2007-07-25 20:44:37 · 5 answers · asked by star_light_bo_banna 1 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Visual Arts ➔ Photography
I've taken pictures of people a lot, but nothing big like a wedding. I am really really scared! the only reason i am doing it is cuz my dad is pushing me! tips and websites you could suggest would help a lot! thanks all!
2007-07-25 21:22:21 · update #1
If you are a skilled and experienced photographer, you stand a better chance of coming out with at least some decent images. If you use your camera on auto or program and have no basic understanding of exposure, composition and lighting, then you and your friend are in for a rude awakening and possibly hard feelings. Why is your dad insisting on this?
Of course, every wedding photographer has to start somewhere. The ideal situation calls for knowledge first, then assisting an established photog for a season or two. Shooting weddings is not just about equipment and technique, (although they are very important), but also about time and people management skills.
Do you have the equipment that you need? Try to get a backup camera and flash if you don't already have one. I am supposing that you're digital, if so try for a film backup, and shoot film alongside the digital. Film is more forgiving, so if you blow the highlights in the bride's dress, your film image may save the day due to film's greater exposure latitude.
Look at wedding websites. Try practicing some poses and trial shooting them. (Your dad can help with this, hmmmmm?) When you pose people for the group shots, turn their bodies at an angle to the camera. People in your poses should always have a front and back shoulder, never a left and right. Get some close-up shots and some full length. Don't cut off people's feet in the full length, and don't amputate fingertips in the closeups. Have the bride make a list of shots she must have. Have someone in charge of rounding up people who are in these shots (dad again!) Start with the large group and work down to just the b&g. If you only get two shots that are any good, one needs to be the bride in her dress alone, and the other the b&g together looking happy. During the formals, you must be in control. Take at least two, and maybe three or more for the larger groups, to make sure no one has their eyes shut. When you are getting your shots, tell them to look at YOU, and not Aunt Edna on the other side of the room. You may have to be forceful about this. I would not suggest banning other guests with cameras, (although many pros do) because these other guests are your backup and insurance. If one of yours doesn't turn out good, someone else may have captured a good one. But you do need to take control. Ask that the others wait until you have made your shot, then allow a couple of snaps from the others. Just don't let this get out of hand, having a lot of happy snappers can really slow down getting through the formals, so you have to keep things moving along. This is a thing you learn while assisting!
BTW, in your group formaks, the b&g are always front and center and together,, or higher than the others. Never put anyone positioned between the b&g, and they are always in the middle. Try to make your groupings into triangles, odds are more pleasing compositionally.
If you know how to bounce flash, then do so. If not try to get some shots (especially of the couple) outside. Look for open shade and a scenic background. If you have no shade, turn their faces away from the sun (backlit or sidelit) and shoot with your flash at full power. If it is overcast, that is great for nice, soft lighting.
If the ceremony is inside a church, more than likely you won't be allowed to use your flash, so bring a tripod. Time your shots for quiet moments. Hopefully you have a dSLR, so go ahead and shoot at a higher ISO, noise is better than blurry ceremony photos. Make sure you are in a position for the first kiss.
My final advice is to strongly suggest the couple hire a professional wedding photographer. If that's not an option, then go ahead and do it, hopefully dad knows that you have talent, otherwise why is he insisting on you doing this. If you must do it, then approach with a good frame of mind and a can-do attitude. Study and learn all you can between now and then, try to stay calm and do your best. Good luck!
2007-07-26 01:54:52 · answer #1 · answered by Ara57 7 · 47⤊ 4⤋
Taking photos of a friend's wedding is about the most difficult thing because of everybody's expectations. But if you have to do it, relax and enjoy it as much as you can. I've taken wedding photos of some of my siblings and I enjoyed it.
If you've done people photography I suppose you know about pose, lighting, etc. The only difference in wedding photography is that there are some moments that must be photographed and you can't ask them to repeat it.
So make sure that you know what type of ceremony they are going to do, and what are the most important moments.
You can try to do some web search on wedding photography, but the most successful photos are those that truly reflect the character of the bridegroom and the bride. Since you know them, you're in the road for success. Don't let the technique or the technology interfere. Do a couple of classic "must do" photos (the first kiss, the first dance, exchange of rings, cutting the tart, ... or whatever is usually done in your type of celebration) and then try to predict what's going to happen so that you can be there when it's happening.
2007-07-25 22:25:57 · answer #2 · answered by Diego 2 · 5⤊ 3⤋
Don't be scared, enjoy the day. Your fright is the first thing that'll screw you up. DO get yourself to Boarders books, or another book store and get a book or two on the subject, and study study study. Come up with a shot list, and check them off during the day. If you don't know who's who at the wedding,get the best man, maid of honor, usher, or someone who does, and get them to point out the important people in the wedding so you don't miss anyone. Be careful of exposure. you're going to have to balance white dresses, with black suits, and somehow make them both look good without blowing the dress out, and without making the suit look like a shadow. Make sure you arrive way early to scout out the church, and take test photos to get the exposure right. Make sure you talk with the preacher that's doing the wedding so you know if he has any rules regarding photography during the ceremony. Don't let yourself be pulled from one group to another by this one or that one that says "you just HAVE to get this shot" or you'll be dead at the end of it all. Stay in charge, follow your list, get the extras, and candids on your schedule, and you'll do fine. Oh, and if you have a friend, or someone who can act as your assistant. they're worth their weight in gold during a hectic day.
Good Luck.
2007-07-26 02:30:22 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 9⤊ 2⤋
Photography is a huge subject. I suppose you are a good photographer.
Wedding Photography is also a huge subject. I suppose you have taken pictures (seriously) at wedding - even if not as a wedding photographer.
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If these 2 assumptions are NOT true, then do yourself and your friend a big favor and back out.
Having said that you have a wonderful chance to break into the wedding photography business (again assuming you want to do that). Given wedding photography is a a big subject, it can't really be answered all here. Go to a bookstore and browse through books on wedding photography. Try to take quick notes, etc. Look at the shot lists. take note of styles.
Just remember that as a wedding photographer, you are the director, lighting, cameraman, etc. Here's a website with some info. They are equipment supplier so they focus in equipment but you'll still get some new ideas:
http://www.adorama.com/Catalog.tpl?op=academy_new&article=071006
Good Luck.
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2007-07-25 22:35:04 · answer #4 · answered by Lover not a Fighter 7 · 3⤊ 10⤋
Putting it simpy - DON'T. If you mess it up you will never hear the end of it and could quite likely loose a friend. Wedding photography is NOT EASY and should not be undertaken by a raw amateur. Forget what your Dad says.
2007-07-25 23:43:29 · answer #5 · answered by rdenig_male 7 · 8⤊ 7⤋
are your friends crazy? are you crazy
your in deep, if the photography is important to them study photography until the wedding dont stop for sleep
suggest they hire a Pro if its important to them, you can second camera maybe
i work in this field but dont do to many weddings they are hard work!!
if you email me i can send you my shot check list any other help you need be specific
EDIT: ok dont buy a hammer or your Dad will make you build a house, does he understand what will happen if your shots dont end up looking at least half professional?
go take a picture of someone only wearing black or white(like a bride or man) and see if the blacks black and the whites white. if they arent and they are going Grey imagine the wedding pics
if dad wants an extra garage does he hire a professional builder or someone with a hammer
no doubt you got promise, on one hand i want to say go for it, the other if you mess up the shots in the church or miss any of the standard shots or whatever it wont be pretty!
if they arent expecting pro results then go for it, take heaps and take heaps batts and cards, use tripod , use flash
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2007-07-25 21:01:22 · answer #6 · answered by Antoni 7 · 6⤊ 9⤋