Help!!! How to shoot wedding event using simple SLR?

Ladybird · 16th January 2005

Hi all

I got a Minolta Dynax 5....recently a friend asked to help to shoot her wedding event. I am completely new to wedding photography.

I have no additional flash unit. Is it still possible to shoot using a simple SLR. Wat kind of settings is appropriate?

Hope you guys can give some advice. Thanks.

2100 · 16th January 2005

Hmm....no flash and no experience. I think it's pretty much impossible. Just tell her you will have problems and very much probably mess it up for her. Tell her to engage a freelancer or professional.

If she is on a very tight budget, can ask for freelancers here, post in the Consumers corner. I am sure there are some who can do a decent job for about $500 with photos/album included.

You can then also shoot for fun as well, no sweat and pressure.

razor · 16th January 2005

advice.

Ladybird · 16th January 2005

Yeah I told her the same thing 2....however she decided not to engage a professional photographer.....

feel damn stressed....there will be another digital "photographer" so I will be treating myself as backup....one of my closest friend....wat should I do? really afraid to embarassed myself....

zaren · 16th January 2005

Originally Posted by Ladybird

Yeah I told her the same thing 2....however she decided not to engage a professional photographer..... feel damn stressed....there will be another digital "photographer" so I will be treating myself as backup....one of my closest friend....wat should I do? really afraid to embarassed myself....

dynax 5 is not a simple SLR...it is a very capable camera which can produce excellent photos. with your built-in flash and kit lens you can definitely shoot the wedding. bring lots of film (e.g. fuji 400 film), and spare batteries. you'll need to find out beforehand what are the critical events you need to capture during the wedding e.g. exchanging of rings, kissing the bride, lighting the candles, signing of the register, tea ceremony etc etc. be ready and don't skimp on film during these decisive moments, and you may even want to use your camera's eye start focusing to help you to focus faster. don't forget to take some interesting candids of the wedding guests and "behind-the-scenes" shots as well. be alert, but also relaxed. your fren believes in your camera skills...you should also believe in yourself. good luck!

Ladybird · 16th January 2005

Thanks Zaren....ur words have given me more encouragement...I am gng to read more about wedding event photography....event is this coming Friday and I was told yesterday....feeling damn panicked...and not sure if I can do this well....first time I guess...it looks like I am the main photographer with the SLR...it sounds scary to me...

2100 · 16th January 2005

One question and I am not trying to be rude ladybird, how many times have you used the Dynax 5 before? A couple on tours, 1 or 2 rolls for that birthday and trip to the zoo/beach.....nothing else?

Reason I am asking is that you still can do reasonably well without the hardware if you have the experience. I have full confidence that you get a pro with a 35mm $300 compact and regular film and he will churn out much better pics than someone with a Canon 1 series with the best negatives but only shot like max 50 rolls all in all and with no interest/intention in improving.

zaren · 16th January 2005

Originally Posted by Ladybird

Thanks Zaren....ur words have given me more encouragement...I am gng to read more about wedding event photography....event is this coming Friday and I was told yesterday....feeling damn panicked...and not sure if I can do this well....first time I guess...it looks like I am the main photographer with the SLR...it sounds scary to me...

what kind of wedding event is it? ROM or church wedding? or traditional malay or indian wedding? might not be a bad idea to familiarise yourself with the wedding event location(s) beforehand so that you can plan which are the best vantage points for photos. being the main photog, you have the privilege of shooting up close and personal, which will give you nice frame-filling shots. group shots are also important in weddings, as they tend to be mass printed and given to practically every wedding guest afterwards. so, you will need your tripod/flash and enough DOF to get everyone in focus for those.

Ladybird · 16th January 2005

u mean wat you say...RUDE..

...how did you qualify to say I have not been shooting? I'm not confident as I have never touched wedding photography before....and wat best film and equipment....I know that 2...It's the skills that count....Dun you have your first time to take photo....Please dun comment without any justification as I consider that RUDE and even RUDER

Ladybird · 16th January 2005

It is chinese customary wedding and dinner....

Incastasman · 16th January 2005

Originally Posted by Ladybird

It is chinese customary wedding and dinner....

Hi Ladybird, can u cal me at 62971729.. im still awake.. might be able to answer ur question.

Cheers

Andrew

zaren · 16th January 2005

Originally Posted by Ladybird

It is chinese customary wedding and dinner....

ok...try to familiarise yourself as thoroughly as possible with the details of the wedding ceremony, and the program details of the dinner. that will tell you who/what you need to shoot and where you need to position yourself throughout.

2100 · 16th January 2005

Ok ok, relac. Apologise if i sounded rude then. Just raising an analogy that's all. If you are happy and have full confidence, don't let the zero experience get in the way, just go ahead and be the main photog.

Ladybird · 16th January 2005

I have read about some related topics in the forum...wide angle lenses as wide as 18mm is needed....hmm....film 400........guess I got to go and read up more....

thanks guys gtg... good nitz!

zaren · 16th January 2005

Originally Posted by Ladybird

I have read about some related topics in the forum...wide angle lenses as wide as 18mm is needed....hmm....film 400........guess I got to go and read up more.... thanks guys gtg... good nitz!

18mm? then you'll need more than one lens...might be a hassle since u only have one camera body. suggest a 24-105mm zoom lens instead. then you wont need to worry about changing lenses, and can compose ur shot faster.

imaginary_number · 16th January 2005

Originally Posted by Ladybird

I have read about some related topics in the forum...wide angle lenses as wide as 18mm is needed....hmm....film 400........guess I got to go and read up more.... thanks guys gtg... good nitz!

For a film camera (full-frame), 24mm is ideal, 28 mm is usable in the context of a typical wedding. The 18 mm recommendation you read about was probably made with reference to the digital SLRs with a 1.6x field of view.

zaren · 16th January 2005

Originally Posted by imaginary_number

For a film camera (full-frame), 24mm is ideal, 28 mm is usable in the context of a typical wedding. The 18 mm recommendation you read about was probably made with reference to the digital SLRs with a 1.6x field of view.

on second thoughts, i think ladybird should go with a 28-100mm standard zoom, cos of the flash coverage of the built-in flash (up to 28mm i believe for the dynax 5).

mevo · 16th January 2005

Hi there ladybird,

You mentioned that it's it's for your closest friend. Please don't take this the wrong way but I suggest that you do not commit yourself to it. A wedding is not something that you can try something out. It looks like you are having problems even with the fundamentals. You are correct that everyone has a first time, why not take this as a good opportunity to learn from another photographer who does this for a living? Wedding photography is not something that you can learn by reading or from tips.

I have personally come across a colleague becoming unfriendly with another colleague of mine simply because the pictures do not turn out as expected. Even if the couple does not mind simple snapshots, the parents and relatives may turn out the be the problem and friction may result. What I have seen was not pretty.

I am sure your friend will understand if you put your points across firmly. A wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime thing. They may not want much presently but they will dig out the pictures a long way in the future for their children and grandchildren to see.

Tata

snowspeeder · 16th January 2005

Your friend needs to understand that if she does not wish to hire a pro to do the job (maybe just to save $), he/she is risking the end-result quality of the photos. The saying that goes "what you pay is what you get" may hold very true in circumstances like these.

Since you're determined in handling the wedding coverage, you need to be very aware on the details of the entire day. A wedding photographer needs to be alert in capturing the special moments throughout the day. Stay close to the couple all the time like a body guard. Do not engage in unnecessary small talk with other people as this may distract you from your primary mission. Always anticipate their next move and be ahead of them. And lastly, got to move real fast. Best of luck.

catchlights · 16th January 2005

Hi Ladybird,

For the next few days, try to browse thru a few complete wedding day albums to see what are the typical shots to take.

People here have given you very honest and useful advices, please don’t take it as some rude comments, if the result is not what your friends expected, will it sour the relationship between you and hers?

If you really feel stress, and don’t have the confident about the shoot, why don’t ask some mutual friends to sponsor her wedding photography, find someone here to shoot her wedding, treat it as a wedding gift to her, isn’t it more wonderful?

Hope this help.

16th January 2005	#1
Ladybird New Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 12	Help!!! How to shoot wedding event using simple SLR? Hi all I got a Minolta Dynax 5....recently a friend asked to help to shoot her wedding event. I am completely new to wedding photography. I have no additional flash unit. Is it still possible to shoot using a simple SLR. Wat kind of settings is appropriate? Hope you guys can give some advice. Thanks.

16th January 2005	#7
2100 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 3,116	One question and I am not trying to be rude ladybird, how many times have you used the Dynax 5 before? A couple on tours, 1 or 2 rolls for that birthday and trip to the zoo/beach.....nothing else? Reason I am asking is that you still can do reasonably well without the hardware if you have the experience. I have full confidence that you get a pro with a 35mm $300 compact and regular film and he will churn out much better pics than someone with a Canon 1 series with the best negatives but only shot like max 50 rolls all in all and with no interest/intention in improving. Last edited by 2100; 16th January 2005 at 01:38 AM.

16th January 2005	#3
razor Advertiser Join Date: May 2003 Location: Woody Land Posts: 1,610	advice.

16th January 2005	#9
Ladybird New Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 12	u mean wat you say...RUDE.. ...how did you qualify to say I have not been shooting? I'm not confident as I have never touched wedding photography before....and wat best film and equipment....I know that 2...It's the skills that count....Dun you have your first time to take photo....Please dun comment without any justification as I consider that RUDE and even RUDER

16th January 2005	#18
mevo New Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 9	Hi there ladybird, You mentioned that it's it's for your closest friend. Please don't take this the wrong way but I suggest that you do not commit yourself to it. A wedding is not something that you can try something out. It looks like you are having problems even with the fundamentals. You are correct that everyone has a first time, why not take this as a good opportunity to learn from another photographer who does this for a living? Wedding photography is not something that you can learn by reading or from tips. I have personally come across a colleague becoming unfriendly with another colleague of mine simply because the pictures do not turn out as expected. Even if the couple does not mind simple snapshots, the parents and relatives may turn out the be the problem and friction may result. What I have seen was not pretty. I am sure your friend will understand if you put your points across firmly. A wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime thing. They may not want much presently but they will dig out the pictures a long way in the future for their children and grandchildren to see. Tata

16th January 2005	#19
snowspeeder Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: 35A East Coast Rd Posts: 3,436	Your friend needs to understand that if she does not wish to hire a pro to do the job (maybe just to save $), he/she is risking the end-result quality of the photos. The saying that goes "what you pay is what you get" may hold very true in circumstances like these. Since you're determined in handling the wedding coverage, you need to be very aware on the details of the entire day. A wedding photographer needs to be alert in capturing the special moments throughout the day. Stay close to the couple all the time like a body guard. Do not engage in unnecessary small talk with other people as this may distract you from your primary mission. Always anticipate their next move and be ahead of them. And lastly, got to move real fast. Best of luck.

16th January 2005	#20
catchlights Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Punggol Posts: 10,792	Hi Ladybird, For the next few days, try to browse thru a few complete wedding day albums to see what are the typical shots to take. People here have given you very honest and useful advices, please don’t take it as some rude comments, if the result is not what your friends expected, will it sour the relationship between you and hers? If you really feel stress, and don’t have the confident about the shoot, why don’t ask some mutual friends to sponsor her wedding photography, find someone here to shoot her wedding, treat it as a wedding gift to her, isn’t it more wonderful? Hope this help.