Wedding with Leica

[Millberg]

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Dear all,

 

I friend of mine is getting married in Feb next year and have asked me if I can be the photographer. This scares me a lot at the same time as I'm honored by the fact that they even considering me.

 

Pre-requisites:

1. In February is it totally dark up in the northen Sweden.
   
2. I have Leica cameras and two lenses (Summilux 50mm f/1,4 & Summicron 35mm f/2) as I've sold all my dSLR equipment to finance the Leica.
   
3. The soon-to-be husband and wife are very relaxed about it all and they will not hire a professional wedding photographer if I cant make it.
   

Should I accept the offer or is it not doable? I'm thinking focus problems in the dark etc..

 

Any thoughts or comments are highly appreciated

 

 

Lars

[Gerard]

Lars... Anything is doable. To do something well is another matter.

 

Most important will be the planning. It doesn't matter how relaxed the client is: a well defined photo plan is essential.

 

A good flash will be needed. Check out an sf-58 or a 45 cl4. You may also find a video light handy.

 

I'd also want a wide in my bag.The 18mm Super Elmar would be ideal.

 

Finally, don't leave it to the wedding day to see what the shoot will go like. Do a reccy a week or so before.You don't want any surprises on the day.

[jaapv]

Good advice; but don't rely on flash alone; it loses all atmosphere, especially outdoors. See if you can pick up a used X1 for high-ISO shots. You'll probably need a 90 too, for picking out individuals in the melee, closeup of slipping on rings, signing the register, etc.. Fortunately you can keep that one affordable. Any vintage Leica 90 is perfectly usable on any DigiM.

And try to have two bodies. Switching bodies is far more practical than fiddling with lens changes.

As for flash, if your flash technique is up to it and you are used to using a fixed aperture with automatic flash, the market is full of cheap "old-fashioned" computer flashes. The Metz M and MZ series on a SCA 3502 M4 or M5 adapter will work perfectly on any moden M camera.

[Millberg]

Good advice; but don't rely on flash alone; it loses all atmosphere, especially outdoors. See if you can pick up a used X1 for high-ISO shots. You'll probably need a 90 too, for picking out individuals in the melee, closeup of slipping on rings, signing the register, etc.. Fortunately you can keep that one affordable. Any vintage Leica 90 is perfectly usable on any DigiM.

And try to have two bodies. Switching bodies is far more practical than fiddling with lens changes.

As for flash, if your flash technique is up to it and you are used to using a fixed aperture with automatic flash, the market is full of cheap "old-fashioned" computer flashes. The Metz M and MZ series on a SCA 3502 M4 or M5 adapter will work perfectly on any moden M camera.

 

Thank you.. I will bring my MM and my M. Would love to rent a Nocti 0,95 and I will look in to the 90mm.

[Millberg]

Lars... Anything is doable. To do something well is another matter.

 

Most important will be the planning. It doesn't matter how relaxed the client is: a well defined photo plan is essential.

 

A good flash will be needed. Check out an sf-58 or a 45 cl4. You may also find a video light handy.

 

I'd also want a wide in my bag.The 18mm Super Elmar would be ideal.

 

Finally, don't leave it to the wedding day to see what the shoot will go like. Do a reccy a week or so before.You don't want any surprises on the day.

 

Thanks

I will see the place the day before the actual wedding.. No chance for me to go there before that. Will look in to an Elmar 18mm.. When you write Photo plan.. What is it in more detail? Is it where to stand, table seating, church lightning etc?

 

Lars

[stuny]

Lars -

 

You might want to try some experiments. Go out very late at night now (when it's as dark as it will be in February during the wedding and reception) and do some experiments. Learn from them, and experiment some more. Then decide if you will agree to shoot the wedding.

[Millberg]

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Lars -

 

You might want to try some experiments. Go out very late at night now (when it's as dark as it will be in February during the wedding and reception) and do some experiments. Learn from them, and experiment some more. Then decide if you will agree to shoot the wedding.

 

Thank you. Thats is a very good idea.

[earleygallery]

Hi,

 

Your M and MM have good high ISO performance but you will need a powerful flasgun - a Metz 45 CT1 or similar.

 

Your hardest challenge will be the group shots, you need something wider than a 35 for group shots indoors. Consider a Voigtlander if you don't want the expense of another Leica lens.

 

You really should check out the venue/s in advance to consider where and how you will take your photos. I shot a wedding recently and one issue was how to get a decent group shot outside the church because of it's raised position and small frontage. I had a word with the owner of the shop opposite and was able to use their upstairs room as a vantage point.

 

The other important thing is to ask the couple for a list of key guests and names - parents, family, best man, bridesmaids etc, and any particular shots they'd like. Then write up a list of 'essential' shots and requests to use as a reminder on the day, and to help you keep order in the chaos! How good are you at herding cats?

 

I like a mixture of formal & reportage shots. You won't be able to enjoy the wedding - you'll be looking for images all the time! You also have to manage the guests who will hijack your arrangements to get their own photos.

 

Weddings aren't easy. Your 'clients' won't appreciate any of this and think it's just a case of you snapping a few shots on your decent camera! Then there's the work afterwards processing and sorting the images, which can take some time if you've taken 1000 on the day!

 

If you like the challenge then do it, saves you the bother of looking for a wedding gift, and it can be very rewarding.

[jaapv]

Last time I was at a wedding, the pro had a household ladder with him for the group shots.

[Jeff S]

I assume the wedding won't be in the dark, regardless of the season. Might be wise to strategize for mixed lighting conditions, both interior and exterior. WB, particularly given the importance of skin tones, will be key, except of course for MM shots, which will have the added benefit of more flexible PP.

 

If your friends like b/w, that might be a good way to go. I would develop a plan for color versus b/w in advance.

 

Jeff

[Peter H]

A 28mm Summicron is a wonderful lens for a wedding, especially for the dancing and celebrations later in the day, and all the informal stuff when you want to mingle and get close in with guests, which is where I think an M camera really scores over a DSLR, and can help produce a really intimate, lively and original album.

 

So if you're thinking of renting a lens, that's one I'd suggest.

[wattsy]

Lars, I assume that you already have an existing photographic style and are happy with your current equipment set-up. I'd advise sticking with what you know best and simply shoot the wedding on your own terms with your present (more than adequate) cameras and lenses. After all, as you have stated, the bride and groom "are very relaxed about it all and they will not hire a professional wedding photographer if I cant make it".

[Peter H]

Ian makes a very good point and despite what I've said above about the 28 f2, I agree with him wholeheartedly.

[earleygallery]

Agreed, Ian makes perfect sense, but then Lars has posed the question and seems unsure of being able to take the assignment, so the pointers we've offered can surely only help him further.

[Peter H]

James, that's a good point too!

 

On which note of equilibrium (indecision) I'm glad to say I'm not doing another wedding any time soon.

[earleygallery]

I had reservations about taking a recent 'booking' but actually enjoyed it enough to consider doing more.

 

Lars - you should go ahead and take the photos!

[Peter H]

Oh yes, definitely take the photos Lars.

 

But I do like Ian's advice. Because you have to find the balance between being thorough and well-organised and in control as far as that's possible, and relaxing so that you do your best work and don't make the guests nervous or uneasy. Worrying about and/or discovering the qualities and characteristics of new equipment is a bit too much to add to the mix.

 

But wedding photography, despite being "not easy" can be one of the most rewarding things to do, and can give real and lasting pleasure to many people, including the photographer.

[IWC Doppel]

Bybrett has shot weddings with an M-9 and a Noctilux. Stunning results as a Leica photographer he's not an amateur and very talented. You only have to see his results with one 50mm lens in comparison to the arsenal most pros take to see what's possible.

 

I'd take the lens or lenses I'm most comfortable with and go for it !

[CaptZoom]

How exciting Millberg, you've gotta be excited?

 

You've gotten very good advice so far, and you have time to plan and practice. I think it would be prudent to introduce as few new elements as possible. Opt for a 90mm over the Noctilux. Rent a wider angle lens than 35mm, but not so wide that you'll have difficulty framing (or having to use an external viewfinder). If you don't already know how to, it's time to learn some basic flash work. Get the Leica SF58, so you have TTL flash. If SF58 isn't available, get or borrow flashes that have an automatic mode. I know few of the Canon speedlites (580 EX2) fit and work on the M9- no TTL of course.

 

As previously mentioned, plan your shoot. This includes knowing who the most treasured and important guests. Make a list of them and keep it handy. When you get a chance to check out the venue, actively think about where the strong lighting is, make a note; figure out the trouble areas, make a note. Make friends with the coordinator. If they don't have one, ask the bride to tell you the schedule and plan for the night. Memorize it. Figure out your lens combos. You're taking two bodies. Which two lenses are going to be your primes? Which body gets which lens? 28/50, 35/90?

 

Try to limit your lens changes, but don't be limited by this. Understand that you will miss some shots. That's ok. Make sure to get the important ones. People/guests will get in your way/shots. Let them know the bride and groom are paying you handsomely for the photos (you may be lying, but people listen when you talk about money). There are going to be guests who think they know photography better than you. Smile and move on. There always the grumpy grandma, aunt, uncle, etc. Try to make nice with them early. Ask the bride whom to watch out for. Needless to say should you accept the assignment, you will not be a part of the wedding. You will be working, and have little time, if any to enjoy the festivities. But it will be an exciting experience.

 

Good luck with your decision.

 

 

PS Should you decide to do the wedding, offer to do an engagement shoot. It'll give you some needed practice with the bride and groom, give some idea of how they behave and areas you're good with and areas you'll need to pay special attention.

 

 

Dear all,

 

I friend of mine is getting married in Feb next year and have asked me if I can be the photographer. This scares me a lot at the same time as I'm honored by the fact that they even considering me.

 

Pre-requisites:

1. In February is it totally dark up in the northen Sweden.
   
2. I have Leica cameras and two lenses (Summilux 50mm f/1,4 & Summicron 35mm f/2) as I've sold all my dSLR equipment to finance the Leica.
   
3. The soon-to-be husband and wife are very relaxed about it all and they will not hire a professional wedding photographer if I cant make it.
   

Should I accept the offer or is it not doable? I'm thinking focus problems in the dark etc..

 

Any thoughts or comments are highly appreciated

 

 

Lars

[Millberg]

Thank you all for super valid input. I guess I need to do some minor adjustments to my existing stash of lenses. At least there is time to start saving some money

 

Lars

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Hallo,

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