If you’re keen to pursue a career in wedding photography and are in search of an appropriate camera, then the Nikon D5 is the best option for you. Since the wedding photography industry is becoming increasingly saturated, the D5 can make you prominently stand out of the crowd through its exceptional camera quality and design. It comes with a full-frame 20.8 MP sensor with a built-in EXPEED 5 image processor, giving you the most precise images and allowing you to zoom in as much as you want.
Weddings are taken very seriously since, for most people, it is a once in a lifetime event, and they want to make the most out of it. Consequently, they also desire the highest quality photos that they can cherish long after they’re married. And this is where you come in, making sure that they get what they have paid for and that they’re happy with the results. The D5 makes the perfect companion shoot the highest quality images and make the couples really happy.
With this camera, you get a built-in CMOS optical sensor, a TTL phase-detection system, and a face detection function which locks focus on any subject you wish to capture. It is undoubtedly a camera that is built for high-class performance and professional imaging. The D5 also comes with 4k recording and a touchscreen LCD that works for photography and videography alike. You get to experience unlimited possibilities once you start experimenting with this camera.
Here are 5 tips on using the Nikon D5 for Wedding photography.
Find The Perfect Venue
Finding the perfect venue is essential for wedding photography because it will give the wedding photos that nostalgic and celebratory feel. The process for doing so is as follows. First, you have to consult with the couple. You have to ask them what their likes and dislikes are, maybe even ask them where they first met and what theme they have selected for their wedding ceremony. Then, based on the information you gather in the consultation, you select a venue with elements they may want in their wedding photos.
For example, if the couple tells you that they first met at an aquarium and that their wedding ceremony will follow an aquatic theme, then you may have to look for a venue that has water elements. You could perhaps take the couple to a beach, a river, or a lake since all these places have water bodies. In fact, you could also just go to an aquarium to recreate their first moments. This would tie in the sense of nostalgia and excitement for the couple and imbue the wedding photos with lots of memories that they could revisit even 10 years from their wedding day.
The Nikon D5 has the perfect features that assist you in getting the best images at any venue. It comes with a self-cleaning unit, which means it is dustproof and can be taken to any outdoor location for a splendid shoot. The D5 also has a dual memory card slot, which means you never have to worry about your space-filling up while you’re outside your studio. In fact, this camera can take more than 3000 shots with a fully charged battery, a compelling feature for any outdoor wedding photographers.
Use Good Lighting
Lighting is what makes or breaks the photos. Too much or too little light could disturb the essence you’re trying to create for the couple. So, you must always remember to keep the images moderately lit. You could use artificial or natural lighting, whatever you think would work best for specific conditions. In addition, you could always play around with lights and shadows to accentuate certain features of the bride and groom, which is always a good idea if you want to capture artistic images.
One way to use lighting to your advantage is to carry yourself an external flash or a reflector. For example, suppose you’re in an indoor space. In that case, you do not want to use the flash directly on the subject’s face because it would overexpose the image and make it very harsh to look at. Alternatively, you could point an external flash up towards the ceiling, which will cast a subtle yet glowing light reflecting from the surface onto the bride and groom. This technique is perfect for capturing softly lit images in indoor spaces. The same method can be applied for images using reflectors in an outdoor space.
With the Nikon D5, you get several lighting options. Other than the built-in pop-up flash, you get an extensive ISO range of 100-102,400. This range is perfect for anyone shooting in extreme darkness or too much light. There are also several exposure modes, and white balance presets that can be accessed through the manual settings.
Frame Your Pictures Well
Another essential element in wedding photography is framing. It is crucial to frame your images nicely. But what does framing mean? It is essentially the positioning of the subject for the backdrop scenery and making sure of the correct proportions of display for the foreground and the background. Framing is what makes the image look balanced and cohesive. It is an implicit way of communicating to the viewer that the image is not just about the couple but also about their story and where they are.
For example, if you’re capturing a couple walking on the road, you must make sure that their position is symmetrical. This means carefully looking at the horizon at which the road ends, the demarcations for separate lanes, and the surrounding area along with the sky. Now, in such a case, you must make sure that the couple is placed so that their bodies are not too close to the lens but not too distant to disappear either. They should be placed symmetrically between the lanes and the horizon so that the image can achieve the perfect balance.
The Nikon D5 gives you access to an eye-level pentaprism viewfinder with 100% coverage, which allows you to appropriately set the proportions for your frames. This camera also has excellent exposure compensation with the range of ±5 EV, in 1, 1/2, or 1/3 EV steps, which helps you create framed silhouettes and avoid backlit conditions. So, you can now have the perfect wedding photos captured in perfect framing.
Maintain A Low Presence
Since the wedding ceremony is a celebratory event for the couple, you must make sure that your presence is not overwhelming. In fact, you should maintain a low presence at all times to allow them the space to enjoy their special day. This would mean taking pictures silently and not making too much noise when changing lenses or attaching a tripod. Essentially, you have to make sure you don’t draw any attention to yourself.
Additionally, you must also remember that it is not ideal for the couple to be directed for shots at all times. So, find alternative ways to take their wedding photos. Candids are a very good option. You can capture them sharing an intimate moment, or laughing with their family and friends, or even just sitting on the glass silently admiring each other. You must make the couple the center of attention, and all your images should, in one way or the other, reflect that.
With the Nikon D5, you can be sure to stay out of sight and still capture fantastic images. With its 1/8000 sec shutter speed and 11 frames per second burst mode, you can capture the best candid of any moving subject. With the 152 autofocus points and 99 cross sensors, you can be sure that those candids are perfectly clear and never blurred. Thus, working with this camera becomes a dream come true.
Know Your Camera Well
Finally, if you want to be considered a professional photographer, you must do your homework and know your camera very well. If you don’t, then you may miss out on some very important clients who could potentially boost your photography career. So, it is always wise to know the workings of your camera. Take a day or two, learn the basics like manual settings, ISO, aperture, and shutter speed configurations, so you don’t come off as a novice on the day of the shoot.
There are many resources online that you could refer to as well. YouTube has many videos explaining to you what your camera can do and how to operate it. The camera manual is another resource that can help you learn about your camera. Additionally, there are several blogs and articles all over the internet, which could be of help.
The Nikon D5 is a trendy camera. One magazine said it was setting new standards in the camera industry. With such popularity, you can easily find information about it online. Besides, it is a very user-friendly camera that is super easy to work with. It has a touchscreen LCD, which means you can navigate freely across all gear sections. So, go out there with your Nikon D5 and start shooting professional wedding photographs.
