Ok, hold the laughter ...ME a wedding photographer!???

[clemmb]

What is a "safe" amount of GB's to have for cards if I'm shooting RAW? I don't have much, I never needed it. I have three cards with a total of 32 GB's of the SanDisk Extremes. How much more would be a good amount to have? Also, I have two camera batteries which should be good I would think.

I forgot to address this. The larges wedding I shot was 1700 pics. I have 16g in both cameras shooting raw and have no problem but always have a couple of 8s as backup. Now my camera is 13.8mpix so you will need a little more but 32s are plenty.
Two camera batteries may not be enough but close. My 580EXs go through two sets each but the first set last longer than half way but change early so you don't get caught. I keep more batteries on hand in case but usually do not need.

[Steve U]

That's heaps Denise, you got this.

[iND]

The point my friend is to NOT THINK ABOUT EQUIPMENT ISSUES on the day of the wedding.
You must have this down cold, its like at an athletic event, you have to trust your training and go for it.
Don't be thinking equipment, think BRIDE
Yes you must have equipment but don't worry so much about changing lenses as much as getting the shot.
I could shoot 90% of most weddings with a 24-70 F2.8
Take a high ISO shot over missing it.
Only experience will teach you this.


For cards I like more with less.
What I mean is I like 8GB cards and change frequently, thus one corrupt card will not ruin your day completely.
I take 3000-4000 shots on in a 10 hour day.
Keeper rate can is usually 5-10/100
I usually set up 300 for review (I can promise 300 at most weddings)

Another piece of advice is modern weddings are SHORT
if you blink you may miss it.

On a recent wedding once the bride and groom were on the altar, I got some mom and dad shots then moved to the other side of the church.
Before I got there the new bride and groom were being introduced.

For you first wedding it would be really nice if you had some sort of back up shooter.

[ddt0725]

The point my friend is to NOT THINK ABOUT EQUIPMENT ISSUES on the day of the wedding.
You must have this down cold, its like at an athletic event, you have to trust your training and go for it.
Don't be thinking equipment, think BRIDE
Yes you must have equipment but don't worry so much about changing lenses as much as getting the shot.
I could shoot 90% of most weddings with a 24-70 F2.8
Take a high ISO shot over missing it.
Only experience will teach you this.


For cards I like more with less.
What I mean is I like 8GB cards and change frequently, thus one corrupt card will not ruin your day completely.
I take 3000-4000 shots on in a 10 hour day.
Keeper rate can is usually 5-10/100
I usually set up 300 for review (I can promise 300 at most weddings)

Another piece of advice is modern weddings are SHORT
if you blink you may miss it.

On a recent wedding once the bride and groom were on the altar, I got some mom and dad shots then moved to the other side of the church.
Before I got there the new bride and groom were being introduced.

For you first wedding it would be really nice if you had some sort of back up shooter.

I know its not a good time to think about equipment the day of the wedding so that's why I am trying to get all of my thoughts together on this now. I need to know what I need to buy and what I need to rent and what I am already well set for.

Only thing I can think of for a back-up shooter is posting for one on craigslist of someone willing to do it for free for the experience and check out their work to make sure they aren't any worse than myself. If so, then I assume a contract between him and myself is necessary (?)

[clemmb]

Only thing I can think of for a back-up shooter is posting for one on craigslist of someone willing to do it for free for the experience and check out their work to make sure they aren't any worse than myself. If so, then I assume a contract between him and myself is necessary (?)

For years I did not have a backup shooter. My wife now is my backup shooter. I finally talked her into it a couple of years ago. She refuses to learn the technical side of things so I just setup a camera with flash bracket, 580EX and omni-bounce. She shoots lots with a keeper rate of ~30%. She has an eye for things that I sometimes miss and ends up with some great shots. If there is a balcony I set her up with a camera on tripod during the ceremony. I am sure your daughter could do the same if willing. Just tell her to shoot everything. When shooting posed shots my wife helps make sure hair, jewelry, etc... is straight and looking good. I am sure your daughter can also help here as well.

[Kombi]

I take 3000-4000 shots on in a 10 hour day.

Keeper rate can is usually 5-10/100

that puts thing in perspective for me- you shoot more in 3 days than I've shot in my life

Another piece of advice is modern weddings are SHORT
if you blink you may miss it.

On a recent wedding once the bride and groom were on the altar, I got some mom and dad shots then moved to the other side of the church.
Before I got there the new bride and groom were being introduced.

For you first wedding it would be really nice if you had some sort of back up shooter.

With this in mind it will be a good idea to get an idea of how long the ceremony is- maybe goto dress rehersal?

[ddt0725]

Thank you very much for the information, Mark and the examples! Having them linked to flickr so I could view the exif was very helpful also! Sure looks like everything I used to own would sure come in handy for this!

I have done my own little research and they post on accuweather that the sun would be setting at 6:38. Ceremony is at 4:00, 5 minutes from the Lake Michigan where she wants to take some shots afterwards. Again, since the sun does not set on the lake, it will be on their face to maybe some extent (providing there is no tree blockage) and may still be reflecting some (very little) on the lake. Probably too early for any of the yachts to have there lights on though. I have photographed seagulls and ducks down there before at about an hour before sunset and it was awful!

Any suggestions on how to handle this scenerio?

[clemmb]

Any suggestions on how to handle this scenerio?

Not sure. The shot of mine on the dock had the sun camera left and had just set so it was not harsh. This time of day is challenging since the light is changing so fast.

[Jayson]

+1 on Kombi suggestion on going to the rehearsal. Attend the rehearsals and shoot photographs at the rehearsal also. That way at least you'll be a little familiar with the whole process that the person presiding will go through. Doesn't hurt to chat with that person either about what their rules during the ceremony are either.

[Raid]

+1 on Kombi suggestion on going to the rehearsal. Attend the rehearsals and shoot photographs at the rehearsal also. That way at least you'll be a little familiar with the whole process that the person presiding will go through.

Remember the rehearsal may be at a different time of day, so the lighting will be different.