before the wedding...

[elffinarts]

handheld 50mm f1.8 natural light at 1/80th ISO400.

I was shooting a wedding for the first time, and more than a little stressed out. Fairly good hit rate for decent shots considering the wedding was in changing partial shade, whitest of whites against deepest blacks.

Next time I am borrowing a second Nikon to avoid getting damned random dust bunnies from changing lenses while out in the field in a breeze. (Bris Botanical Gardens @ Mt Coot-Tha)

2 of every 3 guests at least had a 4MP camera. I felt as though not having a D2X was just not good enough.

another shot I liked:

[Hudo]

Hi Mark,

Never feel by not having D2X youre inadequate. Being a photographer and doing weddings at that is far more than owning a 4MP P&S. Being in the business and being profressional has no relationship with how much you have spent on your camera and other equipment.

I love my toys, well I'm a boy but if I have learn't one thing the past 2 years it's having good "reasonable" equipment to do the job is a must but reasonable doesn't always equate to a what is on the top shelf.

I have a video interview going to air on SBS Noise TV on 29th April and my video equipment while good is a far reach from the $100K broadcast equipment the ig boys use but good enough for SBS to air my work.

Noboubt your pics will make a bride and groom very happy.

Mark

[elffinarts]

thanks mate. that comment was half the fact that guests had digi slr's as well as pocket rockets, and that I decided that I have lens lust for an 85mmF1.4 on a D2X. lol

[gstark]

2 of every 3 guests at least had a 4MP camera. I felt as though not having a D2X was just not good enough.

Irrelevant.

When I was shooting weddings, I was using film, and so too was every other guest with a camera. They, ostensibly, were shooting at the same resolution as I was.

The real issue is what were you doing with your camera that made your images different from the mundane?

There is nothing wrong with the two images that you posted, and that is strongly suggestive (to me) that you're on the right track.

Ignore the others, and do what you need to in order to get the results that you wish to see.

[elffinarts]

well put, thanks Gary!

that didn't sate my lust for new gear though. hehe

[gstark]

Mark,

that didn't sate my lust for new gear though. hehe

Good.

[Hudo]

Mark,

Nothing wrong with Lens Lust nor new toys for us boys but as Gary put it it's what you do with it and how you use it is what really counts.

Mark

[Aussie Dave]

I completely agree. If you know what you're doing, and have a fantastic 4MP P&S camera, a good photographer should be able to make the most out of the camera's functions to produce wonderful images.

What does this prove ? It's not the camera, but the photographer that makes the biggest difference.

Looking like you know what you're doing (and feeling comfortable doing so) will always look much more impressive (and professional) than someone stumbling around with a huge camera, lenses, flash unit(s), tripod, bags of lenses, camera assistant...etc...not looking sure what they should do next.

In my mind, a professional wedding photographer is not just being paid to take good photos. They are also there to keep everyone in line and keep the ball rolling. Emotions and excitement easily overtake people and what should take 5 minutes generally takes 30 mins.....but perhaps some people only equate the photographer with the images

...and as for the lust....that's on a completely different level again

[Grev]

Nice shots, I don't belive I saw the first one but I was there when you took the second one, Mark.

The conversion to B&W adds quite more emotive to them.

[elffinarts]

Nice shots, I don't belive I saw the first one but I was there when you took the second one, Mark.

The conversion to B&W adds quite more emotive to them.

and your help holding the SB800 where I needed it when I needed was VERY appreciated mate

the first shot was pre-wedding - while you were in town calling me for directions.

[wmaburnett]

You did a great job from the shots ive seen posted here! Keep up the Great OWrk and no worries about anyoen else with a camera, just concentrate on what your doing! They are probably wishing they had your stuff still
~William

[elffinarts]

Thanks William
I had the happy couple over last night - they got to go through all 500 of the shots instead of just the 250 that the coppermine gallery database loaded (still looking into why it did that)
They're very very happy. I'm looking forward to shooting more weddings at a more reasonable price (for me) and earning funds to feed my Nikkor lusting.