Wedding photography kit and advice (www.dombower.com)

[cyberzan777]

can i know your backbag brand?

[MI6CORPORAL]

So, for my wedding photography, I'm thinking a 70-200 f/2.8 on a full frame camera, and a decent wide angle to normal zoom, such as a 24-70 or and 14-24 or 17-40, also on a full frame camera, perhaps a 5D mk. II or D700? And drop a 100mm or 105mm macro in the pocket and a little normal lens such as a 50mm f/1.4 or 1.8? What do you think?

[BDJOEcustomvideos]

I'm a beginner, which slr should I buy?

[Kuss747]

thanks for the tips!!! I actually have a wedding to do tomorrow so this was quite helpful.

[shazam75]

very informative - good vid!

[hithereimdan2]

5:54 lol

[theweddingproject]

Nice video, very good

The Wedding Project NYC

[17GAZZANIKON]

Hey Dom!

Big fan of all your work, just wanted a bit of advice as ive been asked to shoot my first solo wedding on saturday (its only 30 people attending), ive assised 2 before, but would like some advice from someone that has experience in that area. Im an 18 year old photography student, and would be using a nikon d300s & d90 with a 24-120, sigma 10-20, nikon 35mm f1.8 for the day, with an sb-900. do you have any tips you could give me? ie lighting positions, flash etc?

Thanks

Gareth

[TheSofielnegar]

hi dom your sigma 105mm macro is also nice for portrait like nikon 105 mm micro? pls. reply coz i'll be getting sigma 50mm 1.4 + the 105mm sigma if it's good this weekend

[johnny48166]

Dom, I have a D90 along with the 50 1.4g, 80-200 2.8d, and a Tokina 11-16 2.8

Weddings and portraits are mostly what I do.

I want to upgrade or buy a more professional camera. What would you recommend ?

[dombower]

@johnny48166 nikon d700 if you are doing weddings

[mettalliko]

@johnny48166 i had the d90 when i started to do weddings,and a d50 as aback up i sold everything i had and i bought a d700 with 24-70mm and a sb800 it felt like a taxi ride vs ferrari,.....it is worth the investment and pictures are just amazing d700 is a super great camera i love the d3 same image quality if you do weddings get the d700 and use the d90 as a back up

[trumpetman50]

When you used the flash Off camera, could that still be done with just nikons creative lighting system?

[dombower]

@trumpetman50 not if you are outside and you have the flash off camera behind you unless you have a sb700 or 900 pointing behind you

[beastboy911]

i am planing to buy the canon 7d but dont know which lens

[kauxkaux]

can you use nikon lenses on all fuji dslrs?

[weddingnewcastle]

good stuff man!!

[TonyasDynamicDesigns]

Great video! Once I take my photo with a camera, will I know right away if the flash or the lens took the shot correctly meaning is there a screen on the cameras that will show me the shot or should I not worry about that and just keep shooting?

Also, do you use Photo Shop to add extra effects to your wedding photos or is it best to leave the photos more natural and straight from the camera? Thanks for your help. I am new to photography.

[1rhett1]

Dude you shud've used that tripod to film the video! :/

[Demonods]

good video!next time will bring more useful stuff with me ! Thanks for sharing Dom ;)

[CWWPhotography]

You give a lot of good tips. Keep up the good work.

[PeteMc100]

This was a excellent, enjoyed they way you explained the use of everything.

[pllphoto]

Do you use everything shown here in one wedding?

[dombower]

@pllphoto oh yeah for a wedding you have to be super prepared

[zhugekoming]

in addition, cls will only work when built in flash is fire? tat will cast a shadow below the image if the lens is long. am i correct?

[dombower]

@zhugekoming not if you shoot fast enough. it should not affect the image

[zhugekoming]

in addition, cls will only work when built in flash is fire? tat will cast a shadow below the image if the lens is long. am i correct?

[dombower]

@zhugekoming you can always use a second sb900 on top of your camera and have it face the off camera flash

[gadernal617]

just use your flash wirelessly

[dombower]

@gadernal617 read comments below

[thetruthwilsetyoufre]

Dom, do you use a polarizing filter at all? I've rented an equipment package for an upcoming wedding later this month, (getting nervous and excited I must say). Nobody will rent filters because they are too breakable/scratch-able, and I can't afford them now.

Right now I have: my canon rebel XT with zoom lens kit (nothing really special) Rented a Canon 5D, 580 EX II (2), flash cord, flash stand, and I have reserved an 85m 1.2, 16-35 2.8, and the 24-70 2.8. Not sure what to give up? Thanks!

[thetruthwilsetyoufre]

Dom, do you use a polarizing filter at all? I've rented an equipment package for an upcoming wedding later this month, (getting nervous and excited I must say). Nobody will rent filters because they are too breakable/scratch-able, and I can't afford them now.

Right now I have: my canon rebel XT with zoom lens kit (nothing really special) Rented a Canon 5D, 580 EX II (2), flash cord, flash stand, and I have reserved an 85m 1.2, 16-35 2.8, and the 24-70 2.8. Not sure what to give up? Thanks!!!

[RoundTheBendFilms]

this must be before you knew about Nikon CLS hah

[dombower]

@RoundTheBendFilms no, read the comments below

[RoundTheBendFilms]

@dombower I actually wrote the comment before I saw the part where you explained your lighting stand haha.

[4Alpha7Kilo]

Hey, about those graduated whatever filters, I was wondering where I could pick up those items? Online maybe? I'm looking to do some wedding photography in the coming weeks and would like to be able to take advantage of what I could get my hands on. Also a price range?

Thanks,

[Bradhunter33]

Love you vids. Great advice.

I bought my D90 1 year ago - took 10,000 shots - but still only own the 18-105 kit lens w/ sb600.

My buget is around 2-4k $cdn. I mainly enjoy shooting portraits & group shots (outdoors mostly), landscapes/flora/fauna, I am interested in shooting in more urban environments.

I'm thinking..

70-200 2.8

wide angle

& macro to start.

sound good?

pick one: 3 ok lenses? or 1 high end lens?

Are there ary lenses you wish you didn't buy, or hardly ever use?

[Evilscotsman1238]

How much do you charge for wedding, all that kit must cost a fortune.

[allisonchastain]

dom, is it possible for you to write out the lenses you mentioned? Thank you so much!

[tourdumonde77]

Dom, you´re talking about a macro 105 mm f2.8 for detail photos such as rings, shoes, glass and so on ... At the same time you also advise using fast lenses such as the 70-200 f2.8.

My question is : if I use this 70-200 f2.8 lens, getting an extra macro 105mm f2.8 is absolutely useless, right ? I can obtain exactly the same setting my 70-200 to 105, right ?

Thanks.

[dombower]

@tourdumonde77 you clearly have not had a macro lens then.

[tourdumonde77]

Not such a good one than the 105 f2.8 macro, I agree. But I prefer using Kenko extension tube.

I didn´t realize you were talking about the 105mm for its macro function. So, don´t you think you can achieve good close ups (ok, not 1:1) using this wonderful 70-200 f2.8 at 200mm and croping a little bit after ? Do you honestly think (naive question) it worth the hassle of an extra lens just for close-up ? In order to prevent back-ache I would go for 70-200 f2.8 & 17-50 f2.8 over 2 camera bodies ...

[baguiopunx]

@tourdumonde77 You can only achieve a close-up shot using only 70-200mm f2.8 but not a macro shot. Using a 105mm macro lens helps you achieve a 1:1 magnification.

[tourdumonde77]

@baguiopunx thanks for your lights. I absolutely agree with you. On the video, just focused on 105mm f 2.8 and 70-200 f2.8. Not realize it was all about macro.

I have a (bad) macro lens but for me even 1:1 ration magnification is not enough, the reason with I shoot macro with a standard 50mm prime lens and my Kenko rings.

[kricsi81]

Dom, can you give me a link of your flash holder? (where did you buy)

Thanks!

[henrygrove100]

like your accent, what is that?

[henrygrove100]

good idea two cameras, just in case one breaks...!

[BGLEE35]

Brilliant

[yumohvideo]

god love you, Dom, your v-logs are great to watch and your voice is soooooooo much more pleasurable to listen to that a lot of the irritating American accents on photo-tutorials.

[dombower]

@yumohvideo thank you for your kind words. i still dont really like my own accent but thanks

[joonem02]

thank very much for your immediate attention for my query.more power to you and Godbless!

[N95movies]

I really want to be a wedding photographer - thank you for this! Realy helpfull appriciate it!

[stinkyhound]

Hi Dom, at 4.35 you show us a cord for off camera, trying now to find one online etc but is this a nikon piece of kit ? if so does it have a model or refernce no, many thanks for your fantastic videos, i'm gettng more confident now thanks to you, shame you don't run flash courses for beginners. regards Elliott

[gussman01]

Thank you! Beginner here and was looking for some tips for taking pictures on the go like you are at a wedding. This was a huge help. Confirmed much of what I thought I would need. I am have really learned a lot from your videos!

[zapruder77]

Hi mate, cant decide between getting the Sigma 18-50mmf/2.8 ex dc macro or the sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4 dc os macro. Ive got the long end covered with a Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 APO EX HSM. its been driving me mad for about a week just cant decide!! would really appreciate your advice. over and out

[SwitchRich]

f1.4 is all well and good but your depth of field is going to be so limited that it may hard to get all the required objects / people in focus. I own a couple of lenses which are f2.8 throughout their entire range, and I must say that I rarely use them at such a wide aperature.

[dombower]

@rocco97 the fish eye can add a bit of action and dynamicism to the shots and help make something creatively cool

[V3ryM3tal]

Awesome, thanks for the advice!

[trongs01]

i cant believe at this point last year u were still using a flash cord. it feels like you've been using the CLS for much longer.

[dombower]

@trongs01 if outside your pop up flash will not set off the cls flash if it is to the side or above. so cord is still needed for outdoor work

[FirebrandNIRE]

Amazing video.

Very much appreciated

[jusrelaxing]

that was thorough and quick, thanks!

[patriciagrosjean]

Wonderful information!! THANK YOU SO MUCH! This has been so helpful to me! I am shooting my first wedding solo this Saturday... Thank you!

[kindagoodphoto]

who would win a fight,dom bower or chase jarvis??

[photographyconcepts]

Great video as always... What is your opinion about using camera fanny packs?

[photographyconcepts]

Huge help, thanks!

What's your opinion about using fanny pack style lens and camera pack?

[elpaparaxy]

That was a great video. Thanxx for spending some time to show your videos. I'm going to shoot a wedding pretty soon and I would love to buy a lense: however, I haven't decide between a nikon fisheye 10.5mm F2.8 that'll give different pictures from the rest of the guessests or a wide angle. What would you recommended me.

[dombower]

if you dont have a wide angle first dont think about the fish eye!

[soulchild2008]

Hey Dom,

I understand you are a big fan of the 50mm lens. If I am using a DX sensor, such as a Nikon D90 or D300s, and I want to achieve the same 50mm picture as you would get from an FX sensor, would it just make sense to use a 35mm lens to get the near 50mm (or about 52mm) perspective since a 50mm on a DX body will only crop the picture by 1.5X factor??

[FatGameR20]

about how many batteries do you think i should get i got the same rechargeable batteries that you showed i have to is that enough for a standard wedding? how many do you recommend

please right back and thank you.

[AMRODP]

Love the info, it's great!!!

Any chance in seeing one of your images you were talking about with the fish eye and the groom and best man.

Thanks

[ozricii]

Great!! I've got my first wedding on Saturday 4th Feb 10. Your video confirmed that I'm ready. 2 cams, 2 flashes, loads of memory cards and bats, filters and a laptop to transfer during the day.

[bmoremusiclova86]

lol @ sensorreingung...thts my fav part to

[0ldSandwich]

Hey Dom,

What do you think about using a photography vest, rather than a bag to hold all your little things?

[dombower]

fine but not the right thing for at a wedding really. vest is for hillwalking or landscape stuff not studio/wedding images

[craigrichardellioott]

Thank you. You are the best help I can find.

[sensorreinigung]

very good video.

best is at 5:55 for camera, camera, lens, lens, flash, flash, flash, lens xD

[swpn606]

One of the best guide

Thnx heaps

[dombower]

thaanks

[lorikzzz]

You obviously didn't know about the Nikon CLS System that time !!! LOL

[dombower]

cls doesnt work if you are holding your flash up to your left at arm length and are outside. the flash will not reach the sensor so that is why the cable comes in handy

[lorikzzz]

ohh I didn't think of that

[Epsileon]

Dom, have you invested in any wireless triggers? Id like to see a review on a pair of cybersyncs or pw's.

[dombower]

no, they are a waste of money. so far i have not found a situation where i have actually needed one

[aleperenyi]

Why u dont use the CLS to trigger the flash?

[dombower]

@aleperenyi a lot of the time i will be wanting the flash behind me or very much to the side of me and if i am diong a shoot outside then the cls on the camera will only point forward and it will not reg on the flash so the wire helps but a lot of th other time cls is fine

[trancein305]

cool video. But what about soft boxes ? such as lumiquest or the gary fong diffusers ? are they any help

[bossnee]

......also i want to capture more ambient in the hall behind subjects as opposed to flash spotlighting the subject and its nearly black behind them. PS - i use a 3.5 lens, setting f4 and 1/50 sec, ISO 400 all the time for indoor hall shots. Haven't seen any decent videos on this subject!

[bossnee]

hey dom

fab videos -and in english!

i have photographed a few inside weddings in big halls where i need to use flash ALL the time.

Landscapes are easy to get lighting right , but the portraits are a nightmare - subjects are lit more on one side and then there's the shadows. I use the sb800 with diffuser and always have it angled at 45. If i bounce straight up it disappears , the light disappears into the high ceilings. How can i get consistently well exposed pics?

[dombower]

take your flash off your camera hand hold it to the side and flash at the shadow side.

[will4r]

hi dombower thanks for all your info in youtube. I have a question? on weddings do you shoot in raw or jpg?

[devchonka18]

always shoot raw it is easier to then edit it

[dombower]

agreeed, for weddings keep with raw

[whoppers1000]

Question? How do you like your Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8? Any problems with it? What's the quality build like?

[dombower]

love it. pretty much that and my 50mm lens are the only lenses i use these days! they are a brilliant combination

[limclone]

Mr Bower Again great videos. I wish you would use a better camera to film the one man show! LOL

[dombower]

dont worry i will re shoot all my videos once nikon creates the nikon d700s or d800 with fast fps hd video

[itr0nic]

great video thx

[sexualburgerking]

Do you think it's worth getting a 50mm FX lens for a DX body? I can't seem to find a 50mm DX lens.

[dombower]

the 50mm fx is cheep enough you dont need it cheepened for a dx size sensor. and yes it is well worth it

[ab3nk]

thank's man!!!

[tlm1028yt]

Love your videos.  Also entertaining.

[s3ries3]

Thanks for the great video Dom! Love your vids man, thank for the info on wedding photography. Have been considering getting into it lately.

[SaDScO]

Dont forget the memory cards

[flash06]

thanks for the help!

[terehz]

Thanks Dom!!

I am about to shoot my first wedding this weekend and this helps alot.

[eydbii]

Great video!

Ever thought about making a video about filters...?

[dombower]

em. might do soon

[georgeakapierz]

nice vid, i try and keep it more minimal

2XD3

70--200 2.8 on one

24-70 2.8 on the other

both holding sb900's

would only really use uv filters for blue skys.

:)

[dombower]

but you soo cant beat a 50mm f1.4 that is what i use the most, it is wuvway!

[georgeakapierz]

i agree, ALTHOUGH, i find the 85 1.4 is more forgiving, I mainly use the 24-70 2.8 because its so dam versatile..pricey i know but PIN sharp.

[dombower]

2 D3s!!! man that must kill the arms.

and no wide angles? i use the tokina 11-16 a lot for cramped situations at weddings.

[georgeakapierz]

nah, it's fine.

yeah I own the 14-24 2.8 but only find myself using 16-24 at the best of times.

Im loving the 105 VR at the moment, cracking lens.

[chriselpuma]

Wich ones better tokina or sigma

[someguy6481]

@ chriselpuma

Tokina is better than Sigma overall, but Sigma also makes some good lenses as well & has a wider range than Tokina. The problem is that Sigma is plagued with quality control issues & you got to try multiple copies to get a lens that is functioning correctly.

check out this video by dial2fast: watch?v=dQO6y4Xey_M

[someguy6481]

@ chriselpuma

Tokina is better than Sigma overall, but Sigma also makes some good lenses as well & has a wider range than Tokina. The problem is that Sigma is plagued with quality control issues & you got to try multiple copies to get a lens that is functioning correctly.

check out this video by dial2fast: watch?v=dQO6y4Xey_M

[jani963]

i think you should make a video of the photos you took using those different lenses/equipment. like an example for each that would be nice.

nice video!!

[dombower]

you must be psychic. i am in the middle of making one for the fish eye. ill give it a go on all the other lenses as well.

[yot147]

Can you recommend me Tripod and Monopod any idea?

[dombower]

any that has 3 legs or one leg. (its all about your choice and the weight you want to carry around.)

[magix93]

i have another sugestion:

Sigma 20mm f1.8

great for lowlight and great if you want to be a bit creative:)

thnks for the vid...very useful tips

[dombower]

good one, i think that is also afull frame lens so would be great on a fx camera.

glad it helped

[NikonPhoto07]

Thanks a lot for doing this one Dom. Helped me out a lot! It's kind of hard for me because I'm normaly a wildlife/landscape photographer so my friends wedding will be my first.