Hello Planet Pentaxion

David of Oz · 04-02-2019, 04:14 AM

I am new to the site so let me introduce myself. I have used Pentax almost exclusively since my teenage years and have never regretted my choice. They are cleverly designed and fit my hands beautifully. I am now retired so have more time to devote to my hobbies - riding my bike, hiking, reading, and of course photography.

I have never had any formal training in photography or camera use, but years of trial and many errors have resulted in a reasonably competent amateur. I enjoy all forms of photography, not that a busy life allows the time to exploit that interest fully. I guess most of my photography has been family or travel.

Recently my niece decided to get married - in Scotland - and has asked me to be her official photographer. Of course I said yes - so now I am madly testing out the gear to make sure I remember its functions without having to drag out a manual! No time for that on her big day. Any suggestions on wedding photography in Scotland in August would be very welcome. It will be as different from Queensland as chalk is from cheese I am sure.

Australia is almost always bathed in plenty of glorious sunshine, sometimes too much. So there are particular challenges to getting a good looking shot here. Highlights are very bright and shadows are deep and dense. I am expecting the light in Scotland to be somewhat softer - especially if wet. Thank heavens for my 50mm f1.4. It may get me out of trouble.

Thanks for taking the trouble to read my ramble. I look forward to making a positive contribution - and learning a lot from Planet Pentaxion.

David of Oz.

**aslyfox** · 04-02-2019, 04:16 AM

welcome

Unregistered User 8 · 04-02-2019, 04:16 AM

Hi David, welcome from Melbourne.

**UncleVanya** · 04-02-2019, 05:16 AM - **1 Like**

David, welcome! I suggest crafting a thread with a title related too the big event to get wider input. Not everyone reads the new user posts.

Be aware that probably 90% of us advise against what you're doing. A daughter's wedding day is a time that is better savored as a participant not as the photographer. At a minimum hire a 2nd photographer to get those shots with you in them as well as back you up in case of gear failure.

**Kerrowdown** · 04-02-2019, 02:24 PM

Originally posted by David of Oz

Recently my niece decided to get married - in Scotland

Welcome to the forum and good for her, but then I maybe being a tad bias.

Whereabouts in Scotland is all this to happen in August?

David of Oz · 04-02-2019, 09:22 PM

Originally posted by Kerrowdown

Welcome to the forum and good for her, but then I maybe being a tad bias.

Whereabouts in Scotland is all this to happen in August?

Thanks Kerrowdown.

The wedding is in Fife at a town called Crail in a venue called The Cowshed.

David

David of Oz · 04-02-2019, 09:26 PM

Originally posted by UncleVanya

David, welcome! I suggest crafting a thread with a title related too the big event to get wider input. Not everyone reads the new user posts.

Be aware that probably 90% of us advise against what you're doing. A daughter's wedding day is a time that is better savored as a participant not as the photographer. At a minimum hire a 2nd photographer to get those shots with you in them as well as back you up in case of gear failure.

Thank you UncleVanya.

Thanks for the advice on the thread. I would not dream of being my daughter's photographer. The lass is a niece so I will not be central to the ceremony. Just an avid spectator - with a job to do! I have been the wedding photographer several times before and all seemed to work out just fine. Hopefully this time will be a success as well.
David

MarkJerling · 04-02-2019, 10:06 PM

Welcome to the forum David.
I've this last Saturday shot my first ever wedding. All went well and thanks to Lightroom and my K-1 I have some lovely photos to present to the bride and groom.

From what I've learnt from others: Zooms, not primes will be your go-to on the day. I found my Cactus RF60 flash to be very useful, both during the ceremony and after at the reception.

Kind regards,
Mark

David of Oz · 04-03-2019, 12:41 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by MarkJerling

Welcome to the forum David.
I've this last Saturday shot my first ever wedding. All went well and thanks to Lightroom and my K-1 I have some lovely photos to present to the bride and groom.

From what I've learnt from others: Zooms, not primes will be your go-to on the day. I found my Cactus RF60 flash to be very useful, both during the ceremony and after at the reception.

Kind regards,
Mark

Thank you MarkJerling

My wedding kit I have planned to use consists of K5, Metz 52 AF-1, Sigma 10-20, Pentax 18-135, and a 50 f1.4 for some limited portraits and inside non intrusive shots. Hope it works.

David

MarkJerling · 04-03-2019, 12:44 AM

Originally posted by David of Oz

Thank you MarkJerling

My wedding kit I have planned to use consists of K5, Metz 52 AF-1, Sigma 10-20, Pentax 18-135, and a 50 f1.4 for some limited portraits and inside non intrusive shots. Hope it works.

David

Sounds like you have it covered. Good luck!

**UncleVanya** · 04-03-2019, 07:14 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by David of Oz

Thank you UncleVanya.

Thanks for the advice on the thread. I would not dream of being my daughter's photographer. The lass is a niece so I will not be central to the ceremony. Just an avid spectator - with a job to do! I have been the wedding photographer several times before and all seemed to work out just fine. Hopefully this time will be a success as well.
David

Lol. I don't know how I missed that! Yes an uncle is different. I would suggest having a backup photographer for some shots, if that's not possible, at least some spare equipment in case of failure. You could perhaps rent something or buy a cheap body and spare lens.

cmohr · 04-03-2019, 03:05 PM

Welcome David.

There's a few of us here in Brisbane it seems. Good luck with the wedding shoot.

pentax360 · 04-03-2019, 03:33 PM

Welcome!

04-02-2019, 04:14 AM	#1
David of Oz New Member Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Brisbane, Queensland Posts: 5	Hello Planet Pentaxion I am new to the site so let me introduce myself. I have used Pentax almost exclusively since my teenage years and have never regretted my choice. They are cleverly designed and fit my hands beautifully. I am now retired so have more time to devote to my hobbies - riding my bike, hiking, reading, and of course photography. I have never had any formal training in photography or camera use, but years of trial and many errors have resulted in a reasonably competent amateur. I enjoy all forms of photography, not that a busy life allows the time to exploit that interest fully. I guess most of my photography has been family or travel. Recently my niece decided to get married - in Scotland - and has asked me to be her official photographer. Of course I said yes - so now I am madly testing out the gear to make sure I remember its functions without having to drag out a manual! No time for that on her big day. Any suggestions on wedding photography in Scotland in August would be very welcome. It will be as different from Queensland as chalk is from cheese I am sure. Australia is almost always bathed in plenty of glorious sunshine, sometimes too much. So there are particular challenges to getting a good looking shot here. Highlights are very bright and shadows are deep and dense. I am expecting the light in Scotland to be somewhat softer - especially if wet. Thank heavens for my 50mm f1.4. It may get me out of trouble. Thanks for taking the trouble to read my ramble. I look forward to making a positive contribution - and learning a lot from Planet Pentaxion. David of Oz.

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04-02-2019, 04:16 AM	#2
aslyfox Seeker of Knowledge Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Topeka, Kansas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 24,582	welcome

04-02-2019, 04:16 AM	#3
Unregistered User 8 Closed Account Join Date: Mar 2015 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,694	Hi David, welcome from Melbourne.

04-02-2019, 05:16 AM - 1 Like	#4
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,446	David, welcome! I suggest crafting a thread with a title related too the big event to get wider input. Not everyone reads the new user posts. Be aware that probably 90% of us advise against what you're doing. A daughter's wedding day is a time that is better savored as a participant not as the photographer. At a minimum hire a 2nd photographer to get those shots with you in them as well as back you up in case of gear failure.

04-02-2019, 02:24 PM	#5
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,835	Originally posted by David of Oz Recently my niece decided to get married - in Scotland Welcome to the forum and good for her, but then I maybe being a tad bias. Whereabouts in Scotland is all this to happen in August?

04-02-2019, 09:22 PM	#6
David of Oz New Member Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Brisbane, Queensland Posts: 5 Original Poster	Originally posted by Kerrowdown Welcome to the forum and good for her, but then I maybe being a tad bias. Whereabouts in Scotland is all this to happen in August? Thanks Kerrowdown. The wedding is in Fife at a town called Crail in a venue called The Cowshed. David

04-02-2019, 09:26 PM	#7
David of Oz New Member Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Brisbane, Queensland Posts: 5 Original Poster	Originally posted by UncleVanya David, welcome! I suggest crafting a thread with a title related too the big event to get wider input. Not everyone reads the new user posts. Be aware that probably 90% of us advise against what you're doing. A daughter's wedding day is a time that is better savored as a participant not as the photographer. At a minimum hire a 2nd photographer to get those shots with you in them as well as back you up in case of gear failure. Thank you UncleVanya. Thanks for the advice on the thread. I would not dream of being my daughter's photographer. The lass is a niece so I will not be central to the ceremony. Just an avid spectator - with a job to do! I have been the wedding photographer several times before and all seemed to work out just fine. Hopefully this time will be a success as well. David

04-02-2019, 10:06 PM	#8
MarkJerling Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: May 2012 Location: Wairarapa, New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 20,408	Welcome to the forum David. I've this last Saturday shot my first ever wedding. All went well and thanks to Lightroom and my K-1 I have some lovely photos to present to the bride and groom. From what I've learnt from others: Zooms, not primes will be your go-to on the day. I found my Cactus RF60 flash to be very useful, both during the ceremony and after at the reception. Kind regards, Mark

04-03-2019, 12:41 AM - 1 Like	#9
David of Oz New Member Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Brisbane, Queensland Posts: 5 Original Poster	Originally posted by MarkJerling Welcome to the forum David. I've this last Saturday shot my first ever wedding. All went well and thanks to Lightroom and my K-1 I have some lovely photos to present to the bride and groom. From what I've learnt from others: Zooms, not primes will be your go-to on the day. I found my Cactus RF60 flash to be very useful, both during the ceremony and after at the reception. Kind regards, Mark Thank you MarkJerling My wedding kit I have planned to use consists of K5, Metz 52 AF-1, Sigma 10-20, Pentax 18-135, and a 50 f1.4 for some limited portraits and inside non intrusive shots. Hope it works. David

04-03-2019, 12:44 AM	#10
MarkJerling Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: May 2012 Location: Wairarapa, New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 20,408	Originally posted by David of Oz Thank you MarkJerling My wedding kit I have planned to use consists of K5, Metz 52 AF-1, Sigma 10-20, Pentax 18-135, and a 50 f1.4 for some limited portraits and inside non intrusive shots. Hope it works. David Sounds like you have it covered. Good luck!

04-03-2019, 07:14 AM - 1 Like	#11
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,446	Originally posted by David of Oz Thank you UncleVanya. Thanks for the advice on the thread. I would not dream of being my daughter's photographer. The lass is a niece so I will not be central to the ceremony. Just an avid spectator - with a job to do! I have been the wedding photographer several times before and all seemed to work out just fine. Hopefully this time will be a success as well. David Lol. I don't know how I missed that! Yes an uncle is different. I would suggest having a backup photographer for some shots, if that's not possible, at least some spare equipment in case of failure. You could perhaps rent something or buy a cheap body and spare lens.

04-03-2019, 03:05 PM	#12
cmohr Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Brisbane. Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,824	Welcome David. There's a few of us here in Brisbane it seems. Good luck with the wedding shoot.

04-03-2019, 03:33 PM	#13
pentax360 Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: OR Posts: 436	Welcome!