First Engagement, Gear Suggestions?

Wasn't sure where to put this in the gear section, so I decided to put it in the wedding section

I was asked to do an engagement shoot in a couple weeks, and it will be my first. Right now, as far as equipment is concerned, I only have my XTi with the kit lens. I'm shooting for the stars on this shoot, but I'm not sure the lens I have is really going to give me what I want (super blurry backgrounds, but sharpness where I need it). The budget is pretty low, so I don't see buying much of anything in the near dear future. I've had trouble getting the pictures super clear without using a flash (which I don't plan on using). I've attempted to use the manual setting on my camera, but it just tells me there's not enough light, and they all turn out really really dark.

If you all could help me out, that'd be wonderful! I'm open to any and all suggestions (within reason). Thank you!

Since you're in the sharing forum anyway, how about sharing some shots in a similar style that you've already done so people can help explain what to do better. If you're in manual and you're dialing around for the exposure, and it turns out dark, the simple answer is to increase your ISO setting until you get a proper light level.

Or look for more light?

Really the key to striking photos like some of those you see in this forum is the photographer's use of light. Know where the light will be before you head out. Of course, early morning or late afternoon and evening will give you the most dramatic lighting conditions. Planning out your location and lighting is really more important than having the best lens.

Here's an example of a shot where I tried manual, and it was too dark. If I bump up the ISO, it also gets really grainy. Help?

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+1 on thehoff's suggestions.

Also you are wanting a lens with a larger aperture, which is how people get the "super blurry backgrounds but sharpness where I need it".

If you are on a low budget I would suggest picking up a "nifty fifty" for around a hundred bucks. It's aperture opens to 1.8 and gives you more options since you are not going to use a flash.

If you were using a flash than I'd say your kit lens would be fine if you know how to play with your settings. In fact most of the pictures I've taken so far have been with the non-IS 18-55 (though I'm upgrading to the tamron 17-50 2.8 by next week).

Without a flash, bad lighting, and that kit lens, I predict you will have some problems with getting good shots... Since you've been asked to do this shoot, and if you can't afford it, I would suggest to whoever asked you to buy that 50mm for you. It's around a hundred bucks and it would be cheaper for them to buy that lens then it would be to hire a photographer. It would also give you a lens where you could take some nice portraits for them at the wedding as well.

Adorama has a Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Standard AutoFocus Lens for under 100. Also there are people on this forum selling them as well.

If you are shooting RAW you may be able to boost the exposure a bit in the converter. But nothing you can really do about the grain at the higher iso settings.

Yup that is about the cheapest option for you -- Canon EF 50 f/1.8 at about $100. Your low light shots will get much better since shooting at 2 or 2.8 will give you a few more stops of light over the kit lens.

re: upping your ISO, if that is what has to be done, that is what you have to do. Better to have a well exposed photo that has noise instead of something that is underexposed and unusable, right? Converting it to black and white is always a good option when something is too noisy, also you can investigate the noise reduction features of the software you're using or a 3rd party application.

Regardless, the secret is light! Scout out your location at the same time you plan to shoot a day before and find good compositions where the light is hitting in a flattering or dramatic way.

I tend to shoot natural-light portraits in daylight. The lens matters very little.

If she is shooting outside, daylight, or inside with good lighting it shouldn't be a problem, but based on that pic she posted it doesn't look that way.

If she doesn't want a lens with a wider aperture she will need to really plan on where she is going to shoot (which she should do anyway of course).

Alright, it sounds like you all have helped me formulate some sort of a game plan. Thanks you all for the suggestions. I'll see what I can make out of it, and I may be getting back to you with photos later!

I like the canon 85 mm f1.8, reasonable price and great portrait lens. With the big aperature you can really blur the background. If you got the bucks go for the f1.4 version.

You just won't get great results with the kit lens.