Any tips about f-stop, focal lengths, non-studio lighting, etc.
I have a Nikon D70 with 18-70mm and a 70-300mm lenses.
2007-02-21 11:04:36 · 7 answers · asked by rgreenfi 2 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Visual Arts ➔ Photography
Wedding photography tutorials: http://www.net-art.it/photomonitor/html/teoria_tecnica/ripresa-tecniche/matrimonio-cerimonia-e.shtml
2007-02-21 23:27:47 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, I imagine shooting proms would not be that dissimilar from shooting weddings, as far as I can figure. If you know how to shoot a wedding, you should already know how to shoot a prom, it's almost the same situation. There are two conditions you will likely experience, capturing candids during the prom itself, perhaps shots at the entrance of couples coming and going, OR set up individual, couple, or group portrait sessions. You'll be indoors, shooting available light which means you'll likely need a fast telezoom, a superwide zoom, and maybe a normal prime. Jack your ISO up as far as you can without going too ridiculous with the chroma noise and shoot wide open for low light performance without flash. For the formal set-up shots, you'll likely need a good lighting rig of either low temp continuous like the daylight balanced fluorescents, or strobe heads with modifiers, stands, backdrops, etc... If this is a formal sort of gig, count on covering all of those bases as a part of your general planning. If this is simply an impromptu sort of personal thing for friends and whatnot, or not really formal at all, just shoot what makes sense. You've already seen what event shooting is like, if you've worked as an assistant to a wedding photographer, and for many a prom is "the" event. So treat it as such. That's all I've got. I hope it helps... Peace Hey look, thumbs' down ratings....haven't seen one of those in a whole 2 minutes....I suppose someone will have a better answer. I can't wait....
2016-03-15 23:13:16 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
A great tip if this is your first wedding - don't do it. A wedding is a very important day in someone's life and if you are photographing it AND asking this question - then you shouldn't be doing it.
However, if you are just curious (which is always a good thing) let me help out...
Wedding portraits (or any portraiture for that matter) is best done at a 70mm length. This is the closest zoom to create a 1:1 ratio. This way their face is almost perfectly reproduced as far as proportions. A shallow focal length is best to be sure the focus is on the subject and not the background you use. A simple background is always nice. Nothing extravagent, outlandish, etc that will take away from the bride or groom. I use a couple backgrounds that are very saturated but produce outstanding results.
As far as lighting - make sure the light is feathered across the couple. Always make sure a bride is turned away from the main light source. This will produce a slimmer waistline on her.
As far as aperature setting - that varies on the lighting conditions. Portraits are ideally at a speed of 90 - 100 to capture the most detail with the least amount of digital noise (or film grain).
Make sure when photographing the couple that they are interacting with each other in EVERY photo. Even simple ones of her leaning on his shoulder. I've seen photographers that photograph a bride and groom side by side straight on - it produces a horrible result.
Stay away from photographing straight on. These aren't mug shots. Also - keep away from the 'T-Square' look. Which is where the bride is looking right at you holding her flowers so that the inside of her arms produce an isocoles triangle.
Make sure when photographing the groom that the groom is turned towards the main light producing a masculine pose. Guys need to form a 'C' curve and females form an 'S' curve.
Remember the rule of thirds: When you look through your viewfinder picture a tic-tac-toe board. Be sure that the main point of focus falls on an intersection of the lines forming the tic-tac-toe board.
Be relaxed. The bride is already nervous (even if she seems collected), don't add to it. Also, know what's going to happen and help it along. I'm usually the one instructing where the bride and groom stand or how to cut the cake or which way to throw the bouquet.
Also - during the ceremony be respectful of the priest/rabi/etc (ask beforehand about using a flash). Don't interrupt the ceremony by moving around a lot or taking a photo every 2 seconds.
If you are going digital - during the portaits always take 3 - 4 photos to cover blinkers, people looking away, etc. Also be sure to ask the bride and groom for suggestions. Sometimes they have seen a photo that they fall in love with and want the same photo.
Anymore questions feel free to ask =)
2007-02-21 14:00:33 · answer #3 · answered by Ipshwitz 5 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Run away! Do not do it.
Well, if you have to, the advice about shooting lots is good.
Bring more storage cards than you think you ever will need.
Not sure how bright your lenses are but I like having an f/1.4 for indoors. I carry a 24mm f/1.4 and a 50mm f/1.4
Look at wedding coverage shots and write down each of the groupings. Keep a notebook with those so you can check off the ones you have taken (e.g., bride with bridesmaids, bride and parents, etc).
Flashes suck. Consider getting a Gary Fong Omniflash adapter. Use the flash for fill light.
Behave yourself in the church. The church is sacred. Get with the preacher first and ask where you can sit to get some nice shots. NO FLASH!!!
Consider a good/cheap backdrop to set up to take posed shots. A couple yards of velveteen can do wonders to a gymnasium.
Shoot in RAW. It can save some pretty bad exposures.
Pass out disposable cameras at the wedding reception and encourage people to use them.
Print tons of your card (your better have one) and pass them out.
Watermark your pics and put them up where folks can see them. Have an easy way for them to buy them.
Best of luck. See if someone else will do this.
2007-02-21 15:55:16 · answer #4 · answered by NeoArt 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
For a good shot list do a google search for "The Digital Photography Show". That is an internet podcast and they recently did an interview with a top wedding photog and they have his wedding shoot list (essential shots) posted in the show notes. That doesn't answer your question but does give you a good idea of the shots a wedding photographer should get at any wedding.
2007-02-21 15:01:30 · answer #5 · answered by k3s793 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have a Nikon D70 digital SLR ... and i shoot a ton of weddings ... for me i wouldn't go any other way then digital for a wedding ... but to each his own .. my best suggestion as far as shooting weddings go ... browse some other photographers sites .. see what they have done it might help you to get a good idea what to try yourself .. as for lighting .. play with window lighting on a bride .. its always a classic and gives a very dramatic look .. As i am digital i lean to the "shoot as much as you can and photoshop later" way ... it works for me .. I try to develop what i call my "sure thing" shots.. these are pics i know will sell no matter what .. such as the bouquet in focus with the bride and groom kissing in the background .. Groomsmen all on one knee looking like proposing to the bride .. bridesmaids blowing kisses at the groom ... etc.. over tI'me you figure out what works for you .. though i think im just ranting and prolly have been no help ::sheepish smile:: G'Luck
2007-02-21 12:09:01 · answer #6 · answered by pinuppirategirl 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
tips for wedding pics:
go digital so you can get more pictures and edit later with ease
take too many pictures
compose a shot with the bride and groom (maybe even ask for voulenteers to help with dropping pedals for the shot)
the lighting can be fixed in an adobe program.. right.?
2007-02-21 11:59:51 · answer #7 · answered by famousfailure 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋