What kind of tricks have you used to handle photographers caught in event footage?

[mrveronn]

Three Cameras, One cameraguy...

Three Cameras, One cameraguy...

When I have shot weddings, I use three cameras. I shoot documentary style weddings only...

First is a very wide shot, preferably from the back, up high and to one side (I like the depth this adds to the shot instead of looking "up the aisle"). Set the camera up to show the whole gathering, and let it roll. Photographer is moving around and so am I in this shot, but its wide enough that it is not distracting. I have a tripod that goes up to 13' and have used a sports camera (Drift Ghost-S) that is set to the highest bit rate and it gives good footage. I just use the video, not the audio. It shows the bridal party entry and exit processions and make for nice cutaway when the photographer gets in the way of my second camera...

Second (small) camera is at the front of the seating. This is the master shot. Camera is on the right side of seating. Framing: you get a wide shot which includes the Maid of honour, bride, minister/commissioner, groom, and best man. Because the camera is on the right side of seating, it shows a touch more of the bride's face, and the groom is more in profile. Again, set the shot and let it roll. I use a Panasonic X920 in this position. Small enough to be unobtrusive, but sharpness of image and colour is excellent. If there is no way to get it close then I would set the second camera at the back, again biased to the right of the aisle, and zoom in to get the same framing. I use the audio from this camera as my 'background' for the ceremony.

Third camera is my roaming camera shooting cutaways, close up during vows, rings on fingers, etc.... etc...timing is everything. On the brides side for his vows, so you get an 'over the shoulder shot of his face as saying his vows...and on the grooms side vice versa. and then getting to the back for their procession out...I use a Panasonic AG-AC90 on a Tiffen Steady-Stick setup...which takes the weight of the camera off my arm. When I need to move and shoot at the same time then I use the quick release to go entirely hand-held. Then when I'm stationary again I pop the camera back on and I get nice steady footage and my arm gets a rest. Would be more convenient to have I wish I had a steadi-cam rig but I don't have the $$ for that...

Hope this helps...

 

[Soundfx4]

I'm not a wedding guy, but agreed to help out a friend a couple weeks back. Talk about strict! This church had me in the balcony next to the pipe organ, and only allowed me to bring in a single camera, a single lens, and a tripod.

That sounds pretty terrible, but at least I feel like (and I may be wrong about this) it would make post production easier as I wouldn't have to be making cuts and fades/syncing/etc.

These days half the people in the audience will be 'photographers'. They will be shooting pics and video with their phones, small cameras, even their iPads and other tablets. They are not shy, as evidenced by a Catholic wedding I just attended. They'll even use flash in a Catholic church!

I had read about that as I started reading up on weddings more recently to try and learn more for my next event. I'll never feel like I'm prepared enough, but that won't stop me from trying!

The lady who does the Mocha Pro demos took a guy walking into a bar totally out of a scene. It was amazing. So I'd root him out.

That's probably not feasible but that sounds crazy impressive, I'd like to see that if you have a link to it!

 

[Soundfx4]

When I have shot weddings, I use three cameras. I shoot documentary style weddings only...

First is a very wide shot, preferably from the back, up high and to one side (I like the depth this adds to the shot instead of looking "up the aisle"). Set the camera up to show the whole gathering, and let it roll. Photographer is moving around and so am I in this shot, but its wide enough that it is not distracting. I have a tripod that goes up to 13' and have used a sports camera (Drift Ghost-S) that is set to the highest bit rate and it gives good footage. I just use the video, not the audio. It shows the bridal party entry and exit processions and make for nice cutaway when the photographer gets in the way of my second camera...

Second (small) camera is at the front of the seating. This is the master shot. Camera is on the right side of seating. Framing: you get a wide shot which includes the Maid of honour, bride, minister/commissioner, groom, and best man. Because the camera is on the right side of seating, it shows a touch more of the bride's face, and the groom is more in profile. Again, set the shot and let it roll. I use a Panasonic X920 in this position. Small enough to be unobtrusive, but sharpness of image and colour is excellent. If there is no way to get it close then I would set the second camera at the back, again biased to the right of the aisle, and zoom in to get the same framing. I use the audio from this camera as my 'background' for the ceremony.

Third camera is my roaming camera shooting cutaways, close up during vows, rings on fingers, etc.... etc...timing is everything. On the brides side for his vows, so you get an 'over the shoulder shot of his face as saying his vows...and on the grooms side vice versa. and then getting to the back for their procession out...I use a Panasonic AG-AC90 on a Tiffen Steady-Stick setup...which takes the weight of the camera off my arm. When I need to move and shoot at the same time then I use the quick release to go entirely hand-held. Then when I'm stationary again I pop the camera back on and I get nice steady footage and my arm gets a rest. Would be more convenient to have I wish I had a steadi-cam rig but I don't have the $$ for that...

Hope this helps...
View attachment 92803

That helps tremendously. I'll have to do some reading about the steady-stick setup for sure, and I'd like to get some solution for steady shots as I'm moving that is actually affordable. And on that note...I'll need to figure out focusing solutions for when I'm moving the camera...but that's probably for another section of the forum lol :|

your diagram and rundown was very very helpful though, and I'll try to either buy/rent two more cameras as well as any needed lenses (I have a GH3 ATM that I believe would be more than adequate with the proper lens for one of the three cameras) and tripods for my next event. I probably need to do some reading on sound setup as well, because I don't really know what the general consensus is when it comes to using built in camera mics (although I guess it very much depends on the camera, it's position, what the audio will be trying to record and if it's an add on or not).

 

[mrveronn]

Last wedding I used an iPhone with the RODE Smartlav+ on the groom. Great audio. Then I use the audio from my #2 camera for ambient/applause, and ignored the audio from cameras #3 and #1. Previous wedding was a wireless system that gave great results, except when the couple moved to the side to sign the documents...then got some scratching that needed cleanup.