Church Photos - DPChallenge Forums

02/20/2004 12:41:16 PM · #1

I have just been hired to do a photo shoot of the choir and pastor of a church for their booklets. They need b&w and color.
My question is, does anyone have experience with this that can offer suggestions. I have done a few weddings, and specialize in portraiture.
I have a basic lighting system with reflector/diffusors.
Anything I should watch out for? Pose ideas?
etc..

Thanks!

kent

Olympus E-10

02/20/2004 12:42:09 PM · #2

group shot or individuals?

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM

02/20/2004 12:59:21 PM · #3

I believe group shots. They talked about individuals too, but may not do them.
I am looking for creative ways to express the group, and if someone has done this before, what mood does a Church usually want for things like this?

Seanachai

Canon EOS-20D

02/20/2004 01:32:42 PM · #4

I would go to the church and take notes on lighting, room space etc. Get a feel for the shots that you might want to set up.

PaulMdx

Canon EOS-1D

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM

02/20/2004 01:36:18 PM · #5

Originally posted by KarenB:

I have just been hired to do a photo shoot of the choir and pastor of a church

I can't offer any advice, but congrats on the booking. :-)

jpochard

Canon EOS-40D

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

02/20/2004 01:36:58 PM · #6

From this choir member, I would think that some shots of the choir singing, making sure to get a good angle of the director leading, would be in order. You might also want to be sure to get some shots of any accompanists who help with the choir.

02/20/2004 01:37:14 PM · #7

Originally posted by PaulMdx:

Originally posted by KarenB:
I have just been hired to do a photo shoot of the choir and pastor of a church

I can't offer any advice, but congrats on the booking. :-)

Thanks! :)

Panasonic Lumix G 14mm F2.5 ASPH

02/20/2004 01:39:15 PM · #8

Originally posted by Seanachai:

I would go to the church and take notes on lighting, room space etc. Get a feel for the shots that you might want to set up.

Good idea.

Originally posted by jpochard:

Okay.. good idea too..

Any others?

Olyuzi

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX7

02/20/2004 01:58:15 PM · #9

I would start thinking about how wide angle a shot you're going to need and if your lighting equipment will be able to provide even lighting throughout.

kent

Olympus E-10

02/20/2004 03:04:18 PM · #10

my first thought is outdoors! depends on how the weather is up there i guess. simple fill light and a nice green background- kinda like those old timey records you see... i love that stuff! check out your local thrift store record bin.

Gordon

RIM BlackBerry Curve

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

02/20/2004 03:07:20 PM · #11

depends on the church, but if there are balconies, perhaps shooting 'down' at the group all looking up towards you ?

It depends how traditional they want the pictures to be, but I think you might be able to do some interesting angles from the various locations in a typical church to get some unique angles ?

Also don't discount the wonder of sunlight through stained glass for portrait lighting.

I think you can go a long way to keeping respectful pictures without having to do anything too staid or traditional, though it very much depends on the group and what they'd like. I'd suggest doing some basics to get the shot 'in the bag' and then try some more creative options. If the choir is dynamic when singing, or if the director is particularly animated, longer exposure, or long exposure slow flash sync shots might capture some of that joy and motion too.

The long leading lines available in a typical church setting could also be really effective - as would perhaps outdoors, church in the background, in the early morning or late evening. Steps into the building and the natural doorway arches can be a great location to pose a largeish group and use the typically darker arch as an interesting shape and dark background to bring out the people.

Again depending on how they typically dress, but the contrast between white choir robes and a darker suit might make for an interesting contrast. All my church experience is based on UK examples so don't know how much would translate :)

Message edited by author 2004-02-20 15:09:42.

Zoomdak

Canon EOS-5D Mark IV

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

02/20/2004 03:32:17 PM · #12

Funny you should ask becuase I am actually the webmaster for my church. I'm not trying to put this as a brag, neither does this say they I have amazing shots of my church. But I've had some experience (//v-tour.cannonbeachchurch.org). Like Gordon said try some interesting angles. Like having the church sign in the forground and people working (weeding or plant or something) in the background. Play aroud with lighting. Try to catch people in natural poses, but also some setups are nice. Vary between close-ups and overall shots. Thats about all I can think of right now.

GoldBerry

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

02/20/2004 04:25:58 PM · #13

Originally posted by KarenB:

Church choirs are all about being one powerful voice shouting to the Lord. They're a unit coming together with one purpose, I can't see them wanting individual shots. Action shots of them singing/performing would be amazing if you can capture their emotions. I was at a wedding over the weekend that had a choir sing as the bride walked down the isle, it was very moving and very powerful.

Message edited by author 2004-02-20 16:28:34.

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-ED

02/22/2004 12:13:08 AM · #14

Thank you all for all of this! I will revisit this thread tomorrow to look at the link too.

I'll let you know how I do. :)

Flash

Nikon D700

02/22/2004 10:17:17 AM · #15

KarenB....congrats.

As you have already considered, I'm sure, group shots require matching the lens view with the size of the group, in relation to the distance of the flash/lighting source. The location of the choir bay is also a consideration. If it is in a rear balcony, then you might consider shooting from the Altar, with natural light. If the choir is located on or near the altar, then you need to consider the location of podiums, pews, altar railings, etc.

The ability to be elevated may be a necessity, like standing on a pew in the 2nd or 3rd row to get enough height to clear various obstructions.

Lastly, remember, if the choir is singing, then that means they will be moving, which means you need to decide whether to incorporate blurr or eliminate it.

Good luck. These are some of the most rewarding shooting sessions.

Flash

03/01/2004 04:40:12 PM · #16

Hi again!

Well, I did the shoot 2 days ago.

Let me first say that I was EXTREMELY nervous. I have not felt this way before a shoot before. I actually had an anxiety attack on the way home from it from keeping it bottled up. (LOL)
Anyway...
I think in general it went well.
I brought my lights with me.. 2 500-watt bulb set ups.
I also used my on-board flash. It was sooo dark in there as the light went away from the windows within a short time.
I would like to show them to you, and will accept any and all critique.
note: I am generally satisfied with them, but not extremely happy.
I hope they will be or else I will offer a reshoot.
The job called for 8X10 color photos of the Reverend and his wife, and 4X6 black and whites of the groups.

*** Please post any comments here and not under the photos (unless they are positive comments :P ) as they will be viewing those pages within this week ***

Thank you all for your help so far. I would also like to know what I could do to improve this in future, as they may ask me to return (at least that is what they said while I was there... )

Church Photos

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

03/01/2004 07:16:47 PM · #17

Hmmm. Are they that bad?

jpochard

Canon EOS-40D

03/01/2004 10:41:28 PM · #18

Hi Karen,

My favorites from your photos are 700 (my favorite), 712, 714, 707 and 718.

718 has is a good formal set up I think, but I would straighten it a bit so the railing is even. Also it seems like it has a lot of noise in it.

Did they particularly ask for black and white? You had some very difficult lighting challenges there ...with the rather dark sanctuary and some very contrasty darks and lights in the building and clothing. Many of them also wore glasses, which is always difficult to work with I think.

All in all, I think they are okay shots. It seems the lower angle on most of them really doesn't flatter the people, and the lighting loses some of the detail. I really do like that first one (700), but I think the group shots needed a different angle and I wonder how they appear in color.

Did you decide not to try the choir in action singing?

I hope this is helpful. I'm sure no expert!

Judy

I forgot to add that the robes add to the photo I think and help with avoiding some contrasts in clothing, like the bright white outfit on the one lady.

Message edited by author 2004-03-01 22:43:03.

Seanachai

Canon EOS-20D

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM

03/02/2004 12:56:41 AM · #19

Hi Karen,
What a fun way for you to spend a Saturday morning :) Shot 700 turned out nice and shot 707 is just wonderful church portrait. I really like the angle on shot 714 too. I would agree with jpochard on the lower angle shots not being as strong as the others. Nice job over all! Hope they like the shots.
Sean

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-ED

03/02/2004 08:29:39 AM · #20

Hi Judy and Sean!

Thanks so much for the feedback.
Yes, they asked for b&w to send to the publisher for their community book.
They wanted to be in the choir loft, so I was about 10 feet away from them, standing on a church bench. For some of them, I did stand on the floor.. hence the low angle. Yup.. I agree with the assessment on those.
They wanted to keep the portraits more formal, so they didn't really get into anything artistic.
Last night I removed the ones that are particularly grainy. TerryG was helping me in chat with reducing the reds before converting to b&w. It does make a world of difference. I will repost them later on.

Thanks again!

Flash

Nikon D700

03/02/2004 08:41:57 AM · #21

Originally posted by KarenB:

Hmmm. Are they that bad?

Karen,

Glad to see your work. 700, 702 and 702b are quite useable (I like 700 the best). 712 and 707 also. Regarding the choir, I prefer 674. It has the best expressions and includes the wall Cross in the frame. Brighten it a tad and I think you did a commendable job.

Flash

tfaust

Canon EOS 80D

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

03/02/2004 09:08:43 AM · #22

Hi Karen

I think you did a nice job considering your challenges. My favorites are 700, 683, 714 and 707.

Thanks for posting the photos ...

Tina