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	<title>Digital Camera World &#187; weddings portraits</title>
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		<title>50 wedding photography tips for beginners</title>
		<link>http://www.digitalcameraworld.com/2011/04/18/50-wedding-photography-tips-for-beginners/</link>
		<comments>http://www.digitalcameraworld.com/2011/04/18/50-wedding-photography-tips-for-beginners/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 18 Apr 2011 15:35:21 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>dcworld</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Photography Tips]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Weddings]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[beginner tips]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[wedding photographer]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[wedding photography]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[weddings portraits]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[<img src="http://cdn.mos.photoradar.com/files/articles/techniques/april2011/50-wedding-photography-tips-for-beginners-pic4.jpg">
<p>A collection of essential wedding photography tips, techniques and tricks for beginners - from candid wedding photography to a more classic approach…</p>
]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>A collection of essential wedding photography tips, techniques and tricks for beginners &#8211; from candid wedding photography to a more classic approach…</strong></p>
<p>If you&#8217;re new to wedding photography, this is the place to start. Whether you&#8217;re looking to gain some experience as the unofficial photographer on the big day, or simply looking for some pointers for improving your portraits in general, there&#8217;s lots of great advice on offer here.<span id="more-489546"></span></p>
<p><strong>General wedding photography tips</strong></p>
<p><strong>1 Use a wide aperture</strong></p>
<p>The use of the widest aperture that your lens permits (for a narrow depth of field) can create a very appealing effect for wedding photography, keeping your subject in focus while making the background blurred – although you need to be sure you focus accurately.</p>
<p><strong>2 Try slow-synch flash</strong></p>
<p>If using flash, try as slow a shutter speed as possible – 1/15 to 1/25 second, say – to make the most of ambient lighting. Try panning with moving subjects while you fire the flash to freeze the subject and blur a distant background.</p>
<p><strong>3 Pose the bride</strong></p>
<p>For flattering images of a bride, make sure she doesn’t have her arms bent (a slight bend is best, but not straight) while holding her bouquet. If possible, ask her to create an ‘S’ bend with her body, similar to the way fashion models pose. Look through women’s magazines like Vogue and Cosmopolitan to see how the models pose to get an idea.</p>
<p><strong>4 Look for lines</strong></p>
<p>Try to make the most of strong architectural lines, such as pillars, for backdrops to your wedding photographs. Remember, if you sort out the background, the foreground falls into place to create the perfect composition. Scout out the venue beforehand to see which architectural elements might work best.</p>
<p><strong>5 Use light patterns creatively </strong></p>
<p>If there are any interesting light patterns outside the church or register office, you can use them to add impact and drama to your images. Be aware, however, that such patterns may come and go as the day progresses, so you may have to work quickly to capture them.</p>
<p><strong>6 Frame the couple</strong></p>
<p>When taking pictures of the bride and groom with their bridal car, try being creative by using the windows to frame them, or even jump inside the car, if it’s OK with them.</p>
<p><strong>7 Tilt the camera</strong></p>
<p>Camera tilt adds a sense of motion to an image. You don’t have to always keep the camera in landscape or portrait format, be adventurous and align the composition lines at diagonals in the image to create impact. As with all techniques don’t over do this – one or two images is ample.</p>
<p><strong>8 Find the shade</strong></p>
<p>If you’re shooting a wedding on a day with very strong sunshine, try to move the couple or group into the shade for a better exposure, or use fill-in, or forced flash to balance the scene. You’ll find the fill flash setting by cycling through the camera’s flash modes.</p>
<p><strong>9 Add some blur</strong></p>
<p>Try experimenting with pictures of the first dance using a very slow shutter speed to give your images a sense of movement. Use a combination of flash and a slow shutter speed to freeze the motion of the couple while still capturing ambience and movement. You may need to increase the ISO sensitivity of the camera – although noise will become more obvious in darker indoor conditions.</p>
<p><strong>10 Use a ﬂash bracket</strong></p>
<p>Attach an external flashgun to a flash bracket to lift the flash a few inches above the lens, eliminating shadows on the subject. The best frames works on a hinge mechanism and enable you to move the flash for portrait shots or landscape format shots accordingly.</p>
<div style="text-align: center"><img src="http://cdn.mos.photoradar.com/files/articles/techniques/april2011/50-wedding-photography-tips-for-beginners-pic4.jpg" alt="" width="407" height="610" /></div>
<p><strong>Candid wedding photography tips</strong></p>
<p><strong>11 Look the other way</strong></p>
<p>Weddings don’t just happen in front of you. Look around for other photo opportunities that may be behind you. After all, you’ll be looking at what your subjects can see, so if you’re aiming to capture their memories of the day, look at what they’re looking at.</p>
<p><strong>12 Pay attention to detail</strong></p>
<p>Look for the small stuff as well as the big picture. Often, details may go unnoticed by the wedding guests, and yet when they see a detail shot, memories will come flooding back. So be aware of everything around you and don’t be afraid to photograph it.</p>
<p><strong>13 Go low </strong></p>
<p>Try shooting from a low vantage point. Avoid crouching on your haunches, however. Such a stance makes you unsteady and you may find your shots ruined by camera shake. If the ground is dry, kneel down, or even lie down, in order to stand a better chance of keeping the camera steady.</p>
<p><strong>14 Wait a second</strong></p>
<p>Let other people take their photographs and then capture the subjects as they relax. Formal, posed shots are OK for the record, but when aiming to capture the emotion of the event, people come across better in photos when they’re happy, relaxed and unworried about people taking pictures of them.</p>
<p><strong>15 Add grain</strong></p>
<p>Grain can add atmosphere and lack of flash can keep attention from you. The last thing you want is for a flash to distract the wedding guests, drawing attention to yourself. The high ISO settings used in low light photography may increase noise a little, but this can give them character.</p>
<p><strong>16 Try a telephoto</strong></p>
<p>Long lenses keep you out of the action as an observer. They also create interesting perspective effects, which can add drama to photos. Be careful to avoid camera shake that can be induced when wielding such lenses – a sturdy tripod is a handy accessory in such situations.</p>
<p><strong>17 Make friends with the organisers</strong></p>
<p>They know what’s actually happening, as opposed to what should be. The organisers can tip you off about who’s going to be where and when, so it’s wise to consult them in order to be in the right place at the right time.</p>
<p><strong>18 Don&#8217;t be intrusive</strong></p>
<p>If someone doesn’t want their photo taken, leave them alone. There’s little point in taking shots of people who don’t like being in front of the lens. They’ll not look comfortable and  you could end up causing offence. With experience, you’ll get to recognise the signals that the camera-shy give out.</p>
<p><strong>19 Listen for laughter </strong></p>
<p>Weddings are happy occasions, so keep an ear out for laughter. Shots in which people look happy and relaxed work very well, so use your ears as well as your eyes to monitor the dynamic of the wedding party and move in on where the action’s taking place.</p>
<p><strong>20 Use the wind</strong></p>
<p>If it&#8217;s windy, face people into the wind and get lots of movement. The bride’s dress in particular can look wonderfully dynamic when there’s a breeze – its lines will flow out with the movement of air. However, if you’re changing the lens on a DSLR, get out of the wind to avoid dirt blowing into the camera body.</p>
<div style="text-align: center"><img src="http://cdn.mos.photoradar.com/files/articles/techniques/april2011/50-wedding-photography-tips-for-beginners-pic1.jpg" alt="" width="610" height="407" /></div>
<p><strong>The considerate wedding photographer…</strong></p>
<p><strong>21 Consult beforehand</strong></p>
<p>Always have a pre-wedding consultation with the couple to get to know them and find out what they want first. It’s their day, not yours, so it’s wise to have a clear idea of how they envisage the occasion. Be polite and don’t promise anything that you can’t deliver.</p>
<p><strong>22 Smile a lot </strong></p>
<p>If you smile at people, they smile back, so make lots of eye contact. Don’t hide behind your camera. Someone with a big lump of technology permanently attached to their face can be off-putting and you’ll likely end up missing a lot of potentially excellent shots.</p>
<p><strong>23 Give the couple space</strong></p>
<p>After the ceremony, give the couple time and space to be congratulated. This helps you when you come to shoot the organised photographs – people won’t keep coming up and getting in your way as they attempt to pass on their best wishes to the bride and groom.</p>
<p><strong>24 Be candid</strong></p>
<p>While the couple are busy being congratulated, you can go round and get some candid shots of the guests. They’ll be happily distracted and therefore more relaxed than when they feel they have to pose for the camera. The unobtrusive photographer can have some of the best shots of the wedding day.</p>
<p><strong>25 Compose subtly</strong></p>
<p>Pre-focus and compose your subject through the lens, then get their attention by talking or smiling at them – they won’t know you’re taking the photograph. When they do realise, they’ll laugh and you can then take more natural-looking photographs. The more relaxed people are, the better the shots will turn out.</p>
<p><strong>26 Go with the flow</strong></p>
<p>Don’t fight the rain, wind, people and time. There’s always a way to get round a problem, so think laterally. As you become more confident and experienced, you’ll develop numerous ways of making the unexpected play into your hands, so exercise your problem-solving skills to the full.</p>
<p><strong>27 Plan for rain </strong></p>
<p>If it’s raining, use brollies. It’s handy to have a white one and a black one in your car. Get the couple walking with them, kissing each other and so on. They make excellent props, and can save your expensive digital camera from a soaking, which is unlikely to do it much good.</p>
<p><strong>28 Use the crowd</strong></p>
<p>If people are in the background in public places, just let them be there. Sometimes it’s good to take pictures of strangers wishing them the best.</p>
<p><strong>29 Manage your time</strong></p>
<p>You should always have enough time. If you don’t, you didn’t ask the right questions at the consultation. Be aware of the schedule of the day, how you’re going to get from A to B and where the wedding party will be and when. The disorganised photographer will miss out on key moments, so don’t let it be you.</p>
<p><strong>30 Enjoy yourself</strong></p>
<p>Wedding photography can be a lot of fun, but not if you’re fretting about the camera or the light. Relax and have a good time, just as the rest of the attendees are meant to be doing. You may find that your photography improves as a result.</p>
<div style="text-align: center"><img src="http://cdn.mos.photoradar.com/files/articles/techniques/april2011/50-wedding-photography-tips-for-beginners-pic3.jpg" alt="" width="610" height="407" /></div>
<p><strong>Reportage wedding photography tips</strong></p>
<p><strong>31 Use your inside knowledge of the family to get shots</strong><br />
If some relatives haven’t seen each other for 20 years, a shot of when they first meet at the church could be very emotional. Think about the attendees and how they get on, then use that knowledge to plan your shooting schedule.</p>
<p><strong>32 Avoid shooting when people are eating</strong></p>
<p>Don’t take pictures of people eating. They never look good and no one will thank you for it. You may as well pack away the camera during the meal and have some food yourself while you wait for the speeches, which provide far more opportunities for good people shots.</p>
<p><strong>33 No chimping</strong></p>
<p>Don’t ‘chimp’ after each shot (chimping is looking at the camera’s screen to check your pictures). It uses up the batteries and takes your eye off the action. You’re better off reviewing the photos en masse occasionally, being careful to delete only those that you can’t feasibly use.</p>
<p><strong>34 Bounce the flash</strong></p>
<p>When shooting indoors, bounce your flash off the ceiling and balance the exposure with the ambient light. Bounced flash is far more diffuse, so you won’t end up with those harsh shadows that are characteristic of amateur snaps.</p>
<p><strong>35 Tell a story</strong></p>
<p>Adopt a photojournalistic approach – look for pictures that tell the story of the day. The classic way is to get three pictures of each moment, not necessarily taken at the same time. For example, a close up of the cake, a medium shot of the couple cutting the cake and then a wide angle of the guests’ reactions.</p>
<p><strong>36 Take your own confetti</strong></p>
<p>To make sure you get a good confetti shot, take your own confetti. Frame the shot and throw the confetti high in the air, not at the couple. Try a small aperture (f/11), slow shutter (1/15 sec) and fill-in flash. Just make sure the wind isn’t blowing towards you, or you’ll look like an idiot.</p>
<p><strong>37 Listen for stories</strong></p>
<p>When mingling with the guests listen out for someone telling a story. There are typically numerous characters at the wedding, each with something to say, so let them warm up the crowd for you and be ready to capture their reactions.</p>
<p><strong>38 Edit ruthlessly </strong></p>
<p>When you get back home, edit the pictures then edit them again. Remove any shots in which the bride and groom don’t look at their best. Retouch any blemishes from their faces, and so forth. Then edit the pictures again – only let people see the best shots, not hundreds of average ones.</p>
<p>3</p>
<p><strong>9 Don’t let your camera sharpen the shots </strong></p>
<p>Turn off any automatic in-camera sharpening. This is best done on the computer after you’ve resized the images. If possible, always shoot RAW format. This transfers the data from the imaging chip directly to memory without compressing it, although the file sizes will be much larger than when shooting JPEGs, so you’ll need high-capacity memory cards, or a portable storage device to copy your images onto over dinner…</p>
<p><strong>40 Underexpose in bright light</strong></p>
<p>In bright sunlight, try to retain the detail in the bride’s dress by underexposing by 1 EV and then bringing the shot up to the correct exposure on the computer. Digital cameras have excellent dynamic range, so shadow detail should be recoverable – it’s highlights which is where they tend to have problems. Again, shooting in RAW as opposed to JPEG really helps in this situation.</p>
<div style="text-align: center"><img src="http://cdn.mos.photoradar.com/files/articles/techniques/april2011/50-wedding-photography-tips-for-beginners-pic2.jpg" alt="" width="610" height="407" /></div>
<p><strong>Contemporary wedding photography tips</strong></p>
<p><strong>41 Find a position</strong></p>
<p>Try to get a position in the church about 2 or 3 rows back from the altar and to the side of the bride and groom. You can capture some fantastic emotional images throughout the ceremony. And make sure you turn the camera’s sound effects off so you don’t disturb people seated nearby.</p>
<p><strong>42 Plan for key events </strong></p>
<p>Think beforehand at what points you’ll be able to capture emotional or funny images – for example, during the ceremony itself, and the couple’s interaction while register is being signed. This is often the ﬁrst time they’ve spoken together on the day and their reactions can produce some wonderful images.</p>
<p><strong>43 Soften your flash</strong></p>
<p>Never use direct flash – as well as using an off-camera flash bracket, place a diffuser over the flash head. <a href="http://www.stofen.com" target="_blank">Sto-fen’s</a> white plastic caps are affordable and great for helping flash pictures. They soften the flash, reducing those harsh shadows that can make photographs look amateurish.</p>
<p><strong>44 Avoid effects</strong></p>
<p>Keep away from too many digital effects on the camera. If you want to create a sepia print, or even solarize the happy couple, shoot in colour as normal and convert the shot in an image editor later. If you shoot with special effects, you’ll not be able to turn the image into a standard colour shot afterwards.</p>
<p><strong>45 Go wide on architecture</strong></p>
<p>Use wideangle lenses to capture interesting graphic shapes. The lines of a church’s interior can look spectacular when wideangle lenses distort them. Just avoid taking portraits with them – people’s faces will distort in a strange, bulbous way.</p>
<p><strong>46 Go slow indoors</strong></p>
<p>Practice slow-sync ﬂash methods, which can transform interior shots. The camera’s flash will fire to illuminate foreground subjects and the shutter will stay open longer so that the background’s properly exposed. Rest your camera on a tripod, though, otherwise you’ll introduce unwanted motion blur.</p>
<p><strong>47 Aim high </strong></p>
<p>Where possible, try high angles (or low ones) to get shots that are different from those taken by the rest of the guests. Most people will shoot from head height, so get on a chair, table or windowsill to make your compositions stand out from the rest.</p>
<p><strong>48 The best man’s speech</strong></p>
<p>Watch for reaction from the bride and groom during the best man’s speech. This can be the funniest point in the whole day, so keep an eye on their faces as he talks. When the inevitable funny stories start coming out, the couple’s reactions will be well worth capturing.</p>
<p><strong>49 Use exposure lock</strong></p>
<p>Make good use of the camera’s exposure lock – yours may have an AE-L button, or it can be locked by half-depressing the shutter – and take spot meter readings from faces to ensure you get the correct exposure. People are automatically drawn to faces in a photo, so you don’t want them under- or overexposed</p>
<p><strong>50 Use a reflector</strong></p>
<p>They’re cheap, you can clearly see the effect and it’s better than flash. The reﬂector helps to reduce the harsh shadows caused by strong, directional light, and is essential when aiming to take flattering portraits.</p>
<p>Like this? See more</p>
<p><strong>wedding photography tips</strong></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
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		<title>Wedding photography tips: 10 steps to pro-quality pictures</title>
		<link>http://www.digitalcameraworld.com/2010/08/25/wedding-photography-tips-10-steps-to-pro-quality-pictures/</link>
		<comments>http://www.digitalcameraworld.com/2010/08/25/wedding-photography-tips-10-steps-to-pro-quality-pictures/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 25 Aug 2010 14:51:18 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>dcworld</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Photography Tips]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Weddings]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[wedding photography]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[weddings portraits]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false"></guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Follow our stress-reducing wedding photography tips for shooting the big day - and get wedding photos the bride, groom and family will love.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>Follow our stress-reducing wedding photography tips for shooting the big day &#8211; and get the wedding photos the bride, groom and family will love. In addition to our tips, we also address some of the <a href="http://www.digitalcameraworld.com/2012/05/04/99-common-photography-problems-and-how-to-solve-them/">common photography problems</a> you might encounter while shooting a wedding and offer solutions for how to overcome them.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center"><strong><a href="http://media.digitalcameraworld.com/files/2010/08/Wedding_photography_tips_final_pins3_9.jpg" rel="lightbox[318636]"><img class="aligncenter  wp-image-543431" title="Wedding photography tips: 10 steps to pro-quality pictures" src="http://media.digitalcameraworld.com/files/2010/08/Wedding_photography_tips_final_pins3_9.jpg" alt="Wedding photography tips: 10 steps to pro-quality pictures" width="488" height="640" /></a><br />
</strong></p>
<p>There are many challenges to successful wedding photography and it can be a stressful day even for the most experienced photographers.</p>
<p>Here, professional wedding photographer Brett Harkness (see his bio at the bottom of this page) reveals his best wedding <a href="http://www.digitalcameraworld.com/2012/06/25/49-awesome-photography-tips-and-time-savers/">photography tips</a> and how he breaks the big day down into 10 easy steps so that he can capture a stunning collection of wedding portraits, group photos, close-ups and more for his clients.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<div style="text-align: center"><img src="http://cdn.mos.photoradar.com/files/articles/techniques/june2010/10-wedding-steps/10-wedding-photo-tips-ready.jpg" alt="Wedding photography tips" /></div>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Wedding Photography Tips: 01 Getting ready</strong></p>
<p>Successful wedding photography is all about telling the story through a series of photographs and this starts with the preparations for the big day. It’s a good idea to arrive at the bride’s house early enough to assess how she’s getting on with her preparations. When she’s in the final stages, a simple shot showing her having her make-up applied – perhaps reflected in a mirror – is a great one to get. I use a mixture of a 70-200mm f/2.8L IS lens and 16-35mm f/2.8 L lens to capture the process of getting dressed and, as much as possible, I <a href="http://www.digitalcameraworld.com/2012/05/22/see-the-light-like-a-pro-everything-you-were-afraid-to-ask-about-natural-light/">try to use natural light</a>.</p>
<p>Look for little details like the delicately embroidered details of the fabric of her dress or try capturing special moments, such as when she has the back of her dress laced up or while she’s chatting to her bridesmaids.</p>
<p><strong>Wedding photo problem:</strong></p>
<p>&#8220;The bride&#8217;s getting ready in a small room and she’s facing the window!&#8221;</p>
<p><strong>Solution:</strong></p>
<p>Try overexposing by about +1 or +2 stops to blow out the window, so that you get a bright background without any detail.</p>
<p>While not wedding photography tips per se, you might find some of the advice from the following portrait photography tutorials also useful for these situations.</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.digitalcameraworld.com/2012/07/03/17-posing-tips-and-in-camera-slimming-tricks-for-shooting-curvy-models/">17 posing tips and in-camera slimming tricks for shooting curvy models</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.digitalcameraworld.com/2012/07/16/19-stellar-posing-tips-and-camera-tricks-for-flattering-pictures-of-older-people/">19 stellar posing tips and camera tricks for flattering pictures of older people</a></li>
</ul>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<div style="text-align: center"><img src="http://cdn.mos.photoradar.com/files/articles/techniques/june2010/10-wedding-steps/10-wedding-photo-tips-bride-extra-02.jpg" alt="Wedding photography tips" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center"><img src="http://cdn.mos.photoradar.com/files/articles/techniques/june2010/10-wedding-steps/10-wedding-photo-tips-bride-extra-01.jpg" alt="Wedding photography tips" /></div>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Extra photos to get here…</strong></p>
<p>Incidental photographs are an important part of the shoot list. Good details will add to the story and look great in the wedding album. Use the time when the bride is having her hair done to get early detail shots in the bag. Take some of the items you want to shoot out of the dressing room so you’re not getting in the way of the bride. Shoes, flowers and rings all make good detail shots. Look for funky, bold backgrounds and arrange them into pleasing <a href="http://www.digitalcameraworld.com/tag/still-life-photography/">still life photography</a>. Natural light will give you some great results. Look for an area of open shade outside if the weather’s good; if not, a window light works well. A macro lens is essential – I use a 50mm f/2.5 macro.</p>
<p><strong>Wedding photo problem:</strong></p>
<p>&#8220;When <a href="http://www.digitalcameraworld.com/2012/08/08/9-things-you-need-to-know-about-using-macro-lenses/">using my macro lens</a>, a lot of my close-up details are soft.&#8221;</p>
<p><strong>Solution:</strong></p>
<p>When using a macro lens, try <a href="http://www.digitalcameraworld.com/2012/05/16/apertures-photography-cheat-sheet-when-to-go-small-and-when-to-go-wide/">keeping to mid-range apertures</a> such as f/6.3-f/8, to balance depth of field with <a href="http://www.digitalcameraworld.com/2012/05/29/common-mistakes-at-every-shutter-speed-and-the-best-settings-you-should-use/">reasonable shutter speeds</a>. Focus manually too.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<div style="text-align: center"><img src="http://cdn.mos.photoradar.com/files/articles/techniques/june2010/10-wedding-steps/10-wedding-photo-tips-arriving-01.jpg" alt="Wedding photography tips" /></div>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong><strong>Wedding Photography Tips: </strong>02 Arriving at the church</strong></p>
<p>In an ideal world you should arrive at the church as early as possible before the bride. Don’t waste this precious time. If you&#8217;re lucky enough to have an assistant, get them to park the car, making sure you can get away easily. Look for the groom and his ushers – they’re usually either walking from the pub or chatting outside the church. I always try to set the scene with my wide lens and then go in closer for the details, such as cuff links, flowers and shoes. This is also a good time to take some wedding portraits.</p>
<p>Other incidental images will help tell the story, such as guests arriving, orders of service, bridesmaids, the church gargoyles, flowers and children playing. There’s lots of potential subjects to capture at this point, however, you’ll need to have an eye open in anticipation of the bride’s arrival. The whole process of the bride arriving can happen in a flash so you’ve got to be prepared and have a plan in your mind.</p>
<p>Try to have 2 or 3 options for every stage of the day. You’ll need to be aware of where you should be as this critical moment won’t happen again. I’ll usually be on my wideangle lens and down low for a good dynamic angle or half way up the path using a long lens. I avoid the ‘normal’ shots and never get into the car to take pictures. Be there to capture it in your own unique way.</p>
<p>Finally, head for the church to get ready for the bride’s entrance. I stay on my 70-200mm lens while she walks up the path – a beautiful moment to capture with bride and father.</p>
<p><strong>Wedding photo problem:</strong></p>
<p>&#8220;The bride&#8217;s got out of the car and she’s bathed in sunlight!&#8221;</p>
<p><strong>Solution:</strong></p>
<p>Try underexposing by -2 stops and use fill flash to light the bride. This will take some time to get right and is not for the faint hearted, but once mastered you’ll find it invaluable.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<div style="text-align: center"><img src="http://cdn.mos.photoradar.com/files/articles/techniques/june2010/10-wedding-steps/10-wedding-photo-tips-ceremony.jpg" alt="Wedding photography tips" /></div>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong><strong>Wedding Photography Tips: </strong>03 The ceremony</strong></p>
<p>This important part of the wedding day can be technically challenging. There’s no second chances and you’ve got to have your wits about you. In situations like this it’s best to switch from program or semi-automatic modes to manual so that you have full control over your camera settings. There’s often limited light, so you’ll need to crank up the sensitivity to ISO 800 or ISO 1600. Keep your white balance set to auto, unless there are difficult light sources – in which case, do a custom white balance reading. I like to use a 70-200mm f/2.8 lens during the ceremony and I try to get to the front of the church and sit with the choir on the groom’s side so that I’m facing the bride. If you’re not allowed to sit at the front, you’ll have to get creative from the back of the church.</p>
<p>Think of the overall story – keep it in your mind all the time and look for shots of the parents, bridesmaids and guests to add to the narrative. Set the scene with some wide shots of the church interior using a wideangle lens. If the church is very dark I may get a friend or assistant to stand at the back or sit in a pew with a flashgun, which I can control using a Pocket Wizard remote trigger.</p>
<p><strong>Wedding photo problem:</strong></p>
<p>&#8220;I’m not allowed to use flash in the church and there’s a strong colour cast on my pictures!&#8221;</p>
<p><strong>Solution:</strong></p>
<p>If you can’t use flash during the ceremony then you’ll have to rely on the available light. The preset white balance modes may not be enough to get rid of colour casts. Make a custom white balance with a grey card and shoot in <a href="http://www.digitalcameraworld.com/tag/raw-format/">raw format</a> so you can tweak the white balance later in software.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<div style="text-align: center"><img src="http://cdn.mos.photoradar.com/files/articles/techniques/june2010/10-wedding-steps/10-wedding-photo-tips-leaving-church.jpg" alt="Wedding photography tips" /></div>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong><strong>Wedding Photography Tips: </strong>04 Leaving the church</strong></p>
<p>Just before the bride and groom come down the aisle, take a moment to get your camera settings sorted out and fit a wide zoom lens. If you can get them to stop and kiss just as they leave the church you’ll get a great series of shots. Get down so your low vantage point avoids getting other people in the background. Encourage the other guests to congratulate the bride and groom and use this time to <a href="http://www.digitalcameraworld.com/2011/02/01/10-quick-documentary-photography-tips/">shoot documentary-style pictures</a>. Get a good wideangle shot of the scene and go in for some details to add to the story.</p>
<p>Next, guide the couple down to the gate for the confetti shots before leaving for the reception. If the weather is closing in or you’re shooting a winter wedding, stay behind with the bride and groom for ten minutes and get pics of them using what light there is left in the day.</p>
<p><strong>Wedding photo problem:</strong></p>
<p>&#8220;The couple have left the church too quickly, leaving me with out-of-focus shots!&#8221;</p>
<p><strong>Solution:</strong></p>
<p>Be ready – either use flash and follow-focus the couple as they walk out of the church, with a suggested setting of ISO 400, 1/80sec to 1/100sec depending on how dark it is. Or ditch the flash, increase the ISO, pre-focus on a church pew and wait for the couple to hit that point.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<div style="text-align: center"><img src="http://cdn.mos.photoradar.com/files/articles/techniques/june2010/10-wedding-steps/10-wedding-photo-tips-bride-groom-02.jpg" alt="Wedding photography tips" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center"><img src="http://cdn.mos.photoradar.com/files/articles/techniques/june2010/10-wedding-steps/10-wedding-photo-tips-bride-groom-01.jpg" alt="Wedding photography tips" width="610" height="381" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center"><img src="http://cdn.mos.photoradar.com/files/articles/techniques/june2010/10-wedding-steps/10-wedding-photo-tips-bride-groom-04.jpg" alt="Wedding photography tips" width="610" height="407" /></div>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong><strong>Wedding Photography Tips: </strong>05 The Bride and Groom</strong></p>
<p>During the reception you’ll need to grab the bride and groom for about 15 minutes. Make sure you’ve got all the gear you’ll need, which should include a ladder, reflector and a bottle of Champagne with glasses.</p>
<p>It’s critical to have a plan. Try to work with three previously scouted locations in mind. Even use the walking to and from locations to get shots – lie down in the grass and shoot the couple walking towards you. Look for backgrounds, such as doorways, fences, steps, walls, wallpaper, staircases or any other architectural details of interest. Even the seemingly most mundane venue will have some great areas if you look carefully. I once shot a bride and groom in front of a bottle bank at the bottom of the car park because we were stuck for texture. It looked great.</p>
<p>Start off with the couple in a general scene shot using a wideangle lens then use the zoom to get a tighter shot. It’s important to also get the bride by herself so take the groom out of the picture for some single pictures of the her. Shoot a full length, half length and a head shot, taking multiple photos and changing the pose or direction of her gaze slightly between each frame.</p>
<p>Get on your ladder and make the bride raise her chin a little as it can be more flattering. If you’ve got an assistant ask them to hold a reflector and bounce light back into the bride’s face. I’ll often get a bride to look down while I shoot from a ladder. Get her to raise her head slowly while opening her eyes towards the lens, you’ll be able to feel the right moment and if you’ve got your timing right you’ll get a powerful portrait.</p>
<p><strong>Wedding photo problem:</strong></p>
<p>&#8220;I can’t decide which lens to use for the reception!&#8221;</p>
<p><strong>Solution:</strong></p>
<p>To avoid all your images looking the same use a variety of focal lengths, go from wide to telephoto and you’ll end up with a great set of different looking shots which will work alongside one another in an album.</p>
<p>For more advice, see our <a href="http://www.digitalcameraworld.com/2012/08/15/17-romantic-couple-poses-that-will-make-you-say-i-do/">guide to romantic couple poses</a>.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<div style="text-align: center"><img src="http://cdn.mos.photoradar.com/files/articles/techniques/june2010/10-wedding-steps/10-wedding-photo-tips-groups-01.jpg" alt="Wedding photography tips" /></div>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong><strong>Wedding Photography Tips: </strong>06 Groups</strong></p>
<p>I think <a href="http://www.digitalcameraworld.com/2012/08/02/18-of-the-best-ever-posing-tips-for-group-photos/">shooting group photos</a> are an integral part of any wedding. No matter how ‘documentary’ or your approach is you should be prepared to shoot groups. They can be challenging and you’ll have to work fast. A small ladder is invaluable for the group shots so you can get a bird’s eye view of the scene and see everyone’s face. The <a href="http://www.digitalcameraworld.com/2012/03/08/fix-a-photo-background-distractions-removed-in-3-steps/">background is important</a> and I like to try and show some of the venue. A 16-35mm wideangle zoom set to a smallish aperture such as f/11 is good so that you achieve a decent depth of field. I’ll always pop a little flash into the scene to brighten up the shadows in the faces. Backlit shade is best. If the group is in the middle of a field then you will have to create your own shade by turning their backs to the sun.</p>
<p>Once you’ve done the big group, get the smaller requested shots done. These should be discussed with the bride and groom prior to the wedding. I’ll use a longer focal length and stand back for groups of fewer than 12 people. If you do the large group, photograph everyone together and then simply call out names for smaller group shots.</p>
<p><strong>Wedding photo problem:</strong></p>
<p>&#8220;There are shadows across the faces in my group shots!&#8221;</p>
<p><strong>Solution:</strong></p>
<p>The best way to shoot a big group shot (150 to 350 people) is to stand on a ladder and use a wide lens. Underexpose by one stop to give detail in the highlights, and use fill-flash to get rid of the shadows.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<div style="text-align: center"><img src="http://cdn.mos.photoradar.com/files/articles/techniques/june2010/10-wedding-steps/10-wedding-photo-tips-details-01.jpg" alt="Wedding photography tips" width="407" height="610" /></div>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong><strong>Wedding Photography Tips: </strong>07 Details</strong></p>
<p>Don’t underestimate the importance of details throughout the day They’re the glue that binds an album together. Look for different ways of telling the story – rather than showing a clock to illustrate the time, look for birds flying away to roost or shadows on the ground. Other details such as canopies, children playing, hats, flowers, architectural details and musicians are all essential parts of the story.</p>
<p>Take candid head shots of the other guests. Shoot ‘contre jour’ with the sun behind their heads and you’ll get a lovely rim light. Expose for the shadows of the face and focus on the eyes, don’t worry if the highlights in the background blow out.</p>
<p><strong>Wedding photo problem:</strong></p>
<p>&#8220;When I’m shooting reception details, the spotlights that shine down can create a nasty shadow – what can I do?&#8221;</p>
<p><strong>Solution:</strong></p>
<p>Try to use off-camera flash using a remote trigger such as a Pocket Wizard. This gets rid of the shadows and allows you to be creative with your lighting.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<div style="text-align: center"><img src="http://cdn.mos.photoradar.com/files/articles/techniques/june2010/10-wedding-steps/10-wedding-photo-tips-bride-speech.jpg" alt="Wedding photography tips" width="407" height="610" /></div>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong><strong>Wedding Photography Tips: </strong>08 Speech</strong></p>
<p>You’ll need to show the ‘important people’ on the top table and also the crowd’s reaction to the speeches. If you have an assistant or a friend helping out, ask them to concentrate on the other tables while you stick with the top table. Unless you’re lucky enough to have the speeches outside on a lovely sunny evening you’ll almost certainly need to use flash. Switch to manual mode depending on the amount of ambience there is. I can guess my settings, ISO 400-800, 1/30sec to 1/60sec at a low aperture such as f/5.6, with flash bounce off the ceiling. I usually end up on my knees in front of the top table, picking reactions off at both ends.</p>
<p><strong>Wedding photo problem:</strong></p>
<p>&#8220;I have a problem getting enough light onto the subject without causing harsh shadows.&#8221;</p>
<p><strong>Solution:</strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.digitalcameraworld.com/2012/06/26/best-shutter-speeds-for-every-situation/">Use a slow shutter speed</a> to capture the natural light and <a href="http://www.digitalcameraworld.com/2012/02/20/bounce-flash-photography-techniques-in-4-simple-steps/">bounce the flash off the ceiling</a>. You’ll <a href="http://www.digitalcameraworld.com/2012/05/09/how-to-eliminate-harsh-shadows-when-using-flash/">avoid harsh shadows</a>, and capture the ambiance of the room.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<div style="text-align: center"><img src="http://cdn.mos.photoradar.com/files/articles/techniques/june2010/10-wedding-steps/10-wedding-photo-tips-dance-01.jpg" alt="Wedding photography tips" /></div>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong><strong>Wedding Photography Tips: </strong>09 Cake cutting and first dance</strong></p>
<p>Shooting the first dance can be a hit and miss affair for some photographers but, if you use the right equipment with the right knowledge you can achieve wonderfully lit pictures full of fun and energy. I’ll often use two or three off-camera flashes, one as my main fill light with a soft box attached and two ‘naked’ flashes for special effects mounted on Manfrotto light stands which I’ll fire using a remote trigger. If you give yourself the time to set this up during the meal then there’s no reason why you shouldn’t be ready in time. Use your assistant or a waiter to test your exposures. I’ll keep the flashes on manual output and control the exposure using the aperture. I’ll tweak the shutter speeds to vary the amount of ambient light and then take a few test shots to get the right balance.</p>
<p>The cake shot is more traditional than anything else. If you have to do this shot – which you probably will – then spice it up a little. Grab one of the ‘naked’ flashes from the dance floor and use it as a rear flash for a dramatic effect. Ask an assistant to hold the other flash with a softbox to light the bride and groom. A lens with a 24-70mm focal length is perfect for this and I’ll often get down on my knees to capture the moment from a more dramatic angle.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<div style="padding: 0px 10px 10px 0px;overflow: hidden;width: 244px;margin-right: 9px;float: left"><img class="alignleft" src="http://cdn.mos.photoradar.com/files/articles/techniques/june2010/10-wedding-steps/10-wedding-photo-tips-fire.jpg" alt="Wedding photography tips" width="244" height="610" /></div>
<div style="overflow: hidden;width: 355px;margin-right: 9px;float: left">
<p><strong><strong>Wedding Photography Tips: </strong>10 Fireworks</strong></p>
<p>Finish the night with a bang! If you’re just starting out in wedding photography then stay all night just for the experience. As you progress, make sure you charge extra to stay later. Sometimes fireworks can take place at 11pm. The brightness of the fireworks and how long they last will affect your exposures. Quite often your exposures will be a little faster than you might think. Try positioning the couple in the foreground and popping them with a little flash while keeping the shutter open for 1/10sec to 1/15sec. You may well need to use a tripod. Sometimes the fireworks are so bright that you’ll be close to daylight exposures. Switch to manual mode and experiment.</p>
<p><strong>Wedding photo problem:</strong></p>
<p>&#8220;I find getting the couple and fireworks looking good in one exposure can be challenging.&#8221;</p>
<p><strong>Solution:</strong></p>
<p>To balance the couple and fireworks, keep your shutter open a little longer and let your flash freeze the subject. Use rear curtain sync so that the flash fires at the end of the exposure</p>
</div>
<div style="clear: both"></div>
<h3>Bonus wedding photography tips</h3>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Equipment check: have you…</p>
<p>• Fully charged all your camera batteries?<br />
• Cleaned your camera sensor?<br />
• Formatted your memory cards?<br />
• Got a list of the day&#8217;s timings?<br />
• Got clear directions and phone numbers and a full tank of fuel?<br />
• Double checked camera bags, ensuring you’ve got all the right cables, lenses and accessories?<br />
• Got plenty of spare AA batteries for flashguns and your DSLR battery charger?<br />
• Packed some electrical tape?<br />
• Packed a small ladder and white umbrella?<br />
• Packed a spare body or two – consider hiring one – just in case?</p>
<p><strong>Shots to get: make sure you cover…</strong></p>
<p>• Getting ready<br />
• Arriving at the church<br />
• The ceremony<br />
• Details throughout the day<br />
• Bride by herself<br />
• Bride and groom together<br />
• Families of the bride and groom<br />
• Big group shot and bridal party<br />
• Cutting the cake<br />
• Speeches and first dance</p>
<p>All wedding photos ©Brett Harkness. <em>Professional wedding photographer Brett Harkness started taking wedding pictures over 10 years ago while working as a cruise ship photographer in the Caribbean. He returned to the UK in 2001 and shot his first wedding for £150 using one roll of film. Since then his business has gone from strength to strength and while he only shoots between 10 and 15 weddings a year, he regularly earns 5 figures a wedding. Find out more at <a href="http://www.brettharknessphotography.com/" target="_blank"><strong>Brett Harkness Photography</strong></a><br />
</em></p>
<p><strong>READ MORE PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS</strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.digitalcameraworld.com/2012/02/08/famous-photographers-225-tips-to-inspire-you/">Famous Photographers: 225 tips to inspire you</a><br />
<a href="http://www.digitalcameraworld.com/2011/02/03/44-essential-digital-camera-tips-and-tricks/">44 essential digital camera tips and tricks</a><br />
<a href="http://www.digitalcameraworld.com/2012/02/23/family-portraits-10-tips-for-setting-up-your-home-photo-studio/">Family Portraits: 10 tips for setting up your home studio</a><br />
<a href="http://www.digitalcameraworld.com/2010/03/26/21-street-photography-tips-from-the-professionals/">21 street photography tips from the professionals</a><br />
<a href="http://www.digitalcameraworld.com/2012/02/20/digital-camera-effects-from-a-z/">Digital camera effects from A-Z</a><br />
<a href="http://www.digitalcameraworld.com/2012/02/17/night-photography-tips-9-essential-steps-for-beginners/">Night photography tips: 9 essential steps for beginners</a></p>
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