Need some advice (1st wedding coming up)

[PhotosbyBobbi]

I'm shooting my 1st wedding on November 15th (will have a 2nd shooter) and I need some advice on what a good lens would be (I keep getting mixed opinions so thought I'd try here). I currently shoot with a Canon 30D, 50mm f/1.8 and a 430ex flash.

The ceremony is going to be inside in a chapel..no worries there, the lighting is going to be good BUT the reception is in the basement of a restaurant that has NO windows so its going to be DARK in there!:-|

I know I can use the 50mm f/1.8 for like portrait shots and some outdoor shots but what other lens do you think I need?

For the reception how do you bounce a flash when its DARK in there?

Any advice is greatly appreciated!

[sdcozad]

First I would suggest using the forum search feature. These questions have been asked over and over. Also visit your local Library, Borders or Barnes and Noble. They will all have books discussing this.

[moeronn]

I'd suggest you get something wider than the 50mm for both the wedding and reception. The 50mm won't give you enough FOV for group shots and will be even worse in tight quarters.

The bounce flash may work in the basement depending on the height and color of the ceiling. You can also use walls.

Also, there is a discussion forum that would be a better place for this topic.

[Robert16]

You should get one of those 17-55 2.8 IS lenses that everyone raves about. See it as an investment. Good glass holds its value.

[pieq314]

50mm for indoor is not practical. You need a wider zoom lens. The Canon 17-55 f/2.8 IS is nice for just over $900. Or Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 which is also very nice for less than half as much.

[justincase724]

You might also want to look into a longer zoom lens like the 70-200. Not sure of the wedding setup, but (in my opinion) it can be a bit rude standing right up in front during the ceremony. With a zoom, at least you can stand a little further out of the way but still get in close for shots.

[elader]

The fact that you are asking these questions to me clearly indicates you should not be shooting someones wedding. That being said, for the reception, you do not have to bounce to get effective shots. You have to bounce to get evenly lit shots. Dancing and such actually looks much cooler if you shoot with a stofen and the flash forward and manipulate the exposre to get things like this

example
http://elader.smugmug.com/photos/292103944_NQGsP-L.jpg
http://elader.smugmug.com/photos/280142789_zxvSs-L.jpg

[Mike]

Have a read through this and the links within: http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showpost.php?p=5999915&postcount=2

[sdcozad]

In response to eladers advice and examples above, you might want to stick to the books....

[PhotosbyBobbi]

Thank you to those that offered advice, for the others...

1. She knows I've never done a wedding but she knows as I do that I'll do a good job. I mainly do childrens photography, never done a wedding but hey we've all had "firsts" right? I do read and read, that's how I've learned what I've learned so far (plus a hands on learner). I know that at the wedding..if they paid for it, take a pic of it! I have so many ideas for poses and such so I'm fine there :)

2. I am a natural light photographer, never shot in dark conditions so yes that part is all new to me

Am I a pro? Not at all but I don't think I suck either! I do know what I'm doing, just asked for advice on a lens since this is my 1st wedding. I know what lens(es) to use when I do childrens photography just wasn't sure what lens to use for a wedding but thanks for making me feel worse than I already do:(

Bobbi
http://bobbicaswellphotography.shutterpixie.com/

[sdcozad]

No one said you sucked. I think you have some very nice kid shots. I was just trying to hint for you to dig a bit more. Type wedding lens in the search box and you can read opinions on lenses all night long. I myself shoot a Canon 17-55 2.8is on one body and a 70-200 2.8is on another both with 480ex Flashes 98% of the time. If you are going to do weddings, you better drop the "Natural Light Photographer" title and work on a "Whatever Crappy Conditions can be Thrown at Me" title. Weddings are all about knowing the equipment and trying to constantly adapt. I run into many new situations every wedding. It can be quite agrivating and rewarding. Good Luck!

[tim]

Wedding FAQ (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?p=2453681). You need another lens (17-55 F2.8 IS) and backup equipment (camera, flash, lens). You can bounce no matter what the light is like, and the AF beam on the flash will make focusing easier.

You're out of your depth.

[john salgado]

Hey, Bobbi, Don't sweat the haters, rent something wider and you'll want something long as well ,back up as much Equipment as you can, shoot in raw , and have fun !

[form]

I was out of my depth a little when I shot my first wedding, but I wasn't the primary photographer. It was much better for me to start off shooting as a second. Still, I had considerably more equipment to work with, including an f/2.8 standard zoom lens to get different shots. You'll have trouble getting a wide variety of photos without zooms or several lenses, and in many cases the 50 f/1.8 II just won't focus accurately enough.

I recommend a 17-50 f/2.8 or 24-70 f/2.8 variant and a 70-200 f/2.8 IS. I also strongly suggest getting a second body and considering some off-camera lighting. Also get some lee/similar filters or filter samples to use on your flash for color matching tungsten or fluorescent indoor light; I use the CTO gels on almost every wedding shoot.

If you want more creativity consider renting an 85 f/1.2 II or 200 f/2 IS - the longer one being best for outdoors or deep rooms with limited obstacles. They will both be difficult lenses to use because their DoF is low, but the narrow DoF will also add an appealing look to the shots.

Yes, shoot RAW and shoot a lot. Burst mode, focus with your rear AF button (not your shutter button), etc...

[tim]

I wouldn't recommend off camera lighting for a first wedding, and gels might be a bit much tool. They're good tools but at a first wedding there's usually so much going on I think it's better to concentrate on the day and the emotions than the equipment.

[form]

Well I suppose off-camera lighting and gels can wait...but I really think a sample Lee filter set would be great because having orange and blue tints to everything is really a turn-off to me...it's always screamed "snapshot by a newbie" in my eyes.

[tim]

I didn't use gels or filters of any kind for the first four years I did wedding photography. Now the only thing I use like that is a cto gel on my flash head.

What exactly are you using filters for? The only filters that can't be done in PS AFAIK are ND and Polarizer. I shoot RAW and use white balance to make sure colors are accurate.

Honestly I think your advice is good for someone with some experience looking to improve their technical skills, but for someone shooting their first wedding it's too gear focused and misses the important points - capturing the emotions.

[form]

Those exactly, CTO filters on my flash heads. I shoot raw and adjust in lightroom. I'm not suggesting polarizers or ND filters, though I'd like an ND filter for landscape shots.

My main suggestion was f/2.8 standard zoom and 70-200 f/2.8 IS. The other stuff is secondary, but you need either some kind of extra light source when shooting dark receptions or other indoor settings with limited light, or a faster lens. I think flash is helpful and adding a filter to the flash to match the ambient color temp makes everything blend much better IMO.

When I started wedding photography I was already using CTO gels on my flashes for event work. I use lots of flash because f/2.8 often isn't fast enough and sometimes neither is f/1.8, my fastest available aperture. I also use flash outdoors in bright light - inside the limo, in the shade, somewhere the light isn't hitting but needs a boost so everything else isn't blown out in order to expose the subject.

I am equipment focused: Without my off-camera flashes my dance photos would be very, very bad, and so would many of my other indoors and evening photos. There's only so much that I know how to do with rule of thirds, adjusting my position, angle and height, and trying to use context, and without some light to shine on the subjects my images would be black. I'm not the best at using all environmental factors that are available to me.

Buy me a 35 f/1.4 and 85 f/1.2 II and I'll stop complaining about lens limitations...and start complaining about lack-of-5DII limitations.

[tim]

Ah, by filters you mean gels. Yes they are helpful, and would take virtually no time at a wedding, so they're not a bad idea.

Equipment helps you fulfill your ideas, but I do think KISS is appropriate for a first wedding.

[gravy graffix]

tamron 17-50 2.8 is very sharp and about 350... i love this lens.

add a 85mm 1.8 and you have enough lens to get you by.

but def find a way to have a 2nd body, i carry both and just grab the other instead of changing len's

[PipesInTune]

The cheaper kit lenses (18-55) can be found pretty inexpensively. Since you're going to be shooting a lot of flash at the reception, one of these would serve you well. Use manual mode in the camera - start at 1/60 f5.6 at ISO 800 and see how it looks.

I'm guessing since it's in a basement, the ceiling will be lower and you may get some nice bounce light off it. Practice at home. Tilt your head 60 -75 degrees and try bouncing it off the ceiling as well as the nearby walls to give your light direction.

You'll need to splash a little light forward as well. For that you can try the "betterbouncecard" or just an index card.

If not, go direct and use a StoFen or similar type of diffuser over the flash head.

You'll also need to be mindful of exposure compensation on the flash. Start off with +2/3 and go up/down from there.

Everyone has to start someplace, and this seems like a good opportunity. Don't overwhelm yourself with equipment. Keep it simple and go after good results - properly exposed shots with good expressions and compositions. Once you're comfortable, you can start to get creative, but by all means, PRACTICE at home with your equipment.

Good luck.

[PhotosbyBobbi]

tamron 17-50 2.8 is very sharp and about 350... i love this lens.

add a 85mm 1.8 and you have enough lens to get you by.

but def find a way to have a 2nd body, i carry both and just grab the other instead of changing len's


I have heard good and bad about the Tamron 17-50.

I think I'm going to go with the 24-70 f/2.8 and the 85mm f/1.8

I do have a second body...I'll put one lens on my 30D and the other on her XTI.

Thanks again everyone!

[tim]

Check out reviews of the Tamron 17-50 F2.8 (http://www.cameraandlensreviews.org/lenses/view/21), it comes out ok.

[kiwichris]

PhotosbyBobbi

I am not a pro but have successfully shot a number of weddings, here's how I do it. Find out where everything is going to be and visit those places a week or two before the wedding, take your camera and lenses and take photos, that way you can work out what equipment you will need, what is going to work and what is not, eg you may find you need more or direct rather than bounce flash in that basement or a wider lens or whatever. Spend time and visit as often as you need to plan, take sample shots visualise etc. Then you can direct the bride and gromm and others with confidence, you will know how the shots are going to be. If you can take a friendly model with you to the preplanning visits, all the better, anyone will do and you can see the effects of the lighting etc. It is how I did weddings in film days, today with digital it is so much easier as the only cost is time.

Best of luck.

[PhotosbyBobbi]

PhotosbyBobbi

I am not a pro but have successfully shot a number of weddings, here's how I do it. Find out where everything is going to be and visit those places a week or two before the wedding, take your camera and lenses and take photos, that way you can work out what equipment you will need, what is going to work and what is not, eg you may find you need more or direct rather than bounce flash in that basement or a wider lens or whatever. Spend time and visit as often as you need to plan, take sample shots visualise etc. Then you can direct the bride and gromm and others with confidence, you will know how the shots are going to be. If you can take a friendly model with you to the preplanning visits, all the better, anyone will do and you can see the effects of the lighting etc. It is how I did weddings in film days, today with digital it is so much easier as the only cost is time.

Best of luck.


Thank you for the advice...I'm going to TRY and get there but its a little over 3 hours away

[PipesInTune]

Get the 17-50. That's what I use. You'll need the wide angle coverage, and curse yourself when you don't have it. It's absolutely necessary for wedding work, especially in tight spaces, like you may encounter.

[form]

Tamron lenses are okay, don't focus quite as fast and the 17-50 edges aren't as clean as a full frame lens, but you won't notice it significantly in most shots anyway.