Help Needed- Must rent/ borrow camera, lens & flashes for wedding shoot!

[fWord]

Ryonpepper: Thanks for emphatizing with us. Yes, the dinner itself would be an expensive undertaking. Anyway, I've just learnt the full story about this issue and now completely understand why there's only going to be three of us for the actual day wedding photography. I won't break the details here because I've probably already revealed too much. Just goes to show that we cannot have preconceived notions of other people's actions. :think:

Xeonic: Thanks for the suggestion, but I'm afraid that even $300 might be unreasonable for us to fork out. Considering that we won't be paid, we cannot come out with this amount of money from our pockets, especially seeing that we're not working, or in NS. When push comes to shove, I'll bail out from it and lend my gear to one of my friends. If that happens, both of my friends will definitely have the gear to cover them for the wedding.

Skill and technique-wise it'll be down to their individual capabilities.

If we were to borrow gear, our aim would be to get it early and use it extensively (as and when we get the chance to practise) everyday until the day of the wedding, and then return it after the wedding is over. Otherwise it would be embarassing to have gear but not know how to run it. :bsmilie:

 

[initialE24]

as u mentioned, if things go to ideal plan, you would be forking out hundreds in rental of equipment, or at least other parties would be FORGOING hundreds in rentals, should they be kind enuff to lend them to you. so from a couple getting married who wouldn't want to pay for a phtoographer, those helping them are actually paying them to have their memories recorded forever????

that sounds like utter crap to me. i know it's not the couple that has planned this whole thing to be this way, and i'm by no means pointing fingers here, but as a assess the situation, that's how i see it.

if i were the couple, i would be SO PAISEH you know, i would feel very bad about it. seriously.

i dunno lar, this is possibly one of the worst cases of "exploitation" (or what seems like it anyway) i've seen this year. oh wait... it's only just started!

.

tis is really nothing.....my friend actually went to buy a lens to shoot for the couple...and to make matters worse ., he was asked to lend his car to the groom's friends to drive on the wedding... and no money was being paid....

 

[jOhO]

tis is really nothing.....my friend actually went to buy a lens to shoot for the couple...and to make matters worse ., he was asked to lend his car to the groom's friends to drive on the wedding... and no money was being paid....

alrite then.. i stand corrected.. :bsmilie:

 

[simon80]

i will ask the couple to pay for the rental of equipment ..

but 3 pple shoot can eat and shoot at the same time, take turns
:bsmilie:

 

[AhV]

If we were to borrow gear, our aim would be to get it early and use it extensively (as and when we get the chance to practise) everyday until the day of the wedding, and then return it after the wedding is over. Otherwise it would be embarassing to have gear but not know how to run it. :bsmilie:

ai yo ... this para not so nice la ... we lend you our gear for "FREE" ...then you 'abuse' our babies :sweat:..most wedding photographers will you that there is a certain depreciation value esp. when no consideration was given (like a decent rental fee)

Frankly, just turn up and shoot ...forget about the practice.... I mean you said you know the FULL story ... GOOD LUCK ,dudes

 

[Deadpoet]

Ryonpepper: Thanks for emphatizing with us. Yes, the dinner itself would be an expensive undertaking. Anyway, I've just learnt the full story about this issue and now completely understand why there's only going to be three of us for the actual day wedding photography. I won't break the details here because I've probably already revealed too much. Just goes to show that we cannot have preconceived notions of other people's actions. :think:
...

If we were to borrow gear, our aim would be to get it early and use it extensively (as and when we get the chance to practise) everyday until the day of the wedding, and then return it after the wedding is over. Otherwise it would be embarassing to have gear but not know how to run it. :bsmilie:

well, the more I read about this, the more I think it is totally bizzare.

The wedding dinner will be expensive, and yet they can't even fork out $300 for a photographer.

And you want to play with the borrow camera extensively, and for a long time, so that you will not be embarassed. Hmm, but what about wear and tear on the gear borrowed.

This story just does not adds up. Am I missing anything? I guess so, because you won't tell.

 

[fWord]

Well, I could smell that this was going to get ugly. To echo what was said earlier, what the ******* is happening these days? Can't people ask for help anymore?

Anyway, to set things straight for the record:

- three of us in total are helping to cover a wedding. For better or worse, two of us decided to join the first photog because we decided to back him up. We are aware of the seriousness of the situation and do not want him to live it alone.

- we are lacking in some gear, and are totally lacking in experience.

- we are not being paid to shoot this wedding, and are merely there to help. As a team, we're not turning in much money ourselves. One of us is out of a job. The other is in full-time NS.

- we cannot afford to pay for rental of equipment in the traditional fashion. Hence we are seeking for help of any kind from people who happen to have gear lying around and not doing much, and are happy to see it used.

- we wish to borrow the gear ASAP and will use it extensively (or at least, as and when we can take time off our busy schedules) to practice and get used to things. We have to shoot responsibly and not turn up to the wedding like emo kids with gear we cannot control. We are able to return the gear (if it's okay with the lender) only towards the end of the month because that's when the wedding is over.

- so far, amongst a number of very kind offers, we may be getting two flashes, one of which I am going to buy myself. Another has been very nice to give us coaching on wedding photography. The conditions above have been made known to anyone who is helping us by loaning out gear, and will be made known again before meeting up.

So, if anyone doesn't mind these 'stiff' conditions and can still help us, please drop me a PM. For those who wish to use this as a vent for their frustration or pass snide remarks, please, the thread is still open...carry on.

 

[jason72]

Well fWord, that is very kind of you guys willingly helping your friends out on this important occasion. Just want you guys to take my 2 cents note when shooting this couple. Due to 3 cameras aiming at them, they will need to concentrate especially with each of you asking them to look at your cam. So my advice to you is, with the limitation of gears you guys have, you may like to take turns to shoot. The photographers will have time to rest or even backup for each other while the couple will not be so stress out to focus on which cam that they need to post. Happy shooting

 

[smalltake]

Maybe can open up the wedding to all newbies here and invite them down to practise and shot and submit the photographs?????

Newbie gets to practise
Wedding photos (good or no good) will be free
FWord no need to borrow equipment

All will be happy liao........... would this be possible? Cheers!

 

[jason72]

Well fWord, that is very kind of you guys willingly helping your friends out on this important occasion. Just want you guys to take my 2 cents note when shooting this couple. Due to 3 cameras aiming at them, they will need to concentrate especially with each of you asking them to look at your cam. So my advice to you is, with the limitation of gears you guys have, you may like to take turns to shoot. The photographers will have time to rest or even backup for each other while the couple will not be so stress out to focus on which cam that they need to post. Happy shooting

 

[jOhO]

Well, I could smell that this was going to get ugly. To echo what was said earlier, what the ******* is happening these days? Can't people ask for help anymore?

Anyway, to set things straight for the record:

- three of us in total are helping to cover a wedding. For better or worse, two of us decided to join the first photog because we decided to back him up. We are aware of the seriousness of the situation and do not want him to live it alone.

- we are lacking in some gear, and are totally lacking in experience.

- we are not being paid to shoot this wedding, and are merely there to help. As a team, we're not turning in much money ourselves. One of us is out of a job. The other is in full-time NS.

- we cannot afford to pay for rental of equipment in the traditional fashion. Hence we are seeking for help of any kind from people who happen to have gear lying around and not doing much, and are happy to see it used.

- we wish to borrow the gear ASAP and will use it extensively (or at least, as and when we can take time off our busy schedules) to practice and get used to things. We have to shoot responsibly and not turn up to the wedding like emo kids with gear we cannot control. We are able to return the gear (if it's okay with the lender) only towards the end of the month because that's when the wedding is over.

- so far, amongst a number of very kind offers, we may be getting two flashes, one of which I am going to buy myself. Another has been very nice to give us coaching on wedding photography. The conditions above have been made known to anyone who is helping us by loaning out gear, and will be made known again before meeting up.

So, if anyone doesn't mind these 'stiff' conditions and can still help us, please drop me a PM. For those who wish to use this as a vent for their frustration or pass snide remarks, please, the thread is still open...carry on.

ahahah i like ur last line..

well good luck, u laid your cards on the table and the table will get back to u.

did u manage to figure out wat the reason for doing all this is tho? i'd like to hear it. can be as simple as being a nice person, that suffices.

 

[fWord]

Well fWord, that is very kind of you guys willingly helping your friends out on this important occasion. Just want you guys to take my 2 cents note when shooting this couple. Due to 3 cameras aiming at them, they will need to concentrate especially with each of you asking them to look at your cam. So my advice to you is, with the limitation of gears you guys have, you may like to take turns to shoot. The photographers will have time to rest or even backup for each other while the couple will not be so stress out to focus on which cam that they need to post. Happy shooting

Good point there. However we have already taken this into consideration. For the most part, where there is plenty of action occuring in different areas, the three of us will be in various locations to capture whatever moments we see there.

We also have different approaches to this. For example, I want to be present but unnoticed, but one of my friends is more proactive in his shooting. We should be able to work things out in this way and won't confuse people with all three cameras! :sweatsm:

We have actually been offered seats during the dinner, but we've declined that. Drinks would be sufficient. I suspect we will be shooting full time throughout the day and have a late meal after everything is over.

 

[fWord]

Maybe can open up the wedding to all newbies here and invite them down to practise and shot and submit the photographs?????

Newbie gets to practise
Wedding photos (good or no good) will be free
FWord no need to borrow equipment

All will be happy liao........... would this be possible? Cheers!

Hmm...despite the sincerity of this suggestion, I cannot buy it because we are dealing with a wedding in this case, not a typical CS model shoot. Hence I think it would be inappropriate for newbies to be getting 'practise' on such an occasion.

It is for this reason that one of my friends and myself are thinking of bailing out. But this would be a no-win situation either, leaving just one person to cover the entire wedding.

 

[fWord]

ahahah i like ur last line..

well good luck, u laid your cards on the table and the table will get back to u.

did u manage to figure out wat the reason for doing all this is tho? i'd like to hear it. can be as simple as being a nice person, that suffices.

:bsmilie: Yup, or to put it in another way, bang the table and the scissors will answer. Can't remember where I read this. It was sometime ago at another site.

To be very frank, there's many thoughts on my mind at the moment. Initially I convinced myself to participate in this because I didn't want my friend to do it alone. At the very worst, I'll be an extra pillar to bear the pressure on the day. I wasn't interested in the experience (although this subsequently occured to me as a side note), and wasn't interested in getting the pictures. The people who know me are aware that I shoot landscapes and wildlife, and certainly not people. Hence there is no reason for me to be interested in a wedding shoot.

Helping the couple to get photos of their actual day wedding was the secondary consideration, but it is now becoming my main concern. Being a wedding photographer means being responsible. The experience of shooting would just be gravy for me.

I've already been having second thoughts about all this and have half the mind to bail out. For better or worse, I do not want to play a role in producing a poor quality wedding photo album. Much as I want to produce photos which will be emotionally powerful for the couple, I don't believe I have what it takes to do it. If I produce poor results, it's going to give the wedding a sour after-taste. Years on, the couple and their relatives will look through the photos and wonder which idiot shot their wedding pictures. :sweat:

In view of this, it might be nicer to stay out of it in the first place, though the rejection might not be well-received. Either that, or I'll just close my eyes, cross my fingers, and just go do it...with my eyes open at that time, of course. I am hoping to find a time to meet the couple and their relatives to chat them up way before the wedding day.

 

[AhV]

relax dude.....I dun see a reason to feel lousy when the couple is not so bothered themselves .... If you want SWEET memories for the couple and their friends/relatives in terms of quality wedding pics, you have to engage some of them best we have in this forum e.g. JXXX, WXXXX3, CXXXXXN, IAMXXXXXXT ... etc ( not in any particular order )

If you have not shot weddings before, there are always surprises .... for e.g. 'wet weather' wedding photography, equipment failure, accidents :sweat: You have already laid your cards out..you still need to help your fren..then so be it, be there, shoot and deliver whatever you manage to capture... move on after that ..dun bother to ask yourselves ... will they like my wedding shots ? Hey..it was a 'favour'..... so, keep it that way


Enjoy your shoot, dudes .....

 

[jOhO]

relax dude.....I dun see a reason to feel lousy when the couple is not so bothered themselves .... If you want SWEET memories for the couple and their friends/relatives in terms of quality wedding pics, you have to engage some of them best we have in this forum e.g. JXXX, WXXXX3, CXXXXXN, IAMXXXXXXT ... etc ( not in any particular order )

If you have not shot weddings before, there are always surprises .... for e.g. 'wet weather' wedding photography, equipment failure, accidents :sweat: You have already laid your cards out..you still need to help your fren..then so be it, be there, shoot and deliver whatever you manage to capture... move on after that ..dun bother to ask yourselves ... will they like my wedding shots ? Hey..it was a 'favour'..... so, keep it that way


Enjoy your shoot, dudes .....

:cry:

been reduced to a porn rating.

:bsmilie: :bsmilie:

 

[AhV]

:cry:

been reduced to a porn rating.

:bsmilie: :bsmilie:

not too bad la..you only 3 'X's :bsmilie:

 

[Deadpoet]

:cry:

been reduced to a porn rating.

:bsmilie: :bsmilie:

didn't realise AhV was referring to you

 

[jOhO]

didn't realise AhV was referring to you

guess my porn acting isn't up to scratch... :cry:

 

[genegoh]

Well, at least you know you're not going to be paid for the wedding. I thought I was going to get a big ang bao, but no...
Anyways, since it's a favour, make the best of it.

2 points for you.
1. Have fun
2. Learn as much as possible

Who knows? This might propel you far.

Cheers! All the best for your equipment search.