|
|
Maybe the bridal
couple has seen your work and were so impressed you were their first choice
for a photographer. Or perhaps they just can't afford the substantial cost
of a professional photographer. Whatever the reason, preparation is the key
to good wedding photos. If this is the first time you've shot a wedding, we
have some tips to help you produce great photos.
Equipment
Wedding photography doesn't require really sophisticated and
costly equipment, but your gear must be reliable and you have to be thoroughly
familiar with its operation. A 35mm SLR with a 50mm or a mid-range zoom lens
(such as a 35-80mm or a 28-80mm) will handle most situations. A longer lens
will be great for shooting some available light shots from the back of the
church during the ceremony. A good, powerful flash is critical, since the
majority of your shots will require flash. Small flashes that are close to
the lens often cause red-eye plus they lack the strength that is needed when
shooting in a large open area. So make sure your flash is up to the task.
Adequate light for the formal group shots is important, since the light level
must be consistent over the entire area where people will be posed. Some photographers
use a single large flash with wide coverage mounted on a bracket above the
camera. Others use two flashes, perhaps AC-powered units, mounted on stands,
aimed slightly towards the outer edges of the posing area so the coverage
will be even. If this type of lighting is new to you, set up your equipment
and shoot some test film several weeks before the wedding to make sure you
have the equipment you need and confidence in your techniques. Be sure to
have extra batteries for your camera and have several extra sets for the flash,
since you will need to change once the flash starts to recycle slowly. If
possible, have a backup camera and flash in case of equipment failure. (Perhaps
you can borrow a friend's outfit for the day.)
Film
In most cases, ISO 400 color print film is best for wedding
photography. The high speed provides greater flash range and more depth of
field than slower film, both of which help to avoid common problems in wedding
photos. While general-use films are adequate, you may want to consider "professional"
films such as Kodak Portra 400NC or Fujicolor 400 Professional. These films
are designed to provide very accurate skin tone reproduction and medium contrast,
instead of the more saturated colors and higher contrast of amateur films.
|
|
|
|
What
To Shoot and When
With the assistance of the bridal couple, draw up a list of
pictures desired. Most pictures are taken as the event progresses. Formal
posed shots of the bride, the couple, family groups and attendants may be
taken either before or after the ceremony. It's a good idea to go to the rehearsal.
It will give you a chance to look over the church and scout out potential
backgrounds if you're not familiar with it. Porter's sells several books on
wedding photography that include picture lists and sample photos, along with
a wealth of other information. See the listing on p.98 of the A-69 catalog
or in the Online Store.
From film
to camera and lighting equipment and wedding albums, Porter's has all the
equipment and supplies you'll need at competitive prices |
|
 |
