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Home: Video University Forums: Digital Photography for Videographers:
Tripod for the formals?

Brackish
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Apr 10, 2007, 1:40 AM

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Tripod for the formals?	Can't Post

Some of the photogs by me are using a tripod for the formals.
Just wondering if anyone here is doing it? Or has tried it?
What are your thoughts on this?

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"We'll always show up at the wedding with a gift bag for the bride. Inside we have these incredible fuzzy slippers in the teal of our branding."

Jeko
Enthusiast

Apr 10, 2007, 9:12 AM

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Re: [Brackish] Tripod for the formals? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Certainly not needed for outdoors, but in dark churches I might.

I also only use a few simple flashes (keeping the gear light), which may require that I use tripod to get enough light in during longer exposures for background.

Jeko

Sony VX2100's, iRivers, M-audio 24/96, Canon 5Ds/20Ds (and too much glass), Vegas6, PhotoShop CS3, Lightroom, etc.

Toogy
User

Apr 10, 2007, 9:13 AM

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Re: [Brackish] Tripod for the formals? [In reply to]	Can't Post

The only time I use a tripod is when the situation is chaotic, and there is people all over the place, it makes it easier to "stake" your ground so to speak. But on the flipside, I always worry about somebody knocking over my tripod.
Out of the 27 weddings I shot last year, I think I only used it 2 or 3 times.
------------------------->
Jeff Toogood
Digital ISO

http://www.digitaliso.ca/blog
http://www.pbase.com/toogy

Scott Brooks
Veteran

Apr 10, 2007, 11:43 AM

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Re: [Brackish] Tripod for the formals? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Never.

Brackish
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Apr 10, 2007, 8:46 PM

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Re: [Jeko] Tripod for the formals? [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

which may require that I use tripod to get enough light in during longer exposures for background.

Hi, Jeko.

How low can you go on shutter speed for the formals and
still freeze subject motion?

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"We'll always show up at the wedding with a gift bag for the bride. Inside we have these incredible fuzzy slippers in the teal of our branding."

Brackish
Veteran

Apr 10, 2007, 8:49 PM

Post #6 of 20 (1364 views)
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Re: [Sparky] Tripod for the formals? [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

Never.

You're still going to answer my posts. Wink

Glad to see it, Sparky.

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"We'll always show up at the wedding with a gift bag for the bride. Inside we have these incredible fuzzy slippers in the teal of our branding."

Jeko
Enthusiast

Apr 10, 2007, 9:36 PM

Post #7 of 20 (1360 views)
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Re: [Brackish] Tripod for the formals? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Brack,

It isn't a matter of shutter speed exclussively. I am generally trying to expose the background to my liking as well. Dark churches just soak up the lights, as you probably know as well. Under such duress, I adjust my lights and tweek their set-up, and eventually use High-speed Sync flash to freeze them, and give some background a bit if need be...

I've actually passed-up on venues that are simply too dark for me. It still catches me sometimes. I shot a church last month that I had check and thought would be ideal (well-lit)... only to learn at rehearsal that the ceremony was to be held in this dark stage-type room instead. All the drapes were black even!! I thought I'd be OK for the ceremony as they decided to bump up the stage lights at the rehearsal. Of course, they later decided to leave stage lights low during ceremony (in contradiction to our rehearsal agreement). Tripod was fortunately handy for that day (it lives in my van). Here is how their album ended up... formals were all mostly black backgrounds.

http://www.jekoimagery.com/...BGalbumv0/index.html

As for an actual shutter speed, for mostly stationary subjects I generally try to be at 1/60 or faster. (FYI, for sports stuff, think in the 1/200th range.)

Another factor: depends on how wobbly I'm feeling that day.

Jeko

Sony VX2100's, iRivers, M-audio 24/96, Canon 5Ds/20Ds (and too much glass), Vegas6, PhotoShop CS3, Lightroom, etc.

rodovideo
Enthusiast

Apr 11, 2007, 9:31 AM

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Re: [Jeko] Tripod for the formals? [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

http://www.jekoimagery.com/...BGalbumv0/index.html

page 39... a bride heading off to her honeymoon with her laptop by her side.... that is sweet. What a young looking couple.... the older I get, the younger the b&g's look Blush

Nice shots / layouts..

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

sample images from RODO PHOTO

Rodo Media BLOG

Brackish
Veteran

Apr 11, 2007, 10:22 PM

Post #9 of 20 (1313 views)
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Re: [Jeko] Tripod for the formals? [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

I've actually passed-up on venues that are simply too dark for me. It still catches me sometimes. I shot a church last month that I had check and thought would be ideal (well-lit)... only to learn at rehearsal that the ceremony was to be held in this dark stage-type room instead.

Hi, Jeko. A Church Lady who was "in charge" at one of mine said that the bride's usually prefer that she turn's the lights down or off!!! I told her it would look better with the lights on and she said [with a tone of contempt] "yeah, that's what all you photographers and videographers say ... we please the bride here" as she turned off all the altar-area overhead lights.

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"We'll always show up at the wedding with a gift bag for the bride. Inside we have these incredible fuzzy slippers in the teal of our branding."

Shadow
Veteran

Apr 11, 2007, 11:34 PM

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Re: [Brackish] Tripod for the formals? [In reply to]	Can't Post

The good thing about tripod at the formals would be that you can use natural light and not have a soft pic if your shutter speed gets low.

The other good thing is that with a tripod, you set yourself as the photographer, and not just someone with a camera. This was pointed out in one of the wedding photography books I have. The photographer said she prefer having a tripod as that way she doesn't get in the mix with the others there snapping shots.
One of the photographers I had lessons from only worked with a tripod. The only time he didn't use one was the isle shots at the church. Mind you, his style of photos are very traditional and he didn't do candids.

I read somewhere that a monopod is a good tool for weddings, you get support for the slower shutter speeds but still have more freedom than a tripod.

As for me, I think I'd prefer to roam free unless I think I needed the extra support.

__________________________

Brackish
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Apr 11, 2007, 11:46 PM

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Re: [Shadow] Tripod for the formals? [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

The good thing about tripod at the formals would be that you can use natural light and not have a soft pic if your shutter speed gets low.

How slow of a shutter could you use but still freeze the subjects? Could you shoot at 1/30th in this situation?

I did read where someone said that he can get fairly good
handheld pics at 1/20th if he tells the subjects to "hold still".
This was just for informal group shots.

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"We'll always show up at the wedding with a gift bag for the bride. Inside we have these incredible fuzzy slippers in the teal of our branding."

(This post was edited by Brackish on Apr 11, 2007, 11:52 PM)

Jeko
Enthusiast

Apr 11, 2007, 11:49 PM

Post #12 of 20 (1301 views)
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Re: [Brackish] Tripod for the formals? [In reply to]	Can't Post

I agree with your Church Lady. I go to rehearsal to establish what the bride wants and then prepare for it. Admittedly, my first surprise was that they were using the stage area (all black drapes and no windows at all) instead of the large, open, well-lit main church area that I scouted a few weeks prior to the rehearsal.

I went to the rehearsal, confirmed the lighting with bride, prepared my assistant (a new shooter) for the planned conditions, and then found out that the lighting was much lower during ceremony. I never asked if this was the brides decision, or the light manager's error because I can't worry about it during a 10 minute ceremony. I merely mounted the 70-200 on a tripod and used that for close-ups (bumping up the ISO to get decent shutter speeds). So my new assistant (in training, & hand-held on the side) didn't get to feel she contributed to ceremony coverage, but the tripod ceremony shots came out OK

As I said before, I'd rather pass on dark venues if I can be selective.... heck, 100% outdoors would be my preference. Maybe one day, eh?

Jeko

Sony VX2100's, iRivers, M-audio 24/96, Canon 5Ds/20Ds (and too much glass), Vegas6, PhotoShop CS3, Lightroom, etc.

Brackish
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Apr 11, 2007, 11:51 PM

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Re: [Shadow] Tripod for the formals? [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

The other good thing is that with a tripod, you set yourself as the photographer, and not just someone with a camera. This was pointed out in one of the wedding photography books I have.

So, this is partly a psychological thing - to set yourself off as "the professional" in the eyes of the family and guests?

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"We'll always show up at the wedding with a gift bag for the bride. Inside we have these incredible fuzzy slippers in the teal of our branding."

Brackish
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Apr 11, 2007, 11:55 PM

Post #14 of 20 (1299 views)
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Re: [Jeko] Tripod for the formals? [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

a 10 minute ceremony.

Never had one of those - usually looking at around 45 minutes.

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"We'll always show up at the wedding with a gift bag for the bride. Inside we have these incredible fuzzy slippers in the teal of our branding."

Shadow
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Apr 12, 2007, 12:28 AM

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Re: [Brackish] Tripod for the formals? [In reply to]	Can't Post

1/20th in natural light handheld? That would be tricky but I have had 1/15th shots handheld, no IS and no flash and they still turned out good. But I wouldn't bank on it to happen all the time, probably more luck than anything else. I wouldn't ever do a wedding using settings like that, not without a tripod and make sure they don't move. Would be getting low shutter at that point anyway. I'd rather bump up the ISO if I could.

I think the general rule is anything below 1/60th to use a tripod. If you went 1/30, remember they can still move to cause blur in the photo. I have some great photos of a grand opening type of event that I shot no flash for some pics. Most of the shot is great except for one kid turned his head and he is blurred, I believe that was 1/20th or around there.

The all natural light wedding I did I preferred to the one I used flash. Mind you, the lighting was perfect for the non flash wedding, open shade and beautiful background. I didn't use a tripod for that one, I think I was on 400 ISO and most of my shots were around 1/200 or 1/125 if I remember correctly. I used a cheap lens for most of it, even the photographer who has been doing photography for over 25 years was impressed with the quality of photos from that lens. It is 24 to 80mm I think 3.4 - 5.6.

The IS makes a big difference, especially if you zoom in and check on details. I did a test with a receipt hand held and hand held with IS, the IS shot I could zoom in and make out the writing on the bill.

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StillMotion
User

Apr 12, 2007, 2:46 PM

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Re: [Shadow] Tripod for the formals? [In reply to]	Can't Post

We use a tripod quite frequently for the formals so that everything can be set and ready to go while your organizing people. Like other mentioned, it also lets you shoot at a lower shutter speed. One of our photographers did the formals on a tripod in a dark winery at 1/20 and they were okay, but I wouldn't push it any further than that, especially if any of them may go to a larger album.

I would suggest a tripod for the light advantage and for how much it can help efficiency. Out of 50 weddngs last year, we probably used it for a third to half of the formals.

Patrick

videochicke
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Apr 13, 2007, 9:51 AM

Post #17 of 20 (1235 views)
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Re: [Brackish] Tripod for the formals? [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

Some of the photogs by me are using a tripod for the formals.
Just wondering if anyone here is doing it? Or has tried it?
What are your thoughts on this?

I think everyone has to do what works for them. And for their situation. There are times when I would use one.
Julie

Brackish
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May 9, 2007, 5:46 AM

Post #18 of 20 (1033 views)
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Re: [StillMotion] Tripod for the formals? [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

I would suggest a tripod for the light advantage and for how much it can help efficiency. Out of 50 weddngs last year, we probably used it for a third to half of the formals.

Patrick

Hi, Patrick.

Just ordered a cable release to use with the tripod.
Pricing on those things really varies. The manufacturer
wants about $60 for one. I ran across posts where
people are getting the 3rd-party ones from Hong Kong
(through ebay) for $8! And they say they work fine.

I looked into some of those ebay sources but they
all only take PayPal and I don't use that after
having a bad experience with them after signing
up to take credit cards through PayPal a few years
back. I've also had trouble ordering through PayPal
to where they locked out my account for
"security reasons" and now want me to fax
2 forms of ID to get reinstated. All my interactions
with them have been negative.

I ended up going with a 3rd-party supplier through
B&H to save a few bucks.

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"We'll always show up at the wedding with a gift bag for the bride. Inside we have these incredible fuzzy slippers in the teal of our branding."

Brackish
Veteran

May 11, 2007, 4:05 AM

Post #19 of 20 (990 views)
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Re: [Shadow] Tripod for the formals? [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

The other good thing is that with a tripod, you set yourself as the photographer, and not just someone with a camera. This was pointed out in one of the wedding photography books I have. The photographer said she prefer having a tripod as that way she doesn't get in the mix with the others there snapping shots.

Hi, Shadow. The above made some sense to me so I decided to go with the tripod approach for now. Also, Toogy above mentioned something similar along the lines of it can be "chaotic" getting the formals going and a tripod allows you to "stake your ground". Just wanted to let everyone know I got in my new cable release today from B&H. It is Dot Line brand. You save a few bucks versus the name brand. I was concerned it was going to feel really cheaply made but that's not the case. It's not bad. Not top of the line but not bad. It seems to have a slight rubberized/grippy coating rather then smooth plastic, which helps to secure it in the hand. My non-coiled cord is about 2' long. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/...&cltp=&clsgr I noticed after purchasing that they also have the "plunger models" which are similar in appearance and operation to the traditional manual cable release - even though it's electronic - if someone is more used to that style.

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"We'll always show up at the wedding with a gift bag for the bride. Inside we have these incredible fuzzy slippers in the teal of our branding."

Brackish
Veteran

May 11, 2007, 4:24 AM

Post #20 of 20 (988 views)
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Re: [Brackish] Tripod for the formals? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Just wanted to add that the Dot Line cable release I
got seems to have three things that it does. Hold down
part way is like a half-press on the cam's shutter button
(i.e. focus/show exposure). Hold down all the way
takes the pic - and if not in one-shot mode the cam
will fire continuously. There is also a lock position, which
is for bulb/long exposures.

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"We'll always show up at the wedding with a gift bag for the bride. Inside we have these incredible fuzzy slippers in the teal of our branding."