Workflow of a wedding photographer

[Jeremy_Ashley]

Hello;
I'm curious as to what everyone uses for workflow ... from camera, to computer, manipulation, then to print. I know this is a very broad question, but I'm taking a step back from what I have been doing and looking to simply the process.
Thanks!

[MarkBothwell]

Hi,

You're right, everybody is different, but as far as I'm concerned shooting in the UK market of high-end wedding commissions, here's my basic workflow :

Cameras - Canon 5D's & 20D as spare body
Lenses - 300/2.8, 200/2.8, 28-80/2.8(quite old now!), 24/2.8, 16/2.8
Flash - Elinchrom heads and 90cm sq softboxes (assuming I've got some time in the morning to 'play')

Cards - Lexar, anything from 5-10GB of storage, shooting only RAW
Laptop - Apple G4 15" to clear out the cards, then backup on a LaCie 40GB portable drive before leaving
Office - G5 20" with 1GB RAM, 600GB ext drive, workflow handling with Aperture software

Proofing: on-line (by arrangement) Hard proofing : via Aperture softback book.
Final book: Asuka 80 page EX range

That about covers it I think ..... hope that's maybe of interest.

Cheers,

Mark

http://www.bothwellphoto.com

[Gary_Evans]

Different for me. My clients prefer more interaction with the photographer, so lenses are shorter.

Canon 5D camera, shooting almost exclusively on a 50mm 1.4, though I also take a 17-40 L lens, with a second shooter using another camera fitted with 28 -135 IS lens. Cameras almost always set to apeture priority to control DOF.

Everything shot large/fine JPEG. Good enough for 30" prints, although the largest offered is 24" x 20"

Natural light, but maybe a touch of fill in from 550EX with a stofen fitted.

Try to get the shot right "in camera" to avoid excessive manipulation, put use 3.2 PC, with 2gig RAM, PS CS2.

On return from a wedding all cards are burnt to DVD before viewing. Then we go out for the night!!

On a Monday morning all images (maybe 500) are viewed thru Fotostation, bad ones dumped, all then renumbered 1 - whatever. Then any cleaning up done in PS. I have a lot of actions/hot keys set in PS and average one image every 45 seconds. Finally batch resized, sharpened (very) slightly, and saved in PS.

Proofs supplied as A4 (12 images per page) contacts again done in PS. The proofs are always ready by Monday lunchtime.

Because of the batch resizing, when order comes in I can simply copy images to folder 7x5,10x8 or whatever and the lab prints straight from disc.

When I used to shoot film I spent more time taking photos, and wherever possible I dont see why digital should make any difference!

[MarkBothwell]

Gary,

If I said to you 'motorsport' and 'LAT' .... would you think me odd, or would it ring a bell?

If I'm on the wrong horse with this I appologise - I must come across as stupid!

Mark

[Jeremy_Ashley]

Thanks for the replies, guys, I certainly appreciate it.
As kind of an off-shoot of this discussion, I'm wondering if there software out there like Picasa from Google - it's a free software application and photo management tool.
I've played around with it and it seems you can adjust your image in Picasa, while the original image on the computer's hard disk remains untouched. To get an image with the adjustments, you have to export the file(s) out of the program.
I like the approach, but naturally I've found the program limiting in some respects. Is there workflow software out there that has a similar approach? It would sure make for speedy adjustments and previewing.
Thanks!

[MarkBothwell]

Hi,

Your pro options for shooting files (preferably RAW) so you can create a version but still maintain the original file are Apple's Aperture, or the forthcoming Adobe Lightroom (due in the summer). You also have specialist apps like Capture One but it sounds like this might be too specific for your workflow.

There's no way around spending a few hundred on these applications to ensure your images are used properly and treated professionally. I'm afraid I'm not familiar with the program you mention.

Any help?

Mark

[Jeremy_Ashley]

Lots of help.
I certainly appreciate you taking the time to respond.
I've certainly heard lots about Lightroom and am wondering when a Windows version is going to be available ... thanks again.