swabubin

I am taking photos this weekend at a wedding. When I've taken photos of groups before I use a lines that gives me depth of field so the people in the back are blurry. What lens would anyone recommend that I use? I have a kit lens, 85mm, 28mm, and a 50mm. I was thinking the 28mm, it's a wide angel lens. I use a Canon 60D.
Many thanks!

Acountry330 Loc: Dothan,Ala USA

I would use the 28mm at F-8 or 11. To keep everyone in focus.

Bigdaver

Arrange the people in a shallow arc instead of a straight line, that helps keep the people on the sides in focus. I'd use a longer length, 50 or 85, and back up instead of going wide. F8 or F11 sound good. Getting further away helps your depth of field.

swabubin

my issue is having so many people in the photo that not one particular person stands out. I like the photos of the wedding party jumping in the air. Does anyone have any tips on that type of photo??

Coker Loc: Havana, IL

Getting large groups in focus is a must for weddings.. They most likely will enlarge a group shots. Here is how I do it.

Canon 7D - ISO 320 - f/4.0 - 1/60th Tamron PRO glass 28-74mm

skidooman Loc: Minnesota

Open shade daylight, fast shutter speed to freeze 'em in air, single focus point (center), A1Servo, f5.6 or maybe less if they're in a fairly straight line. Depending on the size of the party, I'd try to do it without a flash.

swabubin

I'll let you know how this works out!! Thanks!!

sirlensalot Loc: Arizona

Choosing from your list, and assuming you have the room, the 50 would appeal to me.

swabubin

another question for some of you. I am taking wedding photos outside this coming Sat. How do I get away from all the shadows with a bright sunny day. I ran into this issue at my last wedding. Would rather spend less time in post if I can. I placed my subject in the shadows and when I opened them up on the computer I couldn't see her face. Had to do a lot of post.
Thanks!

skidooman Loc: Minnesota

Here is a link to some helpful direct sunlight tips by a really good photographer. Should be of some help to you. Good luck!! http://neilvn.com/tangents/2010/10/05/shooting-in-bright-sunlight-wedding/

I'm always trying to avoid the harsh sun and find open shade. But if you must, a little fill flash and paying attention to the suns place in the sky/effect can go a long way.

Lucian Loc: From Wales, living in Ohio

If you are asking these questions here which is not a pro wedding photographer website, and you are shooting weddings and not knowing how to handle such lighting situations, then I would suspect you are not yet at the level of competence that a proper wedding photographer has attained.

I don't mean to sound attacking here, but I am basing my assumptions on what you are telling us. You state that you don't know how to properly expose images in an outdoor setting because of the sun, shade or mixed lighting you are encountering. As a proper wedding photographer, you should have learned this basic skill a very long time ago. In fact it is a basic skill any professional photographer would have learned if they are doing portraits or weddings.

I would not be happy if I hired a wedding photographer and they did not know how to use their camera and flash in an outdoor setting to get a properly exposed image. I'm sure they would have gone else where if you had told them this when they were booking you to do the job. I would strongly suggest you improve your knowledge and skill level before taking money for further wedding shoots because one day you will encounter lighting situations that you will not be able to sort out in Post and then what will you tell your clients?

As for jump shots, there are a number of things that need to be done to get good jump shots. The lens to be sued is very important and the location is very important. A wide angle is not very good to use because you have far too much in the frame and the wedding group will be too small to see much. And it is best to have a flash to get a nicer crisper image of everyone.

What I do is find a slight hill that put the group against a plain background, which is the sky of course. I use a telephoto lens and shoot half the group at a time, getting several jump shots of both sides, always include the bride and groom in the left and right side shots. Then I stitch together the two best left and right images captured to make one complete image. The foreshortening effect of the tele-lens makes for a closer looking group of people with a much more pleasing image of everyone. Of course this needs to be printed as a panoramic image for best effect.

Jumping shots are not easy because you will find it hard to get everyone, even one side at a time, to be in the air all at the same time. I will say good luck to you but there really is no place for luck if you are acting as a wedding photographer, you need to know what you are doing at all times, in all lighting situations. You owe that level of expertise to your clients and should not be using them to gain your experience.

This is one day that you can not call them to say come back next week and we'll re-shoot it all because I messed up some of the images. Most other things you can do that but never a wedding.

swabubin

I apprecaite your honesty. They know up front that I am affordable but alos learning. I would not comes off as a PRO WEDDING photographer if I weren't one, so yes they know up front. I don't charge much and they like the photos they've seen of my work. I was looking to expand my knowledge is all. Always looking for better shots and ways to achieve them.
Thanks though!

Lucian Loc: From Wales, living in Ohio

Okay then, that's fair comment. I would suggest finding someone to give you one on one hands on help with what you need. It is difficult to understand sometimes, what people are telling you. It's a lot easier to be there and shoot and look then adjust and shoot again. You would get more value and learn more quickly. See if there is a good experience photographer that you could hire to give you a few lessons in outdoor shooting with flash.

swabubin

that would certainly be nice but I cannot afford to hire someone to do this. I've spent so much on advertising and on equipment that I'm down to pretty much nothing. I was really trying to find someone who would do one on one with my external flash but haven't found anyone willing. I could always research on Craigslist but that's sketchy as well.
May think about something in trade.
Thanks!

Lucian Loc: From Wales, living in Ohio

it's always best to spend on acquiring knowledge and experience before spending on advertising. That way you are sure of being able to do the jobs you are advertising that you can do. One bad one will have rumours spreading that will far outreach any promotions you can afford to put out there for yourself.

I used to teach flying and I would always tell new students that it is a far greater value to spend money on good instruction than it ever is to spend it on a newer airplane. You must have the one BEFORE you get the other or disaster will be looming.

I understand your plight though. You could volunteer your services as a helper for free to some local wedding photographers for the next several weeks and watch and learn and ask questions at down times.