I was chatting with a wedding photog friend of mine last night and she said a couple of things that really hit me in the forehead. I know that these seem simple and I was taking them into account, but when pushed into the forefront, they may really change the way I shoot.

She said, "The first thing I do is look for the light...and shoot whatever is there rather than trying to shoot what I want to when the light isn't there."

She also said that friend of hers tries to listen to the relationships and shoots those as opposed to shooting "moments" or "people".

She also encouraged me to to clean, prepare and pack my stuff two days before so the day before the wedding can be chill and used to deal with emergencies as they may arise.

I am pretty new to wedding photography, so this was an interesting clarification for me and provides a new set of options and benchmarks for success for me.

Anyone else have any "Doh!" moments which were right in front of your nose?

Mine was exposure compensation...

ADD light (over-expose) to white dresses

SUBTRACT light (underexpose) black tuxes

That just didn't make sense to me way back when...

white balance.
back button focus - this changed they way I compose images.

never pee on an electric fence..oh wait, wrong forum...

:-)))) lol

Mario

Oh man, now I gotta wipe the Energy drink off my monitor.....that just plain hilarious.

Oh, and mine was switching to AF-C during processionals and recesionals. I always wondered why people were slightly out of focus. Well, that was because since they are walking towards me, they have moved a little by the time the camera locks focus and I pressed the shutter. With AF-C, they are always in focus when I press the shutter.

Dan, I am still at a loss as to why overexpose the dress and underexpose the tux. Care to elaborate a bit on that.

back button focusing for sure.

shoot in RAW.

Expose manually - learn exposure and stop relying on my camera
Shoot RAW - much faster processing and more flexibility
Going back to using flash and not feeling like it's "bad" light

Karen

I'll tackle this one:

If you rely on your in camera meter,
The meter will lie and tell you that the dress is overexposed, and the tux's underexposed. (Light vs. Dark)

So if you're shooting in Aperture Priority mode, you will need to adjust the ExpComp +/- in order to get the proper exposure. + for the bride's dress and - for the tux's.

Aperture priority seems so much easier, until the times comes to process the images and ever one is every so slightly different from it's neighbor. There is no alternative to manual exposure in backlight, and backlight is a rather delightful kind of light...

When manual mode isn't, EV comp is your friend.

Skin looks best nice and bright, especially that amazingly translucent skin of a child. Give it more light than you think it will need.

The LCD lies. Don't trust it.

A question for the back button focusers - how in the heck do you toggle your focus points when using back button focus? Or do you focus and recompose?

Don't just look at your subject, look behind them also. I still forget this one.

I've been shooting shutter priority for two seasons and it has changed my overall style to the better. In fact I shoot regulary at 30 to 20 with no major camera movement and my clients always comment how the photos seem to move, what they don't notice is the little flare that comes with shooting for shutter.

I co-shot a wedding with another shooter this season and she thought I was nuts for trusting the shutter and once she saw the warmth of the skin tones and how the shots had movement she has decided to start shooting shutter priority.

Give it a shot and as you get better you'll be able to shoot at 15 with no camera movement.
-----------------

ran

Ran,

I'm not sure how shooting shutter-priority equates to warmer skin tones or "movement". That doesn't make any sense to me. Nor does the bit about flare coming from "shooting for shutter". Flare is all about how the light hits the lens - and can be affected by aperture, but not by shutter speed.

Also, some people can shoot at a 30th or a 15th and some simply cannot - and all the practice in the world is not going to change that. I simply cannot shoot at a 15th w/out camera movement; I know how steady my hands and arms are and I know what the results will be. Telling people that they *will* be able to do so is misleading.

Karen

oh, my word. that makes so much sense.

+1
Been shooting 7 years, still can't shoot below 1/50 without camera shake. I just don't have it in me.

There are also some techniques that can help with this. For the record, I am with KarenS on this, I agree that it can be misleading saying that shooting shutter priority can work for most people. I, by no means, have surgeon's hands, but here is an example.

I shot this image with the Nikon 80-200 f2.8 lens, which is not the VR version. I shot this at 1/30 @ 200mm and f2.8, and no tripod. I was able to get it this sharp (sharp enough may be debatable) by supporting my lens like a rifle and using breathing. I was sitting on a pew on the upper level of the church, I put my foot on a the pew so my leg looked like an "A", I supported the bottom of my tricep near my elbow on the front of the knee, and let the lens tripod mount rest on my open palm. You then breath in and breath out slowly, then when you run out of air, hold it for about 1-2 seconds and then "squeeze" the shutter. Forget about snapping several shots in succession. I tried it and it doesn't work. Don't get me wrong, I was sweating using this lens the whole time, but the rental place screwed up what lens I had reserved and I picked it up hours before the wedding. There are other shooting (as in rifle) techniques that help with long lenses, but you guys are right, not everyone can do this.

Once you go back-button-focus... you can't go... back.

It's amazing.

Put it on backbutton focus and then on AI Servo. As long as you hold your finger on the button, it will continue to focus. So if someone is walking toward you, keep that finger on the button. If the subject is standing still, just focus on the subject, take your finger off the back button and recompose the shot. Works amazing. It takes a little bit to get used to but I can't shoot any other way now.

The only thing it's hard to do is self-portrait with someone. You'd need to turn it back to shutter-button-focus.

While using the center focus point I focus and recompose. At first it was awkward but I soon got used to it and now I can do it quickly and naturally.

Woohoo! This is exactly the sort of stuff I was hoping to hear! Keep em comin!!!!

I agree with back button focusing....everything was so much easier once I started doing that. It feels so unnatural to use shutter button focus now. lol

Shout out to you brother! You are the only one to give non-tech tips. If there is one thing I have learned in my limited experience it's that a great image is not made because you shot AV or used back button focus. Great images come from finding the light, looking for elements of composition (the background), and capturing the right moment.

A few tips I picked up:

1. Listen; if you here the beginnings of a joke get ready because the bride is going to laugh.

2. Point & Wait; moments happen so point your camera and wait for it. You can't take a photo with your camera hanging there on your neck.

3. Comfort is Key; anything you need to do to feel comfortable on wedding day do it. I become familiar with the locations; the church, the reception, and any place in between. If I know the locations I am not worried about making good photos I know what I have to work with.

Great topic! I can't wait to see what others have to say.

Carl Stevens
http://carlstevens.blogspot.com/

Taking the photograph is the next to last step in the chain of creating a photo.

It all starts with the subject, the location, the styling, and the action of or interaction with the subject. It ends with the retouching.

Learning F-Stops and flash from Colin Michael.

Stewart C.

1. Shooting Tip: Many people have mentioned "finding the light." I read that a good way to do that is walk into the room and squint. The bright areas will be immediately apparent.

2. Business Tip: Good. Fast. Cheap. Pick two.

3. I can't remember who posted this, but I love the tip about putting an assistant with a Pocket Wizard in a church pew during the ceremony. I would only do this if flash was allowed. I wouldn't break those kind of rules. But first I'd have to buy Pocket Wizards!

There's a custom function that allows your multi-directional button-knob thingy to select your focus points. I think it's function 13-1 or 13-2, but don't quote me on that.


Oh, and really good light is always better than a really good background. Best advice I've ever received.

1. Look at the foreground AND the background.

2. See the light, feel the light and BE the light.

3. Use flash. A portable light source (Speedlite, AB, Qflash, Sunpak's 120J ...) and PWs are a absolut must for me.

4. Be visible at the wedding, but don't disturb, please.

5. If flash is not allowed in church and it's bloody dark inside, use flash! A wedding is a unique moment, it is the only chance you got to create great pictures the bride'n'groom will love you for! It's your business, it's your money...

6. Use a family's friend or one of the groomesmen as an assistant. It is cheaper and way more funny than paying one :-)

7. Use unusual perspectives. When people watch your pictures, they say:"Oh, I didn't saw this (moment, detail)". Then you did a good job.

8. Don't pee at electrical fences :-))))

Mario

And it's THEIR wedding.

Many times, even if it's the officient who says "No flash," it's at the behest of the bride and groom. I know that for my own wedding, I'll be asking the officiant to communicate that to everyone. A vendor who explicitly breaks the rules (put in effect either because of a holy sacrament or because of the wishes of the b&g) is incredibly unprofessional. As a bride, I'd be super pissed and no amount of "Look at the great photos I took!" would make up for it.

I agree with Hope.

Additionally, a photographer who willfully and intentionally violates the rules of the church with full knowledge and intent is the photographer who makes it impossible for the next professional to work in that church. It makes us all look bad.

K

oh yes. my number one lesson. bride + cars in the background = bad pics! haha like duh....

OK, I have to say that I live and work in germany. Churches are mostly small, people are mostly gentle and understanding. And I haven't said you should flash the hole ceremony. But I say: Bring the bride'n'groom five or six really great pictures from the church, and when flash is necessary, use it for those moments (only).

That's what I say.

Mario

Can somebody explain AF-C? Is that like one of the AI modes on Canon?

I've peed on an electric fence and nothing happened.. My mom has a horse farm so I had to test this in my earlier.. (ok stupider) days.

To shoot slower shutter speeds be like a sniper... Take a deep breath, let it out slow, squeeze the shutter just at that moment when all the air is out. I've hand held some slow ones on good days that I've laid off the caffeine.

AF-C is Nikon's continuous focus mode (hence the "C"). As long as you keep the shutter or back button pressed, the lens will rack focus continuously with moving subjects.

Lots of good pointers here. My favorite for weddings is off camera flash at the reception.

I have a Nikon SB-800 on a stand with a Pocket Wizard, set to manual mode at 1/4 or 1/8 power.

I have the SB-800 on my camera set to Auto mode with a Pocket Wizard as well.

I use the light on the stand for different lighting (side, backlight, etc...) and turn my on camera flash of and on depending on the situation.

Reception lighting was so boring for me. I learned how to do this and it has been great!

My camera is in manual mode set to ISO 640-800, f3.5 or f4, 1/15 - 1/50 shutter. WB set to 5900 - 6300K WB and shoot Jpeg Normal.

Great tips everyone!

So true! How often has a coordinator/church lady/whoever treated you like crap when you haven't even done anything simply because the last photographer was a jerk?

(Answer: lots of times.)

AMEN!

Ok, what is the back button focus? Is this a Canon thing? (I am not a Canon owner, so if it is... well... lets just say then I don't have to worry about what I don't know!)

It can either be a dedicated button on the back for your thumb to focus instead of using the half press of the shutter button. Or it can be a custom function in the menu to change a button on the back (like a metering lock button) to do that too if your particular camera body lacks a dedicated button.

You can set this up on Nikon cameras as well (at least the D200 and D2Xs).

Don't get stuck in the mid-range (this can be applied to a LOT of things).

Lens focal length - besides getting the typical "subject filling 75% of the frame shot", don't forget to go really wide or zoom in really tight. It really enhances the storytelling aspect of photography and makes the photos seem not so boring.

Don't tilt - compose. Only angle the camera if it enhances the composition. Otherwise, you're just making people tilt their head when viewing your pictures.

For the use of flash in church I've had good results asking if there are any points in the service when I *can* use flash. Even if it's only during the processional, recessional, and/or the kiss, those are times when I can get great exposures without having to use a higher ISO/lower f-stop combo.

When given this permission use the flash during those moments only, and of course remember to change your camera settings to match the use of flash.

Kari,

On Nikon, you would use the AF-ON button on the back.

On the D200, it is Custom Setting a6, choose "AF-ON Only."

See page 151 of the D200 manual... if you have D200 that is.

This is great timing. I can't remember the photographer's website/blog, but I was reading and she said something that I thought was interesting.

I did find myself doing this in some way, but not intensely.

What she does is the night before or even the morning of the wedding, see looks at other photographer's websites to get the creative juices flowing. She pointed out that she looks at photographer's websites she admires such as DJ's.

Start putting composition ideas in your head so when the time/moment comes, you may possibly remember a shot you saw and liked.

Just something small.

Looking at the edge of every scene in my viewfinder.
I used to have a habit of only paying attention to what's in the center of the frame and didn't realize what was going on at the extreme edges. Just a minor shift in composition can make a huge change in the impact of your image. I'm a huge believer in slowing things down and actually seeing what's going on before snapping away.

Don't forget to look behind you every now and then for more of the story.

Carry an emergency bag with some of the following: asprin, advil, bandaids, new socks and hosiery, makeup samples, extension cord, duct tape and scissors (white and black - believe it or not these can be used for great emergency tear fixers for photos), etc.

Though you may never need these items if called upon and you can produce them you'll look like a hero(ine) to the bride and groom.

A friend of mine actually clips the photos she likes out of bridal and photography magazines and puts them in a 3-ring "Idea" binder. She looks through the book the morning before the wedding to get ideas.

I started my own book to look at before I SS, and eventually for when I book a wedding on my own.

Scott

+++++1

I know that WE want to get the great shot for them. I think this goes back to setting client expectations. If we know a church doesn't allow flash, because we've asked ahead of time, then we let the bride know how that will affect her day. We also make sure she likes B&W photo's and if there is no flash and the light is low chances are her ceremony pics will be B&W.

That way if its a REALLY big deal to them, they can go talk to the church ahead of time. Most of the time tho I think they understand.

Most church rules came about because someone, either a photographer or videographer, made it necessary for them to make sure that the next "professional" doesn't draw unnecessary attention to himself.

First post from me ohhhhhh how exciting.

Change your CF card to ensure plenty of capacity before any key moments like excit from ceremony otherwise you'll be fumbling away when it kicks off with the congratulations straight after - and remember, mum's & dad's are always frist to congratulate teh couple so you wanna snap 'em.

This is my fav tip at persent - when yo uwanna snap a couple who are camera concious, face the other way (with your camera to your eye) to look as though you are interested in some other subject, but watch the main subjet in teh reflection of your LCD. Then as the moment hjappens swing round and bang - cracking shot without them expecting it. Likewise, set exposure & focus on a couple, then drop your camera as if you're not interested..... let the moment happen then bang, snap it all ready set up.

Take sarnies (eat on the move when going from ceremony to reception) & pee before the ceremony as you'll get little chance straight after.

Make a habit of keeping a CF card on your person ready for a fast change as needed. Keep them in seperate pockets for those cards used & those cards empty.

Leave your camera bag near the door for when you leave a ceremony so you can grab it on the move. If you leave your choice lens in their expect to fight the traffic of attendees coming out if you leave it in the church.

Also keep your bag outa sight... it'll get in a photo if you're not careful when shooting moments quickly.

Consider taping down those bloddy switches on the side of a 70-200mm f2.8 IS as they always get knocked back when you stumble around and suddenly you have no AF or IS or even focusing from 1.4m.

Take a 'test' shot when you put in a new CF card to check it's working properly. You wouldn't want to find CF error when the b&g are walking down the isle!

That'll do. Many other tips but many have already been said.

Matt