RF weddings

MelanieC said:
Everyone else is undoubtedly sick of seeing these, but here they are.

http://www.pbase.com/miranc/wedding
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Well, I'm pretty new here so I've never seen these, but even if I weren't, they're fantastic photos! I am shooting my first wedding next month for a friend and these are pretty good for inspiration! Hope you don't mind if I feed off of them for a few ideas 🙂
 
This is a very good thread. I don't want to showcase my professional work, for various reasons, but I can tell you from my perspective, family and friends often have the very best chance at getting some truly great shots at weddings. I know I am in the minority of wedding photographers, but I like and even actively encourage other shooters to get the shots they want, for many reasons. One, everybody has their own vision, I just happen to be paid for mine during that day, and I feel that I should not hamper the vision of perhaps a family member or close friend. Two, photography is fun, and weddings are a great time to shoot, and if everyone is having fun the shots are easy to get, there is absolutely no reason for me to be the cause of stress at a wedding and I know I'd get a little bent out of shape if 'the pro' told me not to shoot if I was a guest. Three, if I'm as good as they pay me to be (and humbly, I am) then I should be able to get the shots I need and want that are unique to my vision and style of shooting. Fourth, coming from a photojournalist background, I'd often have to get a shot with 3-4 other still guys AND 4-5 video crews (complete with eyecandy reporters tethered and in the way). So, a few Uncle Bobs (wedding term for Family Friend With Camera) are not going to spoil my day.

Not to say it can get a bit funny at times. I had a wedding where there were 75 people and at least 90 cameras, it was truly and utterly ridiculous. Instead of getting annoyed and 'controlling' the situation (which I know from professional 'gossip' is how most of the area photographers handle that situation), it made me really tightend down and get shots that were far outside the norm of what everyone else was shooting. So, I took more riskes and pulled out some techniques from the deep closet of Creativity. The couple Loved the shots, because they had seen all the other family and friends shots and I showed them something different to their day.

Many years ago I when I was still doing pj, a good friend of mine got married. I really wanted to shoot their wedding, but the wife said that she got the very best hottest guy in the area (I was traveling to the wedding) and this guy was such a poser. Missed the *easy* stuff, he spent most of the ceremony prancing about with a Mamiya 7 like it was a magic wand of gold and Not Pressing The Shutter, on the wrong side of everything, and just Blew It during the reception. I was mellow and just got the shots that went my direction, and did my thing low key with a M4 w/35mm Summicron and a Fm-2 with a 105mm and scored the best shots of the wedding. I saw the other guys work later in the album and it was all really below average, I'm glad I gave them some matted prints for the wall, which they display and look at every day.
The point is, when I saw that guys working method, style and 'attitude', I thought, 'I Know I can do better than that guy at weddings', and so I did. But I never forget that I was once not 'The Pro' yet got good shots for a friend, and that meant a lot to me and my friend and our friendship. As well, that event keeps me humble and low-attitude, I certainly don't want to be the one with the 'Fairy Wand of Gold' who misses easy shots.
 
lubitel said:
why is using M7 "leaving it to chance"?

I saw a website of jeff aschough who uses a pair of leicas for weddings. His photos are just stunning.

http://www.jeffascough.net/main.html
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I said that I don't want to leave anything to chance because I have one opportunity to capture the image and therefore, unless I am 100% confident in using my M's during a wedding situation, I'm not going to do it - especially if I'm being paid to do so and if I have had couples sign a contract with me to do so. I'm not saying that it can't be done (because obviously it has been done in the past) but what I am saying is that I wouldn't leave it to chance.

Now, Mr Ascough has done this for a lot longer than I have and therefore I would never dare compare my minor experience to his, but I do know for a fact that he hasn't been using his M's for wedding photography for at least the past 2-3 years. He is now completely digital.

Dave
 
MelanieC said:
Not sure what the moral of this story is, and maybe it sounds mean, but the feelings of the paid photographer are not among my top priorities when my brother is getting married and I have a camera in my hand.
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And I agree - that is not the top priority for many family members or guests. I'm not saying it should be. And in the end, it really has nothing to do with hurting the photographer's "feelings". It does, if the photographer is a pro, have everything to do with them trying to fulfill the contractual obligation with the couple.

If your brother and new sister-in-law have paid someone to do a job do you not think that it's only fair to allow that person to do their job without hindrance? I'm not saying that you (or anyone else here) is hindering a paid wedding photographer. How you shot, imho, was fine - and, like "Noserider", I don't stop any family member from shooting as long as they are not in the "line of fire" per se.

To clarify, I meant that people should be wary of the fact that the paid photographer (or "pro") is like any other vendor at a wedding in the sense that they have been contracted to do a job for the bride & groom (and their families) and what they are trying to do is fulfill that contractual obligation.

Dave
 
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I really, really admire anyone who can shoot a wedding with RFs. I simply cannot focus and compose quickly enough to catch The Moments and am apparently not clever enough to anticipate them either.

:bang:

Good on ya!

ScottGee1
 
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The wedding shots I've seen posted here or linked here are almost always a refreshing change from the predictable and cliched shots that most wedding 'togs grind out.

I don't do weddings either. I recently turned one down actually. "Oh I thought you could do it cheaper" from the MOB is not the way to talk somebody into it. 🙂 Actually, having been in several weddings over the years, and dealing with friends who all of a sudden become prima donnae bridezilla types, it's kind of on my must-do list right above getting a tooth pulled without anesthetic! 🙂

However, if I were to do it, and you gotta admit, all of us have thought of it, I would probably use a { ducking and running } DSLR! (>>SHOCK<<)

Why? Convenience in the heat of battle and maximum output over the job. I would definitely need that zoom to aid with composing without climbing all over the place. I really think { again, ducking and running and looking for a place to hide } that a good photographer can be equally creative with a DSLR as with a RF.

Most brides don't care about the "look and feel" of film. We as serious photographers do, but those who call the shots, the brides and MOBs probably don't know whether their 'tog is shooting film or digital! -- LOL, even after they see a few chimp shots on the back. 🙂 🙂

mikebrice said:
I know several photographers who charge a premium to shoot film along side of digital.
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I'm glad to see that some photographers are offering the option. The last time I was at a wedding and I know the photographer was shooting film was maybe 10 years ago when I saw him use a Mamiya TLR and some kind of a lethal-weapon strobe with a diffusing thing on it.

Yeah, I'm one of the few wedding guests who will pay attention to what the photographer uses, and lately it seems like it's always a DSLR. The "strobe on a stick" seems to be in vogue lately.

Oh well... 🙂
 
Is being ages since I posted here.

I did weddings until very recently using a couple of DSLR's and 1 Xpan as part of my regular setup.

I like the xpan for wedding work because of their added "real state" of the film, you can get some very unique shots with that camera.

Speaking from pure personal experience: while the RF can fill a very special role in wedding photography given their low light capabilities and low shutter noise I never quite mastered the art of fast focusing or "zone focusing" and weddings tend to move rather fast.

They are nice cameras to have in your bag though.

You can see some of my work with the Xpan at

http://hughjb.com/frame01.html

Galleries > High Speed >

Click on gallery II and XIII

Hugh
 
lubitel said:
i am really nervous and have been reading up alot about shooting weddings.
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Oh man, do I remember being nervous when doing weddings. There was always that thought in the back of my mind - "If I screw this up, these people will have no photographs of a very important moment in their lives." I also remeber that once I got into shooting the wedding everything went quickly. It is sort of like public speaking - lots of anxiety before hand and before you know it, the audience is applauding. Just go with the flow! Most people whose weddings I photographed even wanted what I thought were bad shots. The last wedding I did was as a wedding gift for my wife's brother. I used a C330 and shot around thirty rolls of 220. We had 6x6 prints made and gave them the negatives as well.
 
dmr said:
I don't do weddings either. I recently turned one down actually. "Oh I thought you could do it cheaper" from the MOB is not the way to talk somebody into it. 🙂
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Tell me about it. It's all I can do to smile gently and say little more than "Sorry but no."

Most brides don't care about the "look and feel" of film. We as serious photographers do, but those who call the shots, the brides and MOBs probably don't know whether their 'tog is shooting film or digital! -- LOL, even after they see a few chimp shots on the back. 🙂 🙂
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In my case, the last two brides knew the difference, which is why they insisted (the Bridezilla arm-twist) that I do the shoot: a pair of RFs, mostly black-and-white. Family and friends could do the digital play-by-play. 😉

Even so, I don't go out of my way to find such gigs.


- Barrett
 
All this is very interesting, it is quite a lively rapport. I have to disagree with patrickjames - please do not feel attacked - about not taking backup gear to a wedding, I'd rather have more than less in that respect. But that's an altogether different topic, let me conclude by stating that I shall now and then use the rf during the upcoming wedding reception, I'm not yet bold enough to try this during the ceremony. It seems to me that rfs are quite popular in wedding photojournalism - but here in Germany, well, this genre of wedding photography has apparently not yet been launched as it was in the USA, where, so I hear and read, it is quite popular. Anyway, don't let me digress here, but this man is, from what I know, a Leica wedding pj, hopefully the link will take you to his site: www.beneden.com
Greetings
PF
 
I've done PR work for many years and that includes weddings too. I've always used a few M4's and sometimes a 283 flash. Now it's the digital life and that has added a few complications for me.

I bought 2 M8's in early January and was very dissapointed but that's another story. Now I'm using an R-D1s....with mostly Leica glass. The crop factor bothers me but it's just another thing to adjust to. With my work, I need to be discreet, quiet and definately like a voyuer. This camera let's me do that. I haven't used a flash in months...adjustable asa is wonderful....

it's a matter of adjusting your vision/thinking to suit your needs...I also used/sold 2 5D's with a slew of "L" glass and that great 580 flash. I't a great way to work but just not my cup of tea. I like moving around and seeing my image at the very instant of exposure.

weddings are about capturing memories..well all photography is but usually the money is better at weddings and you are responsible to record the event, not interrupt it.....Those blind spot cameras are usually very present at any event...so much so that I won't use them no matter how good they are...The 5D is probably the ultimate DSLR today...but it doesn't compare to the RF cameras.....

all my M's are sleeping gently, the R-D1s is working on and off the job....
I have 7 weddings in the next few months and will definately be using that camera....Oh, I'm getting another next week because I'm still upset with the M'8...........good luck....don
 
When I shot weddings on film I would use my Contax G2 for the BW, and an SLR for the color (usually). In doing digital color, I would use my Mamiya 6, the G2 or Leica M6 for BW. But, I haven't had any clients interested in a while...regardless, using an RF on a wedding is a blast. Using the G2 saved time for me since it had autofocus. But the Contax TLA200 flash was a real "deer-in-the-red-eye-headlights" gizmo until I taped a softening gel to the front of it. I need to get the other Contax flash that comes with a bounce and mini-fill light....if only I had some samples to upload...

Cheers,

C.
 
Yes, very lively. I guess what it comes down to is the tools I need to get the shots I want. RF in a high pressure shooting enviroment is not for everyone, yet they can and do get some compelling images during a wedding.

As well, I do agree with the above poster who did remind us all that there are expectations of a fullfilled contract, and by unduly interfering with the hired professional, the end result may be unhappyness, from the bride, from the Mom of the Bride, from whole sides of family members, to the photographer, and if, as a guest, friend or family member (or even as 'The Pro') you are the root cause of tension, stress and unhappyness they you have to live with that.

I just saw a shot I took at a wedding. Fantastic light, unbelievable setting, gorgeous bride, she was all set to walk down this incredible path to her beloved, who was eagerly awaiting her, she being escorted by her brother and father. As the music starts, the discreet coordinator gives the signal and they begin the walk. At that moment, an 'Uncle Bob' pops out, and STANDS right in front and says 'Hold it' and the whole shebang stopped as we ALL waited for his digital crap P&S to lock focus, charge the flash and fire, not one but at least 3-4 shots. APPALLING. The bride tried to keep walking into the Uncle Bob, but he Yelled, Stay there as he kept shooting, forcing the Father Brother and Bride to stop again for another shot. Absolutely ruined my second shooter's chance at a great entry shot, and the stress and anger on the groom's face was so revealing. I was lucky, and my shot was from the side, and in one 24mm shot I got it all, with the groom still waiting, everybody standing, The Bride trying to lurch forward with her Father and Brother, and the numbsckull UB standing in the way.
I saw the guy, he came up later in the reception, and was almost tempted to state just how rude his behavior was, as not only a photographer but as a family member, but I let it pass. No shot is worth seriously disrupting a wedding.
 
Digital P&S are the curse of today's wedding photog. You have to put up will ALL of the guests wanting to get a copy of your shots from behind - distracting the wedding party, they get in the way during the service procession and when the Bride and Groom get back from honeymoon they have a ton of CDs full of free images from their guests waiting on the doorstep!

One point to note, when you are a guest at a wedding with no pressure to deliver, its easy to see creative shots and end up with some really nice realxed images. When you're the pro, being paid to cover the event with a great long list in your pocket of images to secure its a different matter! Modern DLSRs are fast, quiet, huge resolution cameras and the ability to switch ISO and capture hundreds of frames per card shouldn't be overlooked in a high pressure environment.

Nick
 
The wedding/bridal magazines should feature an article on the severity and effects of the Uncle Bob Plague and offer insight on how couples can contain the UBP before the wedding. Does someone here write articles or know someone who does - if yes, write and submit article to such a magazine.

I discovered an article about rf weddings, though the article goes into a bit of depth about available light photography at such events. Don't go into shock when you read about the gear involved.

www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/photo/essays/vanRiper/040205.htm
 
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