HELP..wedding sat.

[luannf1980]

Hello. I would first like to say...I am in NO way a Pro. or anything..lol However I do have a *decent* camera.. anyhows Friend of mine from work is getting married this saturday at a firehall.. They dont have a photographer..and really dont want to hire one. so they were gonna have their son in law, who is in the wedding, take photos and video..so I told them I love taking photos and would do it for them so he could enjoy himself more.. they said ok.. I am soo excited! HOWEVER I have no idea whatsoever if I should be doing anything special so my question is..

Can anyone tell me what a *basic* setting i should keep my camera on? Or should i just keep it in auto mode..just to get shots? Also I have the 430ex flash and havent used it much.. what setting is that suppose to be on?

I am not doing this for ANY money, in fact its actually my wedding gift to them..to take photos and make a nice album on BLURB for them..for memories. Just wanted to see if anyone had any last minute advice to maybe catch a unique nice shot..

btw i have the canon 20d 430ex and two lens

THANKS SO MUCH TO THOSE THAT RESPOND

[csm328]

Ok, you're going to get a lot of info so: what lenses do you have? How well lit is the area for the wedding? Have you been into the ceremony area so you can do some test shots? Are you shooting in RAW or JPEG? What program/s are you using for post production?

If you can give us a better idea, especially lenses and file type, it would really help. Also, looking through the wedding section and reading as much as you can will assist you.

Waiting for your reply....

[csm328]

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=75678

[luannf1980]

I have never shot in Raw.. Nor know how to turn my camera to that. I have always just shot in Jpeg. I have the canon 20d with the 430exspeedlite the kit lens and a 28-135is. They just told me today before leaving work that they would like me to take them so, no I havent been to the hall..HOWEVER I am asumming..knowing the hall, that the light will be dim. It is an older hall with not much natural light. Everything is also being done inside..if that helps. I was hoping to not have to do a TON of post-processing, maybe cropping a little, since I am not very good at all that. I do have the trial photoshop cs2 on my computer but wow is it hard. I use kodak alot to crop and such tho. hope this helps..

[Skrim17]

If you are uncomfortable shooting RAW and post processing I would leave it on the green box, attach the flash and point it up at the ceiling and shoot away. Chimp your shots and if they look dark try to adjust the flash down a bit at a time till they look better. If you feel like it, you could pick up a nifty fifty at a local shop or something it will do TONS better in low light, otherwise use the 28-135 as the IS might buy you a stop or so.

[csm328]

As Skrim just said, go full auto and do the best you can. If you do know how to adjust your ISO, it would help you in low light. The idea about the nifty fifty (50mm) lens is excellent. the 1.8 is cheap. The 1.4 is better. The 28-135 IS is a good lens but inside, you need to be careful. Did you read the link I posted before? RAW is easy...especially with CS2.

[geester]

I would just put it in "P" mode and set the focus to the center. Flash will automatically adjust and shoot away. Turn the exposure up or down to whatever the conditions are, if you have to.
....and make sure you have enough memory for the day.
That should just about do it. good luck.


Greg

[luannf1980]

yes been reading it..lots to read. I know how to change the basic settings of my camera..iso and such..just dont know what I should change it to! LOL also...should i use my kit lens then or my 28-135? also.. I lost the hood.. I am guessing I should buy a new one? would that be a nessicity?

btw..thanks again for helping

[geester]

I dont have either lens, but, but since I use the 24-105is, I would be more comfortable using the 28-135, since the quality is probably better too. Ultimately, it is whatever you feel more comfortable with. Practice for the next few days and you will be alright.

Greg

[liza]

Don't use the kit lens. Pick up an inexpensive 50mm lens for ambient light shots and use the 28-135 for the rest with the camera on Program mode. Keep the ISO up for low light shots, use the IS, and bounce the flash.

May the force be with you. :)

[csm328]

Get the 50mm 1.4 or, if you cant afford the 1.4, get the 1.8. Look at your manual and change to RAW. Trust me, you will appreciate the extra comfort of being able to save some shot that you would otherwise lose. ISO 400 for a start. Flash on E-TLL. Centre focus. What size memory card do you have? If you're able to shoot in RAW, the pics are much bigger but you get to do more with them in PP.

[luannf1980]

OK sounds like *MY* best bet is.. correct me if I am wrong.. p mode High ISO bouncing flash with 28-135. :) This is rather exciting even if it is just for *fun*!

btw I am stressing over this saturday.. which will have all of 40 people in a tiny hall and with a couple that would be happy with 2 disposables....WOW and KUDOS to those of you who do this for a living!! WAYY to stressful!

[luannf1980]

Get the 50mm 1.4 or, if you cant afford the 1.4, get the 1.8. Look at your manual and change to RAW. Trust me, you will appreciate the extra comfort of being able to save some shot that you would otherwise lose. ISO 400 for a start. Flash on E-TLL. Centre focus. What size memory card do you have? If you're able to shoot in RAW, the pics are much bigger but you get to do more with them in PP.





OK..thanks..sounds good! I have a 1gb memory card...Should I buy another?

[csm328]

lol, buy another 6!

[luannf1980]

lol, buy another 6!



lol I figured as much.. I think I may just shoot in JPEG, I cant afford right now to go out and buy to many things... <buying another house and going to real estate school..plus 4kiddos..lol> so im just about broke!

[csm328]

OK, well, come back when you get the pics and post some and we'll help with any PP if you need it. Best of luck.

[mrslevite]

Luann, I have my own first wedding photography experience this Saturday, too, or I would ask to come and take some pics, too. (I'm in Delaware.) I can't say "help" you, because my inexperience probably wouldn't be much help.

My wedding Saturday is the same deal as yours. The bride had asked her ex-brother-in-law to take some pics with his point and shoot camera, so I volunteered to be the wedding photographer. I'm sure the ex-BIL and many others will be taking pics, too, so between all the shots taken, I'm sure she'll have some she's happy with. And I'm sure the same will be for your wedding. Just remember to relax and enjoy the wedding while you're there. :)

[Skrim17]

Too bad its this sat, I'm in Northern NJ and would lend you my 50 but my kids bday party is that day in a dismally lit play place and I'll be using it I think!

[kato1]

You definately need more memory and it's cheap so no excuses there.

Why not shoot in RAW and JPEG?, at least for the important shots. That way you will always have the RAW file to fall back on if you have exposure problems. Yes it uses a lot more memory but if you buy extra cards that won't be an issue.

Have fun and Enjoy!