Bar Mitvah - Lens and such

[Craicgirl]

Hi..

I just got my Rebel Xt at Christmas. A friend of mine wants me to take her son's Bar Mitvah pictures in May. Previous to owning the XT all my shots were done on a point and shoot, so I am spending time learning to use the darn thing.

My question to anyone with Wedding/Bar Mitzvah/Special Event photography experience is, other then the kit lens, what lens would you recommend for this type of photography? Also would an external flash be recommended?

Any advice anyone can give me would be greatly appeciated. I am both excited and terrified about taking on this challenge.

Kerry

http://emotionaltoaster.net

[Inspired Photography]

Hi Kerry,

I like my zooms, so i would recommend a 24-70 f2.8. The Canon is fantastic, the Sigma is also great - and alot cheaper.

An external flash is worlds ahead of the on-board one, and i would recommend a flash bracket too to eliminate side shadows.

As for camera settings, i would use ISO400, Av, but you might have to use manual to get enough speed depending on the lighting. If you are not comfortable with Manual, then P mode and an external flash can still get some great results.

Oh, and if you have enough compact flash, shoot in RAW mode. Then you have alot more flexibility for tweaking in PP, and "rescuing".

Hope this helps.

Rob

[harryb49]

I'd recommend that you get a flash bracket that holds the flash directly over your camera. It should allow you to rotate the flash so that you can take horizontal or vertical pictures. With the flash elevated that much you reduce red-eye to a minimum (almost non-existant) and you reduce the shadows that normally would show with just the normal flash.

I am assuming that you have an external flash so that the above suggestion will work.

I've done 2 weddings with my flash bracket and would not consider doing another one if I couldn't use it again.

Take care,
Harry

[Titus213]

I would have to say that if you are looking for some better quality photos an external flash is a must. It's all about light. And a fully dedicated flash such as the EX series would be best. Aditionally a light modifier for the flash would help, certainly a bracket, off-shoe cord, and diffuser but....I like my LSII. It gives better quality light than direct flash at lower costs than a bracket and modifier.

As to lens, it will be determined by the location, time, existing light. Faster glass is better. For a very small amount you can generally rent some terrific glass for this one-time shoot. Our last event we rented a Canon 200mm f1.8 and a Canon 70-200mm f2.8 IS for the weekend for about $40.

All this will allow you to improve your photos beyond snapshots but in the final analysis it will be you that creates the classy images. Poses, settiings, light use. It can be done with the kit lens. It's just easier and better with better equipment.

[tim]

Honestly, there's so much you need to know to do this I don't even know where to start. Buy yourself a few books on wedding or event photography, that'll be a good start. Learn to use your camera so well you can use it in the dark. You need an external flash. Learn about diffused flash, bounce flash, catchlights, umbrellas, and color temperature. Get a book on posing.

[sapearl]

Most of your work can be done with a modest wide angle. I shoot medium format using a 60mm which would be 35mm on a FF digital. Use flash whenever possible. Unless they are time exposure tripod shots during the ceremony, they will just be too flat and require a lot of PhotoShop repair work; doable, but certainly labor intensive after the fact.

The rehearsal pictures done a couple of days before can be done at the Ark using this focal length very nicely. Same lens can be used at the Bimah (raised dais, reading platform/podium) for the Torah shots of the individual alone with the scrolls, as well as groupings with his/her family.

Definately use an off camera flash, on a bracket, top center of the lens, at least 5 or 6 inches above. You'll be amazed at the improved modeling of light this will give you. Use some sort of diffuser (if you're not using umbbrellas) like a lumiquest, or Fongs, or one of the others will be HIGHLY beneficial.

If they want you to take pictures of the ceremony during the actual day, you likely will NOT be allowed in the sanctuary unless this is an orthodox Jewish ceremony. There are exceptions. I've cultivated relationships with a number of local rabbis who allow me to set up on a tripod, waaaaaaay in the back of the sanctuary. I don't move or make a peep and create as little noise as possible. Here is where you could use a fast telephoto though. My quieter camera, an old Mamiya TLR has a 250mm lens that I can use wide open at f6.3 at about 1/8 second if it's bright enough, ISO 400. Again, this would be about 150mm in the 35mm world.

Forget about available light at the reception. Fast glass will give you a brighter viewfinder for composition, but it won't figure into the actual exposure. Most of them are indoors in the evenings or luncheons, both of which are dim venues, many in rooms without windows. Shoot at ISO 400, slow shutter speed around 1/30 to gather some of the ambient light, and aperture of f8 to give you modest depth of field without turning the entire background dark. Hopefully my ramblings have helped out here. :lol: If you have some specific questions I may be able to answer those too. Good luck!

Hi..

I just got my Rebel Xt at Christmas. A friend of mine wants me to take her son's Bar Mitvah pictures in May. Previous to owning the XT all my shots were done on a point and shoot, so I am spending time learning to use the darn thing.

My question to anyone with Wedding/Bar Mitzvah/Special Event photography experience is, other then the kit lens, what lens would you recommend for this type of photography? Also would an external flash be recommended?

Any advice anyone can give me would be greatly appeciated. I am both excited and terrified about taking on this challenge.

Kerry

http://emotionaltoaster.net

[KevC]

I shot my friend's siblings' whole bar/bat-mitzvah with my kit lens and 420EX bounced from the ceiling. ISO200, f/8, 1/60th.

Surprisingly they came out ok. However, if you have a flash bracket that would help. A nicer lens would also help but I don't know about using a 24-70 on a crop body, in my situation the 24 would've been too long on the wide end! Then again, the party was held at a smallish restaurant, I had no space to move around.