Wedding Quick Tip
Photograph enough wedding events, and this will happen to you!
You’re positioned off the isle in a massive church about 5 isles from the front. You’re all set to go, waiting for the mother’s to be escorted down to be seated.
Your loaded with a fresh roll of film (or your card has plenty of room to spare). You glance at your strobe ready light, good to go.
Music starts up; you pick a person about ten feet down the isle to pre-focus on.
At about fifteen feet you step out and squeeze off a nice shot of the groom’s mother escorted by the brides brother.
No way to get the groom’s father, he’s tucked in to close behind in tow . . . “damn”!
You step back in the pew as the mother passes and is seated. Piece of cake, you’re all ready pre-focused, and you know the next shot goes when the next couple passes the dude in the plaid jacket ten feet down the isle. It went smooth the first time.
Here comes the mother of the bride escorted by one of the groomsmen some sort of track star! Why is he going so fast? No problem I’ll make the adjustment, and step out when she’s about five feet before the guy in the plaid to make up for the speed.
You calmly step out, squeeze a shot off. NOTHING!
You fire off another as they pass (nice side shot, NOT) no strobe!
You check your ready light . . . it’s fine.
Hit the test button on your strobe and it fires flawlessly.
It must be the pc cord or shoe? You juggle and check everything, it should be fine. Something must have just been loose.
People around you are looking at you funny, but you smile back. Are they looking at you because they noticed you didn’t get the shot, or because you’re bright red and sweating?
Here comes the bride’s maid. At the plaid man . . . step out . . . fire . . . nothing!
All of the sudden, music starts that you don’t want to hear . . . “daaaaa da ta da”. (Now’s the time to stroke out).
You glance towards your spares sitting in the last pew, about 20 feet a quarter mile down the isle. Never make it, the bride’s already started down the isle.
I don’t think stepping out and yelling, “Stop Everything” would appear to professional.
Relax and stay cool, I’ll help you through this!
1. Still pre-focused, but check it again . . . you’re in panic mode, the brides still coming.
2. Crank the dial for your shutter speed down to one second.
3. Put your finger on the strobe test button, and step out into the isle.
(Now is not the time to think about who would wear a plaid jacket to a wedding!)
4. When the bride hits the mark, steadily squeeze off the shot.
5. When you hear the shutter drop, pop the strobe. (Your opening should be at your original setting somewhere around F8-F11 depending on what your using, and the slow shutter speed will sync just fine). A little ambient light will add to the mood.
If you follow this tip in your time of need, you will have results that you will be proud of. I was! How could I make anything like this up?
Post your comments about your wedding heart attacks.
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I appreciate the photography tips as I am looking to expand my knowledge of shooting. I like the blog, and the humor that is also in it. Thank you for sharing your knowledge!! I look forward to reading more.