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Photography Forums
peachy16
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Date Posted:
Jun/29/2010 7:28 PM
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I was asked to take my cousins wedding pictures, and in exchange, my uncle will but me some equipment to use as payment. I have a limited amount of equipment right now: a Canon xsi with an 18-55mm lens and a 70-300 mm lens as well as a fisheye lens, and a tripod. I have done some senior pictures for a few people and never really needed anything else. Does anyone have any suggestions on some things I may need (or that would be helpful) to take better wedding pictures?
Thanks!
-kk
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E.
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Date Posted:
Jun/29/2010 9:57 PM
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Yeah, not what you want to hear, but if you've never done a wedding don't do it this way. Family can be a pain in the butt when it comes to this. If you can't deliver what they are expecting they will be ticked at you until the cows come home. Even if they are not expecting much it can still go sour fast when you've not done it before.
That said, your fisheye will not be of use. People want to see the people in the photo. Sure you could do a couple of creative things with it, but in general it wouldn't get much use.
If that 18-55 is the kit lens it's a bit limiting, especially if you can't use flash in the ceremony location. the 70-300 will depend on what it is. Most likely you'd still need something on the wider end - the 24-70 or so range.
You'd also need a good flash that you can take off camera. There's no what the little pop up on the camera will do anything close to what you need.
So, a good flash - 500 bucks or so, a way to fire it remotely - 200 bucks or so, a good lens in the 18-70 range - close 500 to 1 grand or more.
Oh.... you'll need extra batteries, for the camera and flash, a backup body in case yours goes bad in the heat of the battle. A extra lens comes in handy too.
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kennymc
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Date Posted:
Jun/30/2010 1:44 AM
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Canon 24-70 f/2.8 is the main lens used by Canon wedding photographers and you will need at least a 430EX MkII flash... I see E's on the ball again with good advice...
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photolady
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Date Posted:
Jun/30/2010 10:34 AM
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E and Kenny have given you good advice.
This is your first wedding? Senior pics are a lot different than a wedding. I don't think any of your equipment is up to the task. What happens if the officiant doesn't allow flash during the ceremony? The highest ISO on the XSi is 1600. The largest aperture on the 18-55 lens if f/3.5. I have my doubts that that is going to be a successful combination. Flash - you really need a flash other than the onboard flash that is built into the camera. Backup gear - you really need it, just in case something happens.
If you decide to do this wedding, be sure to check out the venue before the wedding and fire off some test shots around the time of day that the wedding will take place with the lighting set to what it will be for the wedding. This will give you a good idea of what your equipment can do under the circumstances.
Now, that being said, good luck and let us know how it goes.
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Alice
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Spyder
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Date Posted:
Jun/30/2010 12:17 PM
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Hey, been awhile since I've been on, but I'll toss my 2 pennies in here.
If this is your first wedding........ take a LOT of Advil, and be prepared to drink heavily after it's over. E., Kenny and Alice have given great advice. I use a 28-105mm 2.8 for general pics, and a 50mm 1.7 for portraits and low light situations, (church, dark reception halls, etc.) If it's outdoors, which a lot have been, I also use a 75-300mm 3.5. I carry 2 bodies, 4 flash units, 3 different types of diffusers, (Sto-Fen, Fong, mini-softbox) and a bounce card. Sometimes I still feel naked or I don't have enough. With Mr Murphy hanging around, you just never know! Being your first, you cannot STUDY enough. Posing, a feel for the Right shot, (timing) etc is of the utmost importance. The action is fast, furious, and very hectic. Meeting with the couple or planner to get a feel for the schedule of how the day is supposed to go is very, very, helpful. No feeling in the world like standing in a corner, taking a drink, or changing cards, and look up to see the bouquet arcing through the air, And YOU missed it. And like E. alluded to....... batteries. If you think you have enough...... get more! Also like Alice said, check out the venue, take some test shots. Going to the rehearsal is a good thing. Almost 90% of the time the Minister/Priest/Rabbi won't allow flash during the ceremony indoors. Get a member of the family to coordinate with you to keep important people you need around the area for the family, group, formal pics. Make or download a checklist of all the shots that are standard and important. My list is constantly evolving.
Hope this helps, Good Luck, and did I mention ADVIL?
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Spyder
"Where are we going, and why am I in this basket??"
www.starphotography.org
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peachy16
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Date Posted:
Jul/01/2010 10:25 AM
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Thanks for all the advice! I haven't decided yet if I am going to do it or not, for many of the same reasons you have listed and more. I was just looking for some ideas of what I might need to take on a project that big. I appreciate it all!
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swanseamale47
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Date Posted:
Jul/01/2010 11:53 AM
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While the 24-70 is a good lens, on your crop sensor camera you could be struggling with bigger groups or in confined spaces for a wide shot, the 17-55 efs 2.8 might be a better bet with your camera.
That said my best advice is get out of it if you can, if you mess it up not only will you have a load of grief from the family but you stand a fair chance of being sued these days.
Theres a lot more to wedding photography than just taking pictures, thats the easiest part of it, plus you won't enjoy the wedding if your working, and it is a family wedding so why shouldn't you have a drink and chill out too?
Try and get some experience as a second shooter first, that way at least you'll know what to expect.
Wayne
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