Weddings Photography

Every photographer with a good cam-era sooner or later gets tapped by a friend or relative to photograph her or his wedding. Although wedding pho-tography is best left to the pros, with some advance preparation you should be able to carry it off. But once you've accepted the challenge, you must concentrate on being a photographer, not on being a guest.

You'll need a 35mm SLR with a zoom lens of about 35-70mm, or equivalent single-focal-length lenses. Also essential is a fairly powerful four-cell flash with a guide number of at least 120. Put in fresh batteries, and carry three or four sets of spares. You may want to use AA lithium batteries, which last at least twice as long and recycle faster than alkalines. Shoot with a color negative film of ISO 100 or 400. Eight to ten 36-exposure rolls should be enough.

Wedding photography is a blend of portrait, documentary, and candid photography. Ask the bride and groom for a list of special shots they want, then supplement that list based on your own wedding experiences. Try to move beyond the usual cliches of wedding photography. But don't forget pictures of the buffet table (before any-one disturbs the arrangement), a floral centerpiece, unusual decorations, the cake, and any special activities or entertainers.

Finally, shoot lots of candids-the couple's expressions while a toast is being made, cute kids being cute, adult guests being silly. Just try not to shoot anything that will embarass them later!

TIPS FOR A SUCCESSFUL EXPERIENCE

- If possible, bring backups of all equipment.
- Test your system in advance.
- Make a checklist of what you want to take, and assemble it the day before.
- Find out from clergyman if photography is per-mitted during the ceremony.
- Familiarize yourself with the procedures of this particular religion.
- Arrive early to assemble your gear and find the best shooting places.
- Prefocus the camera so you can take coming-down-the-aisle pictures from a fixed distance, as subjects reach a certain pew.
- During the reception, photograph as many dif-ferent people as you can.
- Ask someone, perhaps the best man, to point out close relatives so you're sure to photograph them.
- Don't hesitate to ask people to look toward you for the shot.
- Have the band leader, or whoever is in charge, alert you for the cake cutting, bouquet throw-ing, and other key events.
- Before the wedding, learn and practice a few poses for the formal shots of the bridal party.
- Shoot formats early, either before the ceremony or right after the receiving line.
- For table shots, have men stand behind seated women. Frame loosely, so printing will not crop off people at the sides.