No Flash on wedding

nicksan wrote in post #14896920
Unless lighting levels are very low and flash is allowed, I usually stick with available light.

I usually use the 24L and 70-200 f2.8 IS MKII for the aisle walk. During the ceremony, I'll use several lenses depending on what I want to go for.

Typically I am at 1/160, f2.8, ISO2000-4000.

I've been thinking about using my 24L for the aisle walk. In a small venue, is this your main lens for this? I really prefer the 50 for the aisle, but it only works well with a pretty long aisle. So I usually end up using my 16-35, mostly at 35mm but I like to zoom out to 16mm at the end - I think it makes for a really cool image. That said, I don't know if it's that lens in general or just my copy but even at F/4 I get pretty soft results for aisle walk shots.

So short story long, you think I should try the 24?

We only use flash during the later parts of the reception, and even that's touch and go. Everything else is exclusively available light.

Thank you. That gives more dramatic and natural look hah? Like that effect too.

Thank you.

I shot a wedding once with a 40D, no flash and fast zooms.

Oh, that was fun. Got some good shots though.

I have never used flash in a ceremony. I was inspired by the work of Jeff Ascough, who also shoots with natural light. Like a lot of things in photography, it depends on the individual.

Thanks Kevin, I'm going to google Jeff.

KevinA wrote in post #14904272
I have never used flash in a ceremony. I was inspired by the work of Jeff Ascough, who also shoots with natural light. Like a lot of things in photography, it depends on the individual.

I just checked him out. He seems awesome from what I could tell, but *for me at least* he has the slowest website on the internet.

snakeman55 wrote in post #14904573
I just checked him out. He seems awesome from what I could tell, but *for me at least* he has the slowest website on the internet.

It's not you

If I had beautiful windows and good natural light, I would choose that every single time.

Unfortunately that is not always the case. We photographed a wedding on Friday night in a smaller venue, with no available light. I took one shot natural ambient, around 3200 iso, 1/100th @ F/2.0, and then I took one where we used a couple of bounce flashes. I showed both to the bride and asked her what she preferred. She said "I want the flashes" faster than I can say hot potato

That was the first ceremony I used a flash at.

I actually went back and spent some more time on his site. I think it's slow for us because he's in the UK? Anyway, he really is amazing, and I agree with Michael Anthony that it's just not always practical or even possible to commit to this style for all your photos.

I really have always loved the more documentary style shooters, and honestly do try to stick to that style for a lot of the day, but I personally couldn't deliver only images like his to a bride. It would feel incomplete to me.

I will say, if I were getting married (I already am), I'd be totally cool with getting only images like his though.

That's some great lighting for ceremony...The churches in NYC are a little dim for me and I have to end up using my speedlite off camera somewhere in the church..

Make sure you find out prior to the ceremony if flashes are allowed if you have to use one..

snakeman55 wrote in post #14903591
I've been thinking about using my 24L for the aisle walk. In a small venue, is this your main lens for this? I really prefer the 50 for the aisle, but it only works well with a pretty long aisle. So I usually end up using my 16-35, mostly at 35mm but I like to zoom out to 16mm at the end - I think it makes for a really cool image. That said, I don't know if it's that lens in general or just my copy but even at F/4 I get pretty soft results for aisle walk shots.

So short story long, you think I should try the 24?

Those are the 2 lenses I have mounted on my 2 cameras. Usually I stick with the 70-200L. I usually get what I need with that lens and I'll kind of move over then maybe switch to the camera with the 24L on it to get the Father giving the bride away, etc. It depends on the church. Sometimes space is very tight, especially when the bridal party is standing up front instead of seated. This is when the 24L comes in handy.

thanks Nick, i'm really learning in this discussion.

itsmibilly, thanks for your question to Nick. I learned some more because of that.

I rarely touch flash at ceremonies

Landslide, no flash on ceremonies.

Yep, no flash on ceremonies unless the church is horribly lit.