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Shooting a wedding

HR Images

Photographer from Australia

Shooting Wedding

 

Capturing weddings can be the most stressful but fun thing to shoot. But for me I love shooting weddings and love being able to capture those precious moments for my clients and seeing the smile on their faces when I hand the images over to them for viewing.

 

The key things for weddings to know are:

 

Getting to know your clients:

The first meeting is always the most crucial part for a couple looking to get married. Building that connection with the couple and making them feel comfortable for them to trust you and hire you to capture their special day. Spend some time chatting to the bride and groom, find out their story and get to know them. It is also a great time for them to get to know you as well. They are here to find out what they are hoping you as a photographer will be able to achieve for them in capturing the special moments of their lives and what they expect of you. Pre-wedding shoots is a great way for you and the couple to get comfortable with each other and for the couple to understand how you work and for you as a photographer to understand what the couples want.

 

 Contract

Make sure to always have a signed contract between you and the bride and groom. A contract is there to describe the fees, services and products offered to the couple. It will also protect you as a photographer. It is best to hire an attorney to create a contract suited for you.

 

Preparations

Ask for the schedule for the wedding, finding out the times of the import parts of the day making sure not to miss a moment. If it is your first time going to the church, location and reception, make some time to visit the places. It is important to know what to expect at the locations and prepare as you don’t want to turn up at these locations and see something you were not expecting. This could throw you off from what you planned to do. Eg. Church, whether or not flash can be used as you won’t know how good the light is. Check out the location and find some key sections where you can take the couple for some shots (make sure the couple is aware that a permit may be needed and to organise getting the permit). Visit the venue to see the lighting that is used in the venue.

 

Equipment

Go through your equipment a week before the wedding making sure sensors are cleaned, lenses and cameras are functioning well (if there is an issue with any of the items you have time to get a replacement). SD cards are in working order and formatted (You don’t want to turn up to a wedding and realise your SD card was either Full or faulty). Also make sure to have extra SD cards. Take spare batteries as depending on how long you are shooting the wedding you may need to swap batteries. The last thing you need is having your battery to go flat and no spares to continue capturing the day. Always carry two camera bodies; one main body and one backup. My main body, the Sony a7iii, will have my Samyang 35mm f1.4 AF lens, as this is my most used lens for weddings. My backup body, my Sony a7Riii will have either my 85mm f1.4, 70200 f2.8 or Samyang 50mm f1.4 AF, depending on the venue. Have a good bag to carry your items in, I currently use the Tenba Roadie Roller 24 which will fit all my bags and as it’s a roller, it’s easy to carry around. The Tenba bag has a cable lock so you can tie it to places and know that no one will come and pick up your bag. I also use the Spider Holster Light Belt to carry my gear throughout the day instead of camera straps. The reason I use the Spider Holster is because I am on my feet all day and having straps puts a lot of strains on your shoulders. Whereas the Spider Holster distributes the weight around your waist and frees your shoulders so you will not have any pain at the end of the day. Finally, the most important thing is flash. I have 2x Godox V860ii flashes and I bring either my Godox ad200 with Magmod Sphere and Grid or the Ad600 for location shoots.

 

Ceremony and Reception

With the ceremony, majority of worship places do not allow flash (it is important to ask, as you don’t want the priest or person who is performing the ceremony to stop and ask you to turn your flash off in the middle of the wedding). It is best to have a camera that handles low light really well and be able to increase your ISO without adding grain. As an example, with the Sony cameras, I am able to shoot up to ISO 12800 with very little noise. It is important to have fast lenses especially for low light with worship places and reception. I generally use primes with an aperture of f1.4 or a 70200 zoom which is a f2.8. That way you allow more light through your lens without increasing your ISO too high. Key moments to capture during a ceremony would include the bride walking down the aisle, exchanging the rings and the first kiss. These moments are very important to capture and should not be missed. During the ceremony it is good to blend into the crowd and capture candid shots of the guests laughing and having fun. For this I would use my 85mm f1.4 (Hopefully Samyang will release an 85mm f1.4 AF and a 135mm f2) or 70200 f2.8. This way I can get some nice close tight shots at a distance without being seen. It is best to capture emotions as they are happening.

 

What you need?

Make Sure to bring snacks and water as it will be a long day and you won’t have enough time to stop somewhere where you can get something. Dress appropriately for a wedding as you want to blend in and be able to capture those special candid moments of the guests or couple. You don’t want to stand out. Wear comfortable shoes as being on your feet the whole day without a break is tiring. I’ve had my fair share of uncomfortable shoes where it killed my feet. Invest in a good pair as without your feet you won’t be able to work.

 

What to do after a wedding?

The first thing you do when you finish a wedding and get back home or to the office is BACKUP your images. As you don’t want to accidentally delete them or something happen to the SD cards and you lose all the images. That is the last thing you or the couple needs.

 

A lot of people always ask me, why do I use the 35mm 90% of the time. First of all I am a prime shooter and the only zoom lens i use is the 70200 f2.8, which is mainly used at the ceremony. For me the 35mm is my favourite focal that allows me to get close to my subject for some nice detail shots and to capture images showing more of what is happening around your subject. The f1.4 is great in low light and produces a stunning bokeh or background separation. Below are images I have captured during a wedding using the 35mm.




Sony a7iii + Samyang 35mm f1.4 AF – ISO 640, f1.4, Shutter 1/250 (Natural light)



Sony a7iii + Samyang 35mm f1.4 AF – ISO 100, f3.5, shutter 1/5000. Godox ad600 w/27inch beauty dish

 

 

Sony a7iii + Samyang 35mm f1.4 AF – ISO 100, f3.5, shutter 1/5000. Godox ad600 w/27inch beauty dish 

 

 

  

Sony a7iii + Samyang 35mm f1.4 AF – ISO 100, f3.5, shutter 1/2500. Godox v860ii flash

 

 

 
Sony a7iii + Samyang 35mm f1.4 AF – ISO 500, f1.4, shutter 1/250. (ambient light from reception)

 

 

  

Sony a7iii + Samyang 35mm f1.4 AF – ISO 500, f1.4, shutter 1/250. (ambient light from reception)

 

  

Sony a7iii + Samyang 35mm f1.4 AF – ISO 800, f1.4, shutter 1/250. Godox v860ii

 

  

Sony a7iii + Samyang 35mm f1.4 AF – ISO 1600, f1.4, shutter 1/250. (Ambient light)

 

  

Sony a7iii + Samyang 35mm f1.4 AF – ISO 5000, f1.4, shutter 1/250. (ambient light)

 

  

Sony a7iii + Samyang 35mm f1.4 AF – ISO 2000, f1.4, shutter 1/250. (ambient light)

 

 

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Samyang’s Guide to Achieving the Optimal Angle of View

The perfect spacing and distance are always necessary when shooting all kinds of subjects, including people, to give them a proper relationship with the beautiful space around them. So, what’s the exact distance that helps you best appreciate a work of art, or a photo?

The correct answer is the diagonal length of the full frame of a subject.

표준화각 자료 이미지
표준화각 자료 이미지

The best standpoint from which to appreciate the full view of a subject is the distance of the diagonal length of the subject frame. This wider angle is superior to standing closer at a 50 degree angle to get a more detailed view. This notion of an ideal distance or view point is also applicable in the world of photography.

For still images, keeping a distance equal to the diagonal length of the full image surface is recommended. The full frame sensor of a digital camera is 36 x 24mm and the diagonal length is 43.26mm so any distance close to this number is nearer to the ideal than the currently accepted industry standard of 50mm.

Back when film cameras were common, 45mm was the industry standard and this continued as reflex cameras needed extra space to fit a mirror. However, as mirrorless cameras become more popular again, there has been a need to return to this industry standard…which is the impetus for the Samyang AF 45mm F1.8 FE. With less distortion than a 35mm lens and wider angles than a 55mm lens, the Samyang AF 45mm F1.8 FE is a perfect lens for portraits, landscapes, architecture photography, and pictures of pets.

What is Preset Aperture Control Function?

On the Preset Aperture Control function, the aperture blade operates smoothly like a "De-clicked lens", which is advantageous for video recording.
Fujifilm cameras are engineered to control the aperture according to the minimum exposure value(F-stop), so when the camera controls the aperture, it blinks momentarily to set the proper exposure.

AF 75mm F1.8 X intentionally disconnects the communication with the camera body and the lens itself on the Preset Aperture Control function, so it is possible to smoothly adjust the exposure without flickering. ISO and shutter speed are adjusted according to the changed exposure by controlling the aperture, so the exposure value can be changed even with the 1/2 F-stop.

What is Preset Aperture Control Function?

On the Preset Aperture Control function, the aperture blade operates smoothly like a "De-clicked lens", which is advantageous for video recording.
Fujifilm cameras are engineered to control the aperture according to the minimum exposure value(F-stop), so when the camera controls the aperture, it blinks momentarily to set the proper exposure.

AF 75mm F1.8 X intentionally disconnects the communication with the camera body and the lens itself on the Preset Aperture Control function, so it is possible to smoothly adjust the exposure without flickering. ISO and shutter speed are adjusted according to the changed exposure by controlling the aperture, so the exposure value can be changed even with the 1/2 F-stop.

What is Recommended Settings for Preset Aperture Control Function?

The Preset Aperture Control function operates only when shooting video(Movie mode) and the focusing mode of the camera is set to AF mode. Please set the aperture at f/1.8 before switching the "Custom Switch" to "Mode 2. It is recommended to set the "Exposure mode" as A mode (Aperture Priority AE) or M mode (Manual Exposure).

* How to use the “Preset Aperture Control” function?

1) Camera Body Setting
      AF Mode → Video Mode ('A' or 'M' mode) → Set the Aperture @F1.8
(2) Lens Setting
      Switch your "Custom Switch” to “Mode 2(M2)"
(3) Now, you're ready to use the Preset Aperture Control function with your focus ring

What is Recommended Settings for Preset Aperture Control Function?

The Preset Aperture Control function operates only when shooting video(Movie mode) and the focusing mode of the camera is set to AF mode. Please set the aperture at f/1.8 before switching the "Custom Switch" to "Mode 2. It is recommended to set the "Exposure mode" as A mode (Aperture Priority AE) or M mode (Manual Exposure).

* How to use the “Preset Aperture Control” function?

1) Camera Body Setting
      AF Mode → Video Mode ('A' or 'M' mode) → Set the Aperture @F1.8
(2) Lens Setting
      Switch your "Custom Switch” to “Mode 2(M2)"
(3) Now, you're ready to use the Preset Aperture Control function with your focus ring

[What is Dolly Shot? How to shoot easily]

[What is Dolly shot?]

A dolly shot, also referred to as a tracking shot or trucking shot, is a camera movement technique used by cinematographers to track and follow a subject in motion. To achieve this, the camera is mounted on a device called a "dolly," which facilitates smooth tracking movement. The dolly can move in front of, behind, or alongside the subject, which can be a person, a location, a product, or any other object of focus in the frame. Through this, you can control the emotional distance between the subject and the viewer by highlighting the audiovisual and dramatic effects.

[How to take a Dolly Shot simply by handheld]

Tip. If the moving distance is long, the camera may shake, so please shoot at a focal length between 35 and 100mm.
1. Stand at a distance of about 1.5 to 2 meters away from the subject.
2. Set the custom switch to MF and Mode 3 and adjust the focal length to about 100mm.
3. After focusing on the subject, set the aperture to F8~16.
4. Slowly turn the zoom ring to the left (towards the wide-angle end) while using your upper body and arms to move the camera toward your subject.
5. Dolly Shot complete!
※ When shooting from a farther distance from the subject, use a cart or gimbal for more stable shooting.

DSLR / Full Frame
1D X Mark Ⅱ
1D X
1Ds Mark Ⅲ
1Ds
5DsR
5Ds
5D Mark Ⅳ
5D Mark Ⅲ
6D Mark Ⅱ
6D
DSLR / APS-H
1D Mark Ⅲ
1D
Mirrorless / APS-C
M6
M5
M10
M3
M2
DSLR / APS-S
7D Mark Ⅱ
7D
80D
70D
60D
30D
D60
D30
77D (9000D)
760D (8000D / Rebel T6s)
1300D (Kiss X80 / Rebel T6)
1200D (Kiss X70 / Rebel T5)
200D (Kiss X9 / Rebel SL2)
800D (Kiss X9i / Rebel T7i)
700D (Kiss X9i / Rebel T7i)
100D (Kiss X7 / Rebel SL1)
650D (Kiss X6i / Rebel T4i)
600D (Kiss X5 / Rebel T3i)
550D (Kiss X4 / Rebel T2i)
500D (Kiss X3 / Rebel T1i)
1000D (Kiss F / Rebel XS)
450D (Kiss X2 / Rebel X냐)
DSLR / Full Frame
D850
D5
D810A
D4S
D810
D750
Df
D610
D4
D800
D800E
D600
D3s
D3x
D700
D3
DSLR / APS-C
D7500
D3400
D500
D5600
D7200
D5500
D3300
D7100
D5300
D5200
D7000
D300s
D300
DSLR / Full Frame
Z6
Z7
D810A
D4S
D750
D810A
DSLR / APS-C
D7200
D500
D3300
D5500
D5600
D3400
D7500

* Cameras released within 5 years from 2019 are tested.

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