Pest or practice?
Aug 8, 2012 20:56:04 #
Hello All-
I am attending a wedding in a week and a half ( August 18th) and was planning on bringing my camera with a 70-200 2.8. I have smaller lenses I could bring, but nothing that fast or versatile. Maybe I should be asking this in a non photography forum, because I think most of us would be thinking bring the fast glass! So my question is this, do you (or your significant other that cares nothing for photography) find it obnoxious when someone brings a ten inch plus lens to a wedding he was not hired for? Thanks for all the words of wisdom in advance.
I am attending a wedding in a week and a half ( August 18th) and was planning on bringing my camera with a 70-200 2.8. I have smaller lenses I could bring, but nothing that fast or versatile. Maybe I should be asking this in a non photography forum, because I think most of us would be thinking bring the fast glass! So my question is this, do you (or your significant other that cares nothing for photography) find it obnoxious when someone brings a ten inch plus lens to a wedding he was not hired for? Thanks for all the words of wisdom in advance.
Aug 8, 2012 21:19:06 #
I would say ask the bride if she minds. I think what ever her wishes are should be honored.
Aug 8, 2012 21:44:12 #
Country's Mama wrote:
I would say ask the bride if she minds. I think what ever her wishes are should be honored.
That's the only possible answer.
:thumbup:
Aug 8, 2012 22:39:23 #
The bride is my first cousin and won't have a problem with it at all! I was thinking more from the other guests' perspective. Would you do it?
Aug 8, 2012 22:51:32 #
jimio76 wrote:
The bride is my first cousin and won't have a problem with it at all! I was thinking more from the other guests' perspective. Would you do it?
Ask the groom's mother; she'll know how the other side of the family feels and she won't pull any punches.
Aug 9, 2012 02:21:39 #
jimio76 wrote:
Hello All- br I am attending a wedding in a w... (show quote)
Hi jimio76: After as others have suggested check with the bride and groom etc. and if they are ok with it I would also touch base with the hired photographer. I've heard enough complaints here at the forum from wedding photographers about well meaning relatives, friend of the family etc. interfering with the work they are getting paid to do that I would also take in to consideration their input concerning shooting anywhere near where they are working. They might even be willing to let you be a back up photographer for them. Ya never know until you ask.
Aug 9, 2012 04:50:10 #
Jim,
I shot my Niece's wedding and since I didn't use a flash I didn't interfere with the hired guns strobe units. I made sure I stayed out of the way and concentrated more on candids of the wedding party and the guests.
The next day at the gift opening I had my 400 photos running as a slideshow on a laptop. They were a big hit and it seemed everyone enjoyed seeing them, some even watched all 400 scroll by. Good luck!
Oh, I was using my Tamron 28-200 and no one seemed to mind.
I shot my Niece's wedding and since I didn't use a flash I didn't interfere with the hired guns strobe units. I made sure I stayed out of the way and concentrated more on candids of the wedding party and the guests.
The next day at the gift opening I had my 400 photos running as a slideshow on a laptop. They were a big hit and it seemed everyone enjoyed seeing them, some even watched all 400 scroll by. Good luck!
Oh, I was using my Tamron 28-200 and no one seemed to mind.
Aug 9, 2012 08:57:45 #
Georgia Peddler
Loc: Brunswick, GA
Had a portrait photographer friend who hated to do weddings and basically would not. His portrait clients (40x60 at $2500 as an example) were adamant about his shooting their children's weddings. I assisted him a few times and he would shoot a great wedding but he had a really wierd quirk. His wife would wield a remote Nikon flash on a pole with remote eye. She provided side light, extra light, etc. as required. When Aunt Mary or Uncle John or whomever would step up after his shot and say, "Wait, let me get that one", he would step back and they would shoot - unknowing that the remote Nikon had been pointed at their lens and most of the time their shot would be nothing but a big ball of light. Obviously, with today's digital, the gig would be caught but in the days of film, it must have given him great satisfaction to know that their shots were wasted.
Aug 9, 2012 09:07:03 #
Georgia Peddler wrote:
..he would step back and they would shoot - unknowing that the remote Nikon had been pointed at their lens and most of the time their shot would be nothing but a big ball of light.
Sounds like a swell guy. :thumbdown:
Aug 9, 2012 09:27:11 #
travlnman46 wrote:
I've heard enough complaints here at the forum from wedding photographers about well meaning relatives, friend of the family etc. interfering with the work they are getting paid to do that I would also take in to consideration their input concerning shooting anywhere near where they are working. They might even be willing to let you be a back up photographer for them. Ya never know until you ask.
I've heard enough complaints here at the forum from wedding photographers about well meaning relatives, friend of the family etc. interfering with the work they are getting paid to do that I would also take in to consideration their input concerning shooting anywhere near where they are working. They might even be willing to let you be a back up photographer for them. Ya never know until you ask.
I agree with abiding by the bride's wishes, but I wouldn't take any other photographer's concerns into account. If there is a pro there, he or she is being paid for his efforts and results whether or not there is any other photographer present.
Aug 9, 2012 09:54:24 #
verichrome
Loc: California
One of the many reasons a professional wedding photographer is concerned about other photographers shooting at a wedding could be that the lighting balance will be changed by the light from other flash units. This is especially true with group shots and photos of the bride and groom.
Another reason is the professional is being paid to produce a wedding album without the interference of untrained photographers.
I feel that is is rude not to ask permission from the bride. If there is wedding planner involved you might want to ask that person too.
Another reason is the professional is being paid to produce a wedding album without the interference of untrained photographers.
I feel that is is rude not to ask permission from the bride. If there is wedding planner involved you might want to ask that person too.
Aug 9, 2012 10:03:42 #
Georgia Peddler
Loc: Brunswick, GA
Before digital, not everyone was a Professional Photographer like they are today. I shot commercial, but in attending weddings it never failed that Aunt Mary or Uncle Frank would park themselves behind the official photog and after his every shot they would step forward and yell "Hold it, I want to get that one". Takes a true pro to put up with that every weekend, eh? Of course now that everyone has a wonderful digital outfit and is therefore an obvious professional, I'm sure that doesn't happen in today's wedding setting???? Yeah, right !!!
Aug 9, 2012 10:05:37 #
PrairieSeasons wrote:
quote=travlnman46 br br I've heard enough compl... (show quote)
Well you would be wrong on this nothing pisses off a wedding photographer off faster than having "Uncle Bob" trying to get pictures while you are working. Uncle Bobs have a tendency to be a real distraction. You want the couples focus on your lens and your directions. Not glancing over for Uncle Bobs pics.
Many wedding photographers including myself have a no other shooters clause in the contract. Why? One this is my job,my profession. Do I come to your job and play around screwing with your livelihood? As fellow photographers show some respect! All of those candids and memorable moments I capture are for sale. As in, this feeds my child and help pay the light bill. Why would anyone purchase photos of the wedding when Uncle Bob is giving them away for free!
Aug 9, 2012 10:09:02 #
I'd say be careful. I did this once and the photographer ended up being a long lost cousin and I got enlisted to help out. Good thing is I then processed and printed 100ish prints , bought a wedding album book, and it became their wedding gift. They loved it !
Aug 9, 2012 10:09:59 #
talk to the bride and a 70-200 is not a lens for an event like that if you are sitting in a pew or audience . you may want to rent a smaller less obtrusive lens. A 24-70F2 might be the answer. Lens Giant has one for a good price!
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