Wedding..non-primary photog..help

[fursan]

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i have been requested to photograph at a friends wedding. i have not yet agreed. they saw

some photos i did in england for another friend and wanted me as a family photog.

 

i want to use bw film only. M7/MP only. Film is xp2 super. Wedding in the evening in an asian city. the only lenses i have ( or will have ), cron 28asph,lux 35 asph, lux 50 asph and cron 75 apo. i do not know what flash is.

 

pls help, advise, pointers etc. should i refuse or make a go of it?

 

Thank you, thank you, thank you for your advice and suggestions.

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[StS]

Good evening Fursan,

 

it is difficult to give general advice here, I can only speak from my experience.

 

As far I understand, there will be an 'official' photographer and you have been asked to be the 'family' photographer.

 

In my experience, the 'official' photographer doesn't get much rest. However, being the 'inofficial' photographer is fun. The 'official' photographer needs to take care all 'typical' wedding situations are covered. I have done this several times as a favour, it keeps one pretty busy. It is also fun, but in a different way.

 

The 'inofficial' photographer is in the advantageous situation to make all the fun shots and can be more creative, since the classical situations are covered by the 'official' photographer.

 

I hope this helps.

 

Stefan

[Doc Henry]

With M7 or MP, I will take 35 or 50 mm that I will put on M7 (or MP) and I will also take the 75mm for photos from a distance without drawing attention: portraits will be more natural !

for films I will take colour 200 asa or 400 asa with flash (ex: SF 24 D TTL) and also a tripod

Good photos

[fursan]

Stefan, yes i am the family photog, with access to some places not for formal photog.

 

Doc, am I correct in understanding..either 50/75 or 35/75? Which color film..i have

portra 160/400 nc and vc. But I love xp2.

 

Thank you guys for helping me out.

[Doc Henry]

"Doc, am I correct in understanding..either 50/75 or 35/75? Which color film..i have

portra 160/400 nc and vc. But I love xp2."

Fursan,

a suggestion;

if you have two cameras M7 and MP , take one with 35mm on M7 by example, and another with 50mm.

I will take films as 400 asa nc (soft) or vc (more contrasting) .... because we are in weak light

I will use 75 mm for photos nearly as in this picture :

Regards

Henry

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[fursan]

Doc, got it. Thanks once again.

[stunsworth]

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Explain to the couple that this isn't what you normally do and that your contribution could be a total mess - that way whatever you produce they'll be happy. Don't follow the official photographer around, take the 'reportage' type shots that he may not be taking - you know the family better than him, so you'll possibly get better informal photographs.

 

I'd take the 28mm and the 50mm - perhaps with the 35mm in another pocket 'just in case'.

 

Most of all, enjoy the day!

[fursan]

Steve, thanks for taking the time to respond. Good advice.

Still some time to consider, before I chicken out;)

 

Best regards.

[stunsworth]

Don't chicken out, it's not as if you're the only photographer at the wedding, just make sure you don't raise the couple's expectations too high.

[Riccis]

Fursan:

 

As others have suggested, please ensure you manage the couple's expectations accordingly.

 

As a wedding photographer, I don't care if there are other family members photographing all day long but there are a lot of other folks that do not like to have anyone else with a camera (even if you are shooting something else). Because of this, and in order to avoid any uncomfortable situations on the wedding day, you should ask the couple to clear this issue with their photographer.

 

As far as lenses, I advise you to keep it simple and just bring a 28, 50 and 75 or just the 28 and 75. If you are going for B&W only why don't you use the good old Tri-X? I have done a few B&W only weddings on Tri-X this year and have been blown away by the results (even though I am mainly a Neopan guy).

 

The most important advise I can give you is to forget you are shooting a wedding and just try to document the day without any wedding cliche shots as you have the advantage of not having any pressure to deliver a specific set of images. If you do this, the resulting body of work will blow away the couple, I can personally guarantee that as this is how I do all my work.

 

Hope this helps and please post the results.

 

Cheers,

[redbaron]

My advice would be to introduce yourself, but don't talk about their gear. Even if drawn into gear talk don't mention the word "megapixel". Stay in touch with the main group, because that's where the action is, but don't copy the their set-ups. They've got those shots anyway. There are always some great wide shots of kids running to and from the main group, Grandma holding kids with the group in the background, etc. Try standing off at an angle and getting the compressed tele shot of one subject in the line. Like the classic soldier in formation where only the subject is in focus. Timing is the key.

 

I would only use two lenses, one film and no flash. You don't want to be swapping lenses. Probably the 35 and 75.

 

Also have a think about the arrangement you have for payment, prints, etc. I presume you will be donating your time and film. Most people in this situation just hand over the undeveloped film, but then you don't get to see or control the images. Perhaps get the film developed, scan the negs and make a DVD of the best ones. Include all the printable shots on the DVD for the couple, but not the crap ones. That way they can make copies for the relatives and get their own prints made, with your spotted and photoshopped images and you get to use them as well. For a folio, for instance. BUT nobody really gets to see the crap images. This is more important than you could imagine!

 

Let us all know how you go!

[Doc Henry]

Fursan,

I agree with Riccis

To the last marriage I was invited by the bride to take photos at the church but also at home. She knows that I have many Leica cameras because I have already photographed for her mother.Therefore i took many photos of preparations of the wedding at home in intimacy (I know the family since 40 years).

The official photographer (with his Canon 5D) cannot make it because the family does not want.

The most successful photos (and that the family really likes) are photos taken at the time of home preparations.

Try to take this type of photos and they will be happy

Henry

[batmobile]

I have done a few weddings and was an 'extra' at a wedding not too long ago for a friend. I shot an Eos 3 with 70-200 and 24-70 as my Ms were not in the same country as me when the request came thru.

 

If I were to plan it I would shoot only B&W (as I did) and have a longer lens on a SLR and a 35mm on a M. This way I would float through groups shooting inconspicuously with the M and shooting from the margins with the longer lens. I found that 70-200 very useful (a not so enormous 70-200 f4L), but could have lived without it and shot M style only.

 

Tell the couple to expect nothing and they will be pleased when a few 'different' images compliment the more formal ones. As long as the full timer is there being paid and you are not, you should not worry.

[cmatter]

Stefan, yes i am the family photog, with access to some places not for formal photog.

 

Doc, am I correct in understanding..either 50/75 or 35/75? Which color film..i have

portra 160/400 nc and vc. But I love xp2.

 

Thank you guys for helping me out.

 

I don't want to spoil this; but I'd be very careful about doing this. I shot weddings professionally for years, and have to say that "unofficial" or "family" photographers are generally not welcome. Bottom line is; they get in the way and are distracting. Before you accuse me of whatever; please consider that even you are the first to admit that you know virtually nothing about the art of shooting weddings. It's a touchy, high pressure shoot, for people with high expectations and no experience, on a schedule that cannot be re-shot.. period. The wedding photographer is the only 'vendor' who is with them all day.. start to finish. They are the person who really has to "make it happen".. no mater what. I have many horror stories about "family" photographers really screwing up delicate, potentially beautiful situations. Lastly.....I'd seriously question your friend's motives in asking you to do this. They're paying a lot of money for a pro wedding photographer whom they chose because of reputation, and quality of work... yet they want you to be there, too? Why?? Why would you have access to areas the hired photographer wouldn't ?? Dumb-ass Bridal Sites like "The Knot" have actually been known to 'advise' brides to have a friend stand right next to their hired photographer and duplicate their shots... so they can get those prints without having to pay for them !!! I have friends who still shoot weddings who have clauses in their contracts expressly prohibiting other photographers. I never went to this extreme; but came very close. It's not jealousy, or even wanting to preserve revenue; it's really caring very much about being able to give the bride what she has hired them for. Until you actually shoot weddings for lots of money... you have no idea of the burden of responsibility, under really extreme expectations and pressures it entails.

At the very least... do everybody a favor; get the name of their hired photographer, introduce yourself and confer with them... as a courtesy, if nothing else. Personally; I'd take you under my wing (assuming you showed at least a basic level of skill) and help you to help me (and your friend). On the other hand... if you just appeared with no warning on the day of.. there would be a major problem. I'm hoping, too that your friend will understand this... and provide you with that contact. If not.. then you'll have a big problem.

 

Good luck.

 

CDM

NY, NY

[fursan]

Riccis, thanks for your advice. Your talent far exceeds mine, and your experience in this

field is something I cannot aspire to.

 

Grateful for your time and suggestions.

 

Thanks.

[fursan]

RedBaron, appreciate your taking the time to respond. I definitely shall follow your advice,

however, there remains a serious doubt that I might not be upto their expectations and they might let down.

 

I feel tense, more for them than me.

 

Regards.

[fursan]

Doc, once again my gratitude for your advice. I know the husband and family since primary school and I shall definitley have inside access. Oh, the opportunities are

tremendous, but I am confident only when I photog for myself and not for others. Therein

lies my trepidation.

 

Best.

 

Fursan,

I agree with Riccis

To the last marriage I was invited by the bride to take photos at the church but also at home. She knows that I have many Leica cameras because I have already photographed for her mother.Therefore i took many photos of preparations of the wedding at home in intimacy (I know the family since 40 years).

The official photographer (with his Canon 5D) cannot make it because the family does not want.

The most successful photos (and that the family really likes) are photos taken at the time of home preparations.

Try to take this type of photos and they will be happy

Henry

[fursan]

Batmobile, D/SLR is out of the question. I carried my D700 on a short vacation recently

and I still have a backache. Though the afs comes in handy, I have a few zf lenses only.

 

The family has an official photog to meet the formalities, but talking to the family they

expect me to recreate some accidental fotos I got previously that they liked.

That was because there was no pressure and the couple both were born and played in my

house with my kids.

 

Regards.

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[fursan]

CDM, thanks for your detailed and considered suggestions and benefit of experience.

 

Right on all counts..except one. In certain cultures, such as where I shall be, outsiders

are not welcome amongst the females. The grandparents of the family know me since

I was a kid...part of the family like. That is where they expect to use me mostly.

 

I really do not want to scr*w up anything for anyone...honestly. I would be much happier

as a guest only.

 

Regards.

 

I don't want to spoil this; but I'd be very careful about doing this. I shot weddings professionally for years, and have to say that "unofficial" or "family" photographers are generally not welcome. Bottom line is; they get in the way and are distracting. Before you accuse me of whatever; please consider that even you are the first to admit that you know virtually nothing about the art of shooting weddings. It's a touchy, high pressure shoot, for people with high expectations and no experience, on a schedule that cannot be re-shot.. period. The wedding photographer is the only 'vendor' who is with them all day.. start to finish. They are the person who really has to "make it happen".. no mater what. I have many horror stories about "family" photographers really screwing up delicate, potentially beautiful situations. Lastly.....I'd seriously question your friend's motives in asking you to do this. They're paying a lot of money for a pro wedding photographer whom they chose because of reputation, and quality of work... yet they want you to be there, too? Why?? Why would you have access to areas the hired photographer wouldn't ?? Dumb-ass Bridal Sites like "The Knot" have actually been known to 'advise' brides to have a friend stand right next to their hired photographer and duplicate their shots... so they can get those prints without having to pay for them !!! I have friends who still shoot weddings who have clauses in their contracts expressly prohibiting other photographers. I never went to this extreme; but came very close. It's not jealousy, or even wanting to preserve revenue; it's really caring very much about being able to give the bride what she has hired them for. Until you actually shoot weddings for lots of money... you have no idea of the burden of responsibility, under really extreme expectations and pressures it entails.

At the very least... do everybody a favor; get the name of their hired photographer, introduce yourself and confer with them... as a courtesy, if nothing else. Personally; I'd take you under my wing (assuming you showed at least a basic level of skill) and help you to help me (and your friend). On the other hand... if you just appeared with no warning on the day of.. there would be a major problem. I'm hoping, too that your friend will understand this... and provide you with that contact. If not.. then you'll have a big problem.

 

Good luck.

 

CDM

NY, NY

[batmobile]

as Cmatter says, you do not want to get under the main photographer's feet, but there may be areas he wont be. One pro cannot be everywhere at once and its in covering what he cannot that you can be of value. When I shot as an extra, I shot only candids and stayed miles away from the formals. It worked very well.

 

I knew the main photog well and so I had no issues. We did not trip over each other at all and I remained passive at all times. I was able to offer about a dozen candids that were much more informal than what he had done, so overall it was a good result.

 

At the weddings I have shot solo, the family member with huge camera/camcorder is a nightmare, esp when they have no decorum and stand to one side of the main phtographer calling for eye contact when you are shooting.

 

Introducing yourself and delineating the limits of your involvement makes a lot of sense.