Wedding Suggestions

[Bowhunter]

I am in need of some guidance in taking wedding pictures this coming spring. I have never attempted anything like this before. I am an aerial photographer and dabble some with sports pictures, such as baseball, basketball and track & field. I shoot with a 50D & 40D. My lenses include a Canon 28 - 135mm IS f/3.5, Canon Nifty Fifty, Canon 85mm f/1.8 and Canon 70 - 200mm IS f/2.8. I just purchased "Wedding Photography" by Mark Cleghorn; it has given me some great information. I need some advice on the lense or lenses I should use indoors. I feel fairly comfortable taking the outside pictures; however, I have limited experience taking inside pics. Oh, I have a Canon Speedlite 550EX as well. Would my Canon 28 - 135mm f/3.5 lense and my Canon 70 - 200mm f/2.8 lense be adequate or should I pick up an additional lense. Also, the wedding will be in a church sanctuary without windows. The lighting is pretty decent. Do I need to have more flash lighting than my Speedlite? What few pictures I've taken indoors of individuals and small groups have sometimes had dark shadows on one side or another. What settings should I use (I normally shoot in manual mode) while shooting in the sanctuary? I would really appreciate some feedback. I have a few months to try and get prepared...the family assures me that there's no expectation of great pictures. I am doing this as a favor to a good friend. Thanks, in advance, for giving me some guidance!

[Ziffle]

Marty,
On the indoor stuff you seem to have the 'right' lens. Some wedding photogs like to use a zoom in the 24-70mm range - either Canon or Tamron. both are f.8.

Check out the 'strobist' forum for learning about flash - as 1 suggestion.

There is a sticky that covers all kinds of aspects of wedding photography.
This is from 'Tim' out of New Zealand. Simply good stuff.
A good place to cruise and check out. There are multiple links to other subcategories.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=255604


Later,
_Mark

[videochicke]

I would get some experience as an unpaid second shooter before the big day. Make sure you have LOTS of batteries for your flash. And be prepared if the officiant says "no flash" during the service. Also, if there is a videographer, make sure you are not blocking their shots. It is easy to get so caught up in what you are doing that you forget they are there. Also, try not to block the view of the parents and close family members during the service as well.

[DD974]

The 28-135 3.5 won't be enough for most churches because of the lack of light, in your case it all depends how bright it is. I'd suggest making a site visit at the same time as the ceremony just to see what a meter reading would give.

[ejicon]

I would get some experience as an unpaid second shooter before the big day. Make sure you have LOTS of batteries for your flash. And be prepared if the officiant says "no flash" during the service. Also, if there is a videographer, make sure you are not blocking their shots. It is easy to get so caught up in what you are doing that you forget they are there. Also, try not to block the view of the parents and close family members during the service as well.

I'm sure this is where his 70-200 2.8 will come in very handy :)