| Photographers love it and of course they need it, | | | | to time. Let me tell you, it makes for amazing |
| at least most of the time. It seems that every | | | | portrait and detail images. As you look at this list |
| time I am around new photographers, or | | | | you may have noticed that all the lenses I |
| interested doctors, lawyers or businessmen for | | | | mention are Canon. Remember that whichever |
| that matter, there is always that one inevitable | | | | brand camera you have, use the corresponding |
| question: what do you shoot with? So, what do I | | | | lenses (kit lenses typically aren't so good though), |
| shoot with? What lenses do I use? Do I only | | | | as they are engineered specifically for your |
| shoot available light, or do I use flash? The | | | | camera, and the optics will be of better quality |
| answer: yes. | | | | than third party gear. If you have a question |
| Just kidding. So for those that are curious, I will | | | | about your particular lens, please feel free to ask. |
| break down my typical setup for a wedding, and | | | | Now, on to why I use all of those lenses. |
| why I own each piece. There is quite a bit of | | | | 16-35mm f2.8: This is a beautiful wide-angle lens, |
| gear, but don't worry, we will get through this, | | | | and perfect for catching wide scenes, emotional |
| even if it takes more than one blog posting. I | | | | moments before the wedding and reception |
| have spent years building my photography | | | | action. I shoot with a documentary style, so this |
| equipment, and will keep adding to it for the rest | | | | also lens allows me to layer elements in the |
| of my life (just don't tell my wife that!), and you | | | | photo, even in tight spaces. |
| can too! So let's get to it. | | | | 50mm f1.4: Great portrait lens, especially when |
| First off are the camera bodies. I shoot all digital | | | | you open it up to f1.8, really nice and sharp. I |
| SLRs, which stands for single-lens reflex. | | | | don't recommend going to f1.4 with it, as it is |
| Essentially, these are the cameras that accept | | | | nearly impossible to get anything sharp at that |
| interchangeable lenses, which, among other | | | | aperture (f-stop). This is also a good general-use |
| reasons, makes them vastly superior to point and | | | | lens, and does well for getting nice details such as |
| shoots. Note* I do love my Canon G9, great | | | | the flowers and decorations, while throwing the |
| when I want to travel light. I shoot all Canon | | | | background out of focus for a magazine-style |
| equipment, and love my gear. Nikon is an excellent | | | | look. |
| brand as well, and I don't call them mean or silly | | | | 70-200mm f2.8: This lens is an absolute |
| names, just so we can move right past that | | | | must-have for anyone that does portraits, or |
| whole Ford versus Chevy thing. I always take | | | | owns a camera. Seriously. I have shot everything |
| three cameras to my weddings; a Canon 5D Mark | | | | from football to racing to bridal portraits with this |
| II, which makes gorgeous high resolution files; a | | | | lens, and it handles all of them with ease. Also, in |
| Canon 1D Mark IIN, which is great for fast/low | | | | case you are interested, Canon is about to |
| light focusing and high speed; and finally a reliable | | | | release an updated version of it, which should |
| Canon 20D that functions as a stationary | | | | have some nice improvements. This lens functions |
| ceremony camera, extra cam for an assistant or | | | | very well for portraiture, and can also be handy |
| as a triple backup camera. I would recommend | | | | for ceremony coverage when you can't get close |
| that you always carry at least two high-quality | | | | to the bride and groom. There is an f2.8 version |
| machines with you, because you never know | | | | and an f4 version. The 2.8 is heavier and more |
| what will happen. If you can't shoot the rest of | | | | expensive but allows you to shoot in lower light, |
| the wedding due to equipment malfunction, you | | | | which makes it the one to get in my opinion. I |
| will have one incredibly unhappy couple, not to | | | | have a Canon 1.4x teleconverter that I will place |
| mention the parents that footed the bill. So just | | | | on there sometimes to get even more reach. In |
| be smart, you can even rent cameras if you | | | | case you are wondering, a teleconverter is |
| need to. | | | | basically an accessory you couple to your lens |
| Next, I would like to give a quick run-down on | | | | that magnifies your lens, 1.4 times. They have a |
| other items in my bag, especially my lenses. | | | | 2x as well, but they don't work well. Using a |
| Before we get in too deep, please keep | | | | teleconverter can be very handy, but keep in |
| something in mind: if you buy a really nice camera | | | | mind that it takes more light to make an image, |
| body, then buy cheap glass (lenses), you are not | | | | which can put you at a disadvantage if you are |
| going to get the best quality. Remember, it | | | | somewhere very dark. This is becoming less of |
| doesn't matter how nice the body is if what you | | | | an issue now though, as cameras are able to |
| are seeing through is not well made. The same | | | | perform more and more in near-pitch black areas. |
| goes for the UV Haze filter that you bought, or | | | | 85mm f1.2: I love this lens. It will most likely be |
| will buy, to go on the front. Don't go for the | | | | the next lens I purchase, as it does amazing |
| bargain basement brand, as they go a long way in | | | | things on portrait shoots. I also love shooting |
| keeping the front glass on your lens nice and | | | | details with it, and use one almost every time I |
| happy. | | | | am shooting fashion editorial. It throws the |
| Here are the lenses I typically use during a | | | | background out of focus so beautifully, or some |
| wedding: The Canon 16-35mm f2.8 wide-angle | | | | would say it has a nice bokeh (cool photo nerd |
| lens; the Canon 50mm f1.4 lens, and the Canon | | | | word). Great lens. |
| 70-700 f2.8 IS telephoto lens. Also, I love shooting | | | | Stay tuned for my next part, which are the |
| the Canon 85mm f1.2 lens; it is a very sweet | | | | accessories I like to always have in my bag. |
| (and very expensive) lens that I rent from time | | | | |