Wedding lens and flash.. please help!

You recall what shutter speed was used? I'm guessing it was on the higher side, causing the background to go a bit dark. Dragging the shutter around 1/30 would let more ambient light come in and improve the overall illumination of the shot. It would certainly lighten the background.

You could possibly pull it off with a 24mm if you made two rows, or having a bit more profile of the individuals to shorten up the line. Another alternative is to bring a few chair in and make a "front row" for about 4 people to sit. This too will shorten the line.

rsmedley wrote in post #5137522
Here's one shot with the 6 megapixel Digital Rebel at 21mm. The most glaring problem here is the on-camera flash which just didn't have the GN to do the group justice. This is a pretty big group shot so I'm thinking 24mm might work. Then again, I could certainly be wrong

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sapearl wrote in post #5137557
You recall what shutter speed was used? I'm guessing it was on the higher side, causing the background to go a bit dark. Dragging the shutter around 1/30 would let more ambient light come in and improve the overall illumination of the shot. It would certainly lighten the background.

It's in the Exif data -- 1/60 at f/4, 100 ISO.

DocFrankenstein wrote in post #5137494
I was talking with one chap in his 90s. He shot weddings since 1945 in canada and his work is... amazing.

He said: "If you can't shoot a wedding with a 50, you can't shoot a wedding"

So get yourself a 35mm f/2, a flash and just shoot.

I think a zoom lens makes sense for a beginner. I know I could shoot a wedding with a single prime, but you'd be conspicuous and less discreet than if you could use a 200mm lens.

rsmedley wrote in post #5137588
It's in the Exif data -- 1/60 at f/4, 100 ISO.

ISO400 or ISO800 would've been a better choice. High ISO noise is far better than underexposure. The only time I use ISO100 is outside in direct sunlight. I mostly shoot ISO100 in direct sun, ISO400 in shade, ISO 800-1600 inside (with flash), and sometimes ISO3200 if i'm going with ambient for the first dance.

Not even a single customer has ever mentioned ISO noise. They either don't notice or don't care.

Thanks - didn't download the photo so couldn't see the exif.

I my have selected 1/30 sec so you weren't really too far off on that. I never would have used ISO 100 for indoor work like that unless I had a lot of strong supplemental lighting. I will go at least ISO 400 and usually 800 in the evenings at receptions.

Going to ISO 400 would have gained you 2-stops from 100, so you could have used 1/60 at f/8 which actually shows quite a reasonable amount of light. Your selection of ISO 100 us what did you in here.

rsmedley wrote in post #5137588
It's in the Exif data -- 1/60 at f/4, 100 ISO.

A wedding is a very special moment and even if your sister knows you are not a pro, I am sure you want to do a good job. As most people here said, it is a tough task.

I am not a pro, but here are a few tips or suggestions

- check the wedding forum here to get some photo ideas. https://photography-on-the.net/forum/forumdis​play.php?f=78

- good lighting is important (even for some outdoor shots) and an external flash is very useful.

- don't forget to get a big fat memory card and spare batteries for camera and flash.

- have enough time to practice before the wedding.

Good luck!

well im for sure getting the 430ex, unless the 580 comes up to a really cheap price. and for memory i have a 2g, and a spare 512mb. will the sigma 70-300 f4-5.6 come in handy or usefull at all, and where? what about the kit lens? and im thinking that i might pick up a sigma 28-70mm f2.8-4 DG.
also, whats the different, with lens's when the sigma box has a red stripe on it, or a tan colour strip?

tim wrote in post #5137937
I think a zoom lens makes sense for a beginner. I know I could shoot a wedding with a single prime, but you'd be conspicuous and less discreet than if you could use a 200mm lens.

The point was that the lens you have is only one of the minor aspects of shooting a wedding successfully.

Plus, he's the brother of the bride. That makes him immune to the church gargoyles, so he can be as obtrusive as he wants.

Where is the wedding going to be at....outside, church, or somewhere else?

I would definitely get the 430EX flash over the price difference of the 580 since you are on a tight budget. I just got the 430EX a few weeks ago and didnt see the price difference to be worth all the features that I personally wouldn't be using for probably a long time, mainly the master / slave thing with multiple flashes.

As far as lenses..... would depend on the range you need. If going to be fairly close quarters.... then the kit lens, maybe the Tamron 17-50 2.8. B&H has it for $420 or maybe the Sigma 17-70 2.8-4.5 for $325 at Sigma4less. Both of those reviewed pretty highly for the price. They cover the wide angles to mid range pretty well. Usually it is easier to get closer than to back up. If going to be fairly low light....the 2.8 lenses are nice... plus being able to give the shallow depth of field too.

I would say the most important thing is to get your external flash and practice with it and see how bouncing off the ceiling gives a nicer appearance than straight on flash. Read the stuff in that EOS flash section so you can learn about it.

Hope this helps.

Gurry wrote in post #5139716
well im for sure getting the 430ex, unless the 580 comes up to a really cheap price. and for memory i have a 2g, and a spare 512mb. will the sigma 70-300 f4-5.6 come in handy or usefull at all, and where? what about the kit lens? and im thinking that i might pick up a sigma 28-70mm f2.8-4 DG.
also, whats the different, with lens's when the sigma box has a red stripe on it, or a tan colour strip?

Just buy yourself a 35mm f/2, 50/1.8 and slow down. It will make for better images.

The kit lens will be useful at the wide end. Flash you'll need as well.

You might want to pick up a vivitar with one of their vari-power sensors. Awesome units and in a lot of situation they work better than TTL stuff.

Gurry, I would strongly suggest that you buy at least one more memory card, at least 2GB.

Assume one of yours will fail (odds are against this) but for insurance sake assume that anyway..... and what would that leave you with as far as spares go? Cheap insurance if you ask me; memory is always on sale these days.

Hi guys,
Sounds like a wedding shoot on a budget. Not to worry! The Rebel XT is a great cam, since its a Canon!

Must have a flash, as everyone else has mentioned. remember to bounce the flash when indoors.
Basic textbook flash photos would be Manual, F5.6, 1/60, ISO 400-800.
I would risk F4, 1/40 ISO 800 for group shots to get the backgrounds.
Furthermore, as you are using the 18-55 kit, the max aperture is 5.6, so just keep it at F5.6 so you wont have to worry abt max aperture at whatever focal length.

Lens - 2 basic lenses can carry you through
a. Wide angle- 18-55, 17-40, 16-35. the faster the better.
Give your kit lens a second longer to have a good focus lock before the shot.
Set the flash to emit focus assist beam, it will help.

b. 50/1.4 for the tight DOF and portraits.

Telephoto. you have one, only if you cant get close enough. But you end up spending precious time changing lens.

Memory cards/batteries
Shooting RAW? you'll need 6-8 gigs. more the merrier.
carry spare batts for cam and flash.

Shots to take
Tim has provided a lot of photo suggestions.
I would like to add:
Groom with best man/men/'bros'
Bride with the 'sisters'

IMO, wedding is about capturing moments, so you will have to be on your toes. Never mind if the shots are grainy, or a little out of focus, its the moments that count.

Everyone will have different styles of shooting weddings. My primary gear now is an XTi with EF 16-35 II

Cheers

Gurry, out of curiosity, where (geographically) will the wedding take place?

^^^ no offense but yikes!


Listen to Tim on this---- if you follow his advice you will not go wrong. Weddings are animals that if handle wrong can come back and kill you.

In ontario, outside for (not sure wedding terms) for photos, then wedding is inside a church. the after party (reception??) is at a hall, that i have already been to. also, going to add another newbie thing in here, its been a long time since ive been on photography forums what does the 50/1.4 mean? what one is what lol just forget sometimes.

Gurry - you're really starting to scare us now doing this wedding and making lenses purchases .......

Gurry wrote in post #5140731
...... its been a long time since ive been on photography forums what does the 50/1.4 mean? what one is what lol just forget sometimes.