good pictures
How can I get good wedding picture with my nikon 5100
I'm certainly not an expert photographer, but I would have said practise taking photos of people in similar light & location conditions with that particular camera.
Regardless of the camera type, practise, practise, practise is one of the main ways to get good photos.
Perhaps someone with more experience can offer some more suggestions.
You'll need off camera flash capabilities, buy or rent a 24-70 2.8 and a 70-200 2.8 lens. a lens with macro capabilities is nice to have as well. Spare batteries for everything. Learn the limitations and settings of your equipment, know where it's sweet spots are and practise getting the shot under all kinds of conditions quickly and without having to think about it.
This will depend on a lot of variables. The 5100 is a capable camera but what lens and will you be using external flash? Are you looking to take indoor or outdoor.
The first thing to do is make sure you really know how to hold a DSLR camera. This sounds silly but google "how to hold a DSLR" just to be safe.
If you do not know them already I would learn how to use aperture and shutter priority. Use a custom white balance and get you camera off program mode. If the main light source is behind the subject you might want to add a bit of fill to the shadows with either a reflector or fill flash.
Group shots you will want to keep your aperture constant of around F/8, f/11 or above to keep everybody in focus.
Remember ISO is also a key feature in the exposure triangle but try and keep it as low as you can but don't be scared to bump it up if your shutter speed drops below hand holdable.
These are just a few tips but there is so much more to it.
Spot metering is also another thing you should learn. The white brides dress against a dark grooms suit will throw the camera meter. Exposure compensation is a nifty trick also. If the dress is taking up a large portion of teh frame dial in +1 - +2 stops of exposure compo to stop a white dress looking grey.
Should of said grooms dark suit!
I am a serious amateur and have only shot two weddings for family members. The thing that saved my butt was knowing lighting! I didn't have the ability to shoot off camera at the time (I do now), but I read up about on camera light modifiers, practiced using them, and took my WalMart white foam, on flash, bounce reflector with me and used it! People laughed, until they saw the results. But the good results only came with practice, practice, practice.
Lucian
Loc: From Wales, living in Ohio
Your question is a bit like me asking how can I get a good rendition of the "Mona Lisa" or "Girl With A Pearl Earring" from my oil paints and canvas?
Basically you can not learn such a thing on a web site. You have to have the ability and experience to get both, the paintings painted and the wedding Photos shot. There is more to it than just knowing lighting as has been suggested. You need to know what lens to use and how to pose and much more.
Without the experience of doing either, you might as well be asking how to paint a Mona Lisa. I don't mean to be disrespectful here, just telling it like it is. If you are not currently able to do it, asking on here will not give you the skill set to do it at a wedding. Your camera is fine by the way so it is all to do with knowledge and skill with the camera, choosing the right lens for the situation and handling light, whether available or flash or a mix of both, inside and out and of course posing of the subjects.
I'd like to see anyone here tell someone how to do all that in a few paragraphs and have that person produce good results.
I feel if you have to ask that question . Don't shoot the wedding.
Lucian wrote:
Your question is a bit like me asking how can I get a good rendition of the "Mona Lisa" or "Girl With A Pearl Earring" from my oil paints and canvas?
Basically you can not learn such a thing on a web site. You have to have the ability and experience to get both, the paintings painted and the wedding Photos shot. There is more to it than just knowing lighting as has been suggested. You need to know what lens to use and how to pose and much more.
Without the experience of doing either, you might as well be asking how to paint a Mona Lisa. I don't mean to be disrespectful here, just telling it like it is. If you are not currently able to do it, asking on here will not give you the skill set to do it at a wedding. Your camera is fine by the way so it is all to do with knowledge and skill with the camera, choosing the right lens for the situation and handling light, whether available or flash or a mix of both, inside and out and of course posing of the subjects.
I'd like to see anyone here tell someone how to do all that in a few paragraphs and have that person produce good results.
Your question is a bit like me asking how can I ge... (
show quote)
If I can do it I will be expecting to win a Pulitzer Prize, nothing less!
The camera you have has little to do with it. In fact, it has the LEAST to do with it. Lucian is right.
The sure-fire way to get great results with the 5100 is to give the camera to someone who knows how to shoot weddings. :-)
Wantana,
You got two great answers. Accountry330 said-don't do it. Captain C said give your camera to someone that knows how to use it. Either answer will work.
Practice will help tremendously.
CaptainC wrote:
The camera you have has little to do with it. In fact, it has the LEAST to do with it. Lucian is right.
The sure-fire way to get great results with the 5100 is to give the camera to someone who knows how to shoot weddings. :-)
AMEN!!!!! You took the words right out of my mouth :) :thumbup:
I have a BMW M3. Could someone tell me how to race it at the Daytona 24 hr. event? :-)
Yes, I can help. Practice each day for about 6-8 years. Join a Racing Forum to pick up a few ideas. You'll know when you are ready!
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