Wisdom Needed: Scared Photograher in Need

10/11/2007 03:23:23 PM · #32

Whats iso1600 like on a 400D? If the church is as dark as you say, then I really think you need to whack it all the way up, even if you do get hold of some faster lenses..

other than that all I can say is "good luck!"

bassbone

Nikon Df

Nikon MF 105mm f/2.5 AIS

10/11/2007 03:24:34 PM · #33

Originally posted by Simms:

Whats iso1600 like on a 400D?

in two words...not good

NVPhoto

Canon EOS-40D

10/11/2007 03:30:47 PM · #34

I sent you a PM, I could have a 24-70 2.8L and a 580 EX II speedlite to you by Sat. Throw in the 85 1.8 or 1.2 and you have a pretty kick ass wedding rig. You would need to let me know soon, time is ticking.

Justin

Simms

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM

10/11/2007 03:32:46 PM · #35

Originally posted by Jmnuggy:

Wow, thats really nice of you man, she'd be silly to pass up an offer like that.. top bloke!!!

Nullix

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

10/11/2007 03:33:39 PM · #36

Sorry, but I think you're screwed.

You have one camera and a slow lens. You don't have any backup in case something goes wrong.

Do what you can to rent some fast primes. Find if the church has a balcony and sit yourself there.

Luckily, you're a last minute photographer. If things go wrong, you can always tell them, "You get what you pay for."

--Armchair wedding photographer

NVPhoto

Canon EOS-40D

Sony DT 18-70mm f/3.5-5.6 Aspherical ED Zoom Lens for Sony Alpha

10/11/2007 03:46:55 PM · #37

Just to clarify, my offer is not completely generous, its not free.

The last post is terrible. She isn't screwed, she is just not as prepared as she could be. She mentions in the thread title she is scared and that post doesn't help. If she checks her email in time, I can have that gear to her which solves the slow lens problem. No backup gear isn't ideal at all, but its what she has to work with. I think she knows she probably should have backup but nothing can be done now. Gets real tiresome hearing other wedding photogs rag on beginners.

If that post was supposed to be sarcastic and funny I apologize.

kiwinick

Sony DSLR-A550

10/11/2007 03:51:44 PM · #38

my advice is call in sick and get them to hire apro to do the job

zaflabout

Nikon D300

Tamron SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 Di II LD Aspherical (IF) for Nikon

10/11/2007 04:11:19 PM · #39

if there is only candle light, i really don't think any lens or iso boosting will help, the only way would be for them to stay still for a a sec every time you click that shutter.
i would say explain that to them , and with their help it's possible, you can practice that at the rehearsal.

of course you would def. need a tripod, if tripod would not be allowed they i am not sure how anyone can shoot in this kind of setting.

unless off course there is about 1000 candles...

the best advice see EXACLTY how the setting is going to be, and accordingly test. and i would def. inquire about using a tripod.

PS:in fact, in case they don't agree with the tripod usage, you might inquire who shot weddings there before, and try contacting these photographer to see what equipement they used.

Message edited by author 2007-10-11 16:12:20.

mpeters

Canon EOS-5D

10/11/2007 04:19:44 PM · #40

The 50/1.8 would serve you well. Buy if you can.

FWIW, I don't think that many brides want huge blowups of ceremony stuff. You should be able to produce decent small prints of the ceremony. Then pull out your lighting equip for the formals so you can produce better quality large prints.

I'd use jnmuggy. The 24-70/2.8 would work for the whole day, and the 85/1.8 would be a bonus. You'd still probably be shooting at ISO800 in a dark church. :(

Best of luck to you,

NVPhoto

Canon EOS-40D

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

10/11/2007 04:21:40 PM · #41

house rules are house rules. If its candle light and they won't let you use flash, there is nothing outside of a miracle that will help. Nice thing is that it isn't your fault and the couple will know that so your wedding photography will be very limited... lots of formals, reception etc...

I had a friend who just go married. I would have loved to be the photog. The church had a strict rule, absolutely no photography in the church whatsoever. No pros, no family, no cell phone cameras. Guy got paid for shooting the formals and reception only... pretty nice gig.

Just roll with whatever comes your way. Try to be prepared teh best you can with equipment, have some fast lenses in case their is decent light, bring a flash for the formals after the ceremony and don't stress too much.

alanfreed

Nikon D6

10/11/2007 04:29:14 PM · #42

You may also talk to the B&G about doing posed shots that recreate key moments of the ceremony afterwards. That way, you can use whatever lighting you like and come away with some decent shots. Given the circumstances, that might be your best bet for the ceremony stuff.

Just be honest with them ahead of time; people appreciate honesty. I don't mean that you need to tell them that your equipment isn't up to snuff... I'd just tell them that given the restrictions of the church, the lighting is going to make it very difficult to get decent shots during the actual ceremony.

Nikolai1024

Nikon D300

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 24-85mm f2.8-4.0D

10/11/2007 04:35:19 PM · #43

Originally posted by candlerain:

Rent the FASTEST lens that you can for the weekend. It will be worth it.

Yes but be sure to practice with it first. It is not easy to get focus right at f1.4. Make SURE you are ready.

mpeters

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM

10/11/2007 04:43:09 PM · #44

Originally posted by alanfreed:

Good idea... Manage expectations. Undersell. Overperfom. I may be way off base, but it seems even the PRO wedding photogs have trouble producing perfectly sharp, noise/grain free images in dimly lit churches. Go pick up any wedding photography book to see what I mean. ;) As a photog, my tendency is to critique shots from a more technical viewpoint, the B & G have personal emotions and feelings wrapped up in their images. The Bride gets a warm and fuzzy feeling just looking at her pictures because they remind her of a meaningful day in her life. She isn't looking for noise...

Speaking from personal experience... the worst conditions I ever shot a ceremony in were similar to yours. Multipurpose hall, low ceilings, dark, raining outside, ugly yellowish walls, etc. I hated the pictures but the bride loved them. I picked them apart on technical issues, she saw the emotion. She still thinks I know what I am doing! :)

Message edited by author 2007-10-11 17:02:07.

Nullix

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

10/11/2007 04:52:32 PM · #45

Originally posted by Jmnuggy:

If that post was supposed to be sarcastic and funny I apologize.

No, it wasn't sarcastic and it was pretty critical.

How about some advice from me to help. (After all, anyone can say the sky is falling, but who actually does something about it?)

The sky might fall. Here's some help:
First time wedding forums
Low Light Wedding Search

I hope that does help. Good luck, I'll go back to my arm chair.

--Armchair Wedding Photographer

Imagineer

Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

10/11/2007 05:43:46 PM · #46

It's clear that you're in too deep, but you have two choices in my view:

1. hire a pro and release yourself (excuse yourself however you see fit)

2. go for it, but run at a loss and invest in what you need. You're learning on someone else's money here and you're winging it! Commit to it and don't panic.

If you go for 2 then I'd suggest you get some practice with panning a moving subject and shoot multiple frames with a very fast CF card. This will increase your chances of getting the main subject[s] sharp at least once or twice. I would perhaps shoot some tests and then set to TV (shutter speed) mode and rely on post-processing RAW files. Definitely NOT JPEG as this will reduce your chances of rescuing any key shots.

Also:
> consider a monopod for additional (discreet) support.
> get a battery pack or other power backup if you anticipate shooting for long periods with no mains charge access

Grain in monochrome should be fine for the church as it will add gravitas to the images, but they'll need some help from NeatImage or the like. Just ensure that you're also up to the job in Photoshop, or pass them to someone who is.

One last bit of advice - don't ruin their day but just do what is necessary to get the shot. It's easier to apologise to the church afterwards than to admit you've failed to the couple! Do lots of candids and make the reportage approach 'your style' as it can be more forgiving.

If it all goes wrong, either:
1. just pretend you have mental health issues and that you're a marine biologist by trade!
or
2. say the CF cards were corrupt and you've had enough of silly old photography and are becoming a marine biologist.

[Sorry if anyone has any mental health issues but I think in this case it's worth being politically incorrect.]

MikeJ

Canon EOS-1D Mark II

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 USM II

10/11/2007 07:03:40 PM · #47

Originally posted by Jmnuggy:

It's not her that's going to be screwed... it's the couple and their family and friends because chances are, with the equipment she has, she's going to get very little that is usable. Which is doing a big disservice to the bride and groom... regardless of if she was last minute or not. Even if she has told them over and over that she doesn't have the equipment and can't produce good results with the restrictions that have been imposed on her, they aren't going to understand just what they will not get until she shows it to them. Right now, they are probably desperate to get a photographer and figure anything is better than nothing. Well, anything isn't always better than nothing.

One other thing that is being overlooked by all the people that are saying to rent a faster lens and other fast equipment... and also in regards to your offer of providing her your equipment... if she hasn't used this type of faster gear under these conditions, then chances are, she won't do much better. Doing a wedding under these conditions is not the time to learn how to shoot with new gear. And it takes practice to learn to shoot low light, even if you do have a fast lens and high ISO camera. If you don't consider what a fstop of 1.8 or even 2.8 does to depth of field, then you might get usable images exposure wise, but only one spot is going to be in focus... and it probably won't be the nose or eyes.

While I can understand someone not wanting to turn down a job... a big part of being a professional photographer is to know when you should turn it down... if not for your own sake, then for the sake of the customer. Sometimes you really do have to just say sorry, I can't do it.

And what's probably going to be even more aggravating is that the comment about the family taking pictures and using flash will probably be true and they will get better pictures anyway. So with all the work, stress, upset stomach, peed pants, etc., Uncle Bob and Aunt Mabel will probably have an easier go of it.

Mike

CalamitysMaster00

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

10/11/2007 07:09:33 PM · #48

Well, I do want you all to know that I appreciate all your comments and some of the advice really helped me to see what I can do with what I have - the ISO, focus.... and I did rent a lens for the weekend. Found one at Labrador for only 35$ for the weekend. Its a 2.8 70-200 and is all they had free.

I want you all to know, those who say - "Quit now and get a PRO to do the job". That her PRO photographer she hired cut out on her early... that is why I took the job. She lost a 500$ deposit to the man who fell through. She needed someone quick and she knows I don't do weddings. I'm smart enough to know that I am in over my head when it comes to weddings - that is why I asked for your help.

However, I don't know who can measure a pro vs. an ameature but I hardly consider myself stupid or a quitter. I'm only 23 and I already make a living with my work. I get the opportunity to do what I love and can do it full time. I don't do weddings - too much liabity and my hats off to those who do, its really hard work. I'm honored that she chose me by work of mouth and though I'm still a bit scared, I'm a bit more modivated now just to show you guys that someone can do something big and scary and still prevail.

Thanks again and I can't wait till Sunday when this whole thing will be over and I'll be in editing mode. ;)

Simms