Up the aisle shot

[PaulGallagher]

When you are shooting up an aisle in a dim church and are using high iso at say f 4, what do you focus on?

Do you focus half way up the aisle or on the couple right at the front?

Thanks

Paul

[Robert16]

Do you mean as they are walking up the isle or when they are standing at the front? If they are standing up there I'd focus on them - you could focus on a point of interest on the isle and blur the couple a little for something different.

[tim]

I use F2.8, ISO1600 or 3200, 1/50th absolute minimum. If I can't get that I use flash, and make sure you expose to the right. My 40D's focus just about in the dark, but you can prefocus on a spot and take the photo when they're on it if you want to. An AF assist beam can help, just set it so the flash doesn't fire.

[egordon99]

I would focus on the couple ;)

[PaulGallagher]

Sorry, I did mean when they are standing still at the front. I feel it gives a blurry image when I do this as I am usually trying to get the front stained arch window in the shot as well but there is no way to go as far as f8 in the dark conditions.

Would you use spot metering of the couple and just adjust the stained window down a bit in post?

I use F2.8, ISO1600 or 3200, 1/50th absolute minimum. If I can't get that I use flash, and make sure you expose to the right. My 40D's focus just about in the dark, but you can prefocus on a spot and take the photo when they're on it if you want to. An AF assist beam can help, just set it so the flash doesn't fire.

This is a good idea for when they are walking up the aisle, using the assist beam but no flash, I end up using flash to be safe but I will try this method the next time so more of the back ground is evenly lit.

Thanks guys

Paul

[egordon99]

Are you talking about metering or focus? Sounds like there's alot of light coming in the windows and you want to properly expose the couple AND keep the windows looking like stained glass windows (as opposed to just a big ball of light)

This is a classic case of where fill-flash saves your b*tt. You set the shutter speed, ISO, f-stop for the stained glass windows, and then you determine how much flash power you need to light up the couple.

As for getting both the window and couple in FOCUS, stopping down would work, but then you'll probably run out of flash power. I think as long as the window isn't blown out, you're fine. A blurred stained glass window will still be recognizable as a stained glass window.

[egordon99]

The bimah ("stage") of our synagogue has this problem, but the windows aren't even stained glass, just plain old window glass. So during the daytime, it's a PITA getting shots up there.

[PaulGallagher]

Its just most of the time I'm not allowed to use flash during the ceremony except for walking up and down the aisle and during the vows. Its not so much metering but because you have to use between f 2:8 and f4 it limits what I have in and out of focus, but as you said you still know its a stained glass window so I'm just being to fussy I think.

Thanks again.

Paul

[tim]

Sorry, I did mean when they are standing still at the front. I feel it gives a blurry image when I do this as I am usually trying to get the front stained arch window in the shot as well but there is no way to go as far as f8 in the dark conditions.

Would you use spot metering of the couple and just adjust the stained window down a bit in post?

Not sure what your question is, it's just basic exposure. I tend to use a hand held light meter before the ceremony, take a test shot of the groom, and tweak the histogram.

[elader]

The bimah ("stage") of our synagogue has this problem, but the windows aren't even stained glass, just plain old window glass. So during the daytime, it's a PITA getting shots up there.


Man I hear you. If it's not night time, the damn light coming through the windows onto the Bima make it impossible to take a non-flash picture without blowing out the light or underexposing the people.