Pistnbroke Loc: UK

Just read a post on the main section about 70 year old wedding photographers and tripods a sort of should I shouldn't I post.
Well in 2000 I left for Australia leaving the world of Bronica and Hassleblad behind. 80 shots on a tripod for an album lightmeter and all that .
When I returned in 2010 I re started the business and equipped with two D90s did 40 weddings in the first year.
First wedding I used the tripod until the first group and I have never used it since. Why ….the zoom lens.
In that first group I could see pics within the group ..small children etc and no way was I going to get the tripod down quick enough to there level . So off it came and I went hand held for everything the zoom allowing me to quickly frame the shot. It soon escalated to with my wife taking 1500 shots ( preps to first dance) .
In the end I had 3 x D850 , Two 28-300mm and a 14 mm Samyang. Then of course the market collapsed with people wanting to spend only £299 ($400) Corruption in the hotels ( back handers) and we had to go wired to stop the clients demanding refunds..
The cameras were always set the same with the dials taped up ...F8 auto iso 200-6400 min 1/60 FP 1/320. On camera flash with a flash flipper .It only changed from A to P for the first dance and I had my own portable disco lights to thwart those ass hold disco guys who wanted the dance in the dark.
If you want a look the web site is still up www.1and1photography.co.uk and use password Obama@hotmail.com to access the client area . Retired but I miss it.

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

Very good question.
I still bring my tropod, but it generally is only used as a place to set my camera than as an actual tripod. I do use it for portraits or other things, but not often at the weddings.

My main reason is that 10 years ago and before, I was using a D-70 or D-200, or film. Those early digital cameras took great photos, but anything above ISO 200 was getting to the point of unusable. Film got grainy if you needed super high ISO, and you couldn't change ISO between locations, and I am too cheap to keep changing rolls of film based on location, so that's why tripods with lower shutter speeds were mandatory. I rarely used film faster than ISO 400, maybe 800. To me, 1000 looked like a photo made of sand.

With the newer bodies today, and it doesn't even have to be a D850, my daughter sometimes shoots with me, and her D-3200 is very capable of shooting usabie photos at as high as 1600. I was shooting over 3200 a few weeks ago on my D500 in a fairly dark barn, when my flash batteries were low, and I couldn't stop to change them, and those photos were perfectly fine. Would I blow them up to 30x40? Maybe not, but at normal viewing distance, they'd probably be OK too. Normally, any more, my wedding photos end up in an album, so are rarely larger than 10x10, or the occasional (but it has to be stellar) a 2 page spread of 10x20.
So yeah, I still have it with me, if anything, as a security blanket. It's also handy if you want to grab a little video to work in with the slideshow.

I have the conversation every so often about the program modes (A P, and S) I'm not a manual snob, but I just find it easier. When I fuss with "modes" more often than not, I'm still messing with dialing in the exposure compensation, so I'm not sure how that's any easier, than quickly spinning the front dial to change aperture, or rear dial to change SS? One dial or the other, vs. looking at the top of the camera to switch between modes, then to find the exposure compensation dial, and start moving that up or down based on if there are a lot of light clothing, or dark clothing, with bright backgrounds, etc? To me, that's more confusing, but if it works for everyone else in the world, it's no skin off my nose. I just do what I find quick and easy, so I can change my settings without ever moving the camera from my eye. I can meter off the skin, or part of the scene that I want to meter off, and spin either dial depending on what I want, until I get what I want.

I tried to access your page, but a lot of pages are blocked here at work. I do think you shared that link before, and I saw it from home, and thought you do some fine work, so how you work is doing well for you, and that is all that's important.

Thanks for posting.

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

Every wedding photographer has their own methods, some use tripods, some don't, some use flash and some use available light, every wedding shooter has their favorite cameras and lenses. for me, every wedding is somewhat different with different shooting requirements so I use whatever I need to get the work done. And yes, the technicalities of wedding photography have changed. I've been at it for over 50 years and I have seen all the gear changes from large format, through medium format film cameras and nowadays in digital imaging. Whether a wedding photographer uses a tripod, handholds his cameras for every shot or whatever he or she does has very little to do with the most significant change in wedding photography and that is the weddings themselves.

There is so much emphasis on equipment that many photographers are not understanding that the concept that weddings are a family affair and the family dynamic has changed. This effect the jobs of the wedding photographer, the business of wedding photography are more important than changes in equipment issues which any good shooter can adapt to.

My clients seldom ask me if I SHOOT Canon or Nikon or whether I use a tripod and if they do, I tell them that I SHOOT emotions, romance, family and relationships and record the event comprehensively. It seems to me most brides and grooms are not interested in tripods, strobes, and lens types. They are interested in the final results, how things will run smoothly on the wedding day and how I will interpret their relationships with each other and their family, bridal party and guests. When we are planning the photography, I don't talk equipment, I get into discussing wedding gowns, veils, and flowers, and attire, the ceremony, the logistics and who's who in the family, and the bridal party. i fine out where the relationships are and go after them

Nowadays, the parents are not as involved in the planning as they use to be and most of my couples are a bit older. Many of the couples prefer a photojournalistic coverage but I do remind them that formal portraits can be casual and elegant and it is worth their time and effort to plan some time for theses shots to be made in ample time in a good environment.

Besides, wedding traditions and, buying habits are different in different countries, and even in different neighborhoods, and various socioeconomic, ethnic, cultural and religious groups. Nowadays there are traditional weddings, same-sex marriages, and stuff we never imagined even 15 years ago. Celebrations and ceremonies can be surprisingly different. Yes, sir, things have changed but people are people and if you have good people skills and respect your clients and do your very best work, thigs will work out favorably.

crazydaddio Loc: Toronto Ontario Canada

Tripod for posed family shots
I find the folks are more likely to look at me if I dont disappear behind the camera. Challenge to keep all the eyes at me and not the 30 people standing behind me with their iPads. Also, I make them laugh and generally keep them interested. I use a wireless trigger also.
Easier to see them live than through the viewfinder and will snap off a series in bursts when they are all looking good. Also, easier in post processing as I only have to deal with framing. (Unless the sun is going in and out of the clouds).

....otherwise, I run and gun the entire day :-)

aellman Loc: Boston MA

What stands out to me is that your is all about equipment. What about the other obvious component of successful wedding, or other forms of, photography.

Harry0 Loc: Gardena, Cal

A lot of things happened.
I did the same. Wedding @ 2000 I had a Canon 6mp, and took 600 shots. How many MF rolls is that?
Decisions .. I went with Nikon. I got the D80, and the D200 (same kinda cameras.)
Clients didn't want to know it took me HOURS and MONEY to make that final product.
"You want *HOW* much?!?! I can buy a better camera than you have!! My cousin will do this!!"
In 2000, I had @ 40 years experience. That cousin? Not yet 4 days.
Tik tik tik ...
"But you're a PRO! I need you to fix my cousin's pix!"
Bad WB, focus, perspective, settings, posing, etc. Yeah. That was a nope.
That got kinda typical. Maybe half got any pictures at all. No memory card?
My basic all-in-one package: Albums for bride, both mothers. Little ones for bridesmaids and best man.
Three 8x10s, in frames. The couple also got the CD- of that 100 to 150 best prettied-uo shots.
Advantage digital" I worked all night and the next morning, and showed up at the going away lunch.
I had also handed out maybe a dozen "disposable" cameras at the reception for guest candids.
The couple got those in @ a week.

2020s? Everybody has a iPhone.
"But OUR shots look spontaneous! Yours look fake! Posed!"
Well yeah honey! They are! All these people are primped and pretty for these shots.
In 15 to 25 years mine will still look great- to the couple and their kids.
In @ a week you won't know of whom or what you were taking a picture.
"Kids" are getting much more minimalist. Pictures are just more "things".
All their past- and present- is stored on "the cloud". And then probably forgotten.
Times Have Changed.

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

Yes! Times and buying habits have changed- perhas for the better. There are some folks who will have a friend or relative photograph their wedding with a cellphone camera and folks who would never hear of that! There is still a market for PROFESSIONAL work, but perhaps it is smaller and more selective.

Many wedding photographers gave it up for lack of business because they would not change with the times as per taste and what kind of service is now in demand. Some younger couples prefer a more photojournalistic approach- I can do that, however, I do advise them that if they want some elegant and romantic "formal" images they will have to make time and cooperate- they usually agree. There is a is difference between stiff unnatural poses and elegant, casual images that are carefully styled to look totally natural.

I still sell albums. I explain that electronic imagery, stored on "clouds" or even media such as CDs and digital storage devices can suddenly disappear or become degraded or corrupted.

If you need to put in all kinds of shooting time and post-processing and printing efforts, you need to charge accordingly so that can earn a good profit. If you underprice your work, you can't blame the customers. If you do high-quality work you can get your price- you will get less work but gain more profit.

Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

"What stands out to me is that your is all about equipment. What about the other obvious component of successful wedding, or other forms of, photography." In my humble estimation only aellman has brought clarity to Pistnbroke's post.

Like the myriad of others on UHH either it's about "The Good Old Days" or I've got the latest and greatest piece of kit!

Wedding photography is an art... NOT a craft... And those who excel have a keen understanding that this is likely the most important day in a brides life. The client typically is the brides mother (the one who writes the check).

Listening to Pistnbroke's rant it becomes obvious he/she doesn't comprehend that wedding photographers work only when they have a signed contract which typically includes a "Shot List" delineating the actual scope of deliverable coverage. Along with duration on site etc. Nope Pistnbroke admits in his UHH bio that he invests his time on Nikon Rumors? Like my second shooter would say... Make like a hockey player and get the puck off Nikon Rumors and focus on IG (Instagram) which is where I book the lion's share of my commercial work.

Charles Darwin long ago gave us the key... Survival goes to those who can adapt the quickest! Period.
Like Ed pointed out we live in rather dynamic times... Not embracing the paradigm shift which includes work for the LGBTQ community may no longer be a sustainable business plan. Evolve or be left behind.

Best advice Pistnbroke? Please learn as much as possible about the wedding industry if you truly want to thrill... Here across the pond it is WeddingWire.com https://www.weddingwire.com/wedding-photographers
Here is where you'll find all the Top Tier (High End) Wedding Photographers. Lean from them, k?

This requires solid knowledge of each of the following arts...
Hair Stylist
Makeup Artist
Florists
Caterers
DJ's
etc...

It is NOT about Nikon, Canon, Sony, etc...

From you last post on Nikon Rumors Pistnbroke
"Get a life don't reply to this thread"
https://forum.nikonrumors.com/discussion/5841/get-a-life-dont-reply-to-this-thread
You are clearly out of touch with the "Art of Wedding Reportage" and instead focused on arcane trivia.
Maybe get off Nikon Rumors and get onto Instagram ASAP. Search Tags like Bridal; Wedding; Bridesmaids; MOB; MOG; etc.

Wishing you all the best Pistnbroke.
Please stay safe... Once the current health crisis abates the wedding market likely will come roaring back.

Harry0 Loc: Gardena, Cal

I think many of us are describing parts of the same elephant.
I just came back from a young relative's wedding.
Minimalist.
Even told me "We're doing OUR wedding, so no trad boomer stuff 'kay!?"
Small kinda reception first. Mostly business casual/nice, nothing formal.
Stood up, walked around the side BOOM wedding. Back to the reception.
Laid back celebratory event. Almost all of us stayed at the same hotel.
So we had almost constant contact, smoozing, wandering, conversations.

"Once the current health crisis abates the wedding market likely will come roaring back."
I gotta kinda disagree.
Working Americans just aren't doing the traditional kids and family and wedding thang anymore.
Marriage? Bad for taxes, benefits if any, credit, job opportunities, emotional baggages.
With inflation vs wages, they're barely holding on as it is. Kids? Really? No way!
The economists have been saying illegal immigration and welfare babies are keeping our population from shrinking.
Yes, AFTER the pandemic, the wage increase, the Medicare repair, and decent workplace changes
the working people *may* have more of a reason to have more extravagant weddings.
But not many of them. And not many of them will want to.
"Theme" weddings are being talked about.

"solid knowledge of each of the following arts..."
Abo posi lutely!
Make a business network of all those people, with options.
Get with, or make, or be, a true wedding planner. Or "all the above"
Cheap, middle range, and/or ritzy options. Pick and choose and get them what *they* want.
Most weddings this century had a DJ. Playing basically a digital mix tape and adding a bit of patter.
That wedding I went to- most of the money went to group discounts on the hotel and various daily dinners.
The most common comments have been "nice", "pleasant" and "back in touch".
*sigh*
Ain't been the same since the days of me and my Koni Omega.