Toronto Photography Meetup Group

I've seen the topic crop up before here; and I know some folks often offer themselves as a "second shooter" (I prefer Associate Photographer - has a bit of a WalMart ring to it and that's always tres cool no? ) but here's a nice short article on some do's and don'ts for second shooters (and a bit for primary shooters who are looking to hire a second...)

http://neilvn.com/tangents/2010/05/04/t ... g-weddings

Cheers,
Dave

Interesting article.

I have a 70-200 2.8 IS. Anyone need a second shooter? =p

And seriously guys. I understand that fuzzy effect! I can make my entire picture fuzzy, what do you think of that?

This is great advice... I shot alongside with a friend a few years ago, and she was constantly standing next to me - it was really annoying, because in the end, we basically had the same images. I kept telling her to get a different angle, and shoot with a different lens... but wouldn't listen to me. Needless to say - I never did another event with her.

Me too, I call it camera shake...lol .

The main image at the beginning of the article likely didn't need to be taken with a fast telephoto nor prime lens. Any kit lens would have been able to achieve the same look. Despite the article saying that the focusing was spot on, I don't agree at all. The composition is what makes the picture good. Though having a fast lens if critical, the composition of each shot is more important IMO.

Aside from the gear (we've all heard it before), this article was great.

Turn that IS on!

Turn that IS on!

sure, but I do have to agree with him that a 70-200 2.8 IS is necessary for wedding photography as a second shooter. You're the one mainly looking for candids, and you can't over react or run around as a wedding photographer. You're basically doing streetshooting without being able to move effectively, which is why I'd agree with the necessity of that gear choice.

Couple the fact that you can't ever regain a lost moment, that 70-200 f2.8 IS is necessary.

That, or consider that you're going to miss moments.

Granted, that main pic probably doesn't seem like the 'best' photo for you. But it means a lot to the wedding party. And wouldn't you want to create the best photographs you can for them?