Please correct me if I'm wrong.. first time...

Hi all,

I'm photographing my aunts' wedding as an unpaid favor this coming Saturday. Long story short, I'm very new to photography and my aunt has already said she's pretty casual about how the shots turn out and doesn't have high expectations... that said I still want to create the best shots I can for her.

My equipment is really limited. I'll be shooting with an old borrowed EOS 300D (which I only got today - never used a DSLR before ) and I'll have my S95 compact as a backup.

I have two lenses - 17-55 and a 100-300.

The SLR has a speedlite, but it's not the kind with the swivel top (basically it just points forward much like the on-camera flash).

I've been browsing through the first-timer advice threads on here for the past few hours now and I think I'm getting a game plan. I just wanted to run my thoughts past you guys to see if I'm way off base. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

1) ISO probably set somewhere between 800 and 2500 depending on how dark the conditions are in the church? (as low as possible to still achieve correct exposure without going lower than 1/60th shutter speed, right?)

2) I should aim to use the flash as little as possible given that I can't bounce it?

3) Use 17-55 for the majority of shots, but perhaps change it out for the 100-300 to get the ring exchange and some closer details of the ceremony itself?

4) As I'm not a trained photographer I'm thinking I should probably shoot in P mode and let the camera do the smarts for me as much as possible?

5) Whip out the S95 for closeup detail/macro shots (it's macro seems much more efficient than the 300D

6) Have a friend shoot as well incase I screw everything up?

I realize this is boring and elementary stuff for most of you. Just trying to steady the nerves so please forgive me...

cgwatson wrote in post #12871928
Hi all,

1) ISO probably set somewhere between 800 and 2500 depending on how dark the conditions are in the church? (as low as possible to still achieve correct exposure without going lower than 1/60th shutter speed, right?)

2) I should aim to use the flash as little as possible given that I can't bounce it?

3) Use 17-55 for the majority of shots, but perhaps change it out for the 100-300 to get the ring exchange and some closer details of the ceremony itself?

4) As I'm not a trained photographer I'm thinking I should probably shoot in P mode and let the camera do the smarts for me as much as possible?

5) Whip out the S95 for closeup detail/macro shots (it's macro seems much more efficient than the 300D

6) Have a friend shoot as well incase I screw everything up?

I realize this is boring and elementary stuff for most of you. Just trying to steady the nerves so please forgive me...

First of all, does your aunt know you neither know that you don't really know much about photography and that you've never used the camera before? If not, make sure she realizes this because you don't want to ruin your relationship with your aunt by not being honest about the situation.

Second, PLEASE practice with the camera before the wedding and get familiar with it. The reason I highlighted the ISO questions is because a 300D (unless I am remembering mine completely wrong) does NOT go up to ISO 2500. 1600 is the max on the 300D and it looks horrible (again, going off memory... haven't used one in years). ISO 800 would be the highest I would go with that camera. But in your case, throw it on automatic and shoot. Don't try to go full manual with a camera you have no idea how to use or even what it's capabilities are.

Use the flash, it's the only thing that may help you get any shots in a dark church at all... but also make sure it's allowed. Some churches do not allow flash photography and as the photographer you need to know their rules and regulations BEFORE the wedding day.

Mostly, I would encourage your aunt to either hire a pro or an amateur off Craigslist if her wedding photos are at all important to her. I know a lot of newbies who can rock a shoot based on talent alone, but in your case even if you had talent you don't have knowledge of your gear and that's going to take any talent you may have and dilute it.

I concur jut on a duff keyboard ..cant type

First of all, does your aunt know you neither know that you don't really know much about photography and that you've never used the camera before? If not, make sure she realizes this because you don't want to ruin your relationship with your aunt by not being honest about the situation.

Paraamount

Put the camera in P mode, set it to ISO200 - 0400 outside (100 if you're using the built in flash as fill) and ISO1600 inside when it's dim. Turn the dial until the F number goes as low as it can. If you have an external speedlite point it at the ceiling if you're inside, or direct if you're outside. If you can work out how (read the manual) set the FEC to -1 outside, and +1 inside. Shoot RAW, and you may be able to process things to fix them later.

1) ISO probably set somewhere between 800 and 2500 depending on how dark the conditions are in the church? (as low as possible to still achieve correct exposure without going lower than 1/60th shutter speed, right?)

1/60th with an IS lens is fine, if people are still.

2) I should aim to use the flash as little as possible given that I can't bounce it?
Direct flash as fill is ok outside, though it limits you to 1/250th shutter speed. You might need ISO 100 F8 to get the shutter speed down.

3) Use 17-55 for the majority of shots, but perhaps change it out for the 100-300 to get the ring exchange and some closer details of the ceremony itself?

Yup. Or just stand closer.

4) As I'm not a trained photographer I'm thinking I should probably shoot in P mode and let the camera do the smarts for me as much as possible?

Yep.

5) Whip out the S95 for closeup detail/macro shots (it's macro seems much more efficient than the 300D

Sure.

6) Have a friend shoot as well incase I screw everything up?

Two camera mean the subjects don't know where to look. Don't do that for group shots, but ceremony and reception, sure.

Thanks guys! Peacefire, I appreciate your concern and I will be sure to drill it into my aunts head that she might even get no photos at all if I screw something up. Tim, exactly the details I was looking for, much gratitude!