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Home: Video University Forums: Digital Photography for Videographers:
PICS: My first wedding as photographer...

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RustyB
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Feb 26, 2008, 2:50 PM

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PICS: My first wedding as photographer...	Can't Post

If anyone is bored and wants to kill some time, I uploaded damn near 600 pics from the practice wedding I shot this past weekend. I pretty much just put the camera in auto, and was more concerned about learning the workflow/requirements of shooting a typical wedding, versus any concerns about getting any mindblowing photographs. I was more worried about things like having enough batteries/memory cards, the limits of the ISO on my cameras, and remembering to take off the lens cap.

It was a perfect opportunity, since the bride's shot list only consisted of about 20 photos. I took several hundred instead. No prep, just a few formals.

Anyways, if anyone wants to see them, here's the slideshow:

http://rustybryce.smugmug.com/...0&AlbumKey=o8cef

Postal Boy
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Feb 26, 2008, 3:35 PM

Post #2 of 32 (1374 views)
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password?

RustyB
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Feb 26, 2008, 3:48 PM

Post #3 of 32 (1370 views)
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In Reply To

password?

D'oh, password protection is now turned off!

Thanks!

(This post was edited by RustyB on Feb 26, 2008, 5:15 PM)

RustyB
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Feb 26, 2008, 5:16 PM

Post #4 of 32 (1354 views)
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And because I'm new to this, I still like the cheesy PhotoShop Actions....I added a second gallery with Lomo and Retro B&W effects added:

http://rustybryce.smugmug.com/...2&AlbumKey=wim9J

DGates
Veteran

Feb 26, 2008, 7:17 PM

Post #5 of 32 (1341 views)
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Nice job. Was this with your E-500?

I like the actions-enhanced gallery. They just pop more.

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Postal Boy
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Feb 26, 2008, 7:29 PM

Post #6 of 32 (1335 views)
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Re: [DGates] PICS: My first wedding as photographer... [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hey Rusty...I think your images look just fine. You have a lot of good "people" pictures. You had several that were just plain difficult with the bright windows behind them, and the white balance on a few is on the "blue" side, but that is easy to fix up.

Nice work, though. Don't you love the "post"...er...lack of "post" work on photos? Blush

RustyB
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Feb 26, 2008, 7:32 PM

Post #7 of 32 (1334 views)
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In Reply To

Nice job. Was this with your E-500?

I like the actions-enhanced gallery. They just pop more.

I picked up a e-510 the night before the wedding, but did take a few shots with the e-500. By the end of the night, I found it was just easier to carry both cameras....14-54mm + flash on the e-500, and the 50mm f2 on the e-510 for natural light shots, since the 510 has in-body IS.

The e-510 is a GREAT camera! Noisy at ISO 1600, however. Since I didn't have time for shipping from B&H, I got it at Circuit City for $550...and it came with a 14-42 kit lens, which I sold within 2 hours on eBay for $100, making the e-510 only $450! The in-body optical IS is really amazing...

RustyB
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Feb 26, 2008, 8:06 PM

Post #8 of 32 (1330 views)
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Thanks for looking! Yeah, there were a few backlit shots that I screwed up by usings auto-exposure (center-weighted/aperture priority), which I should have deleted, but I left them in there anyways. Using flash inside the church for the formals also didn't mix well with the nice sunlight coming in from the windows, but I won't be taking the time to be correcting too many of these. Mostly, I want it to teach me what to look out for next time, so I can learn to shoot better. I HATE working on the computer. Laugh

DGates
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Feb 26, 2008, 8:38 PM

Post #9 of 32 (1320 views)
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So this was a photo-only shoot, no video? What did you charge 'em?

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RustyB
Veteran

Feb 26, 2008, 9:07 PM

Post #10 of 32 (1314 views)
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So this was a photo-only shoot, no video? What did you charge 'em?

Yeah, they first wanted to hire me to do video, until I told her I'd shoot photos for free. I tried to get them to hire SandyB, but I guess they were excited about not paying for photos, so, they didn't hire a videographer at all. Crazy

It was a practice shoot for my benefit, so I'm just giving them the photos for free on a data DVD and for purchase online at cost, as well as a simple photo montage on DVD video set to their first/last dance songs. I'm also going to put together a coffee table book that they can buy at cost, which I will use myself for demo.

Shadow
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Feb 26, 2008, 9:18 PM

Post #11 of 32 (1310 views)
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Hi Rusty

Fun, isn't it!
I had troubles with the gallery but I did get to see some shots, you've got lots of great photos for them, I'm sure they'll be well pleased.

The blue in the blacks, is that just noise or my computer? Is it because you shot at 1600? Have you tried neat image? I used that a few times and it works pretty good.

So, when is your next photo gig??? Wink

Before long you'll be like me, mostly photo gigs booked for this year only 4 out of 20 I think are actually video, and a small number of combos, the rest are all photos.

I did a wedding on Saturday, I worked on the photos on Sunday and Sunday night I had the files ready for print and the online gallery created for the client. It is way easier than video!!!

__________________________

RustyB
Veteran

Feb 26, 2008, 9:27 PM

Post #12 of 32 (1305 views)
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Re: [Shadow] PICS: My first wedding as photographer... [In reply to]	Can't Post

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I tell ya...I could have charged them $400 and would have made WAY more money than I make on a video!! Not to mention the minimal processing I did with this "cheap" package....I could have had it in the mail Sunday night if I hadn't been visiting friends all day.

I'm definitely putting my Photo listing back up at WEDJ. Actually, if I can't afford to advertise both, I'll just take down my video listing and move it over. Laugh

Nobody is booking video lately anyways. More tire-kickers than I've had in history the past couple of months, but very little bookings.

Yeah, the noise in some of the shots was from shooting at ISO 1600. I downloaded the trial of Neat Image the other day, but the trial would only work on a tiny area of the picture so I couldn't see how well it really worked, and I couldn't afford to license it yet anyways. I'll probably try it when I have more money.

Thanks for taking the time to look! Yeah, it takes a while for all the images to download into the slideshow, and SmugMug might be running slow as well. The normal galleries are at: http://rustybryce.smugmug.com/Weddings

Shadow
Veteran

Feb 26, 2008, 9:33 PM

Post #13 of 32 (1303 views)
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That link worked great. Wow I love those ones in the vintage folder, they look awesome! I'm such a sucker for a vignette and the lomo action.
I'm big on b&w too.
Have you tried textures yet? Someone tolld me about them recently, now I am in love with textures! There's another thing to suck your time in post. Sly

__________________________

rodovideo
Enthusiast

Feb 26, 2008, 10:14 PM

Post #14 of 32 (1293 views)
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Rusty,
Do you have enough cards for a shoot of 600+ or did you download them during the day?
I have a couple of "free" weddings coming up... but not till the end of summer.

Thanks for posting...
Mike R.

Look toward the Son, and you will not see the shadows

sample images from RODO PHOTO

Rodo Media BLOG

RustyB
Veteran

Feb 26, 2008, 10:22 PM

Post #15 of 32 (1290 views)
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Re: [rodovideo] PICS: My first wedding as photographer... [In reply to]	Can't Post

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I was shooting in JPG, which will get over 1000 pics on an 8gb card in my 10mp e-510, and over 600 pics on the 4gb card in my 8mp E-500. Actually, I was worried I wouldn't have enough space, but told myself if I shot more than that many photos, it would have been easier to just videotape the wedding and get paid for it. Laugh

Just in case, I'm going to pick up a 16gb card, since this WAS a pretty easy wedding.

DGates
Veteran

Feb 26, 2008, 10:44 PM

Post #16 of 32 (1286 views)
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Maybe since you're still starting out, switching to JPEG+RAW would be beneficial. Then you'll have more white balance flexibility if a couple of pics need it.

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RustyB
Veteran

Feb 26, 2008, 11:04 PM

Post #17 of 32 (1281 views)
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Re: [DGates] PICS: My first wedding as photographer... [In reply to]	Can't Post

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Maybe since you're still starting out, switching to JPEG+RAW would be beneficial. Then you'll have more white balance flexibility if a couple of pics need it.

For sure. I was mostly worried about saving card space...I had to borrow the money just to buy the 8gb card...and even to help pay for some of the camera. Laugh

It sucks replacing photo gear that I've sold off to pay the rent...which BTW is due in a couple of days....it'll probably all be on eBay again. Laugh

Brackish
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Feb 27, 2008, 2:27 AM

Post #18 of 32 (1250 views)
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I took a quick look at a few of them. I noticed you had an
Uncle Charlie there. I think I've only had it one time where there
wasn't an Uncle Charlie on hand. And they always look the
same, too ... with that gray hair. Laugh

Did he get in your way?

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when all the birds are singing in the sky now that the spring is in the air with the flowers everywhere

RustyB
Veteran

Feb 27, 2008, 2:51 AM

Post #19 of 32 (1247 views)
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Did he get in your way?

Yeah, but he was cool and didn't get in the way. Of course, like most, he was an "expert", and did approach me at the end of the night to see what cameras I was carrying, and then commented on how my Olympus Flash was almost as impressive as his Nikon Speedlight. Laugh

I just laughed told him,"yeah, one day I'll be able to afford a professional flash like that." Laugh

I didn't tell him that my flash was actually more powerful and costs about $125 more than his.

Reminds me of the groom that was bragging to me how HIS video camera recorded to digital DVD, while MY old fashioned VX2000 only recorded to old fashioned MiniDV tapes.

(This post was edited by RustyB on Feb 27, 2008, 2:51 AM)

Brackish
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Feb 27, 2008, 3:26 AM

Post #20 of 32 (1241 views)
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I took a quick look at a few of them. I noticed you had an
Uncle Charlie there.

Yeah, but he was cool and didn't get in the way. Of course, like most, he was an "expert", and did approach me at the end of the night to see what cameras I was carrying

See, with video, I never get anyone approaching me to talk gear. But I did have one photo consultation where the whole immediate family was there for the meeting and one was a hobbyist. He wanted to talk gear. I made some small talk about gear but it was harder to focus on the purpose of the meeting because I had the bride on one hand who wanted to talk about the wedding but, on the other hand, I had the Uncle who was really wanting to talk gear. With photo, it seems you really have to watch getting into conversations with the Uncles, as it could be distracting to your main purpose and goals. I heard of one photog who tapes over the brand name and model of his cam so as to discourage Uncles from talking gear during the wedding day.

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when all the birds are singing in the sky now that the spring is in the air with the flowers everywhere

Postal Boy
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Feb 27, 2008, 9:35 AM

Post #21 of 32 (1224 views)
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Re: [DGates] PICS: My first wedding as photographer... [In reply to]	Can't Post

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Maybe since you're still starting out, switching to JPEG+RAW would be beneficial. Then you'll have more white balance flexibility if a couple of pics need it.

I have been playing with adobe camera RAW in CS3, and it has been giving me a lot of flexibility in white balance even with JPGs. Granted, it doesn't give you the "temperature" value, but the click/white balance works well, and you can apply the same "settings" across multiple photos. Not quite the same as RAW white balance, but still not bad in a tight spot. Trick is, you don't need a "white" spot for white balance, you just need a "neutral" spot - something that should have equal amounts of RGB colors.

I usually shoot a mix, though...

Postal

Art Vandelay
Enthusiast

Feb 27, 2008, 9:41 AM

Post #22 of 32 (1224 views)
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Re: [RustyB] PICS: My first wedding as photographer... [In reply to]	Can't Post

The photos look good.

So how was it posing for the formals? From watching photos sessions, that would seem to be the most difficult part for me.

Prior to this wedding, had you ever shot one before, even for a friend for free? Did the couple ask to see samples? Or since you offered to shoot for free did they not care?

I see another videographer lost to the dark $ide. Wink

__________________________________________________
Dave LaBrec
Nashville Wedding Videos

(This post was edited by Art Vandelay on Feb 27, 2008, 9:42 AM)

RustyB
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Feb 27, 2008, 11:05 AM

Post #23 of 32 (1214 views)
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Re: [Art Vandelay] PICS: My first wedding as photographer... [In reply to]	Can't Post

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Thanks man. I'd only Uncle Charlie'd weddings before...and even then it's been a LONG while since I've been a guest at a wedding. Now days, an invitation to a friend's wedding is ALWAYS accompanied by,"we'd like you to videotape it." Crazy

I wasn't worried about the quality of the photos so much, as I remember back to how terrible the quality of my first paid (barely) gigs as a videographer was. Like you say, I was more worried about things like posing formals. Fortunately, this bride made it simple. She only wanted a few, and knew exactly what she wanted, and they more or less did a decent job of posing themselves!

Something VERY different about photography....poeple LOVE having their picture taken! With video, people give me dirty looks, and turn their heads...Hell, even I don't like being videotaped...and I'm a videographer!! That's why I've developed such an unobtrusive style of shooting...so people don't know I'm taping them.

However, I got over that real quick shooting photos...you can shoot as close as you want, because people want to smile for the camera! It was actually difficult to take "candid" shots, because guests would see me, and WANT to pose and smile for the camera. Laugh

During the ceremony I could walk around the church freely, nobody cared. Not carrying around a 100 pound tripod and while monitoring wireless audio was like having unprotected sex at a Swedish beauty college. Laugh

Oh yeah...nope...the bride didn't so much as even ask to see ANY of my pictures, let alone any wedding pictures. In fact, they told me to hang around after the reception was over, because they accidentally left all their cash in their car at the church, and had to go fetch it so they could give me a tip. Of course, they either forgot, or ran out of cash, because they didn't give it to me. I didn't want it anyways, since it was practice, but I was blown away by the offer...especially consifering they were on a real budget. In my whole life, I've got like TWO tips at weddings doing video...a total of like $30. Laugh

Art Vandelay
Enthusiast

Feb 27, 2008, 11:35 AM

Post #24 of 32 (1207 views)
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....was like having unprotected sex at a Swedish beauty college. Laugh

I love your analogies. Cool

__________________________________________________
Dave LaBrec
Nashville Wedding Videos

DGates
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Feb 27, 2008, 4:06 PM

Post #25 of 32 (1192 views)
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In my whole life, I've got like TWO tips at weddings doing video...a total of like $30. Laugh

That's messed up. Your work is better than mine, and I've gotten plenty of tips.

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