Engagement pictures: Son and Daughter-in-law to be have asked me to photograph them for their engagement pics. Photos will be shot in red-rock canyon country in Southern Utah. I have a...

loujenn

Son and Daughter-in-law to be have asked me to photograph them for their engagement pics. Photos will be shot in red-rock canyon country in Southern Utah. I have a Canon 60D, tripod, 430EX flash and of course gorgeous landscapes as backdrops. I am just an amateur though and would appreciate any advice re any additional equipment anyone would suggest. They want the red rock backdrop, so probably won't use telephoto lens to fade background. Thanks.

Annie_Girl Loc: It's none of your business

loujenn wrote:

Son and Daughter-in-law to be have asked me to photograph them for their engagement pics. Photos will be shot in red-rock canyon country in Southern Utah. I have a Canon 60D, tripod, 430EX flash and of course gorgeous landscapes as backdrops. I am just an amateur though and would appreciate any advice re any additional equipment anyone would suggest. They want the red rock backdrop, so probably won't use telephoto lens to fade background. Thanks.

I would love to photograph there, I love the natural settings. I did do a quick google search for some posing ideas using the wonderful backdrop.

http://www.google.com/search?q=engagement+photos+%2B+red+rock+Utah\&sa=X&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&ei=5BlKUqTYHKKD2gWJ74HACQ&ved=0CCkQsAQ&biw=1536&bih=698&dpr=1.25

Ambrose Loc: North America

- Shoot at sunrise or sunset.
- If you must shoot under the sun, fill shadows with flash or reflector. This will also distinguish your subjects from the background.
- Since your shooting wide open DOF, Keep the background simple as possible and avoid too much distracting detail.

Thats all I've got. Good luck!

sadams Loc: Nampa, ID

You may want to invest in a very helpful cell phone app. called Ephemeris from TPE. It will give you Sunrise/ Sunset and angles using GPS so you can set up the shot on your cell phone prior to going on location. You can scroll forward to the day that best fits the couples plans and what works best photographically. It also gives Moonrise and Moon set times and angles as well.. I highly recommend it. Here's an example knowing the sun angle and set time I was able to photograph my sons girlfriend to advertise her up-coming Reiki class.

OddJobber Loc: Portland, OR

Annie_Girl wrote:

I did do a quick google search for some posing ideas using the wonderful backdrop.

Wow. Some exciting ideas there. I personally think the samples in formal attire make it special.

sadams Loc: Nampa, ID

I think you can employ both concepts to get a really great shot.

OddJobber wrote:

Wow. Some exciting ideas there. I personally think the samples in formal attire make it special.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Ambrose wrote:

- Shoot at sunrise or sunset.
- If you must shoot under the sun, fill shadows with flash or reflector. This will also distinguish your subjects from the background.
- Since your shooting wide open DOF, Keep the background simple as possible and avoid too much distracting detail.

Thats all I've got. Good luck!

Yes, a 5 in 1 will both fill and filter. In bright sun, you can filter the harsh direct light, then fill with the flash. You will need a helper though, or some kind of stand.
Good luck. SS

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

loujenn wrote:

Son and Daughter-in-law to be have asked me to photograph them for their engagement pics. Photos will be shot in red-rock canyon country in Southern Utah. I have a Canon 60D, tripod, 430EX flash and of course gorgeous landscapes as backdrops. I am just an amateur though and would appreciate any advice re any additional equipment anyone would suggest. They want the red rock backdrop, so probably won't use telephoto lens to fade background. Thanks.

The decisions you make at Red Rock are the same sorts of decisions you'd make anywhere, in a backyard, alley, house...how to make a good photo isn't dependent on location or equipment.

If it were me and I had anything riding on a shoot where I had only one chance to get things right; I'd buy Roberto Valenzuela's webinar "Location! Posing! Execution!" and watch it several times and practice until I was confident in what to do.

http://www.creativelive.com/courses/location-posing-execution-roberto-valenzuela

Wall-E Loc: Phoenix, AZ

sadams wrote:

You may want to invest in a very helpful cell phon... (show quote)

The version for your PC is FREE. Only the app for mobile costs.

Effate Loc: El Dorado Hills, Ca.

loujenn wrote:

Son and Daughter-in-law to be have asked me to photograph them for their engagement pics. Photos will be shot in red-rock canyon country in Southern Utah. I have a Canon 60D, tripod, 430EX flash and of course gorgeous landscapes as backdrops. I am just an amateur though and would appreciate any advice re any additional equipment anyone would suggest. They want the red rock backdrop, so probably won't use telephoto lens to fade background. Thanks.

You don't necessarily need to fade background, you can use tele to compress background. Additionally, as you can see be previous examples, experiment with flash off camera and maybe use reflectors to balance light if you only have one strobe.

MagicMark

loujenn wrote:

Son and Daughter-in-law to be have asked me to photograph them for their engagement pics. Photos will be shot in red-rock canyon country in Southern Utah. I have a Canon 60D, tripod, 430EX flash and of course gorgeous landscapes as backdrops. I am just an amateur though and would appreciate any advice re any additional equipment anyone would suggest. They want the red rock backdrop, so probably won't use telephoto lens to fade background. Thanks.

I live in Colorado so I have lots of Red Rocks here too. If it's one thing I've learned in shooting around red rocks it is to remember to set a custom or preset "white balance".

Good Luck and Congrats on the assignment! :)

BigD Loc: The LEFT Coast

rpavich wrote:

The decisions you make at Red Rock are the same so... (show quote)

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

I would also shoot some background images without the subjects in the frame in case you need it for compositing. You may get the perfect image of the subjects but something is wrong with the BG but if you have a perfect BG, then you can always composite in post.