One week to go, a few tips would be great

[FlyingKiwiGirl]

This time next week the wedding dinner will be under way and I should have hundreds of photos under my belt and be able to relax a little. I've done all the cramming I can and have read far too much information and watched a whole heap of video tutorials and while I feel relatively confident I know that nerves could be the killer on the day, especially if I let them get the better of me and I forget all I have learnt. I'm also confident that the B&G will be happy with whatever I produce, they've seen my work(such that it is) and I have told them I am by no means an expert(they weren't having any photos done at one stage)

So, I have a couple of questions. The wedding group is a large one(for NZ)- 10 adults and 5 children(3 girls & 2 boys). What is the best placing for this number when taking a formal group photo, do the girls stay on the female side of the party or can you place the boys over there and the girls on the men's side. Personally I think same sex side is best. I also thinking how the hell do I keep all of them looking and smiling at me at the same time! Any other position suggestions for the group, casual or otherwise.

If (and I'm thinking just in case all my limited knowledge deserts me in my hour of need) I have to switch my camera to aperture priority what is a good setting that will at least guarantee me some decent shots? I'm thinking F8-ish I'm just asking generally as I know there are different variables that will come into play.

I'm really worried about WB as I've had trouble correcting some shots even in RAW. I have a grey card, should I metre off that at the beginning of each different scene setting. I'm also worried about getting the bride's dress detail, can someone explain how you metre for that. I did some trial shots off a white blouse with lots of detail awhile ago and manged to expose it right in the end but it took some time, and then I'm wondering how the rest of the group or groom will look in the shot.

I have my comfy shoes, plenty of water and snacks, an assistant and the weather should be sunny and fine. I feel I should be still researching and reading but I've somehow come up against a brick wall in my mind, kinda "what will be will be". Any other tips, thanks!

[JFSanders]

I will defer to the regular wedding folks. But would like to give you some encouragement and to say, remember to breath. Stay calm, make a cheat sheet with memory jogs on it. Doesn't need to be elaborate and actually shouldn't be. For the brides dress detail I (and again I defer to the pros) would look to get soft cross light. This might mean having the setting sun on her left at 45 degrees and using fill flash from right 45 degrees through a brollie or some other diffuser.

Good luck!

Jim

[Rentham]

At this point the preparation is done. You're going to be nervous and you're going to forget most or all of the things you researched. Those things only become second nature through practice, repetition, and experience. Stop worrying about settings. There is no possible way any of us here can anticipate the variables present on the wedding day. Use your experience and judgement.

Concentrate on simplifying your approach and staying in the moment. If you're having trouble with exposure, take a step back and breathe. Think it through. In my opinion much of the time pressure a photographer feels during a wedding is self imposed. Slow things down in your mind. To steal a phrase from BigFuzzy: Slow is smooth, smooth is fast.

Pre-visualize the day, embrace the chaos, and be confident. You'll do fine.

[lunathea]

+1 to Rentham!!

Just wanted to say have fun, you'll do great!

[FlyingKiwiGirl]

Oh darn, you guys are no good! Useful tips I was looking for not ones that tell me I'll be fine. That just makes me more nervous! Maybe I'll switch to P mode, that way I can at least blame my camera...... Thanks for your confidence in me though.

[Liz Caldwell]

Would making yourself a cheat sheet make you feel better?

If you know where the wedding is going to be in advance, you can go out there and take some test shots to get an idea of the lighting around the same time of day the wedding will be at.

As for posing, traditionally the bridesmaids and groomsmen are separated by side, but that doesn't mean you can't try breaking the rules too. The kids are usually teamed up as lil boyfriend and girlfriends for the shots, but again, you CAN break the rules

[FlyingKiwiGirl]

Thanks for responding Liz, I have a cheat sheet all printed. In triple copy I have a whole heap of thumbnail "poses" printed that I can refer to if my mind goes blank. I've been to the ceremony/reception site twice this past week(and twice before too) to check sun position and layout and the formals are in the park that is just below my house so I'm very familiar with that.

Thanks for the tip re positioning, rules will probably be broken. In more ways than one.

[ccting]

FlyingKiwiGirl,

I know you'll do great! .! Gambatte.. Jiayou. Have you read this book "the best of wedding photography by Bill Hurter". This book tells you a lot about wedding, and address the questions you asked. I borrow a lot of photography books from my library and friends.

ya, i agree with Liz, you should go there as many times as you need before the event, and have some friends to shoot for lighting. But, I think having the cheat sheet is must, where it addresses the process flow, venue, camera setting, light settings and so on. You will forget most of things without cheat list, as you may be nervious..

Another thing is, communication with your clients. If i am you, i will arrange a few (3-5 times) rehearsal.for the shooting, for the whole processes. They should know the pose, when, where you will take the shots. Show them the shots before the event, to test their satisfactory level.

For me, the cheat list, should include the camera & lighting settings, composition that I have tested with acceptable satisfactory level. And your clients may have their cheat lists - that helps you capture the moment.. Giving briefing before each session..

Opps, i have forgotten to charge my speedlight AA battery, and there is no backup!!! Oh my god, i dropped my D5100 and it is no more working!.. I believe you have plan for some unexpected scenario handling. Do some requirement study (CPRE).

I don't know how practical my suggestion, just come from my brain. I don't have experience. LOL.

If I am you, I will have my tested settings ready for each process, and COMMUNICATE well with clients. I tend to forget everything when the time comes, then i refer to cheat list for everything.

Hard to relax while having fun for the first time..

noob ting
(Photography is just my hobby...beside playing with my baby).

[Niresangwa]

Originally Posted by FlyingKiwiGirl

This time next week the wedding dinner will be under way and I should have hundreds of photos under my belt and be able to relax a little. I've done all the cramming I can and have read far too much information and watched a whole heap of video tutorials and while I feel relatively confident I know that nerves could be the killer on the day, especially if I let them get the better of me and I forget all I have learnt. I'm also confident that the B&G will be happy with whatever I produce, they've seen my work(such that it is) and I have told them I am by no means an expert(they weren't having any photos done at one stage)

First of all, calm the funk down. As you've described it, this is a low pressure situation, and you're putting to much pressure on yourself. Weddings are just 8 hour portrait sessions with people in fancy clothes.

Originally Posted by FlyingKiwiGirl

So, I have a couple of questions. The wedding group is a large one(for NZ)- 10 adults and 5 children(3 girls & 2 boys). What is the best placing for this number when taking a formal group photo, do the girls stay on the female side of the party or can you place the boys over there and the girls on the men's side. Personally I think same sex side is best. I also thinking how the hell do I keep all of them looking and smiling at me at the same time! Any other position suggestions for the group, casual or otherwise.

As to where you place people, take the pressure off yourself and as you're getting ready to organise it, ask the bride what she prefers. If she wants mixed and informal, great, if she wants formal and boys-left, girls-right, also great. Lame, but great. Bottom line, let her make decisions you're not sure about.

Make sure at the least everyone's head and shoulders are in the shot. To get them all looking at you, get them positioned, raise your voice an explain they have to keep their eyes on your camera until they've seen the flash go off three times. tell them you'll count down 3-2-1. Close eyes on 3, open them on 1...short pause and shoot.

Originally Posted by FlyingKiwiGirl

If (and I'm thinking just in case all my limited knowledge deserts me in my hour of need) I have to switch my camera to aperture priority what is a good setting that will at least guarantee me some decent shots? I'm thinking F8-ish I'm just asking generally as I know there are different variables that will come into play.

This all depends on whether you have other lighting, or you're shooting strictly with available. You can bracket 2-3 shots if you're not sure.

Originally Posted by FlyingKiwiGirl

I'm really worried about WB as I've had trouble correcting some shots even in RAW. I have a grey card, should I metre off that at the beginning of each different scene setting. I'm also worried about getting the bride's dress detail, can someone explain how you metre for that.

WB is overrated.

Originally Posted by FlyingKiwiGirl

I have my comfy shoes, plenty of water and snacks, an assistant and the weather should be sunny and fine. I feel I should be still researching and reading but I've somehow come up against a brick wall in my mind, kinda "what will be will be". Any other tips, thanks!

The only research you should be doing now is looking at as many weddings as you can, getting ideas for shots and figuring out where they were when they took certain candid shots.. anticipation and 'seeing' shots you want ahead of time are the most important things. Technical stuff, if you don't know it now, you won't know it well enough to apply on the day.

Overshoot the candids during cocktail hour, reception, pre-ceremony, post ceremony.. you never have as many guest and B-reel images as you think you do. IF you're not confident, spray and pray around critical moments in the ceremony. If you're having problems, don't be embarrassed to use auto and semi auto-modes. No one judges you on that aside from people who don't know what they're talking about.