dragonariesphotography Loc: Oklahoma

i have been asked to help out in a wedding. i have never done one before, i have some fun ideas but was wondering if anyone has any tips on indoor photography, i have a canon t3 and a canon xs i also have http://www.backdropoutlet.com/POP-UP-FLASH-DIFFUSER/productinfo/SC550/ in white, blue, and orange. the wedding is next sat so any prompt advise will be great :) thanks!

tk Loc: Iowa

Go to Search up above and put in wedding. You will see many forums giving good advice. Good luck.

chapjohn Loc: Tigard, Oregon

I have posted this before, but be sure to ask the offiant about using flash and be prepared not to use flash. Even difussed flash will still cause a distraction. If I was offianating the wedding no flash would be allowed during the ceremony.

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

Umm... I hope that when you say "helping out" it means you're not the main shooter. If that's the case it could be a great learning opportunity for you.


Weddings make me the most nervous, and I've been in the photography business for over 30 years.


BTW-That pop up flash can still cause redeye, even with the diffuser.

larrycumba

Get the new 600 flash plus an omni-bounce.

MWAC Loc: Somewhere East Of Crazy

If you are a second shooter, I would check with the main shooter that you can use flash during the ceremony, there's a big chance you won't be able too.

Second piece of advice, dump the pop-up flash and get a speedlight.

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

Good advice, but the 600 is about a dollar per number $600. It is radio remote capable, so to fully utilize its abilities, you need to buy the radio transmitter unit- $$$ and more than a week's experience using it to begin to understand how to use it. BTW-as a Nikon shooter, I must say I'm jealous of Canon's RT flash system.

Erv Loc: Medina Ohio

I would say get a fast lens. Most weddings I have helped shoot do not let you use a flash. And if you are second shooter, ask the boss. They all have different things they want you to shoot. And how to.
Erv

CaptainC Loc: Colorado, south of Denver

Well, good luck.

I suggest you throw that silly diffuser away and buy a real flash and preferably a bracket to raise it well above the camera.

Go to the library and check out every book on wedding photography.

If you are so inclined, alternate studying the books with heavy doses of prayer. :-)

JohnCadellPhotography

Check with the priest/pastor/rabbi who is going to conduct the wedding. Please respect his/her wishes as far as using a flash during the wedding is concerned, along with standing up or in the center aisle during the procession.
Go to the church/temple where the wedding will be held and look things over - get a feel/understanding of how the lighting is. This will be your biggest asset and challenge in knowing beforehand what you will be facing, and prepare accordingly. I would suggest a good fast lens in the 24mm-70mm f2.8 or a 17mm-100mm f3.5 if you have them. Make sure you have back-ups to your back-ups. Double and triple redundancy on batteries, cards.
If at all possible - get the bridal portraits done on a separate day from the wedding. Wedding day - the bride will more than likely NOT be focused on ANYTHING - she will be a nervous bundle of energy, and distracted by various well-meaning relatives and friends. It is far better to have a quiet couple of hours spent on getting her best look without the pressures of the wedding. Watch out for the Uncle Harry and Aunt Mildred who are self-taught photographers. They will distract your subject in the blink of an eye. Politely inform wedding guests that they are welcome to take all of the pictures they want - AFTER you have gotten yours done.
When framing either the couple, bride/groom/groomsman/etc. (single or couple situation), use the vertical format to give you that 'tight-in' approach. Use your horizontal bubble to ensure you are level edge-to-edge for the family and bridal party portraits. There's quite a bit more, like a shot list, but this will give you some very basic starters to go with.

nikonshooter Loc: Spartanburg, South Carolina

The Captain is "spot on" but prayer may not even work......try hiring a wedding photographer and follow him/her around.

A wedding is a worship service.......the photographer should be both "not seen and not heard" but yet you are expected to get "the shots". Depending on the Church and time of the wedding, ambient light may be ok with your cameras......but be prepared to shoot at high ISOs, 3200 and bring fast lens.

Don't shoot tight! Leave room for cropping.... Wide angle lens are unflattering for group shots.......get back and use the compression your longer lens offer. The list of advice can go on and on....but experience, esp working with a good wedding photographer would be invaluable. See if you can't shadow a wedding photog between now and your shoot. Do several if you can.

For the record,you don't have a flash......the pop up's on those cameras are as useless as tits on a male hog.

skidooman Loc: Minnesota

Good advice.

As a "helper" what is the main photographer expecting from you,,and is he aware of your equipment limitations??

My helper is usually setting up, tearing down and hauling equipment (strobes, umbrellas, stands). Have you shared your ideas with the main photographer yet? At most, you should be taking a few candids, and remember to stay behind (out of the shots) for the main photographer.

I don't mean to sound cruel, but since it's your first wedding and you have been asked to help, your primary goals should be helping, observing and learning, not taking photos.

Georgia Peddler Loc: Brunswick, GA

Wedding is next Sat?? Tomorrow is next Sat. What are you thinking?? Beg off and keep family harmony. Screwing up a wedding is sometimes accomplished by the most experienced - almost guaranteed by the non-trained.

georgemcbride Loc: South Jersey

Shoot Tight, and do try some available light photos in the church, there are ways to ad color in Photo Shop, try to think of what you would like taken at your wedding, then focous on Bride, and Groom, when posing groups, do make sure that the guys are not standing with their legs open as if on as horse, try putting one foot forward with the heel of shoe into the center of the other, awarkward, yes, most guys will cry, but your photos will have a nice touch, also keep all flowers in an even pattern if they wear glasses, do have them take them off, as some are tinted, The Best, George

nikonshooter Loc: Spartanburg, South Carolina

You are kidding aren't you.....esp about shooting tight?