Reluctant Wedding Photographer

In article , Chris W
wrote:

Anyone who read your post, has even the most basic understanding of the
human condition, and was willing and able to give you advice, would have
done just that.

Mr Strat, may or may not be a good photographer, I don't know and I
don't care. What I do know is that either he didn't read your post,
can't read, or is simply an inept clueless moron. In any case, he is
clearly the one who needs to get a clue.

Yeah, I read it the first time. I think Clint Eastwood said it best -
"A man's got to know his limitations."

Unfortunately, too many people in photography don't.

In article , Brian wrote:

Good points about the "small things."

The rings:

http://tinyurl.com/2jyfme

The outside of the church.

Get a shot of the bride and groom looking at their rings. Preferably in
available light next to a window or stain glass window:

http://tinyurl.com/345knz

Get a partner, specifically the opposite sex so they can go into their
respective sex dressing room. Pictures of the best man helping the
groom get dressed. Straightening the tie....

Whoever did these two photographs needs to attend a seminar on wedding
lighting and posing.

Juan,

Dont even think of listening to the Troll Strat. He means you absolutely no
good and is just wasting Newsgroup bandwidth. Dont believe anything this
one says, and anybody that will tell you how professional they are is
actually trying to convince themselves.

Anybody that is worth anything here will be giving you professional
insightful information without sarcastic comments.

So far you have received some very good information. I would like to repeat
and go over a couple of things.

As far as shooting in RAW. Its a great idea but if you do you will need
about twice as many mem cards as you thought you would. Also, you will need
to go thru every shot and convert them. If you work in RAW, then you know
what your doing. If you've never worked in RAW before, now is not the time
to find out.

Go to and look around at the place of the ceremony. Talk to the people who
will be officiating and ask about what you can and can NOT do. If you
notice any kind of nice area to shoot your bride ask first.

Remember, depending on the Religion you might be spending as much as 6 to a
12 Hour day. I would say, get a battery charger if you can instead of
carrying all of the batteries around.
Stay with the Bride at all times. If she gets lost in her Limo, you follow
as well. The Wedding cant go on without the Bride, follow that car and
never leave the Brides site at any time.

A fast run down of what to expect:
You will be starting at the Brides house to shoot the Bride maybe getting
dressed. Maids of Honor, Parents etc.
There was a comment on when shooting the Bride and her mother to try to make
them look like models. Good idea, but also put the Maid/Matron of Honor in
the mix as well They will be with you for a good part of the day.
Maybe a small park for the Female Bridal Party just for a few fast shots and
then off to the ceremony..
At the best time, you will shoot the Groom and his best man right before the
Ceremony.
Religious Ceremony and then the Reception Line.
A small park for the whole Bridal Party.
Now you will end up at the Main Affair and your work is first getting
started.

Only bring your big tripod, forget the small one.
Bring a small step ladder with only about two steps, and hit a sewing or
cloth/material store and pick up a dark color as a drop cloth to throw over
the small step ladder and you can use it as a small posing stool on the
move. Good for the Bride with all the girls in the Bridal Party around her.
We used to use it all the time.
Also, you will need it to shoot the large dance groups during the party.
You dont want to stand on chairs and get the caterer annoyed at you.

Good luck, and if your lucky you can get someone as a second set of eyes and
also to help carry all of your stuff. Them, you should pay. You, your nuts
to take this whole job on for a favor and not get paid for your trouble. A
Photographer who has never shot a Wedding will be in for a very big
surprise. Keep your eyes open, look for any spot that might be good Photo
Op.

Now, after all of the above info. The best advice I could give you, is
"Drum Roll Please". Dont take on the whole job. Only tell them you will
take some formals of the certain groups.

Bridal Party: Maid of Honor and the Best Man. Bride and Groom and the whole
group together.
Brides Parents.
Groom Parents.

Anything else after that you tell them you will refuse to do it that you
cant be responsible for a job this big. What happens if something goes
wrong and your camera fails? Or the Bride Doesnt like the shots you took?
You never know what they think its supposed to be or what they picture in
there head. You dont want to loose friends in the process.

I think one person tried to give you a hint by telling you to take your
Flash off of your camera and use a bracket. This is a must, almost as much
as bringing enough memory cards and the camera itself. When I did do
weddings we used two Flashes. The one off to the side was the Main and the
one on the camera was a fill.

Make sure your car has a full tank of gas before you start out.

Good luck and dont forget to use good judgment and be as Professional as you
can at all times. No drinking alcohol at any time if you do take on the
whole job. You must be a little pushy to get your shots, not obnoxious but
as the Official Photographer you are an agent of the Bride and doing
everything you can in her best interest.

Good luck, and most of all have fun. Let us know if you take it and how it
goes.


Notwood

"Juan Moore Beer" wrote in message
...
On Nov 5 2007 3:04 PM, Mr. Strat wrote:

In article , Juan Moore Beer
wrote:

I think I know the very basics about what to take with me, (Extra
batteries, memory, etc.) but would appreciate any free advice.

A clue would be helpful.

That is what I am hoping for. I tried to explain that I did not have one.

__________________________________________________ ______________________
: the next generation of web-newsreaders : http://www.recgroups.com

Mr. Strat wrote:
In article , Chris W
wrote:

Anyone who read your post, has even the most basic understanding of the
human condition, and was willing and able to give you advice, would have
done just that.

Mr Strat, may or may not be a good photographer, I don't know and I
don't care. What I do know is that either he didn't read your post,
can't read, or is simply an inept clueless moron. In any case, he is
clearly the one who needs to get a clue.

Yeah, I read it the first time. I think Clint Eastwood said it best -
"A man's got to know his limitations."

The OP clearly knows his limitations far better than you know yours.


--
Chris W
KE5GIX

"Protect your digital freedom and privacy, eliminate DRM,
learn more at http://www.defectivebydesign.org/what_is_drm"

Ham Radio Repeater Database.
http://hrrdb.com

In message ,
Mr. Strat Proclaimed from the tallest tower:

In article , Brian wrote:

Good points about the "small things."

The rings:

http://tinyurl.com/2jyfme

The outside of the church.

Get a shot of the bride and groom looking at their rings.
Preferably in available light next to a window or stain glass window:

http://tinyurl.com/345knz

Get a partner, specifically the opposite sex so they can go into
their respective sex dressing room. Pictures of the best man
helping the groom get dressed. Straightening the tie....

Whoever did these two photographs needs to attend a seminar on wedding
lighting and posing.

FFS!!
If you've got nothing helpful to say, why don't you go and take your
stinking negative attitude somewhere else?
Ok, so maybe you ARE the greatest wedding photographer that ever lived (and
maybe you ain't).
However, most of the people here are trying to help someone who has been put
in a very difficult position where it would be difficult to turn down their
request. Sounds like they can't afford a professional photographer, and this
guy is the best amateur that they know. Seems to me that he is their best
chance, and if he is a half decent amateur, I'm sure he will produce some
picture that they are very happy with.
As for the examples in the above post, I would assume he didn't include them
as examples unless someone was happy with them. They look Ok to me. Just
'cause you don't like the composition doesn't make them bad!

I know you are more than likely just some idiot troll, and I'm only making
things worse by replying to you, but your constant sniping throughout this
thread has really p'd me off and I just had to respond.


--
Regards,
Chris.
(Remove Elvis's shoes to email me)

"Mr. Strat" writes:

In article , Juan Moore Beer
wrote:

You got a problem with that?

I've got a problem with unqualified people photographing
once-in-a-lifetime events. I've seen way too many instances where
they've screwed it up.

And the alternative is no pictures at all.

The OP realizes he is over his head, that's why he is asking for advice.

--
Michael Meissner
email:
http://www.the-meissners.org

As I now seem to be tech support for my wife's new wedding photography
business, I get to hear stories about spectacular equipment failures.

Bring the Rebel as a backup. Bring any duplicate equipment as
backup. Better yet find a friend or family member, give them the
backup and have them play too. You might get some good pictures from
them and if you have equipment problems your backup stuff is there
ready to use.

Also lighting at weddings is typically poor, especially receptions.
Experiment before hand so you know how high an ISO you can tolerate
and how DOF is affected by large aperatures.

-Brian

On 11/5/07 10:34 PM, in article , "Chris W"
wrote:



Juan Moore Beer wrote:

I don't get it. I tried to explain the circumstances surrounding this
wedding, then even agreed with you after your little slam to my very
honest request.

Anyone who read your post, has even the most basic understanding of the
human condition, and was willing and able to give you advice, would have
done just that.

Mr Strat, may or may not be a good photographer, I don't know and I
don't care. What I do know is that either he didn't read your post,
can't read, or is simply an inept clueless moron. In any case, he is
clearly the one who needs to get a clue.

Naw. He's just a bored old fart who is an a-hole in several newsgroups. Best
to ignore that troll and he will go away.

Chris W wrote:


Juan Moore Beer wrote:

I don't get it. I tried to explain the circumstances surrounding this
wedding, then even agreed with you after your little slam to my very
honest request.

Anyone who read your post, has even the most basic understanding of the
human condition, and was willing and able to give you advice, would have
done just that.

Mr Strat, may or may not be a good photographer, I don't know and I
don't care. What I do know is that either he didn't read your post,
can't read, or is simply an inept clueless moron. In any case, he is
clearly the one who needs to get a clue.

I got the same attitude from one person when I asked a similar question
here a year or two ago. Ignore them - I've done a couple of weddings
now, and everything went fine.

In article , ChrisM
wrote:

If you've got nothing helpful to say, why don't you go and take your
stinking negative attitude somewhere else?

The ring picture - professionals try to avoid photographing the backs
of hands. It's artistically unpleasing

The windowlight bride - all of that light making her chest the
brightest spot in the photograph. Again...education goes a long way.

Ok, so maybe you ARE the greatest wedding photographer that ever lived (and
maybe you ain't).

I never said I was. But I know good photographs from bad.

I know you are more than likely just some idiot troll, and I'm only making
things worse by replying to you, but your constant sniping throughout this
thread has really p'd me off and I just had to respond.

Maybe you should go to some professional wedding photography seminars
with this guy and maybe you'd learn something too.