A few specific questions about wedding photography

[wsu_danielle]

I checked the sticky and it had a lot of great advice (like this whole darn site and forum!) but I still have a couple of questions. I'm hoping some of you gurus out there can give me some help...?

I am shooting at the wedding of a family member at the end of August. I have been practicing LOTS with portraits for the last year and feel comfortable doing their wedding as my first where I am not a second shooter or as a guest that just happened to get good shots. The week before I am going as a second shooter with a very experienced local photographer that has a similar style to mine. Hopefully I will get even more good tips.

I do have some questions though. I have a limited budget so I have only my camera (Nikon D60) and the lens it came with plus an additional I purchased. They are Nikkor VR lenses 18-55 and 55-200. I am planning to get a Nikon Speedlight SB600 and a back up battery. (Since it's my family and a backyard wedding I can charge the other inside if/when necessary.) After reading about the "raccoon eyes" I am also thinking about getting a reflector of some sort. After all that I will not have money to buy a special lens like the 50's w/ f 1.4 or 1.8 I have been reading about. Do you think that I will be able to still get good photos with the lenses I have?

Also, should I shoot some in manual and some in auto focus just in case my manual shots don't turn out well? I feel like my camera does a good job with auto focus and I have read articles about how cameras like mine are maybe not as good with manual focus as more advanced ones. I feel like my skills in manual are good but of course this is my first wedding and I want to capture everything well!

Another question. I have not shot in RAW yet but I plan to do a lot of practice with that before the wedding. How do I convert files to jpeg to post on the web, for example? Can I do many at once or do I have to do each individually in post production? I use Photoshop Elements 7.0. Ideally I would like to watermark all of the good images, put them on a share site like Snapfish, and let the couple choose some (up to 20) photos they would like edited in addition to the ones I'm already doing. (Not conventional, I know, but it's family so I don't mind. Plus they're paying me well so I want to please them!)

How many photos can you get on a card if you're shooting in RAW? I have two 4 GB and one 8 GB cards. Will this be sufficient?

Thanks in advance for any help you can provide. I am loving this site and all the things I have learned so far have been worth their weight in gold.

[aribabybug]

Yes, you can still get good photos with the lenses you have. Especially since the wedding will be outside and you won't have to worry so much about not having enough light.

You can take some in manual focus and some in auto if you want. I generally shoot almost everything in auto focus at a wedding because things happen so quickly that I don't have time to worry about focusing. (I tend to shoot in Aperture Priority for the same reason). The biggest problem that I have with focus at weddings is that you tend to be taking pictures of bigger groups at weddings, and sometimes I forget to take that into account when setting my aperture (especially since I'm usually fighting to get my shutter speed high enough to avoid camera shake in the low light). You need to watch your aperture so that you don't take 20 pictures with half of a group in focus and the the other half out of focus. I've done it, and it stinks.

As far as converting from RAW to .jpg, I'm not sure. I've only shot one wedding in RAW myself (I've shot about 10 weddings), because I don't have the appropriate editing software to take advantage of RAW. I do know that Picasa, while it doesn't like handling RAW images and runs pretty slowly when dealing with them, automatically converts images from RAW to .jpg when you save them. If you can't find a better way to convert them (and I'm sure there are tons) then you can always try that.

Also, you SHOULD have plenty of memory. I can fit about 230 RAW images on a 4gb card, and I usually take 800-1000 images at a wedding. If you're really worried about space, though, you can always stash your laptop in the house and designate someone to pull images off of a card onto the laptop, or in really dire need you can switch to .jpg to milk as many pictures out of the remaining space as possible.

A few other tips that you might have picked up elsewhere but are worth repeating:

-Be careful to take equal amounts of pictures of everyone at the wedding. I find that if I know some people at the wedding, I tend to take more pictures of them than the people I don't know. If I'm not paying close attention, I also tend to take more pictures of the bride than the groom, and more pictures of attractive/photogenic people than otherwise.

-Don't forget the details. You might find a comprehensive shot list online (they're all over, just google them) and read over it before the wedding. It's easy for someone who hasn't shot a lot of weddings to miss out on things like pictures of the flowers, escort cards, getaway car, etc.

-Eat and drink something. Often I forget to do this, and I'm shaky and feeling sick by the end of the day.



Good luck! (Also, my uncle-in-law Bill Cook runs a photography business in Yakima. I've never actually met him, but you might look him up if you have questions or want to second shoot with someone. If he's as nice as the rest of my husband's uncles, he'll be glad to help.)

[LeeR]

You have no business doing anything at a wedding that you couldn't do in your sleep. If your manual shots aren't coming out right, don't do it. There is no shame in shooting full auto. The same goes for shooting RAW. If you don't have it mastered, shoot jpeg; lots of people who get paid good money shoot nothing but jpeg. It's also not a great time to be learning to use a speedlight. I would suggest getting the flash as soon as possible so you have some time to develop some proficiency. Weddings are about capturing the people and emotions that make up the day; timing is critical. If you have to wait even a fraction of a second to figure an exposure value, you'll miss your opportunity. Your clients, even if they are family, deserve better.

[candleman]

well.. i'm not going to tell you "dont do it", but i think you're gonna get a big surprise when you shoot your first wedding.

being family.. i'm sure they know your skill level. and so long as you make it clear that you cant deliver professional results.. then it shoud be ok if they have their expectations set appropriatley.

Originally Posted by wsu_danielle

I do have some questions though. I have a limited budget so I have only my camera (Nikon D60) and the lens it came with plus an additional I purchased. They are Nikkor VR lenses 18-55 and 55-200. I am planning to get a Nikon Speedlight SB600 and a back up battery. (Since it's my family and a backyard wedding I can charge the other inside if/when necessary.) After reading about the "raccoon eyes" I am also thinking about getting a reflector of some sort. After all that I will not have money to buy a special lens like the 50's w/ f 1.4 or 1.8 I have been reading about. Do you think that I will be able to still get good photos with the lenses I have?

The SB600 and spare battery is a good idea... when you get it.... go to planet neil to learn how to reduce “racoon eyes” in direct sunlight using the flash
I wouldn’t readily jump at using a reflector during the ceremony.. for formals and portraits, sure.

but yes.. your lenses are fine if you're shooting outdoors.

Originally Posted by wsu_danielle

Also, should I shoot some in manual and some in auto focus just in case my manual shots don't turn out well? I feel like my camera does a good job with auto focus and I have read articles about how cameras like mine are maybe not as good with manual focus as more advanced ones. I feel like my skills in manual are good but of course this is my first wedding and I want to capture everything well!

Stick to autofocus... theres no way i would shoot manual focus at a wedding.. theres no reason for it. Theres soooo much happening, and its happening too fast to waste time with that.
I think you’ll struggle to find a professional that doesn’t use AF... they will all say “use autofocus unless its too dark to get a focus”
I’d encourage you to use single point AF.. not “Auto Area” ...you need to choose what it focuses on.

As for shooting
Put your camera in Manual Mode or at LEAST Aperture priority and if you don’t already..... learn how to use your metering modes.. Spot, CentreWeighted , Marix

Originally Posted by wsu_danielle

How do I convert files to jpeg to post on the web,

Double click on the .NEF (raw) file.... make the appropriate adjustments with the sliders... click “open” then it will create a full resolution jpeg in your photoshop editor mode.... from there save a copy.
Youtube is your friend

Originally Posted by wsu_danielle

I do many at once or do I have to do each individually in post production? I use Photoshop Elements 7.0

I’d sugest jpeg+raw, and only use the RAW file if the jpeg is unusable.

You can batch process RAW files From the Organiser.. select the RAW files you want to batch process, right click, and select the one thats roughly says “process”.
Make adjustments to either the entire group. ...click OPEN
Youtube it....

Originally Posted by wsu_danielle

How many photos can you get on a card if you're shooting in RAW? [/B]I have two 4 GB and one 8 GB cards. Will this be sufficient?

Hmmm... dunno
Last Saturdays Wedding, i used 18Gb and got about 850 images at JPEG + Raw and another 300 at jpeg only. I'm handing over around 380 of them.

I shot jpeg+raw.. and use the jpegs. Only IF I need serious work done to an image then I use the RAW.
I know a full time Pro that confessed to me that she seldom shoots RAW....... but she’s probably better at nailing the shot than many of us
Your D60 may not be fast enough to shoot jpeg+RAW at a pace that can keep up with a wedding.

but... i wish you all the best.

[BigVinnie]

Shooting a wedding in manual focus with a DSLR would be a nightmare. Viewfinders are tiny and requires concentration that would distract from concentrating on composition.

If at all possible shoot raw+jpg, even if you don't plan on using the raw files. This is for a family member so you will have ongoing contact with them. Down the road as your skill on the post side improves you may want to go back and revisit the images. Having those raw files available will allow you more flexibility.

Get two more 4gb cards and pick up a small dry erase board. When you change cards first shot needs to be of the dry erase board with the wedding party name and date and your name and cell phone number. Seems like a PITA and trivial, but loosing a memory card is every wedding shooters nightmare. I recommend using multiple small cards as opposed to one really big one. I learned my lesson with long roll film.

Remember, if you are smiling and having fun the people in your photos will smile back.

One last thought. Get an assistant. Kid, spouse, friend, anyone. They need to carry spare batteries, memory cards, slate etc... They can also act as go-fer, people herder and most importantly a second set of eyes. I've always relied on one to help spot clothing issues, glances away, blinks and all the other things that can ruin a shot.

[wsu_danielle]

Thanks for all the advice and help everyone!!!! I am going to print this all out and take it with.

[kencaleno]

Originally Posted by candleman

Stick to autofocus... theres no way i would shoot manual focus at a wedding.. theres no reason for it. Theres soooo much happening, and its happening too fast to waste time with that.
I.

Here's a reason for shooting manual at a weddingfrom planet niel)

Ambient light, without flash

The reason why I strongly suggest shooting in manual exposure mode 99% of the time, is that for a specific outdoor scenario, the lighting normally doesn’t vary much. And by determining proper exposure, your photos will look consistent in a sequence of photos,
- regardless of composition, and
- regardless of how wide or tight you’re zooming, and
- regardless of the reflectivity of your subject matter (eg, lots of bright tones), and
- regardless of whether you have bright sky in a wide shot, or not, with a tighter composition.



If under the same even light and within the same setting, you’re shooting vertical and horisontal and wide and tight and from a high viewpoint and a low viewpoint … your exposures will vary unless you’re shooting in manual.(They will look as if they were taken on different days)-( My comment.) It’s the ONLY way if you want to get consistent exposures.

With this consistency in exposure, your digital workflow will be much easier.
Even more so if you shoot in raw.

[candleman]

Originally Posted by kencaleno

Here's a reason for shooting manual at a weddingfrom planet niel)

Ambient light, without flash

The reason why I strongly suggest shooting in manual exposure mode 99% of the time, is that for a specific outdoor scenario, the lighting normally doesn’t vary much. And by determining proper exposure, your photos will look consistent in a sequence of photos,
- regardless of composition, and
- regardless of how wide or tight you’re zooming, and
- regardless of the reflectivity of your subject matter (eg, lots of bright tones), and
- regardless of whether you have bright sky in a wide shot, or not, with a tighter composition.



If under the same even light and within the same setting, you’re shooting vertical and horisontal and wide and tight and from a high viewpoint and a low viewpoint … your exposures will vary unless you’re shooting in manual.(They will look as if they were taken on different days)-( My comment.) It’s the ONLY way if you want to get consistent exposures.

With this consistency in exposure, your digital workflow will be much easier.
Even more so if you shoot in raw.

thats what i said... if you read it properly.

i said dont use manual FOCUS ..... i personally use manual exposure 99% of the time and recommend others do too.

[kirbinster]

You might want to consider renting a Nikon 24-70 f/2.8 AF-S lens, its not that much money to rent and should help you out quite a bit.