First Wedding Shoot For A Friend

[ShaniNev87]

A friend from school who i havent seen for 4 odd years invited me to her wedding where she already had a photographer organised etc....so last minute decision I decided to take my camera along and have a play as I have never shot a wedding before.
Here are some samples of photos I took at her day, she hasnt seen anything yet but I was just wanting some feedback on my 1st attempt. I have them all in black and white cause Im going to design an album and place the best ones in there all black and white with a vintage theme. Here are just some as Im still editing others.
All CC is welcome....I would love some advice so I can improve cause my brother is having a wedding next year and if I decide to take my camera along to that wedding I want them to be tops by then!!!! Thanks so mcuh!!!!

http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc9/ShaniNev87/B3.jpg

http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc9/ShaniNev87/Gettingoutofcar2.jpg

http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc9/ShaniNev87/Familyshot2.jpg

http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc9/ShaniNev87/Mariaisgourgeous3.jpg

http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc9/ShaniNev87/FamilySmile3.jpg

http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc9/ShaniNev87/SigningPresentation3.jpg

http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc9/ShaniNev87/Roses1.jpg

http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc9/ShaniNev87/FamilyPortrait2.jpg

http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc9/ShaniNev87/Cute3.jpg

[OldNick]

I am no expert (hardly ever _go_ to weddings, never had one :)) but there are some nice shots there.

I think georgeous3 is the once that says the most. Very nice catch.

The roses one is almost a shock among the BnW ones!

Some of the posed ones look a bit stilted, but these are not models!

I find the BnW ones a bit dark. they don't need more contrast, for me, because these are wedding shots. But because it's a wedding they need light. Use Levels to bring them up a little.

[Chuckdup]

Im no expert either, but I think you have done really well. I wont comment on exposures (cr@ppy work monitor), but some of the compositions are really good. I had a wedding 2 weeks ago and opted to leave the camera at home. I have another one tomorrow. I called the groom, very good friend of mine, this morning and asked if it was ok that I took my camera. Got the all clear. Its an outdoor wedding and I have no idea how its going to be setup. How did you get into some of the positions you did without getting in the hired photographers way?? Did you use flash at all?? Great job I reckon.

D

[trigger]

I think your onto a winner in terms of composition and exposures.
The PP could do with a bit of practice :confused:

I think most of the shots were over "hard and round-vignetted".
Have a go in photoshop if you have it, and make a layer 50 grey% Soft light and paint over the edges it with black and select where you want to darken to create more subtle vignette.

What program/how did you do the BW conversions? it doesnt look right as the skin Red/Orange-ish tones look a bit dark compared to the other colours.
e.g in the signing photo the guy has a light patch around his mouth. Assigning he has gone a bit red in the cheeks. Hence the funky BW conversion :p

I love the hugging the bride-woman one that was a top shot.

Clone out the scratch mark on the table in from of the roses?

[pvoices1971]

Overall I think they are pretty good. Some good composition, lighting looks good, you seem to know what you are doing. A couple of things I picked up on, as already mentioned the vignette is a bit heavy, some of them just seem to be drowning in this dark light.
In the 1st pic your shutter speed looks to be a bit slow although maybe you were wanting to get the movement feel? I probably wouldn't have chopped the tops of their heads off either, in saying that sometimes that look can work.
Really like the 3rd one hugging the woman.
4th one - again shutter speed might be a bit too slow, getting some motion blur
#6 - you have chopped the grooms ear off, and perhaps not his best expression
#7 - what trigger said re the scratch

the last 2 could lose some of the vignette.

In review, probably the main thing that could improve your shooting is to watch your shutter speed, increase it to try and get rid of the motion blur. As a rule of thumb minimum shutter speed = focal length. You have done a good job and I'm sure the couple will love your gift to them.

[ShaniNev87]

Thank you everyone so much for the feedback! I relook back at my pictures and I do agree with the vintaging and some are a little to dark, ill get to work on those!
ChuckDup no I dont have a flash...as much as I would like one and its on the "wish list", I just made do with what I did have. Also there was another photographer there though I believe he was a family friend and we sorta went our own ways but didnt get in the way of one another.
Goodluck at your wedding and please show us some of your shots!!!!!
Ciao!

[razzledog]

ChuckDup no I dont have a flash...as much as I would like one and its on the "wish list", I just made do with what I did have.

You don't need an expensive flash...get any old reasonably high output flash gun and fit a 'Popshing' It's a name we give to a cheap and simple Chinese flash trigger that will work wonders for you. Connect the trigger to the hot shoe of your camera and connect the receiver to the flash unit. Next find yourself a 'Voice Activated Light Stand' and command them to hold the flash. Shoot in manual mode and with a little direction from you, the VALS will provide the lighting exactly as you desire. Add a refelector held by a VARS (Voice Activated Reflector Stand) and a whole new world will open up.....:D

[Shaddsi]

You don't need an expensive flash...get any old reasonably high output flash gun and fit a 'Popshing' It's a name we give to a cheap and simple Chinese flash trigger that will work wonders for you. Connect the trigger to the hot shoe of your camera and connect the receiver to the flash unit. Next find yourself a 'Voice Activated Light Stand' and command them to hold the flash. Shoot in manual mode and with a little direction from you, the VALS will provide the lighting exactly as you desire. Add a refelector held by a VARS (Voice Activated Reflector Stand) and a whole new world will open up.....:D

Sounds very strobist friendly. I can vouch for the chinese flash triggers. they are fab for the price. flashes are cheap too.

I believe the chinese triggers are nicknamed "poverty wizards"