CharlesDAMorgan
Veteran
My sister is repeating the for richer for poorer (the latter after divorce no1) in two weeks, a simple registry office ceremony. As there will only be the principals and two others (plus registrar) she's asked me to take the photos. Fortunately there will be no reception, and while I can't scope out the venue, it looks to have a combination of natural and artificial light.
She wants black and white and colour, the latter I'll do on digital as I seriously can't be arsed with worrying about higher asa film and flashes, when my Sony A7s will do all that easily. Black and white is almost certainly going to be HP5 at whatever EI works.
What lenses do those experienced with such things take? I've no desire to take more than a couple. I suspect 50mm and 35mm are the likeliest.
She wants black and white and colour, the latter I'll do on digital as I seriously can't be arsed with worrying about higher asa film and flashes, when my Sony A7s will do all that easily. Black and white is almost certainly going to be HP5 at whatever EI works.
What lenses do those experienced with such things take? I've no desire to take more than a couple. I suspect 50mm and 35mm are the likeliest.
Vince Lupo
Whatever
If you want to keep life simple, why not just shoot everything with the A7 and then convert shots you/she'd like as black and white afterward? Shooting only with the A7 in colour would give you that option -- heck, you could shoot everything with just the A7 and give her one entire set of photos in colour and one entire set of the same photos in black and white. Also, I'm thinking that since the ceremony is going to be as you say, it's not going to take a lot of time (like maybe 10-15 minutes max?), hence my suggestion of just sticking with the A7 and not jumping back and forth between one camera and another.
I think 35 and 50 are fine. As I personally say, keep it simple.
I think 35 and 50 are fine. As I personally say, keep it simple.
CharlesDAMorgan
Veteran
The simplicity of using one camera has been thought through but I want to print from my own negatives to give them a part of my passion as a present (that and the fact it will cost me zip except the roll of film)!
I suspect it's going to be a quick in and out with hopefully minimal verbiage. I for one much prefer church funerals...
I suspect it's going to be a quick in and out with hopefully minimal verbiage. I for one much prefer church funerals...
John Bragg
Well-known
Hi Charles. Last one I had the dubious priviledge of shooting was for a friend. All shot on a Rolleiflex and Bronica ETRSi. Don't blame you for shooting colour on dig it all. The black and white however deserves film. Perhaps 2 bodies and a simple kit of 35mm 50mm and a short tele if you have one. I love my 85mm f2 Zuicko. Alternatively, the fastest standard prime you have and a fast short zoom @ f2.8 . Good luck on this special day.
CharlesDAMorgan
Veteran
I've toyed with using the Rolleiflex for the black and white. The only problem (apart from the f2.8) is they are a couple with a serious cake habit, so I need a bit more width in the format.
Bill Clark
Veteran
I would do as Vince has suggested.
Give them the files on a jump drive and let them make their own prints. You don’t need to make many photos. The inexperienced photographers sometimes think of a camera as a machine gun thinking I’m bound to get a few keepers.
Keep it simple and focus on the people.
Relax and have some fun.
If you’re dead set on black and white film have an assistant carry the camera and make them.
I used a 24-70 f2.8 lens for about 95% of my wedding photography. I always had an associate photographer and she used other stuff. Captured 100% with RAW. Have photoshop to process files using iMac.
A wedding is for the participants. Since it’s number 2 you will find the people are more relaxed and mature not in fantasy land like the first timers.
Give them the files on a jump drive and let them make their own prints. You don’t need to make many photos. The inexperienced photographers sometimes think of a camera as a machine gun thinking I’m bound to get a few keepers.
Keep it simple and focus on the people.
Relax and have some fun.
If you’re dead set on black and white film have an assistant carry the camera and make them.
I used a 24-70 f2.8 lens for about 95% of my wedding photography. I always had an associate photographer and she used other stuff. Captured 100% with RAW. Have photoshop to process files using iMac.
A wedding is for the participants. Since it’s number 2 you will find the people are more relaxed and mature not in fantasy land like the first timers.
Out to Lunch
Ventor
Keep it simple and light. Be aware of the video crew with their powerful LED lights...
Richard G
Veteran
Read a bit of the photo.net wedding forum. Then have a stiff whiskey. Good luck. Did a wedding for a friend many years ago. I still can't believe I did that.
LCSmith
Well-known
Take a fast fifty and have fun! The 55/1.8 Sonnar for Sony E-mount makes lovely portraits and is fast to focus. Push the HP5+ in your Rolleiflex and I think you're set. Just my opinion!
Also, if you do choose to shoot the film, my additional advice (as someone who also has been coerced into similar chaos) is to take at least two exposures of every important moment or portrait. This was standard practice before digital and should (in my opinion) remain standard practice when the subject matter is so precious. Bracketing exposures isn't a bad idea also.
Also, if you do choose to shoot the film, my additional advice (as someone who also has been coerced into similar chaos) is to take at least two exposures of every important moment or portrait. This was standard practice before digital and should (in my opinion) remain standard practice when the subject matter is so precious. Bracketing exposures isn't a bad idea also.
Bob Michaels
nobody special
My 2 cents: First, clear your head of everything you know or have seen about traditional wedding photography. Treat this as an important social event you are documenting in your own style. Attempts to emulate seldom are successful especially on your first try. Do it your way as no one else's way will work.
Use whatever camera you are most familiar with and have best results with. (hopefully same) You will not be in control of the pace / flow so must work instinctively.
Decide before hand if you want to document this in B&W or color while acknowledging you cannot do both. Key events will only happen once with no opportunities to reshoot. Some consistency is necessary. Don't lose sight of the fact that all of this is about their wedding and not your photography.
I have photographed 3 weddings, all under protest that if I did not they would simply get some real hacker. All short notice, all out of town. All with the gear I happened to have with me. Two were with a Canon F-1 with a 35mm lens and a Vivitar 283 as that was my traveling kit. The third was with a Stylus Epic that I had in my pocket when I arrived for the ceremony. I will say each time the couple were thrilled with my photos of the event. Far from traditional wedding photos but what they wanted.
Use whatever camera you are most familiar with and have best results with. (hopefully same) You will not be in control of the pace / flow so must work instinctively.
Decide before hand if you want to document this in B&W or color while acknowledging you cannot do both. Key events will only happen once with no opportunities to reshoot. Some consistency is necessary. Don't lose sight of the fact that all of this is about their wedding and not your photography.
I have photographed 3 weddings, all under protest that if I did not they would simply get some real hacker. All short notice, all out of town. All with the gear I happened to have with me. Two were with a Canon F-1 with a 35mm lens and a Vivitar 283 as that was my traveling kit. The third was with a Stylus Epic that I had in my pocket when I arrived for the ceremony. I will say each time the couple were thrilled with my photos of the event. Far from traditional wedding photos but what they wanted.
AlexBG
Well-known
I'd have a 35mm on the sony and 85mm/90mm on film. You can always crop the digital but as you said, wider the better for the couple and venue. Then more details style shots or what you like shooting with film.
VitoCipriani
Established
I shoot weddings on and off as a semi-pro. I approach them in the same way as any event I am paid to capture though with the added danger of bridezillas. The other danger at weddings is the uncle or father-in-law who fancy themselves as a pro and will jump in front of your camera at any opportunity with their smartphone. In recent years, I've learnt not to get stressed out about this and instead to try to find ways to work guests with their smartphones as elements of the composition.
I'm a film shooter and love using film for personal projects. However, as with any paid gig I undertake, I would recommend shooting everything digitally, to be honest. This gives you the choice of monochrome or colour in the edit.
My tips would be: watch out for quiet moments and small gestures that often speak volumes (eg, a hand on a shoulder for support); don't spray and pray, but (as LCSmith said above) if you see something worth capturing, take a few frames for safety.
I always shoot with a 35 and a 50, and carry an 85 in the bag (or sometimes on a third body - it depends on the venue and how large it is). With church weddings, the extra 'reach' of the 85 can be a help, but in a more intimate space (eg, a registry office) the 35 gets the most use. I use the 50 to pick up details. Sometimes my wife comes along as a second shooter and uses a 28, to get slightly different angles of key events, etc.
This is also probably very obvious advice, but I'd also recommend having a chat with the officiant beforehand - over the telephone would be fine - in order to ask if there is anything they would prefer you to do/not to do, or if they have a preference as to where you stand. I've been a guest at too many weddings where a clearly inexperienced photographer has been hired to do the job and royally annoys the officiant by standing in the wrong place.
Good luck, and have fun! Shooting a wedding can be stressful but it's very rewarding
I'm a film shooter and love using film for personal projects. However, as with any paid gig I undertake, I would recommend shooting everything digitally, to be honest. This gives you the choice of monochrome or colour in the edit.
My tips would be: watch out for quiet moments and small gestures that often speak volumes (eg, a hand on a shoulder for support); don't spray and pray, but (as LCSmith said above) if you see something worth capturing, take a few frames for safety.
I always shoot with a 35 and a 50, and carry an 85 in the bag (or sometimes on a third body - it depends on the venue and how large it is). With church weddings, the extra 'reach' of the 85 can be a help, but in a more intimate space (eg, a registry office) the 35 gets the most use. I use the 50 to pick up details. Sometimes my wife comes along as a second shooter and uses a 28, to get slightly different angles of key events, etc.
This is also probably very obvious advice, but I'd also recommend having a chat with the officiant beforehand - over the telephone would be fine - in order to ask if there is anything they would prefer you to do/not to do, or if they have a preference as to where you stand. I've been a guest at too many weddings where a clearly inexperienced photographer has been hired to do the job and royally annoys the officiant by standing in the wrong place.
Good luck, and have fun! Shooting a wedding can be stressful but it's very rewarding
Livesteamer
Well-known
I don't know how they do it on your side of the Atlantic but many years ago I was a witness for friends who went to the Asheville North Carolina Court house to get married. A bit like getting a car title. Courthouse office, not a lot of room, no ceremony just business and over rather quickly.
I suspect one fast lens and keep it simple might work. Good Luck, Joe
I suspect one fast lens and keep it simple might work. Good Luck, Joe
BillBingham2
Registered User
Depending upon which camera but I strongly agree with keep it simple.
If I was shooting Full Frame, a fast 85 on the camera and a small wide (28ish) stashed in your pocket. A powerful flash is equally important.
B2
If I was shooting Full Frame, a fast 85 on the camera and a small wide (28ish) stashed in your pocket. A powerful flash is equally important.
B2
CharlesDAMorgan
Veteran
Sadly no assistant but thankfully no video! Thanks for all the exceptional advice, it is much appreciated.
I hear what you all are saying about keeping it simple, plus it is not about me but them. I think inside I'll just use the Sony and let them decide on colour vs black and white. I'll have a film camera in the bag for the obligatory on the steps one.
I know this sounds cheap but I have the kit zoom for the Sony already (28-70 f3.5 - f5.6 and entirely unused) which, with image stabilisation probably gets me all I need. I'm not at the stage of deciding on my longer term digital strategy so buying really good lenses lacks appeal. I suspect I'll be un-sharpening the images as it is!
It's a registry office job, so will be brief but it depends on the officiant what stuff is added like poetry readings etc. Personally I'm rather fond of the old prayer book bits like "Not by any to be enterprised, nor taken in hand, unadvisedly, lightly, or wantonly, to satisfy men's carnal lusts and appetites, like brute beasts that have no understanding" but that's not allowed nor likely to be chosen!
With just the four of us at least there won't be any children or children to add in to the mix...
I hear what you all are saying about keeping it simple, plus it is not about me but them. I think inside I'll just use the Sony and let them decide on colour vs black and white. I'll have a film camera in the bag for the obligatory on the steps one.
I know this sounds cheap but I have the kit zoom for the Sony already (28-70 f3.5 - f5.6 and entirely unused) which, with image stabilisation probably gets me all I need. I'm not at the stage of deciding on my longer term digital strategy so buying really good lenses lacks appeal. I suspect I'll be un-sharpening the images as it is!
It's a registry office job, so will be brief but it depends on the officiant what stuff is added like poetry readings etc. Personally I'm rather fond of the old prayer book bits like "Not by any to be enterprised, nor taken in hand, unadvisedly, lightly, or wantonly, to satisfy men's carnal lusts and appetites, like brute beasts that have no understanding" but that's not allowed nor likely to be chosen!
With just the four of us at least there won't be any children or children to add in to the mix...
charjohncarter
Veteran
My nephew was married the old fashion way. He had new fashion video and wedding photographers. I had a front row seat as his parents are both deceased. I took one picture with my Spotmatic, from the seat and I didn't want to disturb. It turned out it was his favorite. Pick your time to shoot and enjoy the day.
Trix HC-110h by John Carter, on Flickr
Trix HC-110h by John Carter, on Flickr
Bill Clark
Veteran
The 28-70 you have is a fine lens.
You can get everything they would want just using it.
You sound like a good person and you will do just fine.
I found image stabil used up battery power quickly so I turned it off. Rather, I would go to a higher ISO to get the shutter and aperture where I wanted it. I sometimes would use 1600 ISO that’s about all I could reasonably get. With your Sony you probably can go much higher, if needed. But I would move the ISO around, trying the lowest that would work. Each situation can be different.
You can get everything they would want just using it.
You sound like a good person and you will do just fine.
I found image stabil used up battery power quickly so I turned it off. Rather, I would go to a higher ISO to get the shutter and aperture where I wanted it. I sometimes would use 1600 ISO that’s about all I could reasonably get. With your Sony you probably can go much higher, if needed. But I would move the ISO around, trying the lowest that would work. Each situation can be different.
D
Deleted member 65559
Guest
Charles, as you say, it's likely to be quick, and less visually stimulating than a classic church wedding. I can see the necessity of covering both colour and BW options. I'd consider doing the BW in medium format. As CJC's image illustrates, often in the end, there's one enduring photograph.
CharlesDAMorgan
Veteran
As it's on the northern end of Dartmoor, I'm going to have a scout for picturesque locations on the way there and try and suggest a stop for a few photos. Knowing my luck (and Dartmoor weather) it will pour down!