Help with a crappy wedding scenario please!

[IgsEMT]

I have already explained that I do not have the best equipment to handle a reception in complete darkness to the bride and groom. They said do what you have to and we will understand. Apparently I am the only one they can afford. We had a contract made up that has a clause about this in it, so I will just have to do the best that I can with what I have.

No1 is saying u need ff but if d80 is what u have then 1. It isn't a wedding (primary) camera 2. U need a backup. 3. U NEED to learn lighting.
rather then relying "well I told them my gear sux and it's in the contract so it's ok I'd I screw up their most important day (other then kids) they didn't pay me much and couldnt afford better". That's a bull **** excuse for poor quality product - u have dew weeks, spend time learning, read the book I told you and get a backup gear.

 

[IgsEMT]

Look at scottallisonphoto.com. This guy shoots with one softbox and on-camera flash - his lighting is spectacular. No huge fancy gear BUT he was willing to listen and learn. We spend few months going over his pica one by one and next thigh u know his product is AMAZiNg!

 

[tirediron]

I have already explained that I do not have the best equipment to handle a reception in complete darkness to the bride and groom. They said do what you have to and we will understand. Apparently I am the only one they can afford. We had a contract made up that has a clause about this in it, so I will just have to do the best that I can with what I have.

Sorry, then what is the point of your question? There's NOTHING at all unusual about this scenario as far as weddings go, in fact the mere point of you're being allowed to use flash during the ceremony drops the difficulty level of this from a 10 to about a four. You've been given a number of suggestions and recommendations, but you seem to keep falling back on, "This is really difficult and I don't have the right equipment". If you've already made that decision and don't want to take onboard any of the recommendations...

 

[KAikens318]

I have already explained that I do not have the best equipment to handle a reception in complete darkness to the bride and groom. They said do what you have to and we will understand. Apparently I am the only one they can afford. We had a contract made up that has a clause about this in it, so I will just have to do the best that I can with what I have.

Sorry, then what is the point of your question? There's NOTHING at all unusual about this scenario as far as weddings go, in fact the mere point of you're being allowed to use flash during the ceremony drops the difficulty level of this from a 10 to about a four. You've been given a number of suggestions and recommendations, but you seem to keep falling back on, "This is really difficult and I don't have the right equipment". If you've already made that decision and don't want to take onboard any of the recommendations...

I would take recommendations if they related to the equipment that I already have, not equipment that I would have to go out and buy, which I do not have the luxury of doing. I am NOT going to give them a crap product, however, I need to work with what I have because unlike a lot of photogs out there, I don't have the money to throw around on equipment. Would I love to run out and buy a D7000 and some new lenses? Of course! But I can't. So it is besides the point. I am looking for recommendations on what I can do with the beginner's equipment that I do have, that they are aware that I have, and try to do the best job possible. But I can see that I am not going to get help in that area because apparently the only thing I can do at this point is either tell them to find another photographer a few weeks before their wedding, or go out and buy fancy equipment that I cannot afford. Thanks anyways.

 

[tirediron]

Well, I do sincerely wish you luck, but I think that the point you're missing is that based on your current equipment and the circumstances you've described, it would be extremely difficult for anyone to turn in a first-rate product. There must be a store within a couple of hours from which you can rent some basic lighting gear...

 

[IgsEMT]

I would take recommendations if they related to the equipment that I already have, not equipment that I would have to go out and buy, which I do not have the luxury of doing. I am NOT going to give them a crap product, however, I need to work with what I have because unlike a lot of photogs out there, I don't have the money to throw around on equipment. Would I love to run out and buy a D7000 and some new lenses? Of course! But I can't. So it is besides the point. I am looking for recommendations on what I can do with the beginner's equipment that I do have, that they are aware that I have, and try to do the best job possible. But I can see that I am not going to get help in that area because apparently the only thing I can do at this point is either tell them to find another photographer a few weeks before their wedding, or go out and buy fancy equipment that I cannot afford. Thanks anyways.

You just DON'T LISTEN!
Read what I took an effort to type up on a flippin iPod and pay attention to lessons - buy a book Captured By the light by David Ziser. Read it learn it KNOw it. Stop bitching about no1 willing to help you bc every here is more then willing to help if U willing to learn. Gear limitation sux but u NEed a backup. U want to shoot a payed assignment wo backup go ahead but when ur camera fails (murphys law) you'll be crying. Get (rent or burrow) backup and GET that damn book!

 

[adversus]

I stopped reading after this:

I have a second shooter. Who is there for free. Who has a D40 and SB-400.

Not to be a dick, but if you are coming to an internet forum asking these types of questions (wedding photographer who "only does natural light"?) I would seriously re-think your decision to shoot weddings as the primary shooter. Or do you only plan on ever shooting weddings that take place in sunlight?

 

[IgsEMT]

Adversus
Love the last line of ur signature. Very Mich applies here.

 

[Vtec44]

Yikes, I use flash even in bright day light.

Good luck to you, the groom, and the bride.

 

[KAikens318]

I hate weddings. I hate shooting them. Hate them with a passion. But right now, they are money. I do the best that I can, and so far it has gotten me many referrals because the people that I shoot for love the photos as do their friends whose weddings I will now be shooting in November. Had I known ahead of time that this place was going to have no lighting whatsoever when I contracted with them (they didn't know the venue at that point in time) I would not have taken the job.

I do LISTEN. Apparently you do not. I HAVE NOOOOOOO MONEY to rent, or buy equipment. The book I am going to see if I can find at the library, or some other book along those lines. But I do listen, and I am trying to figure out what to do with what I have because I can't get anything else. I am trying to take every single one of your recommendations into consideration, however, all of them include paying out money. Single mother, minimum wage, lots of bills. That equals no money. The money that I get from this wedding will be used to upgrade, however I will still never shoot another night wedding again. Ever. All of the other five weddings I am shooting this month are outdoors, during the day. All natural light, because that is what I use.

 

[photo_joe]

I have already explained that I do not have the best equipment to handle a reception in complete darkness to the bride and groom. They said do what you have to and we will understand. Apparently I am the only one they can afford. We had a contract made up that has a clause about this in it, so I will just have to do the best that I can with what I have.

Sorry, then what is the point of your question? There's NOTHING at all unusual about this scenario as far as weddings go, in fact the mere point of you're being allowed to use flash during the ceremony drops the difficulty level of this from a 10 to about a four. You've been given a number of suggestions and recommendations, but you seem to keep falling back on, "This is really difficult and I don't have the right equipment". If you've already made that decision and don't want to take onboard any of the recommendations...

I would take recommendations if they related to the equipment that I already have, not equipment that I would have to go out and buy, which I do not have the luxury of doing. I am NOT going to give them a crap product, however, I need to work with what I have because unlike a lot of photogs out there, I don't have the money to throw around on equipment. Would I love to run out and buy a D7000 and some new lenses? Of course! But I can't. So it is besides the point. I am looking for recommendations on what I can do with the beginner's equipment that I do have, that they are aware that I have, and try to do the best job possible. But I can see that I am not going to get help in that area because apparently the only thing I can do at this point is either tell them to find another photographer a few weeks before their wedding, or go out and buy fancy equipment that I cannot afford. Thanks anyways.

I don't think this is a lens issue, it's a lighting issue. Like everyone says try and do several test runs until you figure out your lighting set up and take a look at books or video about lighting and practice some of the techniques they talk about. You could always try and post a want ad on craigslist and see if someone would be willing to lend you some monolights for free or in trade for work. I hope everything works out, but it's definitely sounding like you are out of your element and need to get as much knowledge and practice as you can before the shoot.

 

[tirediron]

While I sympathize with almost anyone in severe financial straits, I am puzzled as to how you can run a business without sufficient working capitol to be able to finance a few hundred dollars in rental fees. How would you deal with a situation where you're booked for a major event Monday morning and your camera dies Sunday night. There's no way your insurance would pay off in time...

Without meaning to sound rude, I think perhaps circumstances have landed you in a position you're not ready to be in.

 

[Noxire]

1. Buy a 30$ double bracket allowing to mount 2 flashes (unless u already have); this gives you enough power/recycling time.
2. Buy a telescopic lightweight pole (unless u already have)
3. Buy a small (like 80cm) umbrella (unless u already have)
4. Have your second shooter carry it around during the dark ceremony
5. Tell him to place the light 45° above subject and 45° off camera axis.

Thats how I do at event photography, can't go wrong with 45°/45° and shoot through umbrella.
(You don't even need to understand light lol)

This is the cheapest/easiest way to have great lightning that you can move around.

Edit: Ofc it helps to understand light

 

[Dp-PARIS]

Look at scottallisonphoto.com. This guy shoots with one softbox and on-camera flash - his lighting is spectacular. No huge fancy gear BUT he was willing to listen and learn. We spend few months going over his pica one by one and next thigh u know his product is AMAZiNg!

Are you sure you are looking at the quality of the light, not the quality of the subjects?

 

[PhotoWrangler]

I stopped reading after this:

I have a second shooter. Who is there for free. Who has a D40 and SB-400.

Not to be a dick, but if you are coming to an internet forum asking these types of questions (wedding photographer who "only does natural light"?) I would seriously re-think your decision to shoot weddings as the primary shooter. Or do you only plan on ever shooting weddings that take place in sunlight?

At least someone said it right....