Funeral Advice

[rohicks]

Iv'e been asked by my family to shoot my Uncle's funeral this up coming Saturday. He will be getting full Military honors.

I've been doing some research on what to shoot and looking at other photos for inspiration.
I'm curious as to what lens(es) should I be bringing.

I'm convinced I'm going to need a decent zoom so i can create distance between the event and be able to gather my shots without affecting the funeral and being up in people's faces.

I was thinking trying to rent the 70-200L 2.8 IS. Would that be sufficient enough for what I'm going to need?
Not sure if I will need a wide angle for a funeral or not? But my sigma 17-70 should suffice for the wide end? I don't think i would need anything wider than a 17 right?
Should i bring my 580 flash or would that be to much distraction that I don't want? I'm just concerned that I'm going to offend someone by them thinking I'm out there taking photos for fun.

If anyone just has any general tips or tricks or what to shoot feel free to let me know as well. I'm just nerous to do a funeral and I know I'm probably over reacting ... :confused:

[shannyD]

i think your 17-70 is fine in all honesty. you will probably want the widest part of your lens.. because if it is the full military funeral that i know of... i think the lens will suffice.

bring your flash for fill. you dont want some pictures to be ruined by nasty shadows.

[DrPablo]

Avoid too too many closeups of the military people / arrangement, or it will be indistinguishable from any other military funeral. Make sure family members are in the picture, even if just in the background, so that all can see and remember how this event was specific for him.

[jgrussell]

If anyone just has any general tips or tricks or what to shoot feel free to let me know as well. I'm just nerous to do a funeral and I know I'm probably over reacting ... :confused:Most important: introduce yourself to the head of the military honors team as soon as they arrive. Explain who you are, what you're doing and that you've been asked to do this by the family. Ask for guidance as to what will be happening when -- the team will generally work with you to ensure that you're able to capture what you want to.

[rohicks]

Thanks for the help guys and gals.

Most important: introduce yourself to the head of the military honors team as soon as they arrive. Explain who you are, what you're doing and that you've been asked to do this by the family. Ask for guidance as to what will be happening when -- the team will generally work with you to ensure that you're able to capture what you want to.
My other Uncle said they are having some kind of meeting tomorrow where he plans on telling people his plans of having me take pictures. So hopefully they will know before hand, but if not that is some good advice.
I guess they also wanted pictures because my Uncle lived in Atlanta, and he wants to send some photos out to the friends and any family that will not be in attendance.

[ChasP505]

Get some close up shots of white gloved hands folding the flag (or presenting the folded flag).

[JimAskew]

Hi Ryan,

I have photographed three honors military funerals at Arlington National Cemetery (ANC) in the past year. I use a long lens and a WA lens on two camera bodies when doing these. There are some key moments you will want to capture for the family:

a. The funeral procession to the grave site
b. The flag folding ceremony
c. The 21 gun salute
d. The bugler playing Taps
e. The presentation of the folded flag to the spouse/family member
f. The suggestion of the close up with the white gloved hands and the flag is an excellent idea

Depending on the type and size of the funeral party there may be a band and an honor guard as well

I use the long lens (70-200MM f/4 EF L) to keep my distance and not intrude on the service. I use the WA to capture the whole formation at one time.

If you will PM me your email address I will be happy to send you some photo examples from my last funeral. The last two funerals I made the widow a 50 print (5x7s on my Epson R800) memory book in a black leather album.

[rohicks]

Hi Ryan,

I have photographed three honors military funerals at Arlington National Cemetery (ANC) in the past year. I use a long lens and a WA lens on two camera bodies when doing these. There are some key moments you will want to capture for the family:

a. The funeral procession to the grave site
b. The flag folding ceremony
c. The 21 gun salute
d. The bugler playing Taps
e. The presentation of the folded flag to the spouse/family member
f. The suggestion of the close up with the white gloved hands and the flag is an excellent idea

Depending on the type and size of the funeral party there may be a band and an honor guard as well

I use the long lens (70-200MM f/4 EF L) to keep my distance and not intrude on the service. I use the WA to capture the whole formation at one time.

If you will PM me your email address I will be happy to send you some photo examples from my last funeral. The last two funerals I made the widow a 50 print (5x7s on my Epson R800) memory book in a black leather album.
Thank you for the reply you have a PM sir!
Also I have the 70-200mm /2.8 requested for pick up tomorrow for a full week.
Since they are charging me 50 a day (and i would need it two days) and only 150 for a full week i figured why not get in a few extra days for some shooting fun with the L. ;)

In their meeting the other day i was told they do not want any of my Uncle laying in the casket (which i wasn't planning on doing), and they wanted pictures of the guy playing taps since he is a good friend of our family.

I'm also probably going to show up at the actual grave site 1-2 hours before everything gets started because there is some people putting out rows and rows of little flags from the entrance all the way up to the grave site and I thought it would be good to maybe get a few pics of them putting the flags out.

And if anyone is wondering he is a Vietnam Vet.; he flew medical helicopters in and out of the territory carrying hurt/fallen soldiers back to the hospital.

[rohicks]

Update gise!

I did the shoot and it went excellent. A lot better and smoother than i thought it would.
Everyone was grateful for me doing it.

To view the set of the photos go the following link.
http://flickr.com/photos/rohicks/sets/72157607543845430/
I'm still not done uploading them yet, but the majority is up.

Here is my favorite by far.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3224/2894429818_eddcde4739_o.jpg
http://flickr.com/photos/rohicks/2894429818/

Thanks for all the tips; they really did help.
I did find out, that i need a lot of more practice doing group shots .... ehhhhhh.

[jbgeach]

Jim, that is a moving photo. I think I shed a couple of tears.

It really helps me remember what we are trying to do with photos.

thanks.