First Wedding - advice for a solo shooter?

Peter Rush · October 7th, 2014, 02:24 AM

I cheat Mitch - If I'm using a tripod and stood at the front, I pre-focus on the groom and frame him so that you can see the bride come into focus as she walks up to him - then I follow her all the way down the Isle with my CX730 on autofocus - job done!

Pete

Mitch Phillips · October 7th, 2014, 04:55 AM

Nice one Peter. Starting to think I should've got a 70D instead of a 6D. That touch screen AF works so smoothly for a DSLR!

Peter Riding · October 7th, 2014, 05:56 AM

One method is not to bother tracking. Ie: preset the focus at a certain point, then just let her walk into then out of focus

I'd say try it but don't rely on it. Its a tried and tested technique in stills for scenarios where it may be too dark to focus reliably and / or the subjects may be moving quickly or unpredictably such as in the processional or recessional. The problem is that the depth of field is so narrow at the f-stop you need to use in low light that your subject is only actually in focus for a nano-second. Not so noticeable for video as it is for stills but a trap none-the-less.

Pete

Robert Benda · October 7th, 2014, 06:09 AM

I just solo shot my first 3 camera ceremony,

For focus, I have two cameras already set and focused on the front area (the groom). One from the back (85mm on full frame - wide shot), and the other from the same side the bride will be on (135mm on 70D, 3 shot of the groom). Then, I'm crouched at the head of the aisle and have a 70D so I can track everyone down with a 35mm equivalent.

For audio, I did a wireless on the pastor, fed to my aisle camera; a pocket recorder on the groom, and another pocket recorder stashed where the readings took place.

October 7th, 2014, 02:24 AM	#31
Peter Rush Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: UK/Yorkshire Posts: 2,069	Re: First Wedding - advice for a solo shooter? I cheat Mitch - If I'm using a tripod and stood at the front, I pre-focus on the groom and frame him so that you can see the bride come into focus as she walks up to him - then I follow her all the way down the Isle with my CX730 on autofocus - job done! Pete

October 7th, 2014, 04:55 AM	#32
Mitch Phillips New Boot Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 23	Re: First Wedding - advice for a solo shooter? Nice one Peter. Starting to think I should've got a 70D instead of a 6D. That touch screen AF works so smoothly for a DSLR!

October 7th, 2014, 05:56 AM	#33
Peter Riding Major Player Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Reading Berkshire UK Posts: 872	Re: First Wedding - advice for a solo shooter? One method is not to bother tracking. Ie: preset the focus at a certain point, then just let her walk into then out of focus I'd say try it but don't rely on it. Its a tried and tested technique in stills for scenarios where it may be too dark to focus reliably and / or the subjects may be moving quickly or unpredictably such as in the processional or recessional. The problem is that the depth of field is so narrow at the f-stop you need to use in low light that your subject is only actually in focus for a nano-second. Not so noticeable for video as it is for stills but a trap none-the-less. Pete

October 7th, 2014, 06:09 AM	#34
Robert Benda Trustee Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Crookston, MN Posts: 1,353	Re: First Wedding - advice for a solo shooter? I just solo shot my first 3 camera ceremony, For focus, I have two cameras already set and focused on the front area (the groom). One from the back (85mm on full frame - wide shot), and the other from the same side the bride will be on (135mm on 70D, 3 shot of the groom). Then, I'm crouched at the head of the aisle and have a 70D so I can track everyone down with a 35mm equivalent. For audio, I did a wireless on the pastor, fed to my aisle camera; a pocket recorder on the groom, and another pocket recorder stashed where the readings took place. Wedding Ceremony for Nikki & Josh on Vimeo