[AQ]

Pheewwwww

Think I will stick to photographing wild flowers.

I do not know if it has already been suggested but I would put your best frock on, get to a couple of local weddings and watch how the togs there work.

Good luck and enjoy Yorkshire whne you get here.

[Charlotte]

Had to take a short breather from thinking about this Thanks everyone for all the tips + encouragement, I really appreciate your help + support

Graham and Willow - you mean I can't go in jeans, drat!

Dave(therave) - I did look at your website + am very impressed I'll go back + look again (didn't finish).

Steve (Turner) - Wireless flash? Is there a quick way to explain how I would do this, or should I RTFM ('read the flash manual' )

AQ - Going to one or more wedding shoots, to see how it's done, is already on my "checklist so far" (posted earlier), thanks for suggesting that, as I think it would be a BIG help if I can

A few questions:

1. Flash - do I shoot with the SB800 on the hotshoe, or off? If off, how do I manage to hold it Or would off-camera flash only be possible when I'm using a tripod? Is this one of the tasks which an assistant would be helpful for?

2. Reflector - will I really need one and/or will it be practical to use one? Bearing in mind that I may NOT be able to organise an assistant.

3. Assistant - A couple of you have suggested this. What would an assistant 'do'

4. How many spare batteries should I take? How many 2GB CF/SD cards should I take?

TIA for some more help

[Dabhand16]

1 Easiest way for off the camera flash is with a flash bracket that incorporates a grip too. My one folds flat for easy storage, The bracket screws into the tripod mount in the camera and the flash sits on top of the grip. My very old one has a cable release to screw into the shutter release, but modern ones might have a remote release, or you can have the grip on the LHS to use your right hand to trip the shutter.
2 Without an assistant not practical.
3 Assistants do what they are told. (Bet you won't have any trouble with that )
4 Take all of your batteries.
5 Take all of your cards.

[Charlotte]

Thanks Graham.

1. Well that's out for me then: (a) The 'bracket' I've seen for the D300 costs £120 (yes, just for the bracket) (if it's the right item, of course), and (b) I won't be buying a grip for the D50 (if there is one) (hadn't planned on buying a D300 grip either).

2. Right

3. Kewl

4 + 5. Yes but I will need to buy some + wondered how many to take, so I know how many to buy (especially CF cards, as I have none yet )

[Charlotte]

Oh, just remembered question #6:

6. Will I need a flash sync cord?

Am trying to co-ordinate everything I need to buy, so that I can decide where to buy what from (already decided on the 'big' stuff, it's just accessories now) + place orders, to avoid ordering from the same place twice (messy + extra p&p).

[AQ]

you seem to be getting there. A couple of comments.

At all the weddings I have been to I have never seen a photographer using a reflector even when they had an assistant.

Check in Picstop are still doing their CF offer. Extreme III 4GB for about £17

[Dabhand16]

Originally Posted by Charlotte

1. Well that's out for me then: (a) The 'bracket' I've seen for the D300 costs £120 (yes, just for the bracket)

D300???????????

[Dabhand16]

Originally Posted by Charlotte

Thanks Graham.

1. Well that's out for me then: (a) The 'bracket' I've seen for the D300 costs £120 (yes, just for the bracket) (if it's the right item, of course), and (b) I won't be buying a grip for the D50 (if there is one) (hadn't planned on buying a D300 grip either).

Look at the second one down here.

You'll need a synch cord if you want to retain TTL metering and camera control of the flash - or you could do some practice and use manual.

I suspect the expensive one you mention has built-in flash synch.

[spxxxx]

Charlotte

Don't fall into the trap of making everything too complicated..........

Take the following with a pinch of salt - what works for me may not for you.

1. Don't rely on a shot list - what happens if you miss one during the day - if you raise the expectations of the client there is only one way to go. You want to document the day naturally with the emphasis on bride and groom - as they mingle you will get all the shots needed.

2. Formal groups - put this in the hands of the bride/groom to supply a list to you AND the best man - emphasise that the best man is to round people up in the order that you need them. Formals take between 2/3 minutes each so ideally you need a maximum of 6-8, if more just point out the time required to complete the task so they will not become impatient on the day.

3.Save your money on the flash bracket - it really isnt needed just bounce inside - outside again point upwards and use a Demb Flipit to provide fill. Or if the light is good don't use any flash - one less worry.

4.Practice focus tracking with your camera / flash for the exit from the church...

5.Keep checking your settings/iso from time to time - especially when moving from interior to exterior.

6.Now you've saved a bundle on the bracket get an extra flash to act as backup / off camera.

7.work out a timeline for the day with the couple - see where things fit - eg formals. Have a plan in case of rain.

8.Try to get the bride and groom to give you 30-45 minutes quality time - just you and them NO-ONE else. The album will truly benefit.

Oh and the contentious one........... Graphi Albums suck - poor print - poor quality bindings and overpriced. The general opinion is that these types of magazine albums have had their day and infact people are going back to quality contemporary matted albums.

Put a Jorgensen next to a Graphi and it makes the latter look like a comic

[Steve_Turner]

Charlotte

Simon's advice sounds very sensible to me, especially getting the best man to round people up, this is one of the hardest parts when people are standing around chatting. He's more likely to know people and he's usually spare between the ceremony and the reception and it frees you up to think about the next shot. Managing people can be challenging at times, they wander off, got for a smoke, go for a drink, show off their new car etc, never where they need to be :-) .

I'm not sure how to do off camera flash with Nikon gear, but I'm sure it's possible. I bought Sony / Minolta as wireless flash comes for free. I've found it to be very good and the results can be almost as good as studio work, just plonk it on a shelf or mount it on a cheap tripod and control it from the camera. I bought it for the last wedding and I'm still learning how to get the best from it (on and off camera).

I would recommended some practice to get the best results first.

I would spend my money on the best flash I could afford, you will use it either for inside work or fill-in flash outside or most likely both.

I hope this helps.

Steve

[Charlotte]

Thanks AQ, Graham, Simon + Steve (Turner) for the advice I'm still taking it all in. I'm now equipped with the extra equipment that I wanted to get, including the SB800 which arrived today ... should be fun learning to use that

[WOODY]

CHARLOTTE, YOU KEPT THE NEW FLASH QUIET, ALSO WHAT IS THE EXTRA EQUIPMENT
THAT YOU HAVEN'T TOLD US ABOUT

[Charlotte]

Heh heh, all in good time Woody