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Anonymous
su/p/.
so i've been pretty much teaching myself photography for the past 4 years, and i'm a landscape and sport photographer. but recently ive been asked to take photo's at my parents friends wedding.

i have little to no experience photographing people and no wedding photo experience, though luckily he doesn't want professional grade photo's, just one's of the guests and things like when they cut the cake, first kiss when they're married etc.

so what i want to know is, do i need anything extra for people/wedding photography? as in, type of filter, flash, flash diffuser, what type of settings i should set my camera to.

i have a canon eos 400d, and a manfrotto 055XB tripod.

tl:dr wedding photo tips, camera settings, shots/angles, things needed.
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>> Anonymous
What style does he want? What lenses do you have? What kind of photos do you want to produce (look at wedding albums and samples online for inspiration and examples).

Talk with the couple and ask what shots they really want. Remember to think of how much time it will take and be frank with them if they request silly amounts that will take hours and bore them to tears on the day.

What kind of rapport do you have with these people?

A flash and diffuser would be very useful. The only filter I'd bother with is a CPL for any time I am dealing with reflections or sunlight. A decent reflector can be handy, as can extra flashes and slaves to set them off.
>> Anonymous
>>287596
thanks for the reply.

as far as lenses, i've only got an 18-55mm and a 75-300mm so i guess i'd be using the 18-55mm most of the day.

as far as i know all they want are casual photos that aren't professional but don't look like cheap disposable camera photos taken by the drunk uncle.

they want photos at the wedding and the reception, would i be right with 2 batteries?

i dont have an external flash yet, but i am looking to invest in one. would a canon 220ex do the job? or am i better off going with a 430ex II?

as for how i know these people, i dont know them at all. so far i have never met them, but they are good friends with my parents. :S
i don't know how much i would get payed for it, but still, its a job on my resume.

thanks for the reply again.
>> Anonymous
Get the 430EX, make ABBC, put it on p-mode and concentrate on composition over anything else.
>> Anonymous
>>287605

If you're using the 18-55 then you're going to need flash. Is it the 18-55 without IS?

I'd suggest you check what times you'll be doing photography to see what kind of daylight you'll have (and try to make use of the daylight you have for any photos and don't waste it, especially in winter months!). Check when and where you can't use flash. During the ceremony itself it is usually banned. Some are strict and don't allow any photography at all, even without flash, for the vows and religious parts. That's partly why a wide aperture lens is useful. Even the super cheap 50mm 1.8 could be handy for indoor work and would give a better IQ than your 18-55 for the situations you can use it in (it's going to be quite a tight view, so naturally it isn't ideal for all your group shots or when you're out of room). It will help you when you're pushing to higher ISOs.

Scout the venue if you can to see what kind of lighting or room you'll have or where you can set people up.

If you are going to be shooting for a full day (them getting ready beforehand to the dancing late on) then I'd absolutely take more than 2 batteries if you are using pop-up flash for focus assist or flash photography. Both greatly drain the battery at a surprising speed. Especially so if you take a lot of shots (and you probably will with what you are planning). If you're not using the flash or auto focus assist from the flash then I'd still have three batteries. That way you've got two to use and one as a spare. Don't cut it too fine.

The canon 220ex is better than the pop-up flash and would have its own battery source, but it isn't ideal. The 430 would be much better as it is more powerful and can be bounced and adjusted more to suit your needs. It's a far better tool.
>> Anonymous
>>287614

Get to know these people before you do the shoot. Meet up with them and have a chat and see what the schedule is and who they want photos with. Find out if there are any elderly or ill on deaths door, etc. Everyone will want shots of the newborns and the old or sick before they pop their clogs, guaranteed (it might sound funny, but it will ring true if you think about it for yourself). If you are comfortable with the people you are shooting and they are comfortable and friendly with you then it will come across in the photos. It will also give you backing for whatever situation you are in (such as shooing people or elbowing through crowds) as you'll be friendly with the couple and/or future mother in law.

Sounds like the situations is ideal for you to get started with. You're all aware of what you're getting into and don't have any delusions, so that's good.
>> Anonymous
>>287615
>>287614
Thank you so much for the advice!
You've been a great help.

Hopefully it all goes well now :)

Thanks again.
>> Anonymous
     File :-(, x)
>> i'm a sport photographer.
>> as far as lenses, i've only got an 18-55mm and a 75-300mm
>> Anonymous
>>287917
Martin Munkacsi did just fine, and I don't think he had a 400/2 and a clean ISO 25,600 exposing ten frames a second.

Not the guy you're responding to, and I don't do sports photography, but people were doing it and doing it better than most of the shit today with stuff much worse than the 75-300 and even one of those ultra-consumer 1000 Rebels.
>> Anonymous
>>287917

lol
i dont think i know a sports photog with out a 70-200 2.8

i guess the 70-300 is fine if you always shooting in bright sun.... sure its not really "pro gear"

and by pro i mean - someone who makes money off their photos... skill has nothing to do with being a pro...
>> Anonymous
>>287917

He probably just means that is the kind he likes to do rather than that being his sole source of income. He didn't say he was a world class pro photographer, just that he was teaching himself and that is the kind of photos he usually takes.

On another tangent>>287929
is also right to some extent in that many of the old pros and amazing images from the past was made with less than many others use today and fail completely to make such stunning and well regarded images. I've seen great photographers using a P&S for some shots and still beating a hobbyist or mediocre pro because the great photographer knows what they are doing. At least the OP never made any hints of being a pro or expert that I saw.

OP, I'd suggest you check your memory card capacity too and consider buying a spare. You won't have time to sit and go through cards deleting shots to make room if you fill them up. That would be very embarrassing and panic-inducing.
>> Anonymous
>>287917
I'm pro and I only use 2 lenses on a regular basis, one happens to be a kit lens.
>> Anonymous
I'm a pro and all I use is my 321 Superzoom.