My wife's and my 1st wedding---Few Questions

[T&E Run]

My wife and I shot our first wedding, actually her second. I would have to say, hopefully most are easier than this was. There was no center isle, about 10 feet from the first row to where the wedding party and family had to stand for formals, very low light, and a plain white background. She shot the formals with our 5d and our 580ex with a Fong lightsphere. I shot candids and details.

Question for you pros: with a situation like this, would you have shot formals with multiple flashes, strobes, tripod and longer exposures, or other? The ceiling was white, but about 30' high. And what about the ceremony?

I didn't try this, not sure why not, but while shooting in M and with a 580 or 430, I assume higher ISOs help? I kept the 40d at ISO 100. The little 430 was having a hard time with the ceremony (working from at least 60-70'). I think she was at 400 with the lightspere.

Any input appreciated. Thanks.

[jonwhite]

I think you need to learn more about the basics exposure before you shoot another wedding.

This is a great book, its not wedding specific and its not a boring text book, its great real life scenarios that explain more about exposure and how to use it creatively.

http://www.amazon.com/Understanding-Exposure-Photographs-Digital-Updated/dp/0817463003

[T&E Run]

I think you need to learn more about the basics exposure before you shoot another wedding.

This is a great book, its not wedding specific and its not a boring text book, its great real life scenarios that explain more about exposure and how to use it creatively.

http://www.amazon.com/Understanding-Exposure-Photographs-Digital-Updated/dp/0817463003


Yeah, I'm still learning. My wife was shooting the wedding, I was just assisting and taking candids, and playing around shooting flowers, the church, etc. Any input on my questions? My main question is with the flash. I'm going to experiment with it tonight. I assumed with flash you could leave ISO at 100, maybe not. Like I said, my wife said she was shooting 400 and she didn't have as much problem as I did.

[tim]

ISO100 requires a lot of flash power, ISO400 requires 1/4 the power and has the advantage of pulling in more ambient light. The only time I use ISO 100 is in direct sunlight, 400 is my default iso. Inside I use 1600 often.

Like Jon said you need to learn about exposure.

[T&E Run]

Thanks Tim. That answers my question. I've learned SOOO much on this site and think I have exposure figured out, without using flash that is. With flash, I am just beginning. The reason I love this site is because of answers like yours Tim. Not trying to be negative about you Jon, thanks for the reply on the book, that will probably be one of my next purchases. Thanks to you both.

[tim]

Understanding exposure doesn't talk about flash. The good thing about digital photography is you can try it and see, but you do need to know the basics. Have a look at the FAQs in the lighting thread.

[T&E Run]

Quick question Tim, at a wedding, for formals do you use on camera flash, off camera flash slaves, strobes, or other? Thanks again, you should get paid for all of the help you offer on this site. I'm going to check the lighting FAQ right now.

[tim]

I use whatever lighting is most appropriate to the situation. Most often I do them outside, and I don't use flash as then the people in front are significantly brighter than the people in the back if it's a big group. If I need to do them inside I usually use studio strobes, but sometimes i'll use speedlites with umbrellas. It's really about understanding the technical aspects and making the best decision to use the equipment available on the day.

[T&E Run]

Thanks again. One more question for you. It's off topic buy while I have you, I though I would ask. For this wedding (it is a friend of ours), we are giving the B&G a CD with the pictures on it. We are not doing any printing. In a situation like this, do you crop the pictures (and if so, what size)? We have no idea what size they will print a given picture. After this I'll leave you alone. You've been a great help. Hope all is well in New Zealand.

[tim]

On the CDs I do the photos are the same ratio that came out of the camera. If I crop it's to 3:2. I supply every image in color, plus some in sepia if I like them that way. I supply high res at the same resolution they come at out of the camera, though if I crop it's less. I supply low res watermarked images on the disk too, and ask them to use them if they email them around or put them on the internet. My contract actually requires they use the watermarked versions but there's no way to enforce that, and I wouldn't anyway.

[T&E Run]

Awesome. Thanks Tim.