Wedding Camera Advice

[aureliaaurita]

Disclaimer: I am not a professional wedding photographer, I have no aspiration to be. I am doing this for a friend who is very familiar with my photographs, including the ones I've taken at other people's weddings. I have assisted a professional (again a friend) at a couple of other weddings but this is the first time I'm doing anything solo after much, much persuasion...years of it.

I have an Olympus OMD Em5 (the original rather than the grade two) a 45mm fixed lens that comes out at 90mm and the 14-42mm. Yet to work out how to control the hot shoe flash but I'm sure if can be done.

I like this camera very much but find the menu super frustrating :bang: it's far from intuitive.

I also have a Ricoh GR, which I am very happy with but it is likely to have limited usefulness on the day.

I feel like I need a third (or second if we're not counting the ricoh gr) camera. I want to keep changing between the two lenses to an absolute minimum and generally use the 45mm predominantly.

Things I am a bit worried about:

Group photos, I have not worked out how to do these well. Advice online is conflicting. I am sure I can take some 'fine' group pictures but I'd like them to be a bit better than fine.

Low light, particularly as the pub where they're holding their reception have decided that now is a good time to stick scaffolding and netting up over all of the windows and across the back garden, beautiful for wedding pictures. I doubt it will be gone in two weeks as they've a lot of painting to do and I imagine they're going to come across enough repairs by just looking at the building that it'll be there for a month or more at least - annoying for them, annoying for me too. British weather can not be relied upon, and the indoor spaces are a bit dingy.

I thought about, as a second / third, an lx100 as I'd considered it in the past and it's now fairly reasonably priced. I also look time and again at the fuji x100t but it doesn't seem to be budging an inch in price and I think that might be a bit heart over head in any case.

I don't want an slr, nor really another interchangeable lens camera as it won't get used - the one I have rarely has anything but the 45mm on it.

 

[lynnb]

1. Better to have two of the same camera than two different cameras, so you don't get confused with different handling/settings etc. while you're very busy. With different cameras you'd better be on the ball because the risk of user error increases.
2. I'd normally recommend using fill flash with a flash that allows swivel/bounce, with a diffuser like a Sto-Fen, Fong or similar if indoors. Use the fill flash for group portraits to ensure even lighting/colour temperature on faces (obviously no need for bounce outdoors, and a diffuser may also be unnecessary).
With flash indoors, the flash exposure will be correct for people closest to camera but those behind will probably be underexposed unless you get clever with bounce flash and off-camera flash. Remember light follows the inverse square law.
3. If you use a wide angle lens for group portraits and there are people behind the wedding couple in front, the people behind will be rendered smaller than the people in front. Use the longest lens you can get away with, but watch depth of field!
4. Tell people (loudly) to "look at me!" when you take a group portrait. You'll notice that most group portraits look better when people have weight on back foot and front foot slightly leading, with shoulders slightly turned towards the centre couple. Facing front-on isn't as flattering. Getting hands synchronised and everyone tidied up also makes a difference.
5. Take at least 3 exposures of larger groups as someone will be sure to blink or look away at the wrong moment.
6. Have backups of everything, including charged batteries
7. Be totally familiar with the equipment you'll be using - including flash
8. Watch the background, you don't want to spend hours in Photoshop cloning out unwanted objects.
9. If shooting digital, make sure the file names don't duplicate or you may end up deleting "duplicates" that aren't really duplicates.
10. Create two copies of all digital files at the time of download from memory card, one original and the other to a backup drive. Or use a camera that takes two cards for in-camera backup.
11. Be friendly and happy, people will smile.

 

[lynnb]

12. Take a small ladder, or use a chair to stand on to take pictures from above as well as at other levels. This works very well for table group photos.
13. Anticipate key agenda events and place yourself in the best spot before they happen e.g. speeches.
14. Don't forget the children. They can be great subjects too, and very cute. Remember they may go to sleep later on. Bride crouching down with children around her is a classic group picture.
14. Always check out the venue ahead of time (sounds like you've done this already) and speak to manager who will be on duty - sometimes managers can pass on venue-specific photo tips from previous weddings they've hosted eg best spot for group photos.
15. Make sure you've got a secure place to put your gear if needed, and always make sure your film or exposed memory cards are kept safe with you or a trusted person!
16. Focal lengths I've found most useful are moderate wide (28 or 35), 50, and portrait (70 to 105mm) equivalent FF.

 

[aureliaaurita]

Thank you so much Lynn, some excellent advice.

I'm not bad on the children photos, I find them easiest - they aren't so self conscious.

I might just pinch chairs rather than carry one 😉 but good idea.

I need to get a 'photographer' sash I think as I don't really look like one, nor have substantial enough looking kit to suggest it.

 

[ian_watts]

Disclaimer: I am not a professional wedding photographer, I have no aspiration to be. I am doing this for a friend who is very familiar with my photographs,

Irrespective of the client being a friend, are you being paid (properly) or doing it as a favour? If the latter, I think you should do the wedding exactly as you feel comfortable doing and that might exclude doing groups other than in the most causal sense. If you don't have a free hand nor are you being paid, my advice is to politely decline. Doing a wedding on the client's terms is hard work (certainly mentally and also physically) and is not something I'd advise anyone doing lightly.

 

[aureliaaurita]

Irrespective of the client being a friend, are you being paid (properly) or doing it as a favour? If the latter, I think you should do the wedding exactly as you feel comfortable doing and that might exclude doing groups other than in the most causal sense. If you don't have a free hand nor are you being paid, my advice is to politely decline. Doing a wedding on the client's terms is hard work (certainly mentally and also physically) and is not something I'd advise anyone doing lightly.

oh she is super relaxed. I am not.

I'll get some of the wedding photos I have done up, it's just the being alone thing that's making me rather more concerned than I otherwise would be - and the ruddy scaffolding.

 

[aureliaaurita]

another thought, and I am wondering if this is super cheeky....

The last wedding I was at (guest) I let the kids run off with my Ricoh and they, from their unique perspective, actually came back with a few interesting photos.

Can you do that when you're the actual photographer? Your camera's safety aside....

 

[lynnb]

17. Create a list with the bride of which photos she definitely wants (the kiss, putting rings on, signing registry, cutting cake, bride with 90-yr-old Aunt Mary etc)

Many weddings B+G put a disposable camera on each table for guests to snap each other. Also common create a web gallery and ask everyone to upload their cell/camera pictures to it.

Kids often take great pictures of each other 🙂

 

[aureliaaurita]

17. Create a list with the bride of which photos she definitely wants (the kiss, putting rings on, signing registry, cutting cake, bride with 90-yr-old Aunt Mary etc)

Many weddings B+G put a disposable camera on each table for guests to snap each other. Also common create a web gallery and ask everyone to upload their cell/camera pictures to it.

Kids often take great pictures of each other 🙂

yup did that 😀 though I had to suggest as she just sort of shrugged, what's the word for the opposite of a bridezilla?

 

[Ko.Fe.]

Check POTN wedding section. It is big one and it was helpful for me in the past if I was going to photograph something specific.

Buying camera because of wedding, trip and so on is often nothing but G.A.S. Looks like it happen to you as well.
Adding third camera isn't going to improve anything. Using camera you are not 100% confident with for event photography will never give

a bit better than fine

pictures.

I also have a Ricoh GR, which I am very happy with but it is likely to have limited usefulness on the day.

Really?! It is great camera to take it in casual style and at the crowded environment. Check how RFF member Sevres Babylone takes events pictures in the bars with GR.

You have second camera and lenses which are totally suitable as well. But this:

and generally use the 45mm predominantly.

For what? What are you going to do with 90mm tele lens at the pub and with group portraits? Tele is only good for very formal portraits and required some distance. You have 14-42mm which is much more suitable.

IMO, most obvious problem is here:

hot shoe flash but I'm sure if can be done.

This was due to long time ago. I could understand why second photographer wouldn't use flash to not interfere with one who is taking it. But if you are solo and not going to use flash... The only camera I would dare to do so is Canon 6D with 50mm prime on or even 2.8 normal zoom, but you really need flash for group photography if it is indoors and if you want to be able to have well lighted faces at event photography.

 

[oftheherd]

Also be sure to check with whomever will perform the ceremony. They may have parts of the ceremony they do not want photographed at all, or at least with flash. The couple being married may want photos without flash, if agreed to by the person performing the ceremony, and if that person will not grant permission for that, the couple needs to know that.

 

[aureliaaurita]

Also be sure to check with whomever will perform the ceremony. They may have parts of the ceremony they do not want photographed at all, or at least with flash. The couple being married may want photos without flash, if agreed to by the person performing the ceremony, and if that person will not grant permission for that, the couple needs to know that.

It's a civil ceremony so somewhat more relaxed, and this bit won't require a flash for certain.

 

[aureliaaurita]

Check POTN wedding section. It is big one and it was helpful for me in the past if I was going to photograph something specific.

Buying camera because of wedding, trip and so on is often nothing but G.A.S. Looks like it happen to you as well.
Adding third camera isn't going to improve anything. Using camera you are not 100% confident with for event photography will never give pictures.

Really?! It is great camera to take it in casual style and at the crowded environment. Check how RFF member Sevres Babylone takes events pictures in the bars with GR.

You have second camera and lenses which are totally suitable as well. But this:
For what? What are you going to do with 90mm tele lens at the pub and with group portraits? Tele is only good for very formal portraits and required some distance. You have 14-42mm which is much more suitable.

IMO, most obvious problem is here: This was due to long time ago. I could understand why second photographer wouldn't use flash to not interfere with one who is taking it. But if you are solo and not going to use flash... The only camera I would dare to do so is Canon 6D with 50mm prime on or even 2.8 normal zoom, but you really need flash for group photography if it is indoors and if you want to be able to have well lighted faces at event photography.

I use the Ricoh a lot, I've had various versions since the original GRD a decade ago? I am now on the GR. I don't think it's fantastic in low light in a high pressure situation - fine if you're just out and about, it's just for you, but I don't rate it in low light conditions for wedding. Am I doing something wrong?

 

[willie_901]

It's a civil ceremony so somewhat more relaxed, and this bit won't require a flash for certain.

I would not be the least bit certain. Even photography of ceremonies in bright daylight can benefit from fill flash. Of course this usually requires a strobe instead of the typical GN available with a flash.

 

[dugrant153]

Wedding photography is hard work. Ask any wedding photographer.

Wedding photography is hard work. Ask any wedding photographer.

I shoot film with my wedding work usually. Gotta be honest in that I rely on the digital rig a majority of the time but the film has this amazing look.

Group shots - the key here is getting good depth of field in usually a low-light scenario. Your Olympus setup, with it's micro 4/3, may actually be an advantage here in that you can go to F2.8 and still have lots of DOF to cove everyone. Make sure EVERYONE is in focus. Also, practice in similar lighting scenarios. You'll have a few seconds to figure out what your setting is before the groups get tired of waiting for you.

Low light - Most photographers will resort to flash. I generally stay with whatever light is left (i.e. "natural light", but usually you're looking at "natural dark"). Fast lenses and ISO are key as well as finding light where this light... or creating light with a flash.

PM me if you're interested in a sample of pub lighting. I just did a Battle of the Bands assignment... with a 12 year old, 8MP digital camera... 😉

PS: Camera-wise, the newer Fuji's combined with their lenses are actually pretty decent for weddings.

 

[aureliaaurita]

I shoot film with my wedding work usually. Gotta be honest in that I rely on the digital rig a majority of the time but the film has this amazing look.

Group shots - the key here is getting good depth of field in usually a low-light scenario. Your Olympus setup, with it's micro 4/3, may actually be an advantage here in that you can go to F2.8 and still have lots of DOF to cove everyone. Make sure EVERYONE is in focus. Also, practice in similar lighting scenarios. You'll have a few seconds to figure out what your setting is before the groups get tired of waiting for you.

Low light - Most photographers will resort to flash. I generally stay with whatever light is left (i.e. "natural light", but usually you're looking at "natural dark"). Fast lenses and ISO are key as well as finding light where this light... or creating light with a flash.

PM me if you're interested in a sample of pub lighting. I just did a Battle of the Bands assignment... with a 12 year old, 8MP digital camera... 😉

PS: Camera-wise, the newer Fuji's combined with their lenses are actually pretty decent for weddings.

Thank you - I like your approach, and have to say that I concur - flashes really do suck and I got through the day only using it once for the first dance, turning it off moments later because a) the first dance lasted about 5 seconds (they disliked dancing) and b) it looked awful

I've seen people use a continuous soft light and might go for that instead in future.

It went well overall, bright sunlight bit of a pain outside for the group shots but I got everyone and fast before they all dissipated to the pub.

Ceremony was 'uhum' a challenge, the registrar was, shall we say, officious and insisted that we only take photographs of the kiss and the exchange of rings, and that she would invite us forward at those points - and ONLY those points, otherwise we were to stand back with cameras off. She didn't invite us forward. I got the kiss, rings, not really. But it was a bit out of my control - it felt very much like we were viewed as being there to disrupt the service before we'd so much as stepped through the door. Frustrating. I've assisted a friend with four other weddings and, other than one minister saying that once we were in we weren't to move, it has never been that tightly controlled. I think they worried we were going to use flash photography - we weren't.

I took some photos of them on the bandstand that I now see I would have done differently but they'd a fractious baby with them and I rushed a little without thinking 'step back here, get the whole thing in, center yourself beside the stairs'. That bit was my fault. Fortunately I have others.


Outside of that, all went well and I've definitely learnt some lessons, not so much about setting myself up, but about taking my time just a little bit more in thinking about the shot when not doing the more spontaneous moments.

 

[dugrant153]

Thank you - I like your approach, and have to say that I concur - flashes really do suck and I got through the day only using it once for the first dance, turning it off moments later because a) the first dance lasted about 5 seconds (they disliked dancing) and b) it looked awful

I've seen people use a continuous soft light and might go for that instead in future.

It went well overall, bright sunlight bit of a pain outside for the group shots but I got everyone and fast before they all dissipated to the pub.

Ceremony was 'uhum' a challenge, the registrar was, shall we say, officious and insisted that we only take photographs of the kiss and the exchange of rings, and that she would invite us forward at those points - and ONLY those points, otherwise we were to stand back with cameras off. She didn't invite us forward. I got the kiss, rings, not really. But it was a bit out of my control - it felt very much like we were viewed as being there to disrupt the service before we'd so much as stepped through the door. Frustrating. I've assisted a friend with four other weddings and, other than one minister saying that once we were in we weren't to move, it has never been that tightly controlled. I think they worried we were going to use flash photography - we weren't.

I took some photos of them on the bandstand that I now see I would have done differently but they'd a fractious baby with them and I rushed a little without thinking 'step back here, get the whole thing in, center yourself beside the stairs'. That bit was my fault. Fortunately I have others.


Outside of that, all went well and I've definitely learnt some lessons, not so much about setting myself up, but about taking my time just a little bit more in thinking about the shot when not doing the more spontaneous moments.

Sounds like a pretty usual wedding experience. Stuff is flying by really really fast and you have to be able to nail the shot as it happens. It's tough when you take a shot and you think to yourself "ah shoot, I should've ___________." But sometimes in the midst of all the chaos, stuff like that happens and you either move on or correct it right there and then.

I think there are ways to bring flash in and make it not so obvious. Still working on that.

Too bad about the parishioner. Definitely I think with scores of cellphone clicks and folks who blast flash in faces like Bruce Gilden, some parishioners put these restrictions on us. It's more for preserving the sanctity of the ceremony. Ideally, the couple should be aware and advise us of this but sometimes little details like this get missed as couples plan their wedding day.

Sounds like you managed to pull through and do a good job though.

 

[Bill Clark]

You probably will resent my post, but here it is.

I have made photographs at quite a few weddings. I always had an associate photographer. Between the two of us, we brought over 50 years of photography experience for our clients. I always enjoyed the day of the event and I made friends of folks at every wedding.

From the topics you covered in your first post, I believe you should consider taking a pass on doing this event.

You can get mad at my post here; that's your choice.

For many, a wedding is a once in a lifetime event. Relatives gather, some who haven't seen each other for a long time. There are certain money shots and they need to be properly made.

Enough said.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

I use the Ricoh a lot, I've had various versions since the original GRD a decade ago? I am now on the GR. I don't think it's fantastic in low light in a high pressure situation - fine if you're just out and about, it's just for you, but I don't rate it in low light conditions for wedding. Am I doing something wrong?

Our daughter current job is night club photographer. On this weekend we reviewed her recent work which was greeted by the club. Flash with B. Most of her portrait and club work is done in low light with flash. It is well balanced and exposed.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Ricoh-G...144207?hash=item3f6186800f:g:UzsAAOSwubRXGJQa

 

[oftheherd]

You probably will resent my post, but here it is.

I have made photographs at quite a few weddings. I always had an associate photographer. Between the two of us, we brought over 50 years of photography experience for our clients. I always enjoyed the day of the event and I made friends of folks at every wedding.

From the topics you covered in your first post, I believe you should consider taking a pass on doing this event.

You can get mad at my post here; that's your choice.

For many, a wedding is a once in a lifetime event. Relatives gather, some who haven't seen each other for a long time. There are certain money shots and they need to be properly made.

Enough said.

Point well taken. Commercial photography of any kind needs a long learning curve.