Calling all wedding photographers !

Shimmyhill · 21 Jun 2006 at 21:24

A while ago i asked for some advice on taking wedding pics and im after more.

I am doing a friends wedding, no pro just me :eek:

What im after is any advice or technique you have found to work well, i have been practising and ben to a few weddings as a normal person with camera and got some decent results.

My friend is happy with what i normally shoot quality wise but i am on a time restriction as i have to go on hols and leave fairly early on !!!

Where i lack most knowledge/confidence is with using fill in flash, should i look to use it to avoid shaddows etc etc.

Just getting more nervous some any help will be received gladly !

Shimmyhill · 21 Jun 2006 at 21:56

mrk said:
Do you have onboard flash or a seperate flashgun? this will be "the decider" on whether it will be using flash or higher iso!

I have an 550ex flash - been practising with it lots but only on single people, my concern is how to use it for wider shots with more people in frame.

Is the technique the same ?

Shimmyhill · 22 Jun 2006 at 14:57

Cheers for the advice guys

Its the metering im most worried about, however i suddenly have a feeling that the bride will not be in white - could make that much easier.

Shimmyhill · 10 Jul 2006 at 14:47

Well the wedding was on the 30th and i survived it (just)

Just for added pressure i had to dash off and go on holiday straight after i finished the pics.

The sun was terrible, it was so bright and due to time 1.00 there where shadows from all angles. I struggled with fill-in flash as i could not get the sync speed slow enough for the 300D so lots where overexposed (hi-speed sync on the flash didnt appear to help ????)

I did however do one with flash and one without so i have some good useable pics but shadows not helping.

I learnt an awful lot, firstly dont do weddings !!!!

but the main thing was you really need to have some practice runs (not posible as i was not going to do this wedding due to holiday but worked around it, however this left no time for practise runs) Fill in flash was essential and i need to do lots of practice in this area. I need a better body for flash sync and ideally a faster lens (24-70 ex sigma let me down with focusing) However it was a great learning experience and i am enjoying editing the photo's. The couple are really pleased with the images so far so its all good.

I also found you really need to be organised with the format of picture taking, ideally having met and discussed exactly what pics need to be done - due to timing issues this was not done and it added pressure on the day.

I will add some pics as i process them but here is one for starters, it gives an idea of where i struggled with the lighting :

Shimmyhill · 10 Jul 2006 at 16:25

ranarama said:
I'm no expert as I've never used one but that shot looks like it would have benefitted from someone holding a reflector to get more light on the faces.

I agree, a deflector and fill in flash would have made my day.

I know the issue with fill in flash now so i have defi learnt something !