Seth Lord Offline Upload & Sell: Off
|
Well, hello again. I'm the poor bugger who started the thread: "which 70-200?" a little while ago.
Just wanted to let those who generously responded to my questions that:
(a) I finally purchased the Nikkor 70-200 f4.0;
(b) my first paying wedding shoot is now over; and
(c) the 70-200 f4 is a terrific lens - but I used the Sigma 35mm f1.4 Art most of the time.
If you sense from the words "now over" that it was a harrowing experience, then you are right.
Nothing went to plan. I studied the tips I had received here. I practised with the SB 910, the SB700, and fill flash, bounce flash, high speed flash, etc., etc. I committed to memory the suggestions about where I should be at certain times. I watched the YouTube video of my countryman Jerry Ghionis at B&H on how to pose people (and made notes at pocket size, stapled, and inserted inside my jacket pocket - just like Forrest Gump would have done).
I was all set to go. These would be 'Art' photos to stun the world, at least the world Down Under. Then reality set in. It was a riverside wedding in a park. There were three, narrow rows of collapsible seats. Yeah, I had attended the rehearsal. But you don't get to fine tune your exposures in an outdoor park the day before D-day. Weather forecasts are more relevant.
And the guests were surprisingly uncontrollable. Lots of them, quite a crowd. After the Bride and her Dad had passed through to the Pastor the guests came together in a mass around the seats. The aisle disappeared, and I had to battle my way through! I was standing there obstructing the view of people all around as I moved to get my angles. For a few moments I crouched so those behind me could see the ceremony. But then I thought, "stuff this, if I don't stand I can't get the shots!". So I stood up. To hell with them. Uncle Fred and Cousin Barry were there, with expanding zooms replete with gold rims, and they were standing up as guests.
None of my plans with the 70-200 worked out. I grabbed the D810 with the Sigma 35mm f1.4 Art and jostled to the front - right up the noses of the bride and groom - just like the rest of the b--tards. Surprisingly, they made space for me. They were nice people, and they probably thought I was some sort of demented idiot, like a crazy cousin who had fallen on his head shortly after birth or something.
The reception was in the city at a grand, colonial-era building. I had enough equipment to shoot Raiders of The Lost Ark. Umbrellas are not just to keep the rain off your head y'know. Had to drop my assistant nearby, unload the gear, then get a park. The Bride and Groom arrived before we could set up in the GCSB (grand, colonial, style, building). We shot into the main ballroom grinning like anxious baboons as they finished their entrance down the grand staircase. All entreaties for a repeat performance were turned down; too busy; too many friends to catch up with. Too true - very reasonable - commit hari-kari.
Fortunately my son was there as a guest with his wife and two week old daughter. He introduced me to his mates from Iraq and Afghanistan. I took some shots of dear little Sunday sleeping in her pram. Probably the best of the evening.
I really appreciated everything everyone said to me on this forum. Maybe I can decipher the instructions on how to post some of my pathetic images for you to mull over. Right now I'm attempting to process the rubbish, alternately reaching for a rum and coke and a loaded Webley revolver, which I press to my temple being very careful to keep my finger well away from the trigger.
|