you use it?

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

[quote=Beercat]

"My thoughts were to use the tripod and computer when I'm doing engagement shoots, portrait/family time pictures during the wedding day and then to free hand during the ceremony and reception."

Exactly right. :thumbup: :thumbup:

amehta Loc: Boston

First :thumbup: to architect's comments.

Shooting a wedding is all about being prepared to react quickly. There is no time to check the LCD screen for focus, exposure, and composition, it's already time to move on to the next shot, and there definitely isn't time to check each picture on the LCD. Your eye is at the viewfinder most of the time, once you've checked one or two shots. Focus and exposure are somewhat important, but they don't have to be perfect, just close. Composition is nice but generally irrelevant. Capturing the emotion of the day is critical, it's there the whole time, but the moments where it is visible and can be seen in a photograph are special and the goal. For example, in the picture below, does it matter that there is a coffee cup to the left or an electrical outlet on the right? Of course not, that will get cropped out. Can I say, "stay there while I move to get some of the bride's face!" Nope. I just take the shot, and the bride picks it for her album because it thoroughly captures her connection with her father.

My suggestion is to leave all the toys at home, take the camera, a couple of lenses, a flash (preferably on a bracket), and a monopod to support the weight and reduce the shake while giving you most of your mobility.

Beercat Loc: Central Coast of California

[quote=RWR]

I think my results would be better but I would be giving up a bit of mobility but during portrait time I don't think it's a big deal. I like the idea of knowing I have it right in the camera and if something isn't right I can deal with it right then as I can see it .....

Beercat Loc: Central Coast of California

Very true. Again, remember I'll free hand the camera during the pre-ceremony/getting ready, ceremony and the reception as I would totally agree that being 'in the moment' is the way to go but during the portrait/family shoot I think there is a place for the tripod and computer. Maybe after I shoot a few weddings I'll feel different but right now I see that as my preferred plan.

amehta Loc: Boston

That would not be my recommendation. The shot I posted happened during the "portrait/family shoot".

The great thing about advice, of course, is that the advisee can take it or leave it, otherwise it's a command. :-D

Beercat Loc: Central Coast of California

What I've learned 'quickly' is there is no right or wrong sometimes in the answers given, each has their own style, each a way they feel comfortable in doing.

Freehand is nice but I know during a portrait time lets say in the church, lets pick a dark mission, and you want to get some DOF, having that camera on a tripod can give me a few f stops of needed light, just sayin'.

amehta Loc: Boston

There are several options: handheld, monopod, tripod used normally, and tripod+laptop. I agree with you that handheld does not make sense. I'm just saying that tripod+laptop may not be the best option for any time when shooting a wedding. While "style" is nice, when shooting an assignment, I think the first task is to meet the goal of the assignment, even if it's a little uncomfortable. If you're shooting for yourself, do whatever you want. But if you're the "official" photographer for a wedding, I don't think you get that luxury.

I'm not trying to be a jerk, but I just can't imagine a wedding where the photographer is sitting at laptop to take the pictures. Things are just moving too fast and too chaotic for that.