Singlemalt Posted March 11, 2008 Share #1 Â Posted March 11, 2008 Advertisement (gone after registration) I was wondering if I could get any tips on how I should "plan" on taking photo's of my friends wedding. Amateur stuff mind you - there will a professional photographer there. I fully expect him/her to see me and my m8, smirk, and then move on. Â I love my m8. I don't want to preach to the converted. Â I have a few ideas. Â As the bride setup will be completely covered I thought I might get some pictures from the groom's side. The usual stuff. The little things with getting to the church and making sure everything is running on time. Maybe see if I can catch the "nerves" Â I also have ideas on what I want to try to do at the church and reception. Â I also want to enjoy the wedding of course. Â I will be using my CV 35/1.4. Â I guess I also want to know also how you approach this professionally. I know you have to get the certain shots of the family and the usual stuff. From what I have seen the best wedding photographers are the best "directors" (Not that I have seen that many though) - getting people to line up or get into certain areas. Do you scout the place first? Do you have an idea of what shot you want to take beforehand? Â Thanks for any advice. Â Cheers, SM. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted March 11, 2008 Posted March 11, 2008 Hi Singlemalt, Take a look here Wedding photography advice. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
alexc Posted March 11, 2008 Share #2 Â Posted March 11, 2008 Is this the lens you have: Nokton Classic F1.4/35mm I believe this is a new lens. How do you like it? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wparsonsgisnet Posted March 11, 2008 Share #3 Â Posted March 11, 2008 SM, when I have been the "uninvited" photographer at the wedding, I have done several things: Â 1. Be respectful of the pro. I stand to the side and wait till s/he is done before taking my shot(s). Introduce yourself and tell the guy you'll stay out of the way. Â 2. Use a flash with some diffuser if your indoors -- or under a tent. I did some wedding shots under a white tent and the tent makes for incredible flare that you won't notice till you see the shots. Flash would have solved the problem. Always use flash unless you're really outdoors, under sky. Â 3. Bracket -- or chimp, of course. Â 4. Your idea to take "other" shots is cool. Candids are great and really appreciated by the party members. Lots of shots of the kids will make you a hero, plus, kids are a breeze to shoot. Â 5. Look at some wedding sites (one example is Sean Reid's site) where you can see what the pros are looking for, and by association, what the bride and groom want. Check the "sequence" that you are watching. Â 6. You can produce b/w, of course, with both film and (very easily) digital. There is a thread here showing the benefit of this. It was a discussion of blown-out whites in a b/w conversion of a wedding pic. The subjects were 2 kids dancing. Â The problem for the photog is that all the pix contain both black (tux) and white (bride): the photographer's nightmare. The sites you look at can instruct you in how to solve this problem. Â 7. You may want a longer lens for some pix. Â Have a great time. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
egibaud Posted March 11, 2008 Share #4 Â Posted March 11, 2008 Hi, Â Check this site Riccis Valladares Photography Ricci is THE master of M8 wedding photography :-) Â Eric Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tollie Posted March 11, 2008 Share #5  Posted March 11, 2008 I had the opportunity to shoot at a wedding several days ago... not as the official photographer but for a small newspaper in town.  I used the oppertunity to try our "wedding photojournalism"... really shooting as if it was a news event... candids, available light, wide angle... leaving the formal set-ups to the paid wedding photographer.  Before I went I checked out the articles from the following site:  WedPix: Online Wedding Photography Magazine / Wedding Photojournalism Articles for the Bride/Groom/Wedding Photographer  It really helped me to develop a style for shooting.  Enjoy... you will have a great time and will come away with great images. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Albert4321 Posted March 11, 2008 Share #6 Â Posted March 11, 2008 Check this site Riccis Valladares Photography Ricci is THE master of M8 wedding photography :-) Â Ditto, Â Also check out Jeff Ascough and Marc William's work. They are also master of using M8 for wedding mix with Canon. Â I personally never use flash with my M8 for weddings. Â Enjoy the party! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rolo Posted March 11, 2008 Share #7  Posted March 11, 2008 Advertisement (gone after registration) Chat to the profession and he's likely to respond positively.  Always remember the guy is trying to earn a living and doesn't want to struggle with people getting in his way or distracting his subjects. It can be a tough assignment without the hassle.  I personally have absolutely no problem with guests taking photographs alongside me at a wedding, but it works better for the couple if I can be efficient at what I do.  Enjoy your day.  Rolo Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/47596-wedding-photography-advice/?do=findComment&comment=507504'>More sharing options...
Douglas_Lee Posted March 11, 2008 Share #8  Posted March 11, 2008 Ditto, Also check out Jeff Ascough and Marc William's work. They are also master of using M8 for wedding mix with Canon.  I personally never use flash with my M8 for weddings.  Enjoy the party!  Two great photogs. However, Jeff Ascough does not use an M8 for his wedding work. His personal work on his blog is done with an M8.  On topic, just enjoy the day, stay out of the pro's way and catch the "moments" the pro missed. Avoid flash when you can. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riccis Posted March 11, 2008 Share #9 Â Posted March 11, 2008 I was wondering if I could get any tips on how I should "plan" on taking photo's of my friends wedding. Amateur stuff mind you - there will a professional photographer there. I fully expect him/her to see me and my m8, smirk, and then move on. Â That will not be the case if I am the one shooting the wedding :-) Â The first suggestion I will give you is to completely disregard any ideas you may have. The reason I state this is because you want to come to the wedding with an open mind and with the goal to capture/document the essence or story of the day (if you come with predetermined shots like the ones you mention you may miss other moments since you will be focusing too much into getting your planned shots). The perfect example of this is on the first image shown below, most photographers would have taken the safe shot of the bride walking through the door, instead I framed the bride as she enters through the one missing piece of glass in the door and the woman opening the door already implies the bride is about to enter the church (BTW, this was the first time I ever shot on this location and I never do any scouting)... Â I apply this approach for each of the weddings I cover allowing me to shoot back to back in the same locations yet yielding completely different images since no matter what the place is or looks like, each wedding tells a different story (does this make sense?)... Just make sure you know who the keyplayers are and keep an out for them... Â Definitely talk to the main photographer (since some wedding guys are very insecure and get pissy if there is someone else with a camera) and tell him that you will be out of his/her way (specially if he is doing any formal family photos) Â Experiment, try to shoot out of your comfort zone, play, have fun. Push the camera and your abilities to the max, if you fail or are not happy with the results it's no big deal. Â A 35/1.4 is good enough. When I first started shooting with the M8, I could not find any lenses other than the 35 chron and shot multiple events just with this lens (see some sample images below) Â And you can also view a slideshow from my latest wedding here (http://www.riccisvalladares.com/darkroom/share/?n=AnnaAndSean) Â I hope this helps and feel free to post any follow up questions you may have here. Â Eric and Albert - I am humbled by your kind comments. Thank you! Â Â Â Â Â Cheers, Â Riccis Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stunsworth Posted March 11, 2008 Share #10 Â Posted March 11, 2008 Don't tread on the Pro's toes. Don't stand next to them taking the same snaps. If the Pro's taking the standard group shots take reportage shots. Explain to him/her what you're doing. Â Remember to have a good time. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest rweisz Posted March 11, 2008 Share #11 Â Posted March 11, 2008 Te he, I remember one time, back before we used radio triggers, I shot this one wedding (which I don't do weddings anymore and for a long time, lousy pay for the amount of work and shuttle diplomacy involved) where there was a guest with some camera with a built-in flash and while I was shooting the reception, this guy herded his friends into the alcove where I had my lights set up from the formals, and was shooting his own formals of bunches of people using his dinky flash to trigger my strobes. I was ready to wallop the guy but you never know how much new future business you would get from the guests at a wedding. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted March 11, 2008 Share #12 Â Posted March 11, 2008 To add to the excellent advice already given, as you are a guest and a friend of the couple you have an excellent advantage over the pro, in that you will presumably know most of the other guests, who's who. Â If you talk to the pro you might offer him/her some help in that way - its a very difficult job getting the people you need together for each shot! Some people seem to shy away, if the bar is open the guys will be sloping off there, and some have to be pretty much forced into getting in a shot! But definately stay out of the pro's way and let them get on with their job. Â Take lots of candid shots of the other guests, you aren't constrained by having to get certain photos, you have free reign. I would check if they have asked for the pro to attend the reception. If not, the couple will definately be pleased with lots of shots of them and their family/guests relaxing and partying. There's not much point in just duplicating photos that they have paid someone else to take. Â Detail shots also work well, the venue if its an interesting building or place, the car, flowers, etc. Â Finally limiting yourself to one lens is a great idea, make it simple. You are there for the wedding first and foremost. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted March 11, 2008 Share #13  Posted March 11, 2008 Just to illustrate my point, a couple of shots the last wedding I attended - the pro had been taking shots of the couple from the far corner of the church (from behind the priest). During the ceremony the two fathers of the couple gave readings and the pro was still stuck up in the corner of the church.  These simple shots were massive hits with the couple and their parents! Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/47596-wedding-photography-advice/?do=findComment&comment=507616'>More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted March 11, 2008 Share #14  Posted March 11, 2008 .......and this one of the vicar watching the fireworks at the reception! Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/47596-wedding-photography-advice/?do=findComment&comment=507624'>More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted March 11, 2008 Share #15 Â Posted March 11, 2008 Ooooops silly me, I forgot to add that my advice comes as a film and D1/Clux user - but it may possibly apply to M8 users as well. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeffwros Posted March 11, 2008 Share #16 Â Posted March 11, 2008 ...completely disregard any ideas you may have. Â +1 Â You never want to be in a position where you get frustrated and lose your creativity because you're not getting the pre-planned shot or shotlist while, at the same time, missing the opportunities that are right in front of you. Â Also, count me in agreement that your work is fantastic, Riccis! I'm looking forward to the new site and wish you every success! Thank you for sharing as much as you do. Â Side note: I like your approach of NOT scouting locations for the reasons mentioned above. Â Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisC Posted March 11, 2008 Share #17 Â Posted March 11, 2008 ..... how I should "plan" on taking photo's of my friends wedding..........I also want to enjoy the wedding of course..... Â SM> - With all due respect, photographing a wedding as a professional gig, is seriously hard, concentrated work. My advice would be to forget about 'planning' anything other than having as much fun as possible sharing what is hopefully a fabulous day for you and your friend. Take photographs by all means if you wish to, leave your camera alone if that's appropriate, but above all else; have fun and hope the bride and groom have commissioned a 'pro' worthy of the term and capable of recording the day's excesses [including yours]. Â But if you are photographing - keep well out of the way of the 'pro'; he might appear to be as smooth as silk, but underneath the smooth exterior he is paddling like a mad duck on ice - that's part of his job. Â Your job is neither 'planning' nor madness; your responsibility is having fun. Have a great day. Â ................... Chris Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
misha Posted March 11, 2008 Share #18  Posted March 11, 2008 dont forget to enjoy the wedding yourself.   (75 cron) Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/47596-wedding-photography-advice/?do=findComment&comment=507858'>More sharing options...
Riccis Posted March 12, 2008 Share #19 Â Posted March 12, 2008 Jeff - Thanks for your comments and good wishes. Â Misha - That shot is awesome! Great lighting and tack sharp. Â In response to all the PMs and emails I received asking about technical data, I'll just say that I am shooting more and more at higher ISOs with the M8 (I used to go only to 640 but now have no problem with 1250 and up)... I also dig the look of ISO 2500 shot with a Leica flash at full blast... It has a great look and reminds me of some of the more contrasty and grainy images from Warhol (I must give credit to my good friend Seal since he was the one that turned me into it after sharing some of his B&W 3200 film images shot with flash) Â Below are a couple of more M8 images shot at higher ISOs and no flash. Â M8, Canon 50 f/0.95 @0.95, ISO 640 Â M8, Canon 50 f/0.95 @0.95, ISO 1250 Â M8, Canon 50 f/0.95 @0.95, ISO 1250 Â M8, Canon 50 f/0.95 @0.95, ISO 1250 Â Cheers, Â Riccis Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamie Roberts Posted March 12, 2008 Share #20  Posted March 12, 2008 I think Riccis (great work as always!) and others have covered it all, pretty much, but I'll just add that if you know people who are important that the pro might miss (special relatives etc..) it's always good to catch them once or twice.  But enjoy the wedding too. Your honest reaction to the moments "all around" the bride and groom will be a wonderful bonus for them, more than trying to plan out what you'll cover...  Elmarit 24 Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!  Nocti @ f1.2  Nocti again @ 1.6 Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!  Nocti @ f1.2  Nocti again @ 1.6 ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/47596-wedding-photography-advice/?do=findComment&comment=507956'>More sharing options...
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