Film Friend's Wedding

IamtheWalrus

I have been asked by a friend to do some photography at his wedding. I own a Canon 650D with 18-135mm lens.

He wants me to:

Take family photo at the family house.
Film the couple entering/exiting the church.
Film guests exiting the church.

The issue is, I'm a complete newbie with this stuff and would like to get advice. Can anyone tell me if:

I'd need a tripod.
It'd be worth doing a short day course on photography.

I know it's a big task but I've agreed to do it. He's not expecting great quality, just evidence of the day.

Can anyone give me some tips on doing this?

AnimalRights

Others will give you tips but my tip is tell your friend you have thought long and hard about it and you are nowhere near ready at this stage.
Wedding photography is incredibly hard and pressurised and you don't get a 2nd chance to get the exact shots....
He should stop trying to cut corners and hire a proper photographer and if he is worried about the cost there are plenty of budget ones, tell him at best you will do the 2nd photographer duties (candid shots)

You didn't even mention what lens you have available?

IamtheWalrus

AnimalRights wrote: »

Others will give you tips but my tip is tell your friend you have thought long and hard about it and you are nowhere near ready at this stage.
Wedding photography is incredibly hard and pressurised and you don't get a 2nd chance to get the exact shots....
He should stop trying to cut corners and hire a proper photographer and if he is worried about the cost there are plenty of budget ones, tell him at best you will do the 2nd photographer duties (candid shots)

You didn't even mention what lens you have available?

Added lens.

My friend has hired a professional photographer for the pictures of the couple taken after the service. My job is just film her up/down the isle and other random family pics.

AnimalRights

Others may correct me if I am wrong but if I was ever getting married I'd hire the professional to do the 'isle' and church shots.
After the service I find by far the easiest and less pressurised.
That lens you have isn't ideal either for indoors, it probably won't be fast enough with the available light you will be working with, I don't mean to be a doom and gloom merchant but I just think you should know the pitfalls.

Prenderb

Personally I would also agree with previous advice. Tell your friend exactly that, that his photographer should do all the church photography, anything that's likely to be "important for the album" or that sort of thing. Also, it depends on your newbieness - are you just a newbie to wedding photography or a newcomer to photography generally? (apologies if you've covered this in other threads!) If the latter, I'd steer even wider. (You've asked about a day course in photography so I'm guessing you're quite new to it.)

Are you a guest at the wedding too? If so, being given the task of taking these shots might well put a lot of pressure on you to the extend that you don't get to partake as a guest!

And while he's said he doesn't want "great quality," chances are there's some level of expectation... Have you thought about how it might go if he's disappointed after you've agreed, and you've accidentally only got a silhouette of them exiting the church and missed everyone from her side?

But you want to help him out - most would want to. So, agree to do some - as an important guest - but maybe make it clear that you're not comfortable doing everything with the equipment you have, or that there are limitations to what you can do and that expectations should be realistic.

I'd say the easiest photos to take from your list would be the family at his family home, and if you're comfortable and know them well, you can spend some time there and maybe get some great candid photos of him getting ready, fixing the cravats/ties/cufflinks etc, the final chat with a parent or best man before setting off.

As to the formal entering and exiting the church of couple and guests (I take it you mean videoing) - then definitely you'll need a tripod, and lots of memory. And to be in the right place. And to be there at the right time. And to be sure about the lighting and how it will work with your camera and lens. And a backup plan for rain.

You'll want lots of memory anyway to be shooting in RAW so that if your exposure's off you have the best chance to rescue a pic. And spare batteries.

pullandbang

IamtheWalrus wrote: »

My friend has hired a professional photographer for the pictures of the couple taken after the service.

What sort of "Professional Photographer" hired to shoot a wedding, only shoots after the service? Surely the most important shots are the service itself which includes entering the church, the ceremony, ring shots etc and then leaving the church and the meet and greet.

My tip is get your friend to swap your roles - get the pro to do the church and ceremony (and get paid for it) and you do the afters for free.

Wabbit Ears

What your friend is asking is a HUGE request. Friendship destroyingly HUGE.
Obviously your friend thinks that anyone with a DSLR can just take a few snaps and a video and that's it, wedding album here we go. They don't think anything about the editing and post processing both photography and video require, not to mention the cost and correct selection of video and camera equipment and lenses.

Its bitter pill to swallow but follow the advice given, just admit youre not up to the task and decline to do it. They'll probably throw a strop. Take photos at the reception and speak to the pro photographer about taking additional shots in the church and see what they say. Honestly though, its every wedding photographers nightmare to have someone who hasn't a clue what theyre doing being in the way of important shots, Using flash and red dot meters that ruin otherwise perfect shots and generally fcuk up their job because theyre trying to 'help' when in reality doing anything but that.

Ill give you a perfect example, At a recent wedding ( we were guests) a brother in law of the bride got up and stood on by the alter with a handycam when the vows were being said as the couple had wanted this recorded. He stood right beside the priest with the camera held up. The poor photographer was dancing around trying to get a shot without him right there but it was impossible. Where your man had positioned himself he couldn't get any shots in at all. I guess the photographer didn't want to create a scene by telling your man to GTFO of his way and the moment was lost.

After the wedding the couple said that they weren't happy with the shots from the wedding. I didn't have the heart to tell them they'd actually fcuked it up themselves by letting their idiot brother in law and his stupid face do the videoing.

Don't be that guy.

AnimalRights

lol

ScumLord

Shooting in a church is pretty hard too, the light in them isn't great and can go from dark to really bright beside stained glass windows. You wouldn't want to let the camera automatically chose it's settings or you'll end up with some very dark faces.

colblimp

This is just another classic example of B&G's trying to get wedding shots 'on the cheap'! Do yourself a big favour and tell them you're simply not experienced enough to do the job.:)

IHPhoto

Tripod won't be any use, especially when you are unsure of what you are doing.
As said earlier, the lens is not fast enough if the light is low in the church for good quality images.
If you use the pop up flash, they can sometimes produce awful results by someone who doesn't know exactly what they are doing.

IHPhoto

If you do decide to go ahead with it, a good investment would be a 50mm f1.8 prime lens for about 100 euro, and just use that lens as much as possible.

Paulw

Worth watching - http://www.slrlounge.com/video-many-ways-photographer-can-ruin-wedding/

IamtheWalrus

Ok, I've taken your advice and spelled out the risks to my friend. He is well aware of this and wants me to continue. He has assured me of no ill-feeling if it goes wrong. He and his bride to be aren't bothered if it goes bad. They know they have the professional photographer for the shots and that's all they care about.

With that in mind, can you now advise me on how best to do this? What size of memory card do I need? I currently have a 32GB.

My priority is the isle video. That's all I've been asked. But, since I have my camera, I'd like to take my own stills. Should I stick to auto or do some research on manual?

Any advice is appreciated.

Paulw

IamtheWalrus wrote: »

My priority is the isle video. That's all I've been asked. But, since I have my camera, I'd like to take my own stills. Should I stick to auto or do some research on manual?

Do you know how to shoot video? I didn't until recently, and it is a massive learning curve.

Also, it is more complex to shoot video plus photos. Much better to do one right than mess both up.

IamtheWalrus

Paulw wrote: »

Do you know how to shoot video? I didn't until recently, and it is a massive learning curve.

Also, it is more complex to shoot video plus photos. Much better to do one right than mess both up.

My friend video'd me using my camera performing on stage in a dark pub and it worked out ok.

Paulw

Believe it or not, with video, it's easier to work in a dark environment than a bright one. And especially when doing a wedding, where the detail in the dress is all that matters to the bride.

Anyway, I'm only a real beginner at video, so I can't offer much advice. But, there is a lot more to consider than just shooting the video - you also need to think about the editing and production side.

humberklog

Bit odd your friend asking you to do that when they don't care what it looks like. It reminds me of bad construction foremen when things begin to get busy: they'd rather be passing out pointless jobs with hidden repercussions rather than concentrating on their job properly.

But if you want to do it I would think your first port of call would be the church at a queit time and spend a few hours with your camera figuring out the enviroment and your technology and your abilities way before the big day.

IamtheWalrus

Is a 32Gb card big enough to take a few stills and a 5 minute video?

Paulw

IamtheWalrus wrote: »

Is a 32Gb card big enough to take a few stills and a 5 minute video?

Yeah, it should be.

steoc

LWTF come on is this a piss take......

Prenderb

IamtheWalrus wrote: »

Is a 32Gb card big enough to take a few stills and a 5 minute video?

Should be, but bring a spare if you want to be covered!

If you haven't moved off "auto" yet, make sure that you understand what the various settings (aperture and shutter speed) do for you and play around with them before you make your mind up. How long have you got before this wedding?

Follow Humberklog's advice and spend some time in there getting your head around how it works (stills and video!) and see if you really want to tackle it.

IamtheWalrus

Prenderb wrote: »

Should be, but bring a spare if you want to be covered!

If you haven't moved off "auto" yet, make sure that you understand what the various settings (aperture and shutter speed) do for you and play around with them before you make your mind up. How long have you got before this wedding?

Follow Humberklog's advice and spend some time in there getting your head around how it works (stills and video!) and see if you really want to tackle it.

The wedding is this weekend. I have been playing around with manual and now understand aperture and shutter speed. I also made a small video. I'll visit the church on Sunday morning before the wedding to familiarise myself with the place.

goldiejam

Give em a call and explain that you have just dropped your camera and it is inoperable.
Show up, enjoy the wedding.

challengemaster

AnimalRights wrote: »

Wedding photography is incredibly hard and pressurised and you don't get a 2nd chance to get the exact shots....

People always say this, but having recently shot one (relative, didn't really have a choice) - I actually don't think there are enough words to truly express the stress of shooting a wedding. Particularly for the first time.

fixXxer

I hope this isn't considered a hi-jack but I'e had a similar request, except the wedding is tomorrow. The 1st and 2nd choice photographers have pulled out for whatever reasons.

I have a Nikon D3300 and kit 18-55mm DX VRII a 35mm DX and a 55-300mm DX. I've explained that while I do take pictures, I've never done anything like weddings before. The 55-300 is obviously out but I onder which would be better, the 35mm DX or the 18-55mm DX VRII. The 35mm has 1.8 aperture in its favour, but the 18-55mm has a little more flexibility.

They are trying hard to get a professional replacement in, but as a very last resort, I would like to be able to help them if I can.

IamtheWalrus

I went to a church today and took a video of a friend going up the isle. I stood at the top of the isle and videod. It came out ok. Can anyone advise me about:

1. best place to stand - if I stand at the top row seat, and edge myself slightly out, will other people follow suit and block me?

2. Do I need a spare battery?

Paulw

IamtheWalrus wrote: »

I went to a church today and took a video of a friend going up the isle. I stood at the top of the isle and videod. It came out ok. Can anyone advise me about:

1. best place to stand - if I stand at the top row seat, and edge myself slightly out, will other people follow suit and block me?

2. Do I need a spare battery?

Aren't the first few rows in the church reserved for the bestman/bridesmaids, and the direct family members?

Yeah, of course everyone is going to also try to edge out to get their own photos/video of the bride coming in. Everyone does it. :eek:

You need to be where ever you can get the best angle, that you are allowed to go, and are not hindering anyone else. That will depend on the church, the priest, the couple, the family and other circumstances.

As for a spare battery - I'd prefer to have more batteries and not need to use them, than to run out of power half way through an event. But, that's just me.

IamtheWalrus

Paulw wrote: »

As for a spare battery - I'd prefer to have more batteries and not need to use them, than to run out of power half way through an event. But, that's just me.

Where is the best place to get a battery? What prices are we talking here?

challengemaster

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=Buy+Canon+650d+battery

ScumLord

fixxxer wrote: »

The 55-300 is obviously out

I wouldn't say that, any wedding photographer I've seen usually has two cameras and one has a long lens. It would allow you to stay out of the way while still getting some intimate pictures. You don't need to be standing in front of them posing to get good photos.

sdevine89

Most of this thread is a pisstake right? Clearly not fixxxxer but the other parts can't be true.

Paulw

I look forward to seeing the video that the OP produces.

IamtheWalrus

I took pictures of the family on the morning of the wedding. I then video'd the couple coming up the isle, some parts of the service and the couple coming down the isle. I then video'd and took pictures of the reception. The couple haven't see anything yet but the family have and they were impressed. It all went very well. I was a bit nervous but was fine when the first isle part was a success.

Thanks for all your help.

sdevine89

IamtheWalrus wrote: »

I took pictures of the family on the morning of the wedding. I then video'd the couple coming up the isle, some parts of the service and the couple coming down the isle. I then video'd and took pictures of the reception. The couple haven't see anything yet but the family have and they were impressed. It all went very well. I was a bit nervous but was fine when the first isle part was a success.

Thanks for all your help.

Great, any chance of a look at a few sample shots?

IamtheWalrus

sdevine89 wrote: »

Great, any chance of a look at a few sample shots?

mm, might be a bit weird posting pics of my family online... why do you want to see them?

Paulw

IamtheWalrus wrote: »

why do you want to see them?

Probably for technical comment and critique of the photos (not of the people in the photos).

sdevine89

Paulw wrote: »

Probably for technical comment and critique of the photos (not of the people in the photos).

Exactly given how hard and stressful weddings are to shoot it's always helpful to see how other photographers are approaching it.

beyondbelief67

IamtheWalrus wrote: »

mm, might be a bit weird posting pics of my family online... why do you want to see them?

I must be confused ? I thought it was your friends wedding, not your family ?

ScumLord

beyondbelief67 wrote: »

I must be confused ? I thought it was your friends wedding, not your family ?

Weddings over I guess their family now.

dinneenp

don't know if it's been mentioned already but if you're filming it the audio will be pure crap if you're using a normal Dslr.
kelby training do a good video course on how to shoot wedding , a google search will find it handy enough. some savage courses on lynda.com too

You shouldn't get them a present on top of this; as people mentioned it's a BIG ask and you can't relax (or drink) until you're done. And you'll probably be shattered by then.

Regarding photographing it- there's a few threads on boards about it and online
This is advice I gave someone a while back (I copied and pasted so all doesn't apply to you)
Talk to the couple, ask them what kind of photos they want (casual, formal, groups of people, what are the most important shots to have, what are the most important group photos).
Get the most important group photos before ye leave the church (or outside it, better light) because later on it can be hard to get all the people together.
Before and after the ceremony is good chance to get casual/candid people photos.
Are ye going somewhere afterwards to get photos of the couple. What if it rains, do you have a backup location?
Agree on a cut off time- after church, before meal etc.

Visit the locations beforehand and take some sample shots to determine how bright/dark it will be. Try to figure out what’s the slowest shutter speed you can work with.
Figure out where you’re going to stand during the ceremony, so you can get shots of the couple, crowd etc. Ask the priest if you can move around during the ceremony, if he says yes they don’t feel shy to move around.
If they have a mass booklet ask them for one beforehand so you know how long the ceremony will be, what’s happening. During a quiet bit go to the back of the church and get some photos up the aisle of the couple etc.
Use continuous burst for people walking up the aisle & the kiss.
Do a google search ‘wedding location & wedding photography’, presuming that there’s photos available from other photographers who have shot there you might get some good ideas. (I copied the photo of bride leaning against church wall in B&W and Aula Mixima sign at an angle from a photographer I know; he didn’t mind).
Don’t forget you’re the photographer so, to some extent, you can control stuff. E.g. after the ceremony you can tell family, bridesmaids etc. to stand at alter for group shots.
Make a list of shots to get- e.g. rings on table, what people, her flowers etc. easy to glance at.
Know who the bridesmaids and best man are- in case you can’t find someone for a photo you can ask them to help.

Equipment:
Have a spare battery. You can buy cheap ones online, doesn’t have to be official Nikon.
I shot without flash and it worked ok. Flash is very helpful for low light but there’s a steep learning curve to a flash, mightn’t be allowed to use it in the church.
Know what’s the highest ISO you can use before the grain gets too bad. If you do have shots a bit grains convert them to B&W, sometimes you can ‘get away with it’.
If you have any friends who own a Nikon borrow it from them. I used two bodies, much better than having to change lenses.
I had a 17-50 f2.8 lens, which was good for in the church and at the reception, a 30mm f1.4 lens which was great for 1 reception where the light was very bad. Also a 100mm f2.8, great for the reception as I could get portraits from a distance. I also have a 70-200 f2.8 (expensive, very big and heavy but good zoom. I didn’t use this much at all).
Wear comfortable clothes, bring a light jacket/windsheeter in case weather is bad.

Bring a bottle of water with you; you’ll probably be nervous and thirsty. Make sure you’ve eaten beforehand cos it’s a long day.

I brought my tablet and backed up the photos when it was quiet & used new memory cards just to be safe.

Captain Flaps

dinneenp wrote: »

words

That's all fantastic advice, but a bit late! The wedding was last weekend :P