Wedding photography advice

[mwilliamsphotography]

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Awesome... it seems so obvious - I don't know why I didn't know that.

 

Thank you.

 

SM.

 

Because no one knows anything until they learn by experience, or someone else's experience. A really good Leica M shooter taught me the infinity tip years ago. Since AF is dominate now, a lot of the old Manual Focus techniques are less available. Pass it forward. : -)

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[dalippe]

Here's a tip for quick focus with a manual lens ... especially rangefinder lenses that have a short throw.

 

After doing a shot, rack the focus ring back to infinity. That way you will get into the habit of always moving it one way rather than hunting back and forth. Plus, most shots are just a short movement from infinity (look at the distance markings on the barrel and you'll see that they get closer together to closer they are to the infinity mark).

 

Because the rangefinder focusing patch is in the center of the frame, when shooting with a f/1.4 lens closer to the subject, you should learn to slightly shift your body rather than repointing the camera when reframing off-center subjects.

 

Good luck.

Thanks for the focusing tips. The first one is clear enough, but I'm not sure I follow the point of the second one. Is it simply that moving your body typically leads to less change in the distance from camera to subject than re-pointing the camera? Or is there some other reasons? Sorry if I'm being dense here.

 

David

[Vieri]

Thanks for the focusing tips. The first one is clear enough, but I'm not sure I follow the point of the second one. Is it simply that moving your body typically leads to less change in the distance from camera to subject than re-pointing the camera? Or is there some other reasons? Sorry if I'm being dense here.

 

David

 

David, I think what he means is that when focussing & recomposing, shifting your body left & right wouldn't (to a degree) cause the focal plane to move in respect of the subject, while turning the camera would, ever so slightly of course but enough to throw your subject out of focus using very small aperture - I'd say 1.8 and below. Hope this helps!

[mwilliamsphotography]

David, I think what he means is that when focussing & recomposing, shifting your body left & right wouldn't (to a degree) cause the focal plane to move in respect of the subject, while turning the camera would, ever so slightly of course but enough to throw your subject out of focus using very small aperture - I'd say 1.8 and below. Hope this helps!

 

Yep. Since the original author of the thread mentioned that his issue with focus was when shooting a 35/1.4 wide open, then when close up to the subject, the plane of focus becomes more critical ... especially when the subject is off center in the frame after repositioning. 35mm is less of an issue, but when you start using a 75/1.4 wide open it becomes apparent really fast.

[bobbyrab]

I think Marc means if you if you pivot from the focus position to recompose, the subject to camera distance will slightly increase which will make a difference at wide apertures, so you should move parallel with the subject. My focus tip would be if you focus on the mouth, a nice and contrasty target, you will usually also be good for the eyes. Try and create frames for your subject, shoot into the light and let the lens flare, if it's digital, stick the camera higher or lower than you could get if you had your eye to the VF. The worst that can happen is you have to delete a few.

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[bobbyrab]

Sorry, too slow there, and the last image was a thumbnail.

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[sliversurger]

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popular photography had a piece on their top 10 wedding photogs:

 

The Top 10 Wedding Photographers - - PopPhotoMarch/April 2007

 

it doesn't talk about technique, but i find that looking at different photog's work, like riccis and others here, will really expand your own framing and storytelling techniques.

[keithdunlop]

I guess I also want to know also how you approach this professionally. SM.

 

This post strikes me as someone who wants to photograph a wedding as a quasi-pro, when they are really just a guest like any other. As a professional wedding photographer, these are the types of guests that always seem to get in the way and intrude on my workflow. And no, I'm not being "pissy" - this is my business and livelihood. My assistant and I have a specific plan for the wedding, we know exactly where each other will be during the day, and we anticipate (and accommodate) guests with their digital P&S's taking shots during the day. However, my contract specifies that I am the only hired pro and I have the right to ask guests who are intruding on my work to stop. When somebody is focused more on shooting the wedding than enjoying the event as a guest, that's usually a recipe for intrusion.

 

I only began seriously enforcing my policies regarding intrusive guests when at one certain wedding a guest was literally at my shoulder during the entire ceremony (yes, out of his seat and standing next to me at the alter), and no amount of telling him he needed to stop got through. I know that I missed certain shots because I was having to stop what I was doing to tell this guy to get off my shoulder.

 

You need to contact the hired pro PRIOR to the wedding day to discuss your photography plans and obtain permission to employ your "plan". If you get lucky, the pro will appreciate your effort and may want to incorporate your images into a presentation to the couple. More likely however, you will be advised to be respectful of the hired professional and not intrude on workflow.

 

Another issue for some photographers being leary of you shooting as a guest/pro is economics. Some peoples pricing structure depends on print orders on the back end, and if you are supplying the bride and groom with pro quality work, that cuts into the hired pros domain. Myself, my pricing does not depend on post wedding sales, but it's an issue to consider with some.

 

All of this being said, I am more than happy to allow guests to take their snapshots, but your post read very much like you were approaching the wedding with the sole intent of "shooting" the wedding, rather attending as a guest.

[Singlemalt]

This post strikes me as someone who wants to photograph a wedding as a quasi-pro, when they are really just a guest like any other. As a professional wedding photographer, these are the types of guests that always seem to get in the way and intrude on my workflow.

 

I understand where you are coming from. I am not a pro anything - I love simply taking pictures. The wedding just gives me an opportunity to take some pictures and to push myself more. I will be respectful of the pro as he is (a) getting paid ( will have much better pictures than me and © im a noob. I'm not going to hang over anyone's shoulder. Hopefully I will be able to get some shots that will complement. And I do plan to enjoy myself - that goes without saying.

 

Just to clarify.

 

Thanks for all the pictures posted and the insights.

 

Cheers,

SM.

 

PS: I love the fact that so many people have contributed to this thread. I was getting tired of the "sky is falling" stuff of late.

[jaapv]

This post strikes me as someone who wants to photograph a wedding as a quasi-pro, when they are really just a guest like any other. As a professional wedding photographer, these are the types of guests that always seem to get in the way and intrude on my workflow. And no, I'm not being "pissy" - this is my business and livelihood. My assistant and I have a specific plan for the wedding, we know exactly where each other will be during the day, and we anticipate (and accommodate) guests with their digital P&S's taking shots during the day. However, my contract specifies that I am the only hired pro and I have the right to ask guests who are intruding on my work to stop. When somebody is focused more on shooting the wedding than enjoying the event as a guest, that's usually a recipe for intrusion.

 

I only began seriously enforcing my policies regarding intrusive guests when at one certain wedding a guest was literally at my shoulder during the entire ceremony (yes, out of his seat and standing next to me at the alter), and no amount of telling him he needed to stop got through. I know that I missed certain shots because I was having to stop what I was doing to tell this guy to get off my shoulder.

 

You need to contact the hired pro PRIOR to the wedding day to discuss your photography plans and obtain permission to employ your "plan". If you get lucky, the pro will appreciate your effort and may want to incorporate your images into a presentation to the couple. More likely however, you will be advised to be respectful of the hired professional and not intrude on workflow.

 

Another issue for some photographers being leary of you shooting as a guest/pro is economics. Some peoples pricing structure depends on print orders on the back end, and if you are supplying the bride and groom with pro quality work, that cuts into the hired pros domain. Myself, my pricing does not depend on post wedding sales, but it's an issue to consider with some.

 

All of this being said, I am more than happy to allow guests to take their snapshots, but your post read very much like you were approaching the wedding with the sole intent of "shooting" the wedding, rather attending as a guest.

 

I think the pro should have no complaints about the quality of the shots by any guest. After all, it should be his challenge to be better. And from experience I would say he is much better placed to produce a consistent flow in his album. But I agree, when I shoot at a wedding as a guest,even if I am fanatic enough to go for the best quality I can, I will behave like a guest, abide by the pro´s wishes, not leave my seat to steal his vantage point, go for the intimate snapshot which only a family member will see, miss shots because I am talking to Auntie Priscilla,etc. A wedding I am attending in June, there is a pro for the ceremony and I´ve been asked to cover the do afterwards. A good solution I think.

[Singlemalt]

Well... time I actually posted some of these photos eh?

 

The wedding went well. The pro was I guy named todd mcgaw (Todd McGaw - Photographer - Welcome) who seemed quite at ease with me being there. I (hope) didn't get in his way at all. I introduced myself early on and told him to tell me to rack off if I got in the way. I stayed away from him mostly - I resisted the urge to take the "group" pics that he was taking.

 

I think it worked well - I was able to get a whole range of photos that complemented his photos very well (obviously not of the same quality). My friends are happy too.

 

It took me a while to get around processing the images and I was a little down initially after being told my pictures were ... crap.

 

With a bit of cropping and some other changes I think the results aren't too bad.

 

I wasn't tack sharp with the focus... I did find it hard with all the movement and shooting at 1.4. I am still getting used to the RF experience... it was a lot of fun!

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[afineman]

how you photograph your friends wedding (as a guest) depends on if you are single or not. allow me to explain.

the only way i can get my wife to let me bring my camera to weddings that we are guests at (i also shoot weddings as part of my business) is if i bring one camera one lens no flash and no extra film (or cards).

in other words, a leica looks great with a tux or suit but a camera bag does not. also, i find it fun to take on limitations like no flash and 1 lens, it is interesting to see what you will get. i am not sure what i will do when my brother gets married in a few months but i may have to throw out those rules, but the wife may divorce me if i do.

just be sure to have fun and enjoy yourself while you are there too.