Any Sydney wedding photographers?

[Zelbinion]

I want to get some experience with weddings, either to start doing them myself, or just to increase my skill.

Are there any wedding photographers in Sydney? I'm located in the south of Sydney, and am able to drive to places on the weekend.

What I'm offering is my camera and skill, and in return, I'd like to learn the ropes. I'm not asking for any payment, or a job at the end. The only thing is that I'd like to own my own shots at the end so I can use them in a portfolio. You would be able to use them for anything else, eg. including in package, web album so on.

You know what gear I have (it's in my signature). I'm planning to get a 430EX II soon as well.

You also know what kind of shots I am capable of taking. If you don't, check out my (unfinished) website:

www.andreszczepanski.com

Hope to hear from you. Drop me an email at andre.szczepanski (at) me.com

[Wedding Photograph]

Hi! I would like to help you if I lived closer to you. Wedding Photography is a whole science! There is a lot to get to know. Hope you get good materials from where to study and that you will be a good wedding photographer one day!

[Smorter]

Good Luck Andre!

Please don't get the 430EXII it is a waste of money and will become a paper weight for you if you get into weddings...a backup flash at best. 580EXII all the way

Try and get some payment for your services though. The only time I'd ever work for free is if it is for a world famous photographer, or I am actively getting taught. Carrying lights and reflectors around for free is slave labour

[Zelbinion]

I think I would probably work the first two or three for free, considering I would have no idea what I was doing.

The 430EX Mk. II is still a pretty powerful flash... might head over to my mate's place and try them both out to see which one I need.

[Charismatic]

^ I use the 430EXII and it's fine. I've tried the 580 but found it too powerful for what I do.

[Smorter]

Specs wise the 580EXII is 1 stop brighter than the 430EX and this doesn't really that significant, but when you think about it that means the 580EXII is DOUBLE the power of the 430EX (2 X 430EX), but that's not as important to me as the other features

I guess it depends on photography style and also how good you are with handling ETTL idiosyncrasies. I'm pretty **************** at predicting results with the Speedlites, so I use the 580EXII to help me out in that regard

The 580EXII has a bi directional 180 degree twist, whereas the 430EXII only has 90 degrees on one side, and 180 on the other side. I can't tell you how frustrating that is when bouncing especially because I'm a directional bouncer.

The 580EXII is compatible with a CP-E4 battery pack, taking full recharge down to about 1 second. This is invaluable for those bride down the aisle shots.

Additionally, the 580EXII can act as a master for off camera flash. Not that important to me as I am a directional bouncer, but important for a lot of pros and amateurs

Also, importantly for me the 580EXII has FEB (like AEB but with flash). When taking photos of people, I always dump it on FEB +/- 2/3 and take 3 in succession (with the CP-E4 battery pack of course). This takes care of blinkers, and makes sure I get a decent shot 99% of the time.

[Zelbinion]

Hmm... those are certainly some points to consider. The 180º twist would probably make this flash worth getting.

[Charismatic]

I admit, every now and then when I'm caught up in the shooting, I'll go to swivel the flash 180 on the 90 side and almost snap the damn thing before I remember that it has to go the other way lol, but other than that, I have no troubles with the swivel.

I doubt I would ever use the FEB.

And the CP-E4 battery pack would come in handy from time to time when it's over-cast - But alot of shots I get I try my best to use natural light. I guess it just depends on the shooter and what style you do.

I remember when I tried the 580 at a shoot once(I hired it for the day) - I got some brutal looks from some people. And especially the parents and grandparents certainly don't like being blinded lol. But again, I'm sure that could come down to mis-use on my behalf considering it was the first time I was using it. But even so, using the 430EX II, I get the results I want and I didn't notice that massive of a difference in using the 580. Sometimes I didn't like the look it gave in certain shots actually. Again, could've been my mis-use but hey, just my 2 cents.

[Smorter]

The 580EXII does meter differently from the 430EX (not sure about the 430EX). I find the 580EXII tends to underexpose, so yeah that's probably why it didn't look good for some of your shots. My 430EX is a great flash, but its more of a backup to me.