Wedding photgraphs

R

Roberto

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I'm going to stole some picture this WE during a wedding... I'll not be the official photographer and I do not want to spend too much time taking pictures, since I'd better like to spend time with friends and relatives :)

I'll have a Bessa R2a with me, better a 35/2.5 or a 50/2.5 in your opinion?

35: maybe I'll end up with noisy backgrounds?
50: maybe I'll have flat looking pictures without context?

Film will be TMAx@200/800

Thanks!
Rob.
 
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The 35mm will force you to get closer to your subjects and therefore a more intimate feeling...plus depending on the size of the rooms you'll be in the 35 makes more sense...well, at least to me...besides I love the 35...
 
Rob,

For me it would be the 35mm hands down. Yes you can isolate the background easier with the 50, but at just about every wedding I've ever been at everyone was packed in so tight that I shot a LOT more with my wide lenses than normal or moderate telephoto (85/90).

I think back to some of my early training, SCUFI (Shoot Close Up For Impact). Kind of follows the idea if your pictures are not good enough you were not close enough for the action.

I developed a technique of placing myself in position to take a picture and find another subject to focus on. I focus there and wait for my real subjects to do something I want to shoot. Swing my camera over to them and fire. I use DOF to help but after a bit of practice I got pretty good at finding an alternative subject the same distance from me as my main one. Same thing for lighting, I look for the same lighting and tones that my real subject has. This works for slides too, though I may check exposure for a split second before I press the button.

Good luck and please share your results.

B2 (;->
 
Bill, thanks for the suggestions! Really appreciated, may I ask you some advice also for exposure?
I fear that the huge difference between the white dress of the bride and the dark blue of the husband will too much.. should I expose for the skin?
May I use the back of my hand to get the correct exposure?

Thanks!
Rob.
 
Rob,

Exposure is easy if you look for the same lighting as your subject. I trust my built in meter and either my hand or a small 18% gray card I've had for years. The biggest issue is the lighting on the party is often brighter than the rest of the room. It's good to get there before the wedding party does so you can run some metering tests and write the results down on a small piece of tape on the back of the camera. You really only need to do this at the main table and perhaps on the dance floor. I often use a small incident light meter (rather than reflected light metering that is built into many cameras) as it gives me readings not impacted by the WHITE dress or the BLACK tux.

Watch what happens when you turn your hand different directions with the lighting. One side is often brighter than the other and you need to decide where you want your middle tone to land. I’ve found that learning the Zone system extremely valuable in understanding exposure. Dissecting the lighting for each area and understanding what Zone it fits in may be a lot of work but I find you really only need to look two main different readings in most situations (with the main light on them directly and then not).

Look for different perspectives, things that the main photographer might miss. Look for fun moments, interesting people telling stories, get down, get close, your pictures will tell the story.

Hope this helps.

B2 (;->
 
I often use a small flash on its lowest power setting as fill. There're times for artsy pictures and times where Aunt Edna wants to see every freckle on little Joey's face. To me being a "purist" can mean giving the people what they really want. But I hate shooting weddings! A moment of silence, everyone, on Saturday morning as you think of me scurrying about with three M bodies...I really did try to talk my way out of this one...HONEST! (At least I'm not the groom!)

I use an incident light meter.

http://thepriceofsilver.blogspot.com
 
It does help a lot :) the idea of having two main zones is great.. since I feel that I'll have not much time to fiddle with the camera settings.

There will be no dance floor, but we'll have lunch together and in fact I'll have the chance to be in the restaurant before the couple will join, I'll try to use that time to find the exposure settings and in case the light will change too much I'll switch to the AE.

I'll try to avoid being not close enough, underexposing and boring.. uhmm that's hard!

Rob.
 
Al, I'll check out whether my old flash still fires :) maybe having it in the pocket it's not a bad idea.. it's a really small old flash with a name that tells its story: "Popular V3", but I'm not even sure where it went hiding lately.. :)
 
Rob,

Don't forget at the church before, lots of time where people are sitting and talking, looking, reading, great stuff. Might want to use the 50 here as you may not have the ability to get close.

B2 (;->
 
BillBingham2 said:
Rob,

Don't forget at the church before, lots of time where people are sitting and talking, looking, reading, great stuff. Might want to use the 50 here as you may not have the ability to get close.

B2 (;->
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Err.. no dance floor and no church :) the wedding will be in the town hall.. and I'll be the "best man" (I hope the translation is correct), so no chance to shoot.. :eek:
 
Congrats, a wonderful honor. Have a great time.

Yes, I believe your translation is correct, you are standing up with the groom in case he gets cold feet. Not sure if it's to hold him there not matter what or to block any gunshots from bride or her father if he decides to exit before the I DO part.

B2 (;->
 
The 35 best for the best man!

The 35 best for the best man!

Roberto said:
Err.. no dance floor and no church :) the wedding will be in the town hall.. and I'll be the "best man" (I hope the translation is correct), so no chance to shoot.. :eek:
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As best man you really need the 35mm! You can shoot just as they say "I do" from really close and a unique angle.
 
Not sure I'll be brave enough to capture *that* moment, I feel like it would be indelicate :)

And.. Im sure I'm there to stop gunshots! :p

Rob.
 
Do it!

Do it!

Roberto said:
Not sure I'll be brave enough to capture *that* moment, I feel like it would be indelicate :)

And.. Im sure I'm there to stop gunshots! :p

Rob.
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Actually, there is a moment when all eyes are on the couple just before they kiss. Just wait a few moments, pull out the camera and take a couple of quick shots. No flash.

No one will object and they will love it.
 
easyrider said:
Actually, there is a moment when all eyes are on the couple just before they kiss. Just wait a few moments, pull out the camera and take a couple of quick shots. No flash.

No one will object and they will love it.
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I totally agree with easyrider...everyone will be looking at the bride & groom at this moment...and if not, I don't think anyone will mind...:D
 
As someone who shoots weddings regularly - the concept of a best man "whipping out a camera" at the last second and getting a photo of the bride and groom may be distracting. Especially if there's not going to be a lot of other folks around.

I certainly would notice it and think "WTF is this guy doing???" - the rest of whatever guests that may be there may not notice but if you don't "clear" that with the B&G beforehand, they may be upset with you.

With respect to the rest of the advice - 35mm is the way to go.

I personally would concentrate on the "getting ready" photos rather than anything else since you'll have intimate knowledge of the situation. Just you and the groom - so just concentrate on that? :)

Cheers,
Dave
 
We were suckered into this a few days ago. I used a 24 Summilux and 50 C-Sonnar on M8.2 and M8 (32mm and 67mm equivalents respectively) and Frances used a 35 Summilux on an MP. The happy couple were happy all over again with the digi shots and Frances is printing the real pics in the darkroom as I type this.

See also http://www.rogerandfrances.com/subscription/ps weddings.html for when you HAVE to shoot a wedding. I ought to rescan some of the photos.

Cheers,

R.
 
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Roger Hicks said:
We were suckered into this a few days ago. I used a 24 Summilux and 50 C-Sonnar on M8.2 and M8 (32mm and 67mm equivalents respectively) and Frances used a 35 Summilux on an MP. The happy couple were happy all over again with the digi shots and Frances is printing the real pics in the darkroom as I type this.

Cheers,

R.
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Dear Roger, :D

I think the 35 Lux on the MP would be my "weapon of choice" if I owned the kit and could only use one lens/body combo for a wedding.

I still give so much thought to outfitting myself with two M7's and shooting an "all film" wedding (again - last time I did one was back in 2002/3) but since the advent of digital it takes a "special customer" who both appreciates the quality of B&W film grain and the patience to wait for the editing/printing of the images.

Cheers,
dave
 
dcsang said:
... since the advent of digital it takes a "special customer" who both appreciates the quality of B&W film grain and the patience to wait for the editing/printing of the images.
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Dear Dave,

As we used to say in Bermuda in the '60s, 'dat de troof' (please forgive imperfectly rendered 'Mudian accent).

I admire your fortitude in voluntarily shooting weddings!

Cheers,

R.
 
dcsang said:
As someone who shoots weddings regularly - the concept of a best man "whipping out a camera" at the last second and getting a photo of the bride and groom may be distracting. Especially if there's not going to be a lot of other folks around.
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Yeap, I know him well, he would not like something like this.. and it sounds like a "crime scene shoot" to me.. :D
 
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