Wedding from hell?

[p3photogal]

I have a while before this wedding, but for some reason I am overly nervous about it. It's a december wedding, at 6pm, so no natural lighting spilling in. NO flash photography, no walking around during any religious aspects of the service and no center aisle. I am going to go check the church out this week, just got the contract yesterday. BUT WOW! any advice?!

[SuzyView]

Rent a 70-200 f2.8 IS or even better, rent the 300! If you can't get near the front, you'll need a telephoto for sure, with the largest aperture you can afford.

[shannyD]

1.4 lenses will be good, higher ISO but im sure you already know that stuff. maybe a 5D ( from what i hear they are great with low light) but that really sucks :(
but im sure the pros will be around sooner or later.

shannon

[song4themoon]

depending on how dark it is in the chuch it will be hard that late in winter without flash, even with the highest ISO and IS lens.

I would make sure to check out the location in advance to find out what kind of light they will have in there. Maybe ask if you can use flash at least for the moment of them all walking down the aisle.. so at least you can get that (too slow of a shutter isnt possible then because of the motion) During the ceremony there isnt as much movement and you may be able to drag your shutter a bit more to let more light in

[JimAskew]

I shot a wedding on Saturday where the pastor banned me to the back of the church. He was a traditionalist and allowed no photographers at the alter.

I had the advantage of some natural light as the wedding was at 1PM. I used my 70-20MM f/4 EF L IS and got right into the ceremony with no issues. Most of my shots were from 170MM to 200MM and I shot at 1/60th, f/4, and ISO 1600. IS is a lifesaver in these circumstances.

The f/2.8 IS version of the 70-200MM would have been even better. If you rent one be sure and allow an extra day to try it out and get the hang of it.

[SuzyView]

If all else fails, get the 85 1.8 with the 30D or 40D. That way you can get sharp pictures and then tell all the people to move slowly. ;)

[p3photogal]

thanks, yea i am hoping that it's at least well lit...I mean pp will be awful with the most likely florescent lighting, but at least I could get a decent shot. The equipment i am working with is 2 20D's and 28-135 f/3.5 IS, nifty 50 1.8, Sigma 28-70 f/2.8 -4, and a tamron 70-300 f/4. I know I am going to have to rent at least a lens or two. I am wondering if maybe i can talk the minister into letting me use a lambancy diffuser or 80-20 bracket at least? So it's not as distracting? ugh....

[Nan08]

definitely rent a 70-200L 2.8 IS. Good luck.

[tim]

1. Tell them because of the restrictions imposed your ceremony shots will be limited.
2. Since you're going to be in one place anyway, use a tripod. Saves carry long heavy lenses.

[StealthLude]

Sounds like a lighting bad dream...

Even 2.8 lenses might be too slow from what it sounds like unless inside lighting is really good.... I dont know what camera body you are shooting with but even a 20D/30D might be really bad. I hate high ISO on my 20D. Renting a 5D might be a wise idea too.

Might have to rent some wide open primes like a 85L, 35L...

Best thing you can do is take your camera to that church at the time of the wedding and scope it out to see for yourself. Its a shame you can even use a speedlight. You might want to approach the bride/groom with any concerns you may have AFTER you scope out the location. Explain to them the situation and see if they understand. Its their wedding, if the bride wants damn good photos, im sure she has some influcence over the minister... its her wedding...

If you are going all avalible light in bad light, u better get used to using some fast primes @ high iso. If you need to use tele lenses like 200mm - 300mm IS glass, good luck in low light. Sometimes that can be a real challenge due to shutter speed requirements.

[s8langwo]

Ask the minister and the couple about staging shots with flash at the alter after the ceremony. This way you can get up close compose some great shots.

Kevin

[p3photogal]

I am going to scope out the church a little closer to the wedding, as the season change will be in full swing. i figure Early november should be close enough to 6pm lighting in VA. at least give me a good idea. I also told my second shooter, that we will be finding some low lit churches in the area to practice at and really get a good handle on lighting and movement restrictions. I have a feeling that the Minister might be ok with me using a bracket as the light is not nearly as distracting as a speed light...i just pray for low ceilings! haha! If he will at least let me use flash during the procession and rings, kiss, giving away, etc, I will be pleased. They already told me they aren't too concerned about photos at the wedding, they just want the traditional shots covered...no chance to get creative, but they want a ton of candids at the reception, and they even have very traditional minimal formal shots at the church. I think it's going to be a pretty cut and dry wedding...

Great idea about having them re-enact a few key shots in case I am not able to capture them to my liking! I will bring that up to her.

[takeyourpic]

Be careful when the bridal couple says that they are not that concerned about photos at the wedding.
I have to say that I am a little concerned that you are taking on weddings if you are not that secure in low light situations. This type of shooting is pretty much the norm. I applaude you for wanting to go and practice, but most ministers are not going to bend on their "no flash" rule. The bracket won't matter. If he says no flash then that is going to be the rules. This is something to put in your contract that you are limited by the guidelines of the ceremony officiant. However, that doesn't mean that you should not have the proper equipment to get the shots without flash.
Best wishes.

[troyphoto]

Practice, practice, practice.

Go to the church and ask if you can take some photos in the sanctuary just like you will on the wedding day. That way you can figure out what you're up against, and how to get the best images.

[B-H-P]

I think I would second Tim's idea of using a tripod. You aren't going to be allowed to move around much in the church. I don't know what equipment you have, but I would take my 70-200 f2.8 and put it on a tripod.

Good Luck!

[BJ Pulsipher]

Tripod advice, really good. Practice advice, really good. Renting and trying out faster IS lens, really good advice. Work with what your given. You are the pro.

[p3photogal]

Thanks, I am definitely using a tripod or Monopod with stabalizer. I normally always use a monopod since I am short! haha.

And I was not saying that I am not entirely comfortable with low lighting, I was saying, i am going to work with my second shooter. This is the most restrictive wedding we have ever shot, and I want to make sure that we are both on the same line as what we normally produce.

[spcalan]

Yep, Av mode and 3200 ISO, plus the 2.8 ISlens

[megansmom]

I would also suggest that either you or your assistant get a seat along the aisle closest to the alter. What I did before was ask the bride/groom to reserve 1 whole row of seating empty for me or my asisstant so that we can move around. If you are not allowed to move around, just stay in that one position...at least you are close enough to the action and you wont be distracting because you'll blend in with the guests.