My friend is forcing my hand. I need advice.

My friend wants me to shoot his wedding. Yikes. The ultimate faux pas.

I make money taking pictures of kids, events, and a bit of candid work, but I am terrified of the group shots, mainly because of lighting. I don't need any advice on the rest of the shoot. I have plenty of experience shooting candid event work with any lighting.

I can assume that I will be in a church with groups up to 15 and as small as 2. I am shooting with a 5D and I have an 85 1.8, 50 1.4, and 70-200 2.8. There are more lenses but those seem the most relevant. I also have a 550 and 580ex with an ST-e2 which may come in handy but I'm not sure how.

Now, Ive got 15 people looking at me and that bag of equipment. What do I do about my light. I would assume I could shoot at 800iso comfortably and I would use about an 8 for my f-stop (assuming they are 2 deep).

So, what's next, please help.

I can tell him I'm not doing those shots or that he might have to pay for some new equipment as well.

is that a canon SLR with white L lens plush keychain???

If it were me, I'd do it for the cost of a midrange zoom rather than accepting payment for services rendered. You ought to have a 24-70L or the equivalent in focal range for a wedding.

Do you have to do the formals in the church? Do them outdoors or someplace with good light before the ceremony.

blam wrote in post #2491240
is that a canon SLR with white L lens plush keychain???

I should have made a keychain out of it. I made it from this great clay that my students use. It took hours and hours. A very sad statement.

Skrim17 wrote in post #2491266
Do you have to do the formals in the church? Do them outdoors or someplace with good light before the ceremony.

It's in mid-March in Michigan so its up in the air but that's an interesting thought. I will scope the place as soon as they tell me where it is. There might be a nice side room with low-ceilings.

Don't let your friends force you to do anything.

liza wrote in post #2491262
If it were me, I'd do it for the cost of a midrange zoom rather than accepting payment for services rendered. You ought to have a 24-70L or the equivalent in focal range for a wedding.

I agree that it would be nice to have that lens. Maybe they could pay for that minus whatever I can sell my 28-135 for. I would shoot with that but I have learned to hate the results.

ijohnson wrote in post #2491352
I should have made a keychain out of it. I made it from this great clay that my students use. It took hours and hours. A very sad statement.

ahhhh. it looks pretty cool! you had me ebaying and googling to find one! ha ha

and yes, if you don't feel comfortable doing it, insist that you dont do it!

If you need to work inside, yes a 24 - 70 would be a better choice, but you might be ok with the 50 if you have the room for the groups and for you to back up. If not, use the 28 - 135, I know what you are saying about that lens, as I sold mine a long time ago but, it's better than saying, "sorry I can't do this".

As far as the lighting, you will not know until you see the church and how the lighting will be on the day. Drag the shutter a little while on a tripod at 800iso if need be, or you might be able to use your second flash to open the background a little.

The images on your website look like you know what you are doing. Asking questions and advice on problems is good, as long as you don't stop thinking for your self. As I tell my guys that work for me, you have to be able to see and identify a potential problem right away, fix the problem and move on with out any one knowing a problem might have existed.

[Very well said I probably would have been more explicit

Back to your problem I would shoot at iso 1600 indoors with your camera that would be no problem at all, a smaller range zoom would be nice but really you have all you need.

Sounds like you have the skills for the job just enjoy your self.



Martin


quote=ijohnson;2491352​]I should have made a keychain out of it. I made it from this great clay that my students use. It took hours and hours. A very sad statement.[/QUOTE]