You notice my title says options, not rules! Options are learned from doing something and adding to your needs according to experiences at the time. Rules are just that, a rule, maybe something such as the rule of thirds. As just like most photography, wedding photography chances all the time, venue, times of the year, and the weather just to name a few! The op[tions we're going to talk about today are related to shooting the wedding. Next time we'll be talking about post-production. So here we go!
1. Three cameras: Are you going to shoot with three, more than likely not!. But you want the third as a backup, in case one body goes down. I always shoot with at least two cameras! 2. MEDIUM ZOOM LENS: I use a 24-85 f3.5 Nikon as my medium zoom and the lens that is on my camera most of the time. This focal length is great for wedding portraits and photojournalism, offering both wide and tight perspectives. The pretty wide aperture gives me some flexibility in spaces that aren’t very well lit. Another great choice would be a 24-70 F2.8. Which will be a lens in my future. TELEPHOTO LENS You will need a longer lens to capture events from a distance, in particular, the ceremony. I like to stand toward the back or sides of a ceremony as to not be blocking anyone’s view and taking photos from a distance with my 70-200mm f2.8. Allowing both a close-up and full length shot down the aisle. I also use this lens for close-ups of the first dance. WIDE ANGLE LENS AND PRIME LENSES These are not as essential for a wedding, but are certainly nice to have. The wide angle can get you shots of architectural details or big groups. The prime lens can allow you to shoot in dark spaces and give you dreamy depth of field. One of my favs is an 85mm f.2.8. SPEEDLIGHTS and FLASH DIFFUSER Using an external flash can be a lifesaver when you need to get a shot that is just too dark to get otherwise. If I can I rather not use a flash, cameras with great high ISO performance greatly help with that. But sometimes I have to use Speedlight photography techniques for nighttime weddings and dark churches. The alternative is dark or grainy images. I like to bring a Gary Fong Lightsphere to put on top of my flash. It helps to diffuse the light and make for better portraits on the fly when you don’t have time to set up lights. TRIPOD AND LIGHT STANDS A good tripod will get you out of a pinch if you are low on light and just need a little more stability. It’s also helpful if you are working in very low light or compositing images together. The light stands are helpful to place your speedlights, say on a dance floor and allow you to adjust the placement of the lights. Shoot-through umbrellas are also helpful to have with the lightstands and speedlights for portrait work. CAMERA BAG You will need something to put all your gear in. Make sure it’s big enough and comfortable enough to haul around with you as you’re moving throughout the day. I like models by ThinkTank, but their are many options out there! MEMORY CARDS AND BATTERIES Always bring more cards and batteries than you think you need. I will shoot a few cards full of images for a wedding. And I prefer cameras with two slots for cards as I set it up that one backs up to the other, just in case a card were to fail! and go through two sets of batteries per camera and per speedlight. Make sure the batteries are all charged up in advance. Small lightweight folding ladders Allows you to get a different perspective og the couple amnd wedding guests. Oh, one last thing! If you've not had a chance to check it out. The same software I use "Aurora HDR" just released the 2018 version. Save $10.00 by following the link below! Your Aurora HDR 2018 text link: http://macphun.evyy.net/c/418593/402688/3255 Till Then Happy Clicking Till Next Time! Happy Clicking Lance
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Wow, what a whirlwind last few weeks. Last month I had a great opportunity to shoot a good friend of mine wedding. Being Indian, much of her culture, traditions, and style were shared with me through their journey to marriage. Nothing can be more rewarding or maybe even a bit terrifying than shooting a wedding! Afterall you're talking about one of the biggest days in a couple life that you are basically a photojournalist of!
Second I was asked as my a friend to be a last minute second shooter for another wedding. I thought wow, what a great opportunity to watch someone else showing their style, passion and understanding the needs of the couple to make it special! So here are some learns! 1. Listen, to who? The couple, the person your shooting with, a family member of the couple. You're going to gain great insights and thoughts as to things they want. For sure you're going to scout it out and check options. But always make sure you are taking them into account! And mingle, don't wait for it to happen, sometimes you will ask for a shot. 2. Get the shot! Sounds simple right? Well, what I mean is some folks get so caught up in the details they miss the special moment going on around them. It the same principle I use is all my shooting, get the shot first! Keep your eyes moving around the crowd and couple for those special times! 3. Pack what you need. Sound easy right lol! But we as photographers tend to get in involved with your choices. My following suggestions to start would include two good cameras with high ISO options. At least two to three lenses of F2.8 or less, allot of times at receptions lighting is not good. A couple flashes, tripod and maybe a small step stool to get shots with a slightly different angle. Ho yes and lots of cards! Note I prefer cameras with at least two card slots. The reason is I set it up for one to copy the other, just in case one card fails. Well, I leave you with that for now, and some pictures from the wedding. Next time a little more in-depth about gear options. Ho, one last thing! If you've not had a chance to check it out. The same software I use "Aurora HDR" just released the 2018 version. Save $10.00 by following the link below! Your Aurora HDR 2018 text link: http://macphun.evyy.net/c/418593/402688/3255 Till Then Happy Clicking Lance The great folks at MacPhun Software have released the new version of there awesome their Editing software Aurora HDR! This software was co-developed with award-winning HDR Photographer Trey Ratcliff. This software is available for both Mac and PC and can work as a stand-alone application as well as a plugin to Lightroom or Photoshop. Lots of interesting stuff this week, here's a few highlights!
Most times in the field you will see me handholding my cameras. But like anything else, there is going to be those times when you don't want any shake during an long exposure. Dangling your camera over a railing of edge to grab an interesting perspective? Or capturing a moving subject with a mount that allows swiveling to follow the action. For those and much more there is a tripod/monopod to help! So let's review whats out there: -Bendable Support, These props articulate legs that wrap around objects. This allows much greater flexibility than standard tripods. -Tripod These invaluable three legged necessary steadies the camera and large lenses so you can capture a sharp image. They come at many price points, suggesting would be to take into account your camera and lens weight for options. -Tabletop Tripod A mini version of the classic above. It sits low to the ground and adds light, portable support. -Monopods are excellent when shooting in areas that you could use a tripod but just don't have the room. Next time we'll talk about ball heads for your tripods. Author By Lance W. Lemkewww.imagesbylemke.org Build yourself a study, lightweight V-card reflector out of white form core that you can pick up at art-supply stores.
Lash together two sheets, both about ½ inch in thickness, at one edge with horizontal strips of strong duct tape. (Cut the sheets tall or short depending on the size of intended subject.) This tool can do it all. Use it to narrow or broaden light depending on how wide or narrow you open it. Or control your contrast by moving your light source towards or away the apex of the V. When not using, simply close it like a book to store! Also if your looking to Print off any amount of items soon, you may want to consider a great printing Partner AdoramaPix. Free shipping on orders of 49.00 or more! <a href="http://www.dpbolvw.net/click-8305501-12868919">Free Shipping on All AdoramaPix Orders $49+</a> <img src="http://www.ftjcfx.com/image-8305501-12868919" width="1" height="1" border="0"/> Well as we all know there are many fine cameras to choose from on the market. Be it Sony, Nikon, Canon, Fuji just to mention a few. But I would love to give a should out to the Camera company I work with quite a bit, Nikon! Today they are celebrating being 10 years old. Nikon has a Website celebrating in many ways including this video! http://www.nikon.com/100th/anniversarymovie I know its off topic, but I currently have three guitars, I don't play enough for three. So selling off two, currently on craigslist. But feel free to contact me if interested. They are the following:
https://milwaukee.craigslist.org/msg/6192079429.html https://milwaukee.craigslist.org/msg/6192100182.html |
AuthorI'm a photographer who loves animal photography. Trying to capture that perfect moment is a passion of mine. Archives
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