Hi All, from Nth Wales

[pegasusl]

Hi everyone.

I'm Chris from Anglesey, Nth Wales.
I'm not a pro, but am a keen amateur who's just taken the plunge and sold my Nikon F80 and gone digi with a D70s.

I really enjoy most types of photography; wildlife, landscape, reportage/candids are my favourites to date. Am looking to try my hand at sports, and macro too.

To help fund my hobby (did I say hobby???? It was only MEANT to be a hobby!!! :D ...seems to be "Growing") I would like to do some weding photography to help me fund my "Hobby", and develop my portrait and candid skills. However, I dont take this leap of faith lightly, and certainly would not consider just diving in and getting someone's big day wrong!!! :confused: .

I am looking for a distance/online tutorship course that leads me to a recognised qualification. (Heard mention of an ICS course that gives a C&G qual) Something that will start me on the right track for weddings.

I am also approaching local Wedding photographers and offering my services as a free assistant in exchange for experience and mentorship.

ANY advice on courses that would suit me, and any other advice would be greatly appreciated.

[Stemmy]

Welcome Chris.

You are doing the right thing. Learn as much as you can before you take the plunge.

Dont know much about any courses. I did a C&G course. Didnt really get that much from it. You will learn soo much more shadowing another photographer. What is the market like there ? Anglesey is a retirement place are there many weddings or will you have to travel to find them.

Hope you stick around you will learn loads from here.

Post some pictures.

Have posted this before but thought I would show you. Me loosing it big time at Ty Croes. Do about 5 rallys a year there and a couple of track days.

[pegasusl]

Many thanks for the encouragement Stemmy!

There is a fair amount of local work to be had I beleive, and there seems to be a distinct lack of photographers. (Only 2 I can find...and they're working flat out it seems)

BTW..Isn't the Ty Croes track supposed to be under those wheels?
I'd love to get down there with a camera when I feel confident enough to try my hand at sports photography.

[Stemmy]

If you have found a space in the market - go for it !!!

And yes there is supposed to be track under the car - nearly ended up in the sea !!!!

[dengli]

Martin -- tarmac is the grey stuff that'sroughly 18%grey. The green stuff is what sheep feed off.

[Dotty.c]

welcome, like your approach to taking on wedding photography, I also started out with a hobby that took over, then some one gave me a canon slr, then my father in law asked me to assist him at weddings and then with his encouragement I took the plunge the following season hubby joined me and now going into our 4th season, so we are in direct comp. with the inlaws. It's not for the faint hearted, and in the beginning many sleepless night's, but the rush you get when you hand over the finished album is something else.

[pegasusl]

...thanks guys! (and gals!)

Dont think lotus's float to well in the sea!... :eek:
Will probably be enrolling on the ICS course...will put up a post to let you all know what I think and learn from it.

would also be grateful of advice re: lens for weddings.
I have a Tamron 28-300 which was great on my film SLR (F80, now sold to my Dad....he's now got the bug too!). Problem is, now that it's on my new Digital SLR (D70s), the conversion factor puts it at around a 46 - 450mm equivalent. Too long for weddings. Have looked at something in the region of an 18 - 50mm (works out around 28 - 75 ish), but advice would be appreciated. Also would f3.5 be quick enough? or do I need to spend megabucks on a f2.8 or quicker lens?

[tonymidd]

...

would also be grateful of advice re: lens for weddings.
I have a Tamron 28-300 which was great on my film SLR (F80, now sold to my Dad....he's now got the bug too!). Problem is, now that it's on my new Digital SLR (D70s), the conversion factor puts it at around a 46 - 450mm equivalent. Too long for weddings. Have looked at something in the region of an 18 - 50mm (works out around 28 - 75 ish), but advice would be appreciated. Also would f3.5 be quick enough? or do I need to spend megabucks on a f2.8 or quicker lens?
I've a 15-30mm f3.5/4.5 EX Sigma which gives good results(£400sh) or there is their 17-35mm f2.8/4 HSM EX (£300sh). Personally I went for the extra covering power of the 15-30mm, you can always up the ISO on a dull day if you have to. Or have a look at 7 day shop's web site, they have a sale on Nikkors at the moment.