• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

So apparently I am shooting a baptism tomorrow.....

The Stigenator

The Stigenator

Lifer
While I was invited to the Baptism, I didnt realize I am the ONLY photographer. Apparently some issues with the original one.. Which is fine I am happy to shoot... however I've never been baptized or been to a baptism.. so I dont know what to expect. I dont know what to look for.

I figure I'd put two of my bodies to use, with the prime lenses, put the 28 f1.8 and the 50 f1.4 to use for the inside shots (or use one prime and one 28-75 f2.8), the 35/40/85 for outside pre/post baptism pictures. I have enough external flashes and triggers. I was thinking putting the flashes around the center area of the church, put the flashes pointing up and fire away at f4-5.6 @ 400-800 @ 80-125 shutter.

Then again I dont know if the church allows flash photography, I assume they do. Its not a fancy church, google street view shows in a residential buildling, not a very big building..

Any suggestions.
 
You're not being paid, you're volunteering.

You're already doing a great job showing that you care and show up.

If not a single picture turns out, just tell them to suck it.
j/k
a little
 
Most mainline churches do not like flash. I personally consider it sacreligious. Baptism depends on what denomination. In the RC church, it is done by pouring blessed water across the forehead of the person. Most baptisms are infants. The priest holds the infant in his arms and pours a small bit of water across the forehead - followed by annointing with chrism in a cross on the foreheasd.

Suggest you consult with the church authorities. I have doine many of these and the idea is to get the shot and be as unobtrusive as possible. My world is in the Episcopal church - very similar to the RC sacrament.

If it is a fundamentalist church, it's a whole different ballgame, sometimes totasl immersion in a pool.. Consult with the pastor or person in charge.
 
Last edited:
Actually she is paying me for it. Frankly I dont care as much on the money part. She is a coworker and not a random acquaintance.

I'll ask the pastor / assistant. I believe its 'catholic' but she is filipino. So I am not exactly sure on the thing.
 
One thing that always drives me nuts at religious-type events (e.g. weddings) is when photographers are walking up and down the aisle and/or sides of the audience shooting what is happening at the front. IMO, these ceremonies are suppose to have significant meaning, and having wide-roaming photographers in the field of view of the audience could ruin the moment for the audience.

Rant aside, you should check with the priest or pastor of the church and see where you should be positioned. Your friend goes to the church -- ask her what is acceptable behavior in this situation.
 
I got roped into being a wedding photographer under similar circumstances, once. I was still a n00b (still am a n00b, really) and just got my new DSLR. I was thinking it'd be cool to meet the hired photog and rap with him a bit. Guess what? There was no photog, except me.

Luckily it was an outdoor wedding on a bright summer day, but I got a little pissy when I was being ordered around to take this pic and that pic. This wedding was in BFE New Jersey, and I flew all the way in there from Seattle on my own dime to be at my cousin's wedding, and I'm getting bossed around like I'm at work, but not getting paid. F that.

Sorry to rant in your thread. You're gonna be fine. Definitely see what you can do about learning the flash policy ahead of time, though.
 
A day late and a dollar short, but I still want to chime in with my thoughts.

If you have fast primes then ditch the flash for the indoors shots of the ceremony. At most you can pop flash on a shot or two, but only if you really need it at make an image at a crucial moment, like the actual blessing itself.

Use a slower shutter speed like 1/60 with your strobes so you can mix in the churches available light with your flash. I love dragging my shutter speed as slow as the action will allow when I shoot flash. I will go down to like 1/15 and a wide open aperture if I need to so I can pick up some of the available light to mix with the strobe. I hate shooting more than about a stop or two above the ambient, unless there is action I need to freeze with the strobe, or the available light is just plain ugly and I'm trying to overpower it. The beauty of digital is that you can see how the ambient light mixes with your strobe right on your LCD screen.

I guess what I'm trying to say is don't let whatever available there is go to waste, even if you are shooting with strobe. Nobody want's a bright subject in a dark room. It kills the sense of event and wastes the beauty of the church.

EDIT: and if the church has a 'NO FLASH' policy, talk to whomever is going to perform the service. Tell them you understand and don't want to disrupt the service. Ask if they are okay with you shooting available light, but at the end, like after the baptism, when the family and child are presented to the gathering and the ceremony is closing, can you go over to flash if you feel you need to for family shots.

Almost everyone I've ever had to deal with regarding a no-flash policy was pretty cool about it once they understand you respect the sanctity of the ceremony and church. Being proactive and bringing it up ahead of time helps too.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top