Bridal shoot, any suggestions?

[hulseyfam]

A friend is getting married this weekend and they asked me if I was asked if I would photograph the bride in her dress this week. They wanted to develop a few of the pictures and display them in a scrapbook they had made. It was a real short engagement, which is why it's happening so quickly. Anyhow, I'm VERY new at photography. I have taken a few friends family pictures which is what they have seen and liked them and I actually took the bride's engagement pictures. Which family shoots and engagement shoots are fun. I feel a little pressure, but all of a sudden I'm feeling a lot of pressure. One because to me, white is so hard. I'm not good at setting custom WB. Two, I'm afraid of blowing her dress and not getting good detail. I also was wishing I had a reflector for this purpose. This is probably a silly question, but would those round silver reflectors that you put in your car window work? Any tips on custom WB and getting the right setting to not blow her dress out and to get the detail? Or ANY other suggestions. I really want to back out because I'm so nervous. I know, that's terrible! lol Hold my hand and tell me what to do.

[RandyP]

I used to shoot weddings professionaly. The best quick tips that I can give you are:

1) Set your camera to display highlight warnings if possible. This will produce the "blinkies" on your LCD viewfinder after a test shot. Use your + / - key to override the meter settings (white dress, move to the - side to bring out the detail). The last thing that you want is a "blown-out" wedding dress.
2) If you are shooting JPG set your white balance to Cloudy, indoors for a warmer skin tone.
3) Go with off-camera flash if you know how or at least a bounce flash or card if possible. Use a white piece of cardboard held by someone else as a reflector to help fill in details.

[jazzmatazz]

Randy, where were you when I was shooting my niece's wedding last week? Those are FABULOUS suggestions. Next time, I'll be better prepared.

Jaime, godspeed with the wedding. I know they will treasure the photos you get of them! Randy's suggestions are terrific, and I applaud you seeking advice from others' experience instead of going into it blind like I did. My only advice: don't forget to have fun with it! Let us know how it goes!

[hulseyfam]

Thanks for the suggestions Randy! #1 is way over my head. lol I'll check into that. And then for #2 even if I'm shooting outdoors, do I want to set my WB to cloudy? #3, what is the best angle for reflectors. I will go see if I can find a white piece of cardboard. THANK YOU!!

[RandyP]

Originally Posted by hulseyfam

Thanks for the suggestions Randy! #1 is way over my head. lol I'll check into that.

Check the manual. Every shot that I do, I look for "blinkies" and override with the + / - key.

Originally Posted by hulseyfam

And then for #2 even if I'm shooting outdoors, do I want to set my WB to cloudy

It depends. Your best bet is to move to RAW, leave your WB in auto and adjust in post.

Originally Posted by hulseyfam

#3, what is the best angle for reflectors. I will go see if I can find a white piece of cardboard. THANK YOU!!

The best is the exact opposite of your off camera flash. If holding the flash on the left, reflector card on the right. With 1 flash I would match the angle of the flash in reverse. Flash = 45 degrees on the left, reflector = 45 degrees on the right.

If you have time to play rent some additional flashes. On a Nikon (my gear) I would use 2 SB-900's on different channels and a SU-800 commander unit. Use 1 flash on the side as mentioned above and the second behind the bride POINTING AT HER down low for a nice glow (money shot... ). The behind flash is at a reduced power.

Practice with the flashes BEFORE THE WEDDING if possible.

[RandyP]

Originally Posted by jazzmatazz

My only advice: don't forget to have fun with it! Let us know how it goes!

Yes, have FUN!

[hulseyfam]

Thanks again! I do not have an external flash. That's gotta be next on my list! I just don't know what to get. lol Still so very new and not enough time to learn everything before it comes along.

I will definitely check the manual for blinkies and shoot in raw (which I have never done before either!)

Unfortunately we live in the sticks. Closest camera shop is probably 4 hrs from me. And with barely being asked this weekend for a bridal shoot this week, it leaves me in a bind. But I'm excited to try the new things mentioned here!

[nativescrapper]

I hope you have lots of fun Jamie! The weather is suppose to be good too

[hulseyfam]

Ok I shot in RAW and wanted to mess with the WB in PSE. Is there a rhyme or reason to going about it??

Thanks!!

[RandyP]

Originally Posted by hulseyfam

Ok I shot in RAW and wanted to mess with the WB in PSE. Is there a rhyme or reason to going about it??

Thanks!!

I've never worked in PSE. What you can do is download the free version of Adobe Lightroom 3, import the files there and adjust your raw images in the develop module.

[KerryMac]

Hi Jaime. Don't fret if you don't own an off camera flash. There's always a way to compensate. I've shot lots of bridals in natural light.

The important thing is to find some good light. Look for nice open shade and/or a spot where you can take advantage of the "golden light" at the end of the day. Public parks, alleys, big fields, golf courses; there are lots of places to find light and nice settings.
I usually use a pretty wide aperture (2.8) because it's only one person that you're shooting and that way you can get a nice depth of field. And it's good if you can have a minimum shutter speed of about 125 or faster to avoid camera shake. Just use the combo of ISO + aperture + shutter speed to do that. You've got some nice lenses and a good camera, so you should be OK.

You can always bring someone along to hold your white card or reflector if you feel you need some additional light on her face. But if you go out at the right time, you might not even need one.

And relax! If you and the bride have fun, you'll get some great shots!