 Amber D. Jones |
first wedding shoot Okay- this is my first time doing a wedding. I really wasn't even that interested in shooting weddings. Not that I don't want to, it's just that there's so much responsibility when using a film camera. So much could happen. Now theese people are getting married on October 1st of this year. I have a Maxxum Gat 35-80mm Minolta camera. That's it. Now I'm really good at taking pictures with just my camera, but nowadays...you can do so much more with a digital camera. These people are older people, so I'm sure that they don't care too much for the color photos mixed with b&w. If I just took point and shoot pictures of everyone, they probably wouldn't care, but I want them to be great pictures...Any suggestions???
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Amber D. Jones |
OCTOBER 1ST GUYS>>>NEED SOME HELP HERE!!!
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Kerry L. Walker |
How can we be of service?
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Samuel Smith |
worried amber? i believe you have the minolta gt,also known as the qtsi,and a minolta 35-80 f4 to f5.6 lense. if you use the on camera flash you'll probably get red eye. i dis agree with your assumption that digital would be a better answer.kerry is a film guy like me,and I have no intention of going digital as of now. if it's kinda an informal wedding with decent light I think you'll be fine.i've recently been using kodak professional 400uc,and the colors seem great.it only comes in 36 exposure rolls,but then you won't have to change rolls as often.i suggest the 400 because I don't know the lighting situation,and with you're kinda limited camera I think that's your best bet. if you know your camera,then act that way when you arrive.extra batteries and extra film.and don't forget to bring some extra confidence. i didn't mention I have that camera and lense did I ?oh well. watch out for the background,or you may get a lamp growing out of someones head,look for a good background to shoot your group pics. are we having fun yet amber,sam
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Samuel Smith |
i forgot amber,what pictures would you want if you were getting married?and if,like me,if they are older,take a lot of candid shots of their friends.memories and scrapbooks.
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Andrew Laverghetta |
If the environment is going to be dim, I might suggest Kodak Portra 800. Especially if you don't have a fast/large maximum aperture lens. I've only used this film once but I really loved the colors and the ISO 800 really helps.
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Paul |
HiAmber, I am a novice photographer using film and have just started doing some weddings.I was worried about doing them and after looking on this site at the wedding photos,, reading about weddings and going to John Linds site which has a tutorial on wedding photography. Even on the night before one wedding when I was checking my equipment and my main flash (hotshoe) fell and broke the bottom off. And on the day of the wedding (a saturday) I was running around to buy a new flash and there is nothing like going to a wedding with brand new stuff.The building where this one took place had a wall of mirrors and skylights at one end and a very low ceiling at another end.Wonderful shooting conditions. Also, realizing that this is a once in a lifetime memories ,for the most part for bride and groom, regardless of age.There is really nothing to be worried or nervous about,,,lol. It came out just fine. One thing is that make sure that ,if, you take photos of them coming down the isle that they pause a second to get a good shot with or without flash. I missed that on one as they came down the isle like the place was on fire and they had to get out. I couldn't even get a focus on the "procession" , which as Kerry saids,thats what it is ,not a run. Take a lot of film ,,a lot of shots especially of the bride ,,the groom isn't what people want to look at ,,why,I don't know,,lol.And one thing that I have learned is that they can wait until you reload and I use two camera of the same type so everything is interchangeable. Most of all,use good film,,not drugstore stuff. I found out that I was taking too many of the reception that people really didnt want so I have cut back on that ,,waste of film. So, just go and have fun ,,lol,,I have come to enjoy weddings ,,not the real high brow ,uptown ones ,, just the average weddings. One more thing which I am sure you know. Take clear shots,, creative photos, keep to just a few. Remember, you are not part of the wedding party and stay out of the way for the most part. Hey, I can't believe that I am responding to a question on BP site,,and I think I have done well.The pro's on here can tell you so much more than I. Good luck. Paul
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Samuel Smith |
sometimes paul,it's the sincerity.you made a very good post.she only has one camera,but I think she'll do fine.sometimes people worry about making a post.i've had to stand in a corner.oh,it was a nice corner,3rd and main I think?yeah! if your trying to help,your trying to help. being wrong?i'll drive there again.it's a short drive. sometimes I don't get to drive a cadillac,but as long as I can roll the window down,the trip is worth it. gotta upgrade my medication? thanks for the input paul,dipstick here.
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Pete H |
Hello Amber, To quote you " it's just that there's so much responsibility when using a film camera." I agree. Happy shooting, Pete
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BetterPhoto Member |
Amber, you are a photographer. So do what we do. Capture images. Remember to compose your images well, emphasize your subjects and take on last look around your frame to make sure there aren't flowers growing out of Uncle Shimey's head. Your camera probably has a red eye eliminator mode which flashes more than once to get the pupils to close so that light can't reflect off the rods and cones in your subjects' eyes (that is what red-eye is). you don't have to take three hours to be good. Start with the guys, they'll be ready first. Take some shots of the groom and the best man, then of the ladies getting ready then go to the ceremony area and scope out the best area to take your photos. Then turn off the flash for thwe ceremony, most reverends appreciate this. Besides, natural lighting, especially indoors can render some very origional looking prints, brace yourself or use a tripod and a slow speed so you can stop down to a narrow aperture and get lots of depth of field in your shots. Don't forget the kiss, the cake, the dance and get a nice signature photo that you take for each wedding that no one else does. Mine are a face to face silhouette with a VERY bright background and also a shot of the hands and the rings against the bouquet and a white background. And above all else, HAVE FUN, it'll be the time of your life.
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Amber D. Jones |
Thank all of you guys so much. Christopher...I had definitely thought about using natural light in the ceremony pictures, but there's only one problem. This sanctuary has absolutley NO WINDOWS. The only sort of natural lighting that will be comming into the sanctuary is a vague light that comes from the two back doors. I'm afraid that won't be quite enough light. Oh yeah, and we did some shots of just the bride when she did her wedding day "rehearsal look". So, I got plenty of ideas of what the sanctuary lighting will be and all that good stuff. I was overjoyed at the opportunity to do this!!! The pictures turned out really good. Oh yeah, and what everybody keeps telling me about self-confidence...boy does that work. When I first arrived at the church, I felt a little nervous, and was worried that she wouldn't be impressed since I was an ameture. But, once I started taking the portraits, I just acted like "myself", and everything turned out wonderful. I was going to say one more thing... so a lot of you guys have done this kinda' thing before with a film camera???
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Antony Burch |
Amber, have a look round this website it shold give you some ideas, make sure you view the quicktime video its really good www.mastersofweddingphotography.com
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Brandon Currey |
It seems that I am in almost the exact same situation as Amber. My wife’s grandmother is getting married, and wants me to take the pictures. It’s not going to be a big wedding; however this is the first one that I will be shooting. I never really considered doing a wedding, but granny is insisting! Like Amber, the wedding is in a church with no natural lighting. My concern is the florescent lights. Is there a filter that I need to buy to minimize their effects? I know a flash would help (which Amber is using), but I’m not sure I will be allowed to use one. Any advice would be appreciated. By the way, I’m shooting with a Rebel. I have three lenses. 70-300mm, 35-80mm, & a 100mm (macro). Thanks for all the help. Good luck Amber!
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Samuel Smith |
well brandon,i think the rebel is both film and digital,depends on model. you didn't mention the f-stops on your lenses,low light eh. as long as the people aren't looking at the camera,the built in flash does a decent job,like ambers case. if you can't use your flash,use your fastest lense. with the lenses you have i'm sure your film.well kinda. there is a filter for florescent lighting. find a local camera shop.the one I go to is 30 miles away.very helpful.they want to be.if they won't take the time to help you,find another one. at least 400 speed film.amber what speed film did you use?ya know help brandon out here. oh and yeah amber,fiiilmmmm.as soon as they deliver my walker I bought off e-bay? it's all in fun.
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Jason |
If you have a flash, tilt the head towards the ceiling (white in colour!) and bounce it. The photos look more natural. I've had great results doing so.
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Amber D. Jones |
I used 400 speed film. But I don't have a detatchable flash on my camera. (like he said though, they probably don't want us to use our flash. So, what in the world am I supposed to do for lighting...If there's no natural light and I take the picture without a flash, that's gonna be B-A-D!!! (Remember I am way ameture at this stuff, and I really don't know a lot about it- Hey...but that's what you guts are here for...)
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Kerry L. Walker |
"I was going to say one more thing... so a lot of you guys have done this kinda' thing before with a film camera???" Still do.
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Samuel Smith |
film here, you said your rehearsel pics turned out
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Amber D. Jones |
I was reading in one of the earlier responses by Sam...I'm really not into all of the technical stuff yet...or should I say don't understand it yet...could someone please tell me what f4-f5.6 means...I figured it has something to do with f-stop or something, but I have no idea what that is...Inform me please...
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Kerry L. Walker |
He was referring to a zoom lens with a variable maximum aperature - f4 at the short end and f5.6 at the long end.
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Amber D. Jones |
Okay...now I hear a lot of people say "adjust your aperture"...how do I do that...I'm not sure if I can on my camera...Sorry...these are probably really lame questions...I'm not good at all the technical stuff. I'm learning though.
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Kerry L. Walker |
I don't think you can on your camera. Pretty sure it is an auto everything camera. Just point and shoot. It does all the thinking. Once you get an SLR you will be able to make those adjustments.
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Amber D. Jones |
I didn't think so...I was just wondering. When I was asking some questions about how some of my pictures were turning out a while ago, I'm pretty sure I had already told people what kind of camera I had, but they told me to adjust the aperture...I didn't think that I could...Anyways, Thanks a lot for all of your help!
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Kerry L. Walker |
You're quite welcome.
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Samuel Smith |
manual focus is the only option on your camera,mine too.but you can make the camera change it with the different program modes.sports will set the fastest aperature and landscape will do the opposite.i'd say if people are moving around use sports mode.portrait mode for couple shots if they aren't moving,should blur the background in case it's distracting.group shots,landscape mode,best depth of field. there are no lame questions amber,now I have given some lame answers. did you find the right doctor yet kerry? hey amber,i have to go shoot a grand opening for a local bar,wanna tag along?kerry?i'll buy after the shoot. now amber,listen.i'll probably have to use either my 50mm f1.7 or my 28mm f2.8 .low light,they want no flash. and kinda assert yourself amber.the people in the bar will do it my way,or i'll leave.the owner is very clear on that. see how easy this is amber? hope you the best,sam
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BetterPhoto Member |
Hey, Amber. I hope the wedding goes well. After the wedding I suggest two things. Check out my website, I have alot of articles and photogrpahs there. And buy Ansel Adams' series of instructional books, 'The Camera', :The Negative' and 'The Print'. These are next to the gospel for a photographer and would really be of great help to you if you wanted to delve deeper into photography. Here is the link to my site. Thanks. Walrath Photogrpahic Imaging
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Amber D. Jones |
Hey guys... Well, the wedding turned out great! What in the world was I so stressed out about? Hopefully, I will get the proofs ready in a few days. Then maybe I can upload some photos. We'll see if I have time. Oh yeah, and I was going to ask...about how long after the wedding do the clients usually get to view the proofs?
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Kerry L. Walker |
As soon as I get them back. For me, that is about 2 weeks.
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Amber D. Jones |
Thanks!!!
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Samuel Smith |
see
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anonymous |
Yep, as soon as you can. I had to wait months to see my proofs and 9 months for the finished product.... too long.
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