Wedding technique

mercphoto

Shoulda asked this question last week.... I photographed a friend's wedding this past weekend. I agreed to it mainly because the bride knew I did 95% sports, but she couldn't afford the fee of a "real" wedding photographer. So I cut her a great deal. And I believe I over-delivered for the small fee I charged. But I look at the photos and think there were a few things maybe I should have done different.

1) I used AI-Servo auto-focus on my 20D. And if the subjects were moving I let it track briefly. Now I wonder if I should have just slammed the shutter button and let it lock and shoot, rather than attempt to track in low light.

2) I managed to talk them into letting me use flash. I think this part I did correct but want to make sure. I decided to stick to ISO 1600 so that the flash didn't need to fire as hard. I then put the flash head straight up and put on an Omni Bounce. Again, to limit how harsh the flash was, to make it less distracting. Afterwards I was told nobody noticed it. Kinda what I expected all along. Most the shots were 1/60 at f/4 and -1 FEC on "P" mode.

3) Any tips on auto-focus in dim light when the groom has on a black tux?

Aaron Wilson

would like to know also...
Great questions.. would love to know the replys.

JimM

Can you post a link to the pictures? Would like to see. I am also curious what a really good deal is, if you don't mind sharing. I am frequently asked to shoot weddings, but don't know a fair price for non-expert (me at weddings).

Thanks.

ziggy53

mercphoto wrote:

...2) I managed to talk them into letting me use flash. I think this part I did correct but want to make sure. I decided to stick to ISO 1600 so that the flash didn't need to fire as hard. I then put the flash head straight up and put on an Omni Bounce. Again, to limit how harsh the flash was, to make it less distracting. Afterwards I was told nobody noticed it. Kinda what I expected all along. Most the shots were 1/60 at f/4 and -1 FEC on "P" mode.

3) Any tips on auto-focus in dim light when the groom has on a black tux?

Bill,

It's a little hard to comment on the first issue without seeing the images so we can understand the circumstances of the shot. Were you shooting traditional or photojournalist style?

I can comment on the second and third items from recent experience using a RebelXT. (A birthday, not a wedding.) Again it would help us understand your situation if we could see photos, but generally speaking...

It is almost always beneficial to be able to carry, "your own light", i.e. an electronic flash. It sounds like you did the appropriate thing using a light modifier.

I would caution about using ISO 1600 for every situation, although it may have been justified. ISO 1600 is really pushing the limits of the imaging chip and amplifier (gain) circuits, and the dark areas are probably exhibiting a fair amount of noise.

I know one church where I recently videotaped a wedding and it has too little interior lighting and dark brick walls. Videography and photography really get challenged in that location. Most of the pros stress because the dark walls as background really cause problems especially with dark-haired subjects and dark suits. Many of the photographers use a seperate back-light flash and some also use a hair-light.

I note that you have a Canon 580EX flash and in ETTL mode it should be splendid for weddings for a couple of reasons.

First, the ETTL mode really does make a difference in difficult lighting. I use a Sigma EF-500 DG Super flash and the ETTL is especially helpful in preventing the highlights from blowing out, compared to the "auto" flashes I had been using. Other folks claim that ETTL is also better than a TTL flash, but I don't have any personal experience about that.

The Canon 580EX (and the Sigma 500 Super) also has a focus assist capability which is invaluable in low light.

These two features, the ETTL and focus assist light, should have allowed much better results than otherwise possible.

Take care,

ziggy53

mercphoto

ziggy53 wrote:

It's a little hard to comment on the first issue without seeing the images so we can understand the circumstances of the shot.

http://mercphoto.smugmug.com/gallery/977302
Password is nov19

Thanks!

Shay Stephens

1) I used AI-Servo auto-focus on my 20D.
I am always in AI-Servo mode.

2)I decided to stick to ISO 1600 so that the flash didn't need to fire as hard.
That's good. In really low light, high ISO's are the way to go. If you are mindful of the exposures and make sure you are getting a good histogram, high ISO looks great.

3) Any tips on auto-focus in dim light when the groom has on a black tux?
Don't focus on the tux, focus on the contrasting white shirt/black tux transition or the tux/dress transition. And the center point is going to be more sensitive than using any other focus point or points.

mercphoto

ziggy53 wrote:

The Canon 580EX (and the Sigma 500 Super) also has a focus assist capability which is invaluable in low light.

That reminds me. I know I had that custom function on, but how does one tell if the focus assist is actually working or not?

mercphoto

Shay Stephens wrote:

Don't focus on the tux, focus on the contrasting white shirt/black tux transition or the tux/dress transition. And the center point is going to be more sensitive than using any other focus point or points.

Thanks for the tips Shay!

ziggy53

Bill,


As to the first question, I am not seeing any movements rapid enough that AI-Servo was required, but it probably didn't hurt. Shay says he uses it and that's good enough for me.

ziggy53

JimM

Churches are always tough. I think these images came out very good. The exposures look great, and I can't tell it is 1600 ISO.

prity goldfish

mercphoto wrote:

http://mercphoto.smugmug.com/gallery/977302
Password is nov19

Thanks!

awww i want to see! but i don't have a password...:cry i'm also interested in knowing too because i was asked to do some weddings in the near future. i have done one before, but i didn't know what i was getting into. it was a learning experience let me tell you!

3rdPlanetPhotography

Not sure this helps any but here I'm shooting a 20d and a Sigma 500 DG. I always shoot 100 iso but can sure bite my tail every now and then. Focus is always hard in a indoor wedding cause it's usually dark. Here are some that I've done.


http://3rdplanetphotography.smugmug.com/gallery/981171/2/45275168

kc7dji

TOF guy

IMHO a few pics look a little dark and would be better after level adjustement.

Thierry

Lee Massey

Hi Prity...

The password is in the original post with the link...

http://mercphoto.smugmug.com/gallery/977302
Password is nov19

prity goldfish wrote:

awww i want to see! but i don't have a password...:cry

Thanks,

Lee

mercphoto

mercphoto wrote:

2) I managed to talk them into letting me use flash.

The next thing I wondered about was how in the world wedding photographers get good pictures when flash is not allowed? Even at ISO 1600 and f/4 or even f/2.8 the shutter speeds would have been rather slow.

Zanotti

SUN2026 Is really nice!

Good work and nice job with the flash - really no harsh tones at all. For a guy who doesnt do weddings - maybe you should!

prity goldfish

Lee Massey wrote:

Hi Prity...

The password is in the original post with the link...

http://mercphoto.smugmug.com/gallery/977302
Password is nov19


Thanks,

Lee

hey thanks!!!! you made my day!

I think the photos turned out real nice. especially for a high ISO you couldn't even tell.

Shay Stephens

I go to ISO 3200, f/2.8 or wider, and down to 1/30th to 1/15th of a second. If it is darker than that or I am just having trouble then I would have to use a tripod.

mercphoto wrote:

The next thing I wondered about was how in the world wedding photographers get good pictures when flash is not allowed? Even at ISO 1600 and f/4 or even f/2.8 the shutter speeds would have been rather slow.