Amateur shooting a wedding

[DiskoJoe]

I just looked at your flickr. You're going to do great. You already have the skill set necessary, just lacking the experience. Do your thing, they're going to love it.

Exactly! Guy has the chops. Now he just needs to get his feet wet. You have to start somewhere and when people come and request you cause they like your work then that is probably a great place to start. Its not like he begged for the job. They begged him to do it. But it is work so you have to come ready with your a game.

 

[virustai]

I think you will do great!!! I checked on your gallery. Just take it easy and pack well before you go.
I am an amateur and has done few wedding (some I am official photog & some I am second shooter). It is not that hard if you are ready (Mind & physically) and just enjoy it.
Hooray!

 

[Primoz]

Thanks for the positive and supporting feedback! =) I have sort of mixed nervous-excited feelings, which I guess is good =P. I also made some paper sketches of the compositions I'd like to achieve - I just hope my ideas turn out well =)
I'll make sure to post the keepers afterwards, so you can judge the photos afterwards...

I also bought some Cokin flash gels for the indoor shots (which will be close to none, since the wedding is outside). But I realised, that if I put the CTO Full gel in front of the SB600 flashgun and set the WB to tungsten, the flash light still has a bluish color tone... Any ideas why?

 

[Primoz]

Day D is over! =D
It was stressful but fun, enjoyable as well... Many lessons learnt - but none of them resulted in a disaster. =)
There was not enough time to realise all my ideas and to be honest all my ideas didn't turn out as spectacular as imagined, but still I think there is a lot of nice images.
(lesson learned: spend less time for group shots, more time with the couple - because even if you have enough time - they get tired)
All my flash gear was rarely used, because natural light just worked better imo.

I was having hard time to achieve the sharpness I want.. Don't get me wrong - the photos are sharp and you wouldn't even notice it on even an A4 print, but they are not "über duber" sharp like some of my "studio" strobist photos. Do you think the reason might be D90's focusing system? Because pro bodies do tend to be more accurate with focus in tough situations...

I'll post the photos, but it might take a while (I have upcoming exams) and I have to check with the couple one more time if I'm allowed to...

 

[pgriz]

Congrats on one achievement, and good luck with the others! Looking forward to seeing your results (after the exams, of course).

 

[chuasam]

it isn't about capturing sharpness. It's about capturing the memories.

 

[chuasam]

My favourite wedding photographers on the planet couldn't give a SHlT about sharpness...and they're really good
Bridal Photography | Wedding Photography Singapore | Overseas bridal Photography | Singapore Wedding Photographers | Pre-Wedding Photography

 

[Martys]

Day D is over! =D
It was stressful but fun, enjoyable as well... Many lessons learnt - but none of them resulted in a disaster. =)
There was not enough time to realise all my ideas and to be honest all my ideas didn't turn out as spectacular as imagined, but still I think there is a lot of nice images.
(lesson learned: spend less time for group shots, more time with the couple - because even if you have enough time - they get tired)
All my flash gear was rarely used, because natural light just worked better imo.

I was having hard time to achieve the sharpness I want.. Don't get me wrong - the photos are sharp and you wouldn't even notice it on even an A4 print, but they are not "über duber" sharp like some of my "studio" strobist photos. Do you think the reason might be D90's focusing system? Because pro bodies do tend to be more accurate with focus in tough situations...

I'll post the photos, but it might take a while (I have upcoming exams) and I have to check with the couple one more time if I'm allowed to...

*************************************************
Hello,...
Am new to the group but had to put my two cents in on this subject,..,...

I photographed weddings for over 30 years,...not only moonlighting but also having my own small part time business.
Back in 1965,...when I first started training as a wedding photographer,....(23 weddings training before doing my first studio wedding solo)
Anyway,...THE VERY FIRST THING I LEARNED,....THE VERY FIRST,...was to judge the distance quickly,...and PRE-FOCUS before every single exposure,....before even lifting the camera to my eye,...I was pre-focused.
The only exception was during formals when you had time to manual focus,..or occasional candids throughout the wedding day.

During my training the studio owner would approach me often and ask me unexpectedly,...How far is that window,...how far away is that desk,...how far away am I standing from you,...I was drilled on this ability to snap focus on random distances and be right on.

I know today everything is Auto-Focus,... everything
I have never liked or gravitated to auto focus,..all my shooting is still done in manual mode with manual set lenses.
I spent toooo many years learning photography to have a camera tell me what to do.

My god,...how did we get to where we are today,...without Louis Daguerre having had digital auto focus????? Thank god for evolution,...

Cameras all do the same thing whether they are 75 years old or currently manufactured,..
It's just that now,...they are electronicly controlled,...mandating you to become a LCD menu reading specialist and an assistant to yourself before making each exposure,...and every photographer has to learn, memorize and perform camera menu calisthenics proficiently to have a chance at light reach the focal plane for a pleasing exposure,...that is unless your set on auto-everything.

Even I have to use the LCD menu to set my camera for manual photography.

Just my two cents,...there are some amazing photographers out there doing wonderful meaningful photography with the current technology,.........just like when manual was the technology.
Martys

 

[virustai]

it isn't about capturing sharpness. It's about capturing the memories.

Super agreed with you Chuasam. I always confused that why people always critic others picture with the "you miss the focus", "Don't really like that you chopped the hand" ..... Just confused are we here to learn how to use the camera and edit follow the industry manual? or have to follow the standard of "Passport Photo"? I thought photography is always creative.

I remember that years ago I ask one of my favorite photographer (Who make a lot of money and only accept destination wedding like Paris, London, Dubai, and others famous countries) about what filter will you recommend, I was expect that he told me some expensive filter like HOYA ...., but he told me he only purchased cheap filter with no name and only few bucks. I asked again, "I thought there is a lot of famous filter which help to against ghost, flares, UV, or enhance the clarity?" He told me why give a **** about flares and ...., he said you were there to capture the moments, the atmosphere, the love, and the TRUEs. I feel that he was very right and the TRUE photographer who only believe in good photo and forget about the rules.

 

[rexbobcat]

Super agreed with you Chuasam. I always confused that why people always critic others picture with the "you miss the focus", "Don't really like that you chopped the hand" ..... Just confused are we here to learn how to use the camera and edit follow the industry manual? or have to follow the standard of "Passport Photo"? I thought photography is always creative.

I remember that years ago I ask one of my favorite photographer (Who make a lot of money and only accept destination wedding like Paris, London, Dubai, and others famous countries) about what filter will you recommend, I was expect that he told me some expensive filter like HOYA ...., but he told me he only purchased cheap filter with no name and only few bucks. I asked again, "I thought there is a lot of famous filter which help to against ghost, flares, UV, or enhance the clarity?" He told me why give a **** about flares and ...., he said you were there to capture the moments, the atmosphere, the love, and the TRUEs. I feel that he was very right and the TRUE photographer who only believe in good photo and forget about the rules.

My IQ just dropped. And I don't mean Image Quality...

 

[MK3Brent]

Day D is over! =D
It was stressful but fun, enjoyable as well... Many lessons learnt - but none of them resulted in a disaster. =)
There was not enough time to realise all my ideas and to be honest all my ideas didn't turn out as spectacular as imagined, but still I think there is a lot of nice images.
(lesson learned: spend less time for group shots, more time with the couple - because even if you have enough time - they get tired)
All my flash gear was rarely used, because natural light just worked better imo.

I was having hard time to achieve the sharpness I want.. Don't get me wrong - the photos are sharp and you wouldn't even notice it on even an A4 print, but they are not "über duber" sharp like some of my "studio" strobist photos. Do you think the reason might be D90's focusing system? Because pro bodies do tend to be more accurate with focus in tough situations...

I'll post the photos, but it might take a while (I have upcoming exams) and I have to check with the couple one more time if I'm allowed to...

I look forward to looking at your work!

Glad you didn't die.

 

[o hey tyler]

...And I don't mean Image Quality...

That dropped too.

 

[Sw1tchFX]

Day D is over! =D
It was stressful but fun, enjoyable as well... Many lessons learnt - but none of them resulted in a disaster. =)
There was not enough time to realise all my ideas and to be honest all my ideas didn't turn out as spectacular as imagined, but still I think there is a lot of nice images.
(lesson learned: spend less time for group shots, more time with the couple - because even if you have enough time - they get tired)
All my flash gear was rarely used, because natural light just worked better imo.

I was having hard time to achieve the sharpness I want.. Don't get me wrong - the photos are sharp and you wouldn't even notice it on even an A4 print, but they are not "über duber" sharp like some of my "studio" strobist photos. Do you think the reason might be D90's focusing system? Because pro bodies do tend to be more accurate with focus in tough situations...

I'll post the photos, but it might take a while (I have upcoming exams) and I have to check with the couple one more time if I'm allowed to...

*************************************************
Hello,...
Am new to the group but had to put my two cents in on this subject,..,...

I photographed weddings for over 30 years,...not only moonlighting but also having my own small part time business.
Back in 1965,...when I first started training as a wedding photographer,....(23 weddings training before doing my first studio wedding solo)
Anyway,...THE VERY FIRST THING I LEARNED,....THE VERY FIRST,...was to judge the distance quickly,...and PRE-FOCUS before every single exposure,....before even lifting the camera to my eye,...I was pre-focused.
The only exception was during formals when you had time to manual focus,..or occasional candids throughout the wedding day.

During my training the studio owner would approach me often and ask me unexpectedly,...How far is that window,...how far away is that desk,...how far away am I standing from you,...I was drilled on this ability to snap focus on random distances and be right on.

I know today everything is Auto-Focus,... everything
I have never liked or gravitated to auto focus,..all my shooting is still done in manual mode with manual set lenses.
I spent toooo many years learning photography to have a camera tell me what to do.

My god,...how did we get to where we are today,...without Louis Daguerre having had digital auto focus????? Thank god for evolution,...

Cameras all do the same thing whether they are 75 years old or currently manufactured,..
It's just that now,...they are electronicly controlled,...mandating you to become a LCD menu reading specialist and an assistant to yourself before making each exposure,...and every photographer has to learn, memorize and perform camera menu calisthenics proficiently to have a chance at light reach the focal plane for a pleasing exposure,...that is unless your set on auto-everything.

Even I have to use the LCD menu to set my camera for manual photography.

Just my two cents,...there are some amazing photographers out there doing wonderful meaningful photography with the current technology,.........just like when manual was the technology.
Martys

That's interesting, because that's exactly what I came across when I started shooting weddings with the Contax 645.. Yes it's got AF, but it's dog slow and if you don't prefocus than you'll miss shots. Generally when I'm shooting the Contax, i've got all day do do whatever I want. But for weddings, I kept moving the focus ring to whatever-ish before I let the AF fine-tune my focus. Funny.

And I would 1-up this by saying that 15+ years ago, post was done in-camera, relying more on nailing it the first time and less on the processing afterwords.

 

[yerlem]

it isn't about capturing sharpness. It's about capturing the memories.

Super agreed with you Chuasam. I always confused that why people always critic others picture with the "you miss the focus", "Don't really like that you chopped the hand" ..... Just confused are we here to learn how to use the camera and edit follow the industry manual? or have to follow the standard of "Passport Photo"? I thought photography is always creative.

I remember that years ago I ask one of my favorite photographer (Who make a lot of money and only accept destination wedding like Paris, London, Dubai, and others famous countries) about what filter will you recommend, I was expect that he told me some expensive filter like HOYA ...., but he told me he only purchased cheap filter with no name and only few bucks. I asked again, "I thought there is a lot of famous filter which help to against ghost, flares, UV, or enhance the clarity?" He told me why give a **** about flares and ...., he said you were there to capture the moments, the atmosphere, the love, and the TRUEs. I feel that he was very right and the TRUE photographer who only believe in good photo and forget about the rules.

W T F

Unless you are foreing and live in Michigan, in which case I apologize.

 

[Jaemie]

Super agreed with you Chuasam. I always confused that why people always critic others picture with the "you miss the focus", "Don't really like that you chopped the hand" ..... Just confused are we here to learn how to use the camera and edit follow the industry manual?...

Has anyone really been far even as decided to use even go want to do look more like?​