Asked to shoot an informal wedding

cwood · 08-20-2009, 11:24 AM

Originally posted by aCIDfire

Hi, this sunday I´am going to shoot one wedding, talking about "fill flash" do you
mean using HSS or what? I´am using Metz AF-58 so what setting should I use?
The wedding will be in the garden at 11 am so direct sunlight

Use HSS and higher ISO (200-320) to get larger flash distances?
What about using circular polarizers? when shooting on direct sunlight. I know that about 12am when sun is not from the side is maybe using CPL useless or not?

I will use these lenses: 16-45, 50/1.4 and K 135/2.5 for some portrait shot, don´t
know if this 135 or macro 105/2.5 for those portraits.

- CPL MAY lead (probably will) to bad purple fringing under those conditions
- HSS will have less power than manual 1/1 power and under those conditions (when you are competing with the sun) you sometimes need a lot of power.

aCIDfire · 08-20-2009, 11:47 AM

OK, I will not use CPL. And as for flash, so a better choice will be direct flash
with this diffuser ( http://www.cliftoncameras.co.uk/uploads/products/174/mec5090.jpg ) on manual a EV compensation +- rather than using HSS?
When using this diffuser (Metz Mecabounce 45-90) then a flash is automatically
in 16mm mode (using 16-45/4).

There is also a choice of a small bounce card inside my flash which can be pushed up
but I don´t think it will be better than direct flash using outside.

cwood · 08-20-2009, 12:07 PM

I don't have any metz flashes but that looks right. Most flashes have flip-down diffusers that help achieve a wide angle spread.

And - Yes direct flash will be the way to go in your situation.

aCIDfire · 08-20-2009, 01:58 PM

Originally posted by kunik

I don't have any metz flashes but that looks right. Most flashes have flip-down diffusers that help achieve a wide angle spread.

And - Yes direct flash will be the way to go in your situation.

This Metz has also flip-down diffuser (this one is clear,visible through, undulated
surface) for wide angle spread as you wrote. On the other side is that Metz Mecabounce. It can be used that wide angle spread diffuser or that Mecabounce,
only one of them. Not together.

hinman · 08-20-2009, 02:43 PM

Originally posted by palmor

So I was asked to shoot a very informal wedding of a friend of ours today. They are a couple who have been together for 25 years (both in their late 40s) and just last week decided to get married. They are having a small ceremony in their back yard (20-30 people) with a barbecue to celebrate afterward. It is going to be in 4.5 weeks on a Wednesday night (5pm).

I gave the usual disclaimer explaining that I've never shot a wedding before, it is different then other photography I've done for them and what they've seen me do, it is their wedding day and there are no do-overs ect ect but they still want me to do it.

So I agreed to do it. While I'm confident in my photographic ability it is still a a little scary

. I already have a check list of things that I need to do (meet with them, go over to their house at 5pm a few days before to get an idea of the light, practice all kinds of shots at my house before hand ect ect).

My current gear should cover everything I'll need. The only thing I'm lacking is a constant aperture zoom (I have the Sigma 17-70). This may be the perfect excuse to pick up the DA* 16-50mm. If I do that I'll have the DA* on my K20 with external Flash, FA 50 1.4 on my istDS and I'll take my Canon body with 70-200 for any telephoto shots.

Anyway I just thought I'd share... I know some of you amateurs out there know what I'm talking about and for the wedding pros you are thinking "he has no idea what he's getting himself into even if it is really informal"

John

John,

I have complete faith in you. I see many of your wildlife pictures and I am in awe with your work. I have faith in you.

If you don't have the DA* 50-135mm f/2.8, I highly recommend it. I would pair up a good copy of DA* 16-50 with DA* 50-135 f/2.8. If lemon is a concern, I would pick Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 as I found the Tamron focal range to be versatile when I work with only one lens. While the 70-200mm would cover your longer need, you really need to study the location to see if the focal range is too long for the occasions. If wide angle is crucial, I think your Sigma would do fine but I would trust the Tamron 28-75 f/2.8 to be more on the sharpness and good speed.

update: I did not know that you have already shot the wedding. Great Job with the Sigma.

All the best,
Hin

08-20-2009, 11:47 AM	#32
aCIDfire Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Czech Republic Posts: 110	OK, I will not use CPL. And as for flash, so a better choice will be direct flash with this diffuser ( http://www.cliftoncameras.co.uk/uploads/products/174/mec5090.jpg ) on manual a EV compensation +- rather than using HSS? When using this diffuser (Metz Mecabounce 45-90) then a flash is automatically in 16mm mode (using 16-45/4). There is also a choice of a small bounce card inside my flash which can be pushed up but I don´t think it will be better than direct flash using outside. Last edited by aCIDfire; 08-20-2009 at 01:59 PM.

08-20-2009, 02:43 PM	#35
hinman Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Fremont, CA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,473	Originally posted by palmor So I was asked to shoot a very informal wedding of a friend of ours today. They are a couple who have been together for 25 years (both in their late 40s) and just last week decided to get married. They are having a small ceremony in their back yard (20-30 people) with a barbecue to celebrate afterward. It is going to be in 4.5 weeks on a Wednesday night (5pm). I gave the usual disclaimer explaining that I've never shot a wedding before, it is different then other photography I've done for them and what they've seen me do, it is their wedding day and there are no do-overs ect ect but they still want me to do it. So I agreed to do it. While I'm confident in my photographic ability it is still a a little scary . I already have a check list of things that I need to do (meet with them, go over to their house at 5pm a few days before to get an idea of the light, practice all kinds of shots at my house before hand ect ect). My current gear should cover everything I'll need. The only thing I'm lacking is a constant aperture zoom (I have the Sigma 17-70). This may be the perfect excuse to pick up the DA* 16-50mm. If I do that I'll have the DA* on my K20 with external Flash, FA 50 1.4 on my istDS and I'll take my Canon body with 70-200 for any telephoto shots. Anyway I just thought I'd share... I know some of you amateurs out there know what I'm talking about and for the wedding pros you are thinking "he has no idea what he's getting himself into even if it is really informal" John John, I have complete faith in you. I see many of your wildlife pictures and I am in awe with your work. I have faith in you. If you don't have the DA* 50-135mm f/2.8, I highly recommend it. I would pair up a good copy of DA* 16-50 with DA* 50-135 f/2.8. If lemon is a concern, I would pick Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 as I found the Tamron focal range to be versatile when I work with only one lens. While the 70-200mm would cover your longer need, you really need to study the location to see if the focal range is too long for the occasions. If wide angle is crucial, I think your Sigma would do fine but I would trust the Tamron 28-75 f/2.8 to be more on the sharpness and good speed. update: I did not know that you have already shot the wedding. Great Job with the Sigma. All the best, Hin Last edited by hinman; 08-20-2009 at 02:56 PM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Asked to shoot a wedding	xecutech	Photographic Technique	31	01-29-2010 10:24 AM
First Wedding Shoot	Timtast1c	Post Your Photos!	7	07-06-2009 01:52 PM
My first wedding shoot	tcdk	Post Your Photos!	7	09-08-2008 08:46 AM
wedding shoot	vincentgargano	Photographic Technique	15	05-06-2008 07:04 AM
Was Asked How to Put Together A Fashion Shoot..	benjikan	Photographic Technique	4	06-11-2007 07:31 PM

08-20-2009, 11:24 AM	#31
cwood Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: California Posts: 851	Originally posted by aCIDfire Hi, this sunday I´am going to shoot one wedding, talking about "fill flash" do you mean using HSS or what? I´am using Metz AF-58 so what setting should I use? The wedding will be in the garden at 11 am so direct sunlight Use HSS and higher ISO (200-320) to get larger flash distances? What about using circular polarizers? when shooting on direct sunlight. I know that about 12am when sun is not from the side is maybe using CPL useless or not? I will use these lenses: 16-45, 50/1.4 and K 135/2.5 for some portrait shot, don´t know if this 135 or macro 105/2.5 for those portraits. - CPL MAY lead (probably will) to bad purple fringing under those conditions - HSS will have less power than manual 1/1 power and under those conditions (when you are competing with the sun) you sometimes need a lot of power.

08-20-2009, 12:07 PM	#33
cwood Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: California Posts: 851	I don't have any metz flashes but that looks right. Most flashes have flip-down diffusers that help achieve a wide angle spread. And - Yes direct flash will be the way to go in your situation.

08-20-2009, 01:58 PM	#34
aCIDfire Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Czech Republic Posts: 110	Originally posted by kunik I don't have any metz flashes but that looks right. Most flashes have flip-down diffusers that help achieve a wide angle spread. And - Yes direct flash will be the way to go in your situation. This Metz has also flip-down diffuser (this one is clear,visible through, undulated surface) for wide angle spread as you wrote. On the other side is that Metz Mecabounce. It can be used that wide angle spread diffuser or that Mecabounce, only one of them. Not together.