I volunteered to take photographs of my friend's dad's wedding, and i know nothing about lighting or how to go about taking photo's at a wedding. I don't think they mind that part, they just want it done cheaply. I do have an eye for art, and 6+ years expeirence in photoshop. Any advice from fellow photographers out there, much appreciated.
2007-06-23 13:49:26 · 6 answers · asked by sarah 1 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Visual Arts ➔ Photography
Go to www.photo.net and search the wedding forum archives for first time and beginner. You will find reading material enough for several visits.
I certainly hope you are not charging for this. Unless you are exceptionally talented and experienced in photography (rather than photoshop) you are unlikely to produce more than mediocre snapshots. Weddings are usually fast paced, and you only get the one chance to get the shot.
Try to get a backup camera and flash, if you can come up with one. I assume you will be shooting digital, so have lots of memory. Have extra batteries Visit the venue before the wedding and take some test shots. If you know about manual camera settings and are comfortable with metering and setting your camera, then shoot manual. If you do not know how to shoot manual, then use program mode. If you are inside in a dimly lit room, you will have lots of blown out faces with dark, cavish backgrounds. You need to learn a technique called dragging the shutter to expose for the subject while allowing some ambient light to illuminate the background. Also bouncing the flash is a good thing to learn.
If you are outside in the daylight, you will be marginally better off. Use the flash and balance it with the ambient to avoid raccoon eyes and harsh shadows.
If you are in a church, be prepared not to use flash during the ceremony, most churches won't allow it. Take a tripod and shoot from the balcony or the back of the aisle.
If you don't get but two good pictures, one needs to be a posed shot of the B & G, and one of the bride alone. When posing people, never never turn them square to the camera. Always use an angle. They should have a front and back shoulder, not a left and right. If it bends, bend it. Have the bride hold her flowers at waist level, or at a hip for variety. In group shots, the B & G are in the center of the grouping, either in front or above. Don't try to get fancy, get pleasing arrangements and shoot several times.
Take control of groups and the other photogs as well. If you are the event photographer, ask others with cameras to let you get your shot first. Otherwise, the people will be looking every which way, and that does not make for pleasing portraits. You may have to insist a bit, people can be pushy in getting a picture. I had to remind an over- zealous MOG a couple of times recently to stay back when I was shooting the formals.
Be sure the wedding couple understands your limitations, and the fact that their pictures may not be all they are hoping for. Of course, you may nail every image in photographic perfection, but realistically, you will have a lot more misses than hits. Hopefully you will produce some good pictures for their memories. It is a big responsibility, so prepare as best as you can, and good luck.
2007-06-23 15:43:54 · answer #1 · answered by Ara57 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I am glad to see that you realize this as "something of great importance", as it truly is, but what concerns me is that you are putting this couples most cherished wedding memories at great risk. Don't do it! The job of a wedding photographer should not be taken lightly. It takes a tremendous amount of experience and knowledge to be able to deliver a quality job. Unlike portrait or engagement photography, you do not get the chance to redo it if the images do not come out...there is only one opportunity to get these images right and it takes a tremendous amount of knowledge and coordination on the photographers part to make it happen. It is my opinion that no one should ever take on a wedding job until they have been a second shooter at a few weddings to gain experience and become familiar with the flow of the day as well as any issues that may arise. If you are looking to break into the industry you should consider joining one of the wedding photography forums. I know the DWF has a mentoring forum where you can learn from your peers. I really do hope that you reconsider or at least tell the couple your concerns and perhaps offer to shoot the wedding for free to gain experience, that is, if they are willing. Good luck!
2016-04-01 01:24:56 · answer #2 · answered by Jana 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My advice, don't do it.
If you know nothing about lighting or about photographing weddings the chance of you getting decent photos are very low. In years to come you will feel bad that they don't have a great wedding album to show family and friends.
2007-06-23 15:09:41 · answer #3 · answered by PBIPhotoArtist 5 · 4⤊ 0⤋
i agree with PBIPhotoArtist
there's more to taking wedding photos than just about lighting. professionals know how to create that perfect wedding photos without really trying.
I had discovered the hard way by doing one of my friends weddings as a last minute favor which there's was much more work than I had anticipated
2007-06-24 11:23:58 · answer #4 · answered by DEAD II 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Try Trick Photography Special Effects - http://tinyurl.com/Wh3dzZmZY0
2015-12-06 06:20:07 · answer #5 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Volunteered? There's a reason we get paid. It's physically hard, emotionally stressful, you need a ton of expensive equipment and requires experience to do a good job. I love it, but if I weren't already in it, I probably would run from such an arrangement.
2007-06-25 04:14:53 · answer #6 · answered by double-plus-good_thoughtcrime 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋