How to shoot a wedding - Part 6 - Camera & flash set up

[leo140485]

It's actually refreshing to see a Photography not bang on about Manual... Manual this, Manual that... I know how to shoot Manual, but your setup is similar to what I do, and it just makes things 10x easier on a Wedding Day as like you said, there's more important things to think about like interactions, capturing moments etc...

[hanzeln]

thanks a lot i already buy nikon d300 and i setting up!

[Fsicha]

hi there, Thank you so much for explaining the settings that you use in a wedding. I wish there were more good people like you. I would love to help you. I am not looking to be paid but to learn from you. Can you please let me know if that will be possible. I am a descent photographer but feel that I have to learn a lot.

[SuperKwick]

do you shoot jpeg or raw?

[Koloski]

@SuperKwick As far as I could see from the video, he shoots raw and raw + jpeg when twin cards ia vailable

[Koloski]

What af setting do you use when shootings events? Single AF + AF-C?

[AmyaRae17]

HI Matt, As an older man I am interesting, in knowing the best setting to use in my nikon d 200 or any other nikon to get the photos. I have a nephew wedding coming up later this year 2012, please give me some insight. I have visit youtube and listed to many photographers and you give the best explanation as to how to this subject.

[thatnikonguy]

@AmyaRae17 cheers

[victuey]

what did you say you shoot manual FOR???

[57TheBoomer]

Hi Matt, thanks for making these videos they are a great help, I have a couple of questions, you say you use auto ISO, I do a lot of off camera strobist work using pocket wizards and the auto iso function doesn't work using these, is this normal? or am I missing something? also some advice please, I currently have a Nikon d7000 and want to buy the Nikon d700, can I still use my dx lenses with the d700 or do I have to buy fx lenses at a lot more expense? many thanks.

[thatnikonguy]

@57TheBoomer turn off auto ISO for strobist work.

THe DX lenses will work, the D700 will crop down the sensor though - they remain crop field of view and lower resolution images.

[7137271]

"There is no ideal histogram." Exactly! If you're shooting rabbit tracks in snow (you don't have that problem down there, do you?) or the dead ashes of a fire the histograms will look totally different. You do, however, have to have some idea of how it *should* look for different shots. Experiment. Know your equipment.

[chrispictures1]

I use the d700 and sb900 for weddings also, and my settings are pretty much

the same as yours. However i am surprised you use matrix metering with the white dress

issue, dont you get a lot of over exposed dresses.

also i know its a personal thing and there is no right or wrong way for everything , but you seem to use the flash in most pictures, do you have a better success ratio like this or do you just prefer the

affect of flash and not ambient.

Great videos

[thatnikonguy]

@chrispictures1 no, with practice I learn to adjust the compensation based on the whole scene, as required.

thanks for the comment!

[SunsetRC]

Sounds like you launched a missile at 1:36

[snysng]

you are a great man, you've taught me lots of things. Thank you Matt !! Cheers!!

[dbaber07]

I figure it out u have to push up

[thatnikonguy]

@dbaber07 yep you got it

[dbaber07]

I like how when u take a pic it shows the info how can get it to do that on my d5100 I can't seem to figure it out

[COSMICSTEREO]

Hi ,first.. sorry for my really bad english :)

I'll soon be shooting at a wedding, and am nervous :) ,

but your Videos helped me a lot. thank you for this .

But i have a question ......after the wedding we will go out to eat , should i take pictures in the Restaurant too ? if so... from what exactly? From the bride and groom as it eats? :) Please Answere

[COSMICSTEREO]

@COSMICSTEREO oh and really nice videos :) ...... P.S its my first weddingphotography

[thatnikonguy]

@COSMICSTEREO you need to ask the couple if they want photos. Normally you can take the speeches, dancing, and any fun things happening. No need to shoot 'eating', but sometimes photo of the decorations is nice.

[DomenicoCifaldi]

Hi great video i have nikon d300s and d40 i love my d 40 on auto but cant get the settings correct on d300s can you help me to set up for wedding also i would love to go with photographer to assist and learn if you can help thanks Dom

dom63uk@yahoo.co.uk

[thatnikonguy]

@DomenicoCifaldi thanks dom, steps m,aybe different, but 300s should have same options I describe in the video. I see your email is UK - I am in Sydney.

[Skytalker777]

This is just great Mat, thanks a lot, really appreciate :). Looking forward for the concert ones.

[meetdamien]

Terrific videos, Ive had my nikon d7000 a year now and am still on the learning curve, the series of clips I come across have all been very informative I will certainly be tuning in as often as I can ... well done..!

[thatnikonguy]

@meetdamien cheers - thanks and enjoy the channel!

[erbrem]

Thanks for making these videos! I was just "roped into" shooting my first wedding for a friend that would otherwise not afford a photographer, and have been very anxious about the whole thing. Inside a large dark renovated barn no less! I appreciate all your time put into making these, I've just watched 6 in a row and definitely learned a lot! I wish I lived in Sydney, as photographers here are not as keen on helping out newbies (and I have no wedding photographer friends)! Much appreciated!

[thatnikonguy]

@erbrem that is great to hear. Find some spots where natural light is streaming in through the wood - you could get some love ambient shots.

[Heartkwt]

Great Stuff Matt,

Especially your statement that "If anyone in Sydney is interested in becoming an assistant, please get in touch with me" Not that I would but if I were in Sydney, YES, I would definitely meet and and become your assistant.

Cheers,

ProFoto2day@gmail.com

[TheYFlyer]

Very informative Matt. Thanks.

[pravinpa]

Hey thatnikonguy, That was an amazing series. Thank you for posting this. I am planning to enter this field in India soon. Basically I am that another canon guy but I really liked this series. :) I am wondering if you could do a session on calibrating and printing the wedding photographs. If you give it to the lab, the results may be different than what is seen on your screen. Thank you once again for posting this series.

[thatnikonguy]

@pravinpa my pleasure, glad you like it. If you calibrate your monitor, best chance to get it right is to go to a lab. If you want to do all at home, you need to calibrate your whole system, including printer. Depends on the quality you want.

[thatnikonguy]

@pravinpa my pleasure, glad you like it. If you calibrate your monitor, best chance to get it right is to go to a lab. If you want to do all at home, you need to calibrate your whole system, including printer. Depends on the quality you want.

[MrBlofeld007]

Thanks for the reply Matt, I've heard some horror stories But luckily I've never had a problem with Cards. But being the worrier That I am I P/X some gear and Bought a D3s , which I'll be keeping for a long time. As the twin card slots take a lot of worry out of the process. Love the videos, great advice and tips.

[MrBlofeld007]

Great video. Thanks for posting. Ever had any problems with Faulty memory cards and losing some photos.

[ptavera]

great show Matt! but there are vlogs like this that has poor voice recording (again its sounds mono to me)...i am hoping that you can address this matter. More power Nikon Fan Guy =)

[thatnikonguy]

@ptavera thanks mate - yes I had a lot of issues with audio previously. With help from viewers, it is now under control - but I cannot go back and re make old videos now.

THanks for watching.

[ptavera]

@thatnikonguy great! thanks Matt for sharing your talent, even if i am a Canon user he he he. Cheers mate and more power to your Show!

[jea9star]

Can you please tell me what you use for AF Area Mode? I have the D-90 and have a hard time deciding what proper mode to choose for shooting weddings - My options are: Single, Dynamic, Auto and 3D-11 point tracking. Thank you for odffering such great tutorials!

[PhotosPassionYou]

How do I adjust the focus point manually but with auto-focus? like at 2:34 of your video. Thanks (=

[thatnikonguy]

@PhotosPassionYou What camera are you using? If you unlock the point, you should be able to just scroll around to choose one.

[PhotosPassionYou]

@thatnikonguy D7000

[ranhma]

Another great video with many interesting camera setting tips.

[thatnikonguy]

@ranhma glad you liked it.

[indorican1]

Hello Matt...Thanks from florida for the whole series of wedding photography. I am a student photographer but I think your a kool guy because you are willing to share your knowledge with the rest of world...I think your work was very good.....questions, 1.for normal shoots for students what focus mode u use?AF-S, AF-C, AF-A. ...2.for area mode? single point,dynamic, or auto?3. metering? spot, center weight or matrix?....thanks again for sharing....peace !!

[thatnikonguy]

@indorican1 Thanks for the comment mate. For your questions - I am sorry this is not a clear answer for you - there is not a single answer. Your questions are like asking "I am in my first year of car racing, what gear should I drive in and how should I adjust the mirrors?" :) On one hand, some things are universal, but on the other, every shot and every photographer will vary.

Do you understand how focus modes, metering etc work? YOu need to vary depending on scene and the shot you want.

[augustomet]

Great.. I think that getting to set the camera without thinking so much is the key.. for me that now takes ages..

[thatnikonguy]

@augustomet good luck with it - it all just takes practice and dedication.

[ThePhotographybysimo]

Another great vid Matt keep it up I'm off to watch the ugly people

[thatnikonguy]

@ThePhotographybysimo Thanks mate - enjoy the ugly video - I hope you have a strong stomach.

[devwag]

Great job as usual. Very very helpful This is what i always wanted to ask a pro. thanks

[thatnikonguy]

@devwag great - you are welcome.

[schumionbike]

Thanks for the video Matt, it's interesting get such an inside look. It's interesting that you leave the camera on auto-ISO and aperture priority. When I shot on auto ISO, I usually shot on manual, leaving the the ISO as the only variable since I already know I need a certain aperture or shutter already.

[thatnikonguy]

@schumionbike good one - makes sense, and sounds like it works well for you.

[zeroses89]

Seriously good. Good job matt. Looking forward to other videos.

[thatnikonguy]

@zeroses89 Thanks mate - let me know if you have any requests

[70Perra]

1. Let me point out that you had the camera in "dynamic" focusing wich not is "single point" in the video. 2. While you´re in "dynamic", wich mode do you use, and do you use lock-on or not? 3. I noticed that your AF-C priotity selection (a1) setting for "Continous High"- let off was set at "Release". My tip is to set that to "Focus" instead. That prevents the camera from letting off the shutter when camera is unfocused.

[thatnikonguy]

@70Perra Thanks mate.

[wilbertcs]

I love your videos. How about shooting sports in gyms? I just did one, volleyball, and it turned out ok but there's always improvements and learning to be done.

[thatnikonguy]

@wilbertcs Thanks for the comment. I don't do this personally, but may be similar skills to some concerts I have coming up - low light, limited vantage points, no flash?

[tango60]

Ano;ther great video, as a pro wedding photographer I would agree with 90% of the advice you give re camera settings. The other 10% are just a matter of personal preferences. I never have a battery in the camera prefering to have my spare in my bag. I do use BL mode on the flash for the outdoor shots. I also over expose the sunny shots by about one third of a stop. Loved this seies if only to see I have been getting it so right all this time lol.

[thatnikonguy]

@tango60 Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and knowledge, what I showed us just what works for me. I how more will share their insights too.

[thatnikonguy]

@tango60 Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and knowledge, what I showed us just what works for me. I how more will share their insights too.

[forestskog]

@tango60 incredible how technical this all is. my girlfriend is a buddi ng photographer and does weddings Im really curious to have feedback i think her stuff is great but im biased as shes a great girl.

[thatnikonguy]

@forestskog please have her share some images on our flickr our facebook page, we can take a look and give comments