Wedding photos

[SharonLowe]

These look very nice. In a couple, you have blown out spots on the faces/her dress. If you have CS3 or Lightroom, you might try using the recovery tool to get back any detail that might be there. White dresses can be very hard to shoot and overall you have done a great job. I like your creativity!

 

[pyrxtc]

It was very bright out that day and we had only full sun options in order to keep out the snowblowing equipment out of the pictures. I could not recover any detail so my only option was to go wiht the blown out spots and really make them pop. I have only ever done wedding for the family and even then I was just ahving fun at my sisters last year but did them all for my other sister this year. I alos have my SIL's wedding for next year.

The MOB has lots of friends in the area and since I'm relatively new to the area and in my business, I thought this would be good promo. A couple of people at the wedding did ask for my card so I may have a few new clients, one is for a dog but I love animals so it should be fun!

 

[pyrxtc]

those look fantastic! i see that you are in new hampshire... if i ever get married some day i'll keep you in mind!

Thanks! The only other weddings I've ever done were in MA. I have lots of family down there.


Oh, and thank you all for looking and the feedback!

 

[donaldduck1967]

Very nice. Which lens did you use?

 

[pyrxtc]

I had a my 40-150 and my 14-45 lenses. I used both throughout the day. Had two camera on me at all times.

 

[smfritz03]

I am looking to get into some wedding photography. I've went out with a professional photographer a few times and he handed me an extra camera to just snap away.

What camera do you think is best to purchase to get into this myself?

 

[Nikel]

It gets expensive fast to get the equipment. I use a 40D with a 20D as a back-up. If you don't have a second shooter, I personally wouldn't take on a wedding without a back-up body. This isn't something that can be re-shot if there's equipment failure. You'll also need fast lenses to be able to shoot in less than favorable lighting conditions.

 

[smfritz03]

Yeah, I was told about $3-$4k to get some of the equipment I needed. (flash, different lenses, base, computer software)

That isn't a problem, just wasn't sure of which camera was better. I know some of it is a matter of personal preference. I used a Canon when I was out w/ him, wasn't sure if there is anything better?

 

[Anewman]

The choice of body might not be as important(expensive) as the lenses you select, its not like you need a camera that shoots 10fps to shoot a wedding but weather seals might be important. Cuz as you know weddings do not get canceled on account of rain.

 

[Nikel]

Beyond getting a dslr, it's mostly a matter of preference and budget. Sure, I'd love to me shooting with a new 1Ds Mark III, but that's out of my budget right now. Both of my cameras are more than capable of doing what I need them to. Without the lenses though, I'd be screwed sometimes. Not all places allow flash and/or have decent light, so an arsenal of good lenses is a must, IMO.

Canon and Nikon are the 2 main players. I easily narrowed it down to the 2, simply based on the lenses and flashes and other stuff available. After that, Canon just felt more natural to me. IMO, Nikon's are set up weird. I've heard Nikonians say the say about Canons though. Go to the store and hold and play with your top choices.

My list of must bring wedding goodies right now is:
40D with grip
20D
580ex II flash
lightsphere
several sets of batteries, for cameras and flash
around 30 gb of memory
tamron 28-75mm 2.8 lens
sigma 70-200mm 2.8 lens (buying next month, renting for one more wedding, which will pay for the lens)
50mm 1.8 lens

I also have my computer with cs2, lightroom, and an external harddrive for storage

Still on my list of things to have:
100mm 2.8 macro lens, for details and ring shots (I LOVE this lens)
a fast wide abgle lens
50mm 1.4 lens
back-up flash

 

[smfritz03]

Thanks Nikel--- I think tonight or tomorrow I will go out and play around w/ each one to see my preference. After shooting w/ the canon, I'm sure that will be the one that feels the most comfortable since I've gotten used to it as well.

Are you into the photojournalistic photography or do you stick to your basic posing during the wedding and for the wedding party shots?

 

[handicap18]

A dSLR.

Look at the Nikon D80, D200, D300. Canon XTi, 30D & 40D. Pentax K100D, K10D.

From there you'll want a few sharp lenses like a 17-55mm f/2.8 or 24-70mm f/2.8 or something around that range with an f/2.8 thoughout. Also probably a 50mm f/1.8 or f/1.4 or a 30mm f/1.4 (like Sigma's).

You'l also want to get a flash to go with it and maybe a diffuser.

Everything is really going to depend on your budget and your shooting style.

 

[Nikel]

For weddings, def. more photojournalistic. For portrait sessions, it's somewhere in between - I give general posing ideas and work with what happens.

 

[Master Mason]

You can also look at the Sony A100, I understand they have more and newer versions coming out and use the old Minolta mount.

If your seriously concidering wedding photography, I personally would stay away from the entry level nikons and canons meaning the d40-d40x and XT XTi. They are certainly capable cameras, but they won't have the professional look your going for, and at least in the canon line they don't have spot metering, which I think would be pretty important in wedding photography.

 

[SharonLowe]

Remember, it isn't just the camera and equipment. You need a way to attract clients, pricing lists and packages, a way to provide proofs and prints, etc. I would do a bit more research before just jumping in. You might want to think about an online class or two. BetterPhoto does a good job and these two might help:

http://www.betterphoto.com/courseOverview.asp?cspID=84
http://www.betterphoto.com/courseOverview.asp?cspID=131

Wedding photography is stressful and you need to be able to quickly produce results so think about the whole process not just the equipment.

 

[smfritz03]

Thanks everyone! I went to this camera shop here in town and played around and I think I will be getting the Canon 40D. Is that wise?

 

[Skylarr29]

Hi guys!

I am trying to think of a gift for my wedding photographer and wondered if you had any suggestions.

Also, do you have any suggestions on how to make their day easier or thoughtful things to make them feel appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[MICKEY88]

Hi guys!

I am trying to think of a gift for my wedding photographer and wondered if you had any suggestions.

Also, do you have any suggestions on how to make their day easier or thoughtful things to make them feel appreciated.

Thanks!

as for gifts I haven't a clue, I've never heard of the photographer getting a gift since they are being paid to shoot the event,


as far as making their day easier,,


feed them

most people forget that photographers eat too..

also keeping them supplied with bottled water, since they also drink.

if there are any relatives you absolutely must have a photo of, let the photographer know in advance, or have someone in the family, help the photog, round up those people for shots

 

[Skylarr29]

HA, Ha. I didn't realize that it might be silly to give them a gift lol.

They have just been so wonderful that I really want them to feel appreciated.

Yes, I have them down for full meals just like the guests and while we are in the room for the getting ready photos I will also have food and drinks available. They can also have anything from the dessert party, cake, food at the cocktail hour etc. I know they will be limited on time but I really don't want them to be hungry or exhausted lol.

 

[Master Mason]

I would think that if you could make sure they actually had time to eat, not just provide the food, but tell them, at x time you'll have 30 minutes or whatever where we won't expect you to do anything but eat and relax.

Also, If you could be organized about what pictures you want ahead of time so it isn't just an "oh, I want so and so in this one" etc. Make a listing of the various groups you want to make sure you get.