Going to a Wedding

[Nerwin]

Hello everyone,

My name is Nick and live in Vermont I was one of the students from my vocational school to push my photography forward. I own a Nikon D60 with the 18-55 VR kit lens and the 55-200 VR lens to. I'm working on buying the SB-600 and the 1.4 35mm prime lens.

I would say I been doing photography for at least 5 years, but the end of 2009 is when I got a DSLR, before I was going it with a point in shoot, started out with a 4mp kodak and then moved to a Sony Cybershot DSC-H50 that had a few problems and about after a year and half and 10,000 pictures later, I now own a DSLR. I would post a link to my Flickr page but i'm not sure if I am allowed to so I am not.

Now to my question,

I'm going to a wedding today, starts at 5:30est and it's on a boat, i'm not the photographer or anything, i'm just a guest. But since it's on a boat and it's something like a sunset cruise and as long as the weather stays in good condition, i'll be able to get a shot I always wanted to get, a sunset on water. But I wanted to ask everyone what would you do, would bring your DSLR with you? If so, would you cary your camera bag around for 5 hours? Most of the time i'll be carrying my camera around with my anyways and in my camera bag I'll only have my other lens. I'm just not sure what to do. I don't want to get it stolen because I don't have lots of money and I wouldn't be able to replace it.

It's been worrying me for a few days and i'm almost thinking to not bring it, but I love doing this stuff, I just never brought my camera to a wedding, what do you guys do, just carry your camera bag around?

My other question is, what lens should I use most of the time? the 18-55 or 55-200. I thought about just bring my DSLR and 18-55 and my spare battery's and just a plastic bag just in case if it rains that way I don't have to carry my camera bag with me, but I don't know if I would need to use my 55-200, it just blues out backgrounds so well, but most of the time we will be inside.

Thanks, this is my first time going to an event like this where i'm a guest and still want to enjoying hanging out with my family, since it's my cousin getting married.

[mad editor]

Bring the camera. I always do. Just stay out of the official photographer's way.

[Nerwin]

Originally Posted by mad editor

Bring the camera. I always do. Just stay out of the official photographer's way.

Thanks, I might just my bring my camera with the 18-55 VR attached and the lens hood and my spare battery and leave the rest at home. I don't know if I will need my 55-200, i'm not doing any portraits or anything.

I don't think I'll even bring a camera bag. But i'll bring a plastic bag just in case if it rains, everything is inside though.

[JerBear]

Seems to me that the folks that invited you to their special day, intended for you to come and participate in their special day, not bring extra bags and spend your time setting up shots, changing lenses, using rain gear, etc.. And that it is on a boat usually means that it will be crowded and you would be affecting others around you.

Instead of taking advantage of their kindness, why don't you just bring the camera, no bag, no extras, and enjoy the event. If you get a chance at a shot without bothering others, go for it. Otherwise plan another day where you can pay for a ticket on a sunset bay cruise and then carry all of the stuff you want.

I did a wedding once where there were a couple of guest that tried what you are thinking. I had the captain position the yacht so that the sun would go down just off the stern and posed the B&G. While I was shooting, a couple of guest walked into the shot and started to take photos while a changed the B&G pose. I asked them to go the upper view deck and shoot there, their response, "Ok, we'll just take a couple of shots and be out of your way in a second" How rude! Not to me....the B&G! Anyone who has shot sunsets with people in them, know how challenging it can be. Not to mention that there is very short span of time to get that "Sweet spot" of light.

While I am sure you wouldn't do this, there are always those that have a sense of "Me, Me and Me".

Have a good time

JM

[Nerwin]

Thanks for your response.

I'm think i'm just going to bring my D60 with the 18-55mm lens and bring a small plastic bag to have in my pocket just in case it rains to when I get off the boat if it's raining, I wont get my camera wet.

It's a pretty big boat, almost holds 500 people, we are on he third deck which is all inside big windows Welcome Aboard The Spirit Of Ethan Allen III | Burlington, Vermont | Lake Champlain Cruise / Dining Ship thats the boat in case you wanted to see it.

But yeah, I'm just going to bring my camera with the 18-55, and spare battery just in case. Actually to tell you the truth, may not even need that spare battery.

Should be fun I hope, I never been on a boat before, it's on a lake, on a big boat hopefully it doesn't rock too much.

[oldwolf]

bring the camera. stay out of the official photographer's way. if you get some really cool shots then you could share them with the bride and groom. they would probably appreciate another reminder of their happy day.

[Nerwin]

Originally Posted by oldwolf

bring the camera. stay out of the official photographer's way. if you get some really cool shots then you could share them with the bride and groom. they would probably appreciate another reminder of their happy day.

Actually the Groom (my cousin) wanted to hire me to do all the photography, but I told him I don't have much experience at that, took a few lessons when I was in school, but I didn't have the proper gear anyways.

But I really don't want to bring my camera bag to just carry around my 55-200mm lens, so I think I will just bring the camera and the 18-55mm lens attached and maybe a spare battery. What do you think? I had good luck with my 18-55 lens.

[oldwolf]

You'll be on a boat and even though it's a big boat I wouldn't worry about the 55-200mm lens. I think your plan is sound.

[JerBear]

Even thou the boat is large, the way these events go, everyone is at the same place a lot of the times. During the ceremony, they will crowd you in to that location, during the meal you are spread out more, but then there are all of those tables and chairs, then at the dancing things loosen up a bit but depends on the dance floor.

So, the only reason you would need a telephoto lens, is to shoot something off the boat.........maybe if someone falls overboard? LOL normal to wide angle will be the lens of choice

Have a good time

JM

[Nerwin]

This is true, The only thing I could see the 55-200 good for is if there is any birds swimming in the water, but I also want to have a good time too. So I don't really need the 55-200 lens, sorry that I keep talking about it. Yep so I think the good choice is to bring my camera with the 18-55 attached.

I'm really hoping that it wont rain.

Well I guess it's time to give my camera a good cleaning. I love the Rocket Blower. I have a really nice NC filter on my 55-200, i'm going to put that on my 18-55 because the one I have on the 18-55, the lens cap don't like staying on it if it gets bumped or something.