Fred Frank wrote:
Friend getting married on the beach Wednesday at Perdido Key near Gulf Shores Alabama.
Family pictures at 5 PM, with a ceremony at 7.00. I have a D850,
70-200, 24-70, and 14-24, all f2.8.
I also have an SB800 Speedlight.
Lastly, I'm not a Wedding Photographer but feel I can pull it off with decent results. The groom knows of my lack of experience in this setting. I want to show up like I know what I'm doing. I'm thinking the 24-70 will get it done. Not sure if I should try with or without fill flashing. I know settings will depend on where the sun is etc. Just asking for advice before Wednesday. Thanks.
Friend getting married on the beach Wednesday at P... (
show quote)
This paragraph is cut and pasted from many of my previous posts' answers to these questions pertaining to wedding photography:
"When it comes to weddings, and other such religious/celebratory family events, some families place photograhy as one of the top priorities in the planning- some do not. They will assign the task to an amateur friend or relative and oftentimes will regret that decision. Sadly, they realize their mistake after the fact. Perhaps a few will be satisfied with what they have. Many will hire an experienced top professional, who will provide a masterful "album". The album gets lots of attention at first but may languish on a bookshelf or closet for years to come. I will, however, guarantee, from personal experience and the reaction of many of my clients, that album becomes invaluable many years later"
The part of the OP's question that scares me is:" I want to show up like I know what I'm doing. I'm thinking the 24-70 will get it done. Not sure if I should try with or without fill flashing. I know settings will depend on where the sun is etc. Just asking for advice before Wednesday". Well, I am sure your 24-70mm lens will work well but your equipment and how is perceived by folks at the wedding, pertaining to that gear, is not all that important. It is what you do with that gear and your mastery of lighting and those are not some things that can be learned in 2 days.
People are offering well-meaning suggestion, advice and tips but only you know if you can function under pressure. Even a small intimate weddingg can be a photographic nightmare for the inexperienced.
Style and approaches to professional wedding photography have changed over the years. Certn aspects are always in flux, however, there are certain basics that have survived all the changes. Bridges and gorrm want to appear as the best in their weddingg photographs and attention to detail and expression is important. Thereis no time to fuss and fumble with equipmet- everything has to be done quickly, spontaneously, which entails always being in the right place at the right time and ready to shoot. Exposure, flas fill rations and focus management need to be just about "muscle memory" to the point where you can do these things your sleep.
"All brides are Beautiful"? Yes they glow and are usually at their very best, however, not all of them are "models" so YOU, the photographer, have to find the beauty- how are your portraiture skills?
Wedding photography is a mélange of skill sets- portraiture, photojournalism, fashion illustration, and people skills (psychology)! Oftentimes you deal with happy but nervous, folks, in tine windows of opportunity.
It's Monday! You have a day. Perhas go to the location in advance and check out the ligh athlete appropriate times of day and dry run some exposure tests to ger yo flas fill up to snuff. Even on a partly cloudy or overcast day, you can get some unwanted dense shadows in the eye sockets so a gentle fill is a good approach even in subdued light. You do not want to overpower the natural light- just add shadow detail.
Good luck!