Matthew and Bethany Wedding

[laydros]

I did my first wedding photography this past weekend. I shot at the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner, and worked as a sort of second shooter at the wedding and reception. This was all in the tiny town of Washington, Iowa.

I learned a lot. I had no idea how tired doing this would make me. I also felt like I really pushed my equipment. I often tell people I could do almost anything I shoot with a Rebel and the 18-55IS, but I was really using the wide apertures of my Tamron 17-50 and Canon 85, the high ISO and extra wheel on the 40D, the extra battery life I get with the battery grip. In fact I left one of my batteries at the cabin I was staying at, and ended up using the AA tray. The other photographer was running out of batteries toward the end of the service.

The rehearsal dinner was at Matt's grandfathers farm, and I got to take them out on the farm for those portraits. Matt kinda grew up with that jeep, so we took it out for the pictures.

So please take a look at this stuff (some of it was already in POTD) and lend me any ideas or critiques. The pictures I will post now are the first few that I felt like came out well. A lot of the pictures will be great for the bride and groom and family, but probably won't make it into my portfolio. This first post will be the rehearsal dinner portraits, I'll do a second post with the wedding day stuff.

All images are from my flickr stream, this set. (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jwhamilton/sets/72157619100626626/)

1. http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3568/3585428979_63cfae96dc_b.jpg
I pushed the orange/red look on this one a bit. My wife doesn't like it, but I think it gives it a better sunset feel.

2.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3311/3585572403_7a3f558e6d_b.jpg

3. http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3340/3586397430_8d31b4cb05_b.jpg

4.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3343/3585591375_64e914e827_b.jpg

5. http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3617/3586405648_84b6c7cccc_b.jpg

6. http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3387/3586406060_23f804d9f8_b.jpg

[laydros]

And the wedding day

7. http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3561/3585571995_b8650204a7_b.jpg

8. Not as sharp as I want
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2331/3585572791_c7f1d25269_b.jpg

9.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3615/3585600179_07ab941821_b.jpg

10. It isn't a favorite really, but I think this is one of the textbook-best photos I have ever taken.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3041/3585600627_02cee3c40d_b.jpg

11.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3303/3585601787_6a9c2738e8_b.jpg

12.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3304/3585602147_1e854e404a_b.jpg

[cdifoto]

Good job Jason. :) She really dolled up nice, didn't she? :D

About being tired? I hear ya. If I'm sore and exhausted after the day, I know I did what I needed to do. If I'm not sore and exhausted, I know I was lazy and that's bad.

[dr4gon]

10 has nice composition!

8 could use some blurring of the flowers where the focal point is and to make the picture entirely soft and dreamy

6 is nice but could use some contrast and more color as it appears to be washed out.

Overall, 6,8, and 10 are my faves. Nicely done!

[adam75south]

i like #7 the most. i like #2, but you really could've used a reflector in this situation or positioned them where the sun was on them. i like the rim light the sun provided, just definitely would prefer more light on their faces...especially hers.

[Nickcanada]

Hey, nice work!

[michaelb]

Not bad, you've got more balls than I do. :D

Have you considered picking up a wider fast prime, like a 50 1.4 or the Sigma 30 1.4?

[DWessel]

Jason,

First, I'm not a wedding photographer and probably never will be, although I did it for a friend. That said, I have a friend that is and she helped me gain a female perspective and tips to photographing people and PS post-production of wedding photos. Some of those tips may be of assistance.

Photos 1 and 6) Many women are body conscious, even if they don't say so. Avoid butt shots and straight on hip shots if possible -- shoot waist up or profiled hips. If it can't be avoided, she will sometimes PS to make hips smaller, and if necessary the bust slightly larger.

Photo 2) Of the pre-wedding photos, this is my favorite. It has great composition, and in my opinion you caught the emotion of your subjects -- they look happy and in love.

Photo 4) This is probably my second favorite of the pre-wedding photos. Made good use of the jeep.

Photo 7) Nice Bokeh.

Photo 8) The wedding photographer imparted to me -- when it comes to wedding photos, sharp isn't always best. Sometimes dreamy soft captures the dreamy wonder of the wedding day. Also, PS blur of less than ideal backgrounds can often help.

Photo 9) Shoot down if possible, nostrils are usually unflattering. I've known a number of wedding photographers to have step stools during the ceremony, especially when out doors. It gets them above the crowd and tends to produce more flattering facial photos.

Photo 10) I like the composition of the cake shot, especially with the candles in the background.

Photo 11) I personally find this one the most flattering of the bride and groom wedding day photos posted.

[laydros]

Wow, I haven't been on here in a couple of days. Thanks so much for the feedback.

@adam: we were really just kinda riffing stuff on many of these outside shots. I've never really done this before so I just told them to walk or kiss or dance. I think you are totally right about the reflector. I actually had a friend assisting, but I quickly realized my reflector was entirely too small for what we were doing.

@michaelb: I am not in a position to spend any money right now, but wide prime is next on my list. I'm kinda bouncing back and forth between the Canon 35/2, the 28/1.8 USM and the Sigma 30/1.4. I have a Canon 50/1.8 and don't use it much. It is so cheap and loud, only 1 stop faster than my Tamron 17-50 f/2.8, and terrible bokeh.

@Darin: Thanks for all the feedback. I didn't even begin to think about stuff to help the bride. Luckily she is kinda a tomboy, but it is still important to work on that stuff. The shot from below may be a dud. At that time I was still trying to get some alternative angles of the primary shooters poses, but it wasn't working well. #2 was a ton of fun. They are really a great couple, very in love, and both have a good sense of humor and don't take themselves too seriously. At the rehearsal when he said man and wife they did a high five and danced out the aisle. I wanted pictures that told that story. I felt like #2 did.