Wedding Photobooth

[jnm2.0t]

Thinking of setting up the rig on a tripod with the remote cable release during dinner for guests to take pics of themselves like a photobooth. I imagine its been done plenty of times, anyone here done it? How'd it go?

Cable release isnt long enough so i'd probably set it to a timer after they hit the release.

[mikegilbert]

I set up a booth for a wedding I shot in Livermore, CA two weeks ago. Set up my strobes and set the camera to manual to ensure consistency. I borrowed the clients' D80 and used the IR remote with a 3 second delay. For a crude setup, it worked well.

[jnm2.0t]

Ya makes sense to not use the D800, cable is too short and don't know I trust it if I need to leave it unattended. D90 remote was $11 which would be fine for this.

[peoples_car]

I'll be doing the same at the end of July. It will be outside in the afternoon for a couple hours so I'm guessing I'll have to keep a close eye on things as the light and exposures change.

It's for a co-workers friend so I hope it doesn't suck :shrug:

[rockit]

id make sure your contract is written to totally cover any issues that may arise (gear malfunction, theft, etc,) ESPECIALLY if it will be an open setup. i know 2 people who have been taken to small claims court for issues with day-of-event photobooths.

like anything, if you are getting paid to do this, there should be a backup in place for EVERYTHING.

[jnm2.0t]

id make sure your contract is written to totally cover any issues that may arise (gear malfunction, theft, etc,) ESPECIALLY if it will be an open setup. i know 2 people who have been taken to small claims court for issues with day-of-event photobooths.

like anything, if you are getting paid to do this, there should be a backup in place for EVERYTHING.

Not a real photobooth, just a camera on a tripod with the lights setup for any guests to take candids for the couple. Just an added little perk they dont expect.

[synthsis]

I borrowed the clients' D80 and used the IR remote with a 3 second delay. For a crude setup, it worked well.

this is the exact same setup we used and we left one of those small dry erase boards for people to write stuff on too. family wrote nice meaningful things, friends drew penises.

[sonicGLI]

I do it with a 27" iMac, works amazinginly well. There is an app, well, an automator script on the web (can't remember where I got it) but had to rewrite/add to it so it would work correctly. It shoots 3 photos in succession (few seconds in between) and prints them out on a little printer immediately. People LOVE it at the reception.

Can you have it? No, sorry, it's kinda my thing, but I'm sure you wouldn't have a problem figuring out your own method.

[panic]

http://www.breezesys.com/Photobooth/index.htm

Also, a higher end P&S, even an older one like the G9 can work really well for this - that software is intended to be tethered to a computer and attached to a dye-sub printer for on-demand printing

[sonicGLI]

Remember, we're talking "photobooth" photos here. These are tiny strips (usually three tiny photos on a vertical strip). No need to go overboard on photo and printer quality.

[sonicGLI]

Oh, and most the photobooth software costs hundreds. Look up David Cline's software. It's a great piece of software to start with, I've customized it to get rid of some of the dialog boxes and added some other features (it's all done through automator) and it's completely free!

[hipster.]

You could go real simple and just set up an iPad2 on a tripod (yes they make a mount for that). Has front facing camera, easy to use, and lots of apps for photobooth type shots.

[jnm2.0t]

Oh, and most the photobooth software costs hundreds. Look up David Cline's software. It's a great piece of software to start with, I've customized it to get rid of some of the dialog boxes and added some other features (it's all done through automator) and it's completely free!

Uses the onboard camera huh?

You could go real simple and just set up an iPad2 on a tripod (yes they make a mount for that). Has front facing camera, easy to use, and lots of apps for photobooth type shots.

that would require wasting money on apple products

[Kerryy]

We've done this a few times. Typically we bring another assistant along to run it and press the shutter. I have a photo somewhere of our setup but its usually just a solid background a table to set the printer on (if we're printing on site for a guestbook), and a box of props. I always have fun watching what people will do, especially later in the reception after a few drinks... there are always some rather interesting and inappropriate photos.

[hipster.]

that would require wasting money on apple products

[jnm2.0t]

It's the truth, not sure what the issue is...

[sonicGLI]

Uses the onboard camera huh?

Yeah, and the iSight camera is more than good enough to take photos that are barely an inch tall (I do 3 in succession on a phtoo strip, just like a real photobooth). And, I wouldn't worry about putting an actual booth together, just set it up on a table in or right outside the reception area... no background, nothing. Just a big sign that says "photobooth" and trust me, once on person uses, everyone is using it by the end of the night as the alcohol flows.

[hipster.]

It's the truth, not sure what the issue is...

Because you are interested in the iSight which is an apple product. Not sure what your beef with apple products are, especially in a situation where it will make your life easier. And iPads are great for work use. Keep your portfolio loaded on it and bring it with you when hunting for jobs and work. Much easier than carrying print work around.

I use mine for storing storyboards, call sheets, and shot lists. Makes life easier making videos with out carrying around a binder.

[jnm2.0t]

Yeah, and the iSight camera is more than good enough to take photos that are barely an inch tall (I do 3 in succession on a phtoo strip, just like a real photobooth). And, I wouldn't worry about putting an actual booth together, just set it up on a table in or right outside the reception area... no background, nothing. Just a big sign that says "photobooth" and trust me, once on person uses, everyone is using it by the end of the night as the alcohol flows.

I always do a pre-site visit, today was the one for this wedding. Theres a perfect spot for it and the bride was really excited for it. To be clear when I say booth I dont mean a physcial one, just camera on a tripod with lights and remote. Not doing a printer either.

Because you are interested in the iSight which is an apple product.

I am? News to me.

Not sure what your beef with apple products are,

I've never met an Apple product that I liked, thought was worth the money, or would buy again. Not sure if it's that I don't wear skinny enough jeans or that marketing just doesn't have the same effect on me. Probably a combination of both.

In fact I will tell you what, I had an iPhone for work at one point that stopped working. I tried dropping in to the store one of the rare times I was free and those ****ers refused to fix the phone because I hadn't used their reservation system. **** you, how about you help your customers as needed and don't make them kowtow to you. Guess the indoctrinated see a visit to the genius bar as if they're going to the Oracle of Delphi. At any rate rather than set foot back in a store and since I have no idea when I will have the time to go in I got a return auth online, took it to the UPS store, and overnighted it back to them. They can pay for all that I'm not wasting my time in their store and their stupid reservation system.

[mikegilbert]

Here's a few from the setup. The clients wanted to use the shed as a backdrop, which presented a few problems with height and consistency in the event that someone moved the camera.

Wedding started at 5:30 PM and the reception carried through till midnight. The sun was camera left for a good portion of the shots. There is no noticeable difference in lighting which tells me it was a success. Aside from some little kids losing the remote a few times (and the odd bump to the camera) it worked really well. I thought about cropping the photos for consistency, but that would've taken extra time. The idea was to have these available a few days after the reception.

Also, before anyone asks about the shiny faces, It was 106 degrees that day. Everyone was soaked.



All shots
Nikon D80
18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 kit lens locked at ~25mm
ISO200 @ f/8 / 1/250sec
AB800 x2 with umbrellas @ 1/2 power


Daylight + Strobes


Strobes only

[Basscase]

Also, before anyone asks about the shiny faces, It was 106 degrees that day. Everyone was soaked.

What...you didn't have on location makeup people.

[hipster.]

What...you didn't have on location makeup people.

Oddly enough he DID have a fluffer though.

[mikegilbert]

What...you didn't have on location makeup people.

Nope, no private trailer, personal assistant or swag bag.

Oddly enough he DID have a fluffer though.

In my case, my girlfriend

[peoples_car]

I tested out my setup at a house party this passed Friday and it was a huge hit. I simply had my IR remote firing my D90 and SB600 running on TTL commander mode.

Dead consistent focusing and exposure, and it turns out my friends are a hilarious group of drunks

[hipster.]

I tested out my setup at a house party this passed Friday and it was a huge hit. I simply had my IR remote firing my D90 and SB600 running on TTL commander mode.

Dead consistent focusing and exposure, and it turns out my friends are a hilarious group of drunks

Save photos for when they're in their 30's. We'll see who thinks what was funny then...and who got fatter/skinnier.

[peoples_car]

Well most of us are closer to 30 than we are 20 and it doesn't look like maturity will be creeping up on us anytime soon

[DRH]

I set one up for a wedding I was in last month. Here's two


Bonura Photobooth by dylanhuber, on Flickr

And
The kids had a blast with it as well


Bonura Photobooth by dylanhuber, on Flickr

[sonicGLI]

Save photos for when they're in their 30's. We'll see who thinks what was funny then...and who got fatter/skinnier.

Eh, yeah, my friends and I are all in our 30's. We still throw a yearly beerfest bash and, like clockwork, the cops show up every year. Our facebook pages look nuts because we're always dressed up in some weird costume, hammered off our asses.

Life doesn't end at 30, kids, it gets better... because you can still party AND you have money

[INDAHAUS]

Not 100% sure this will work but i setup my studio in the basement and did exactly what you said, attached the remote to the camera and set the timer to 10 seconds.. I trust everyone that was at my place so no worries about broken/stolen equipment. Everyone that came said it was a great idea and have been asking about doing it again..

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?s...3&l=2cc41d9de7