I shot my first wedding this wknd...

[schrackman]

Hi Andy,

I've never shot a wedding either. although I may possibly be shooting some 'pre-wedding' shots for my sister-in-law fairly soon, but these are all fantastic! The bride and groom should be very, very pleased with them. I think for your first time you did an A+++++ job. Good work!

Now, here's a question or two for you...I'm in the market for buying a flash, so since you mentioned you have the 420EX, how do you like it? Would you say you wished you had the 550EX, or did you feel the 420EX was sufficient for the job? I'm shooting with a Canon DRebel, in case you didn't know, and am leaning towards the 550EX but would like your input anyway.

Ray

[ACArmstrong]

Ray - I guess that's kinda like waving $20 in one hand and $50 in the other and asking the guy which one he'd rather have. ;)

I've been very happy with the performance of the 420EX, but I don't really have anything to compare it to. I've not used the 550EX. I guess the thing to remember is that the 420EX has no way to control it manually. It's controlled completely by the camera (no LCD). I got the 420EX, because I HAD to have an external flash system and I knew my wife would KILL ME if I spent another $350 on this camera system right now. It was well worth it and performs nicely.

Would I like the 550EX? Do people in jail want out? hehehe

[Hodgy]

Well, I'm just checkin in (out of town doing some work for another studio).

These images are great! First wedding huh? Wow. Your clients should be more than happy with these. It looks like you were using available light and flash fill, maybe try a reflector to see what kind of results you will get. Again, all of these are excellent..............and your presentation is top notch (white pinstripe, black matte).

Keep it up, shoot shoot shoot.

[ACArmstrong]

Thanks a million, Hodgy. That means a lot coming from you - your wedding photos are fantastic.

I just got off the phone with Gretta - she's the gal in the third pic getting her lips painted. She'll be over to my home studio for a photo shoot friday night. She has a very unique look and I think we can make some really nice fashion/fine art portraits. I'll be sure to share.

[Todd Patten]

Thanks a million, Hodgy. That means a lot coming from you - your wedding photos are fantastic.

I just got off the phone with Gretta - she's the gal in the third pic getting her lips painted. She'll be over to my home studio for a photo shoot friday night. She has a very unique look and I think we can make some really nice fashion/fine art portraits. I'll be sure to share.

OK. I'm going to slip into my "I'm a guy so live with it" mode. If you can get her to do some nice, tasteful nudes, then DAMN YOU ARE A LUCKY MAN! And I assume not married

Now, the photgraper in me says, "Nice subject. Good lines. Should be a very productive shoot."

[ACArmstrong]

OK. I'm going to slip into my "I'm a guy so live with it" mode. If you can get her to do some nice, tasteful nudes, then DAMN YOU ARE A LUCKY MAN! And I assume not married

Now, the photgraper in me says, "Nice subject. Good lines. Should be a very productive shoot."

ROFLMAO

I doubt there'll be nudity, but sexy shots - I'm sure of it. I am married, but I'm a pretty lucky man. My wife would be right there going, "Wow, you're a beautiful girl - maybe you should unbutton your shirt a little more." - Sometimes she's worse than me about pointing out hot women.

Ray:

My wife and I are good about letting each other get what we want when we want it, but my setup that I bought last month (10D - 3 lenses and the flash) cost more than my first car. I'll hold off for a bit on the 550EX.

[schrackman]

Ray - I guess that's kinda like waving $20 in one hand and $50 in the other and asking the guy which one he'd rather have. ;)

I've been very happy with the performance of the 420EX, but I don't really have anything to compare it to. I've not used the 550EX. I guess the thing to remember is that the 420EX has no way to control it manually. It's controlled completely by the camera (no LCD). I got the 420EX, because I HAD to have an external flash system and I knew my wife would KILL ME if I spent another $350 on this camera system right now. It was well worth it and performs nicely.

Would I like the 550EX? Do people in jail want out? hehehe

Yeah, I get your drift. Well, the wife is not against my spending the money, so I suppose I should go for the gusto while she's still amicable to the idea, hehe. Actually, we generally allow each other to get the things we both want when we have the money, so it's not a big deal financially whether I get the 420EX or 550EX. I've been looking at the 550EX for quite some time, so as I said I am leaning that way and will probably get it in the near future.

Thanks for the response.

Ray