Wedding Tips

[lambchops511]

I'm going to be attending an upcoming wedding soon and any tips?

I have a Canon XSi and 18-55 IS and 50mm 1.8 prime.

I really like the 1.8 aperture but it is a little too close to be mounted? not very useful unless for face shots?

any tips for flash? i just got my camera and i've never shot with flash before...

the XSi seems to have a pretty bad sensor, theres quite a bit of noise @ ISO 800+, and since my 18-55 isn't exactly a fast lense, i'll be forced to use flash?

the location will probably be indoor church.

 

[angry hampster]

Don't shoot with the on-camera flash. It is complete junk and utterly useless (imo). Use the 50 and pray for window lighting

 

[996GT2]

If you absolutely must use the on camera flash, at least get a flash diffuser like this one:

Link to diffuser

It will help spread out the light produced by the tiny flash on your camera, and will give softer skin tones.

A better solution would be to rent a professional flash unit for a day. Stores like Robert's Imaging offer Canon 580EX II rentals for $15/day, so that is definitely something to check out if you have such a store in your area.

 

[lambchops511]

from the 2 replies above, i am assuming a flash is absolutely necessary? I do not mind paying a one time fee for a new flash, but its kinda of expensive? i might as well get a faster lens like the 24-70?

what about the 50? do you think it is too close? i'll have to stand a mile away to take the shots....

 

[996GT2]

Originally posted by: aznium
from the 2 replies above, i am assuming a flash is absolutely necessary? I do not mind paying a one time fee for a new flash, but its kinda of expensive? i might as well get a faster lens like the 24-70?

what about the 50? do you think it is too close? i'll have to stand a mile away to take the shots....

With the 50mm, you can get full body shots standing about ~8-10 feet back, so you don't need to be really far away from the action. The fast aperture will really produce some nice, blurred backgrounds and good bokeh (albeit not as nice as the f1.4 or f/1.2 L)

I suggest you rent a flash for a day, since it's much cheaper than buying a brand new 580EX II. You also get to try it out to see if you really need one.

 

[angry hampster]

Originally posted by: 996GT2


I suggest you rent a flash for a day, since it's much cheaper than buying a brand new 580EX II. You also get to try it out to see if you really need one.

Seconding this. However, you may want to look around on the Canon Digital Photo boards in the for sale section for a 430EX that's been lightly used. You can probably get one for about $175. Point the sucker straight up and you've got nicely diffused images, assuming a low ceiling.

Also consider getting a faster zoom lens. Tamron's 17-50 or Sigma's 18-50 are great f/2.8 examples for use on the Rebel cameras.

 

[virtuamike]

Originally posted by: aznium
I'm going to be attending an upcoming wedding soon and any tips?

I have a Canon XSi and 18-55 IS and 50mm 1.8 prime.

I really like the 1.8 aperture but it is a little too close to be mounted? not very useful unless for face shots?

any tips for flash? i just got my camera and i've never shot with flash before...

the XSi seems to have a pretty bad sensor, theres quite a bit of noise @ ISO 800+, and since my 18-55 isn't exactly a fast lense, i'll be forced to use flash?

the location will probably be indoor church.

Check with the church first. Not all venues allow flash. Some will prior to and after the ceremony but not during. Ditto with moving around. Also find out where you can shoot from. Attend rehearsal if possible so you can get a feel for what's going on, where people will be coming in from, when everything will be happening, etc.

Get to know the couple and their families (again, that's why rehearsal is important). Catch all the big moments, but also watch for interactions and reactions. Be fast. Be decisive. Don't waste too much time playing around with your gear and lighting. Figure out the story that you're trying to tell, and get everything to come together for it.

Anyways, have fun

 

[lambchops511]

the problem with renting is that there aren't a lot of places that do rent in Canada, and getting to the rental place may be a problem to me . i might buy a 430EX since its only $200ish

8-10 feet back seems a little optimisticfor the 50mm for full body shots?

the couple is my cousin, so i already know the families pretty well =P . unfortunately i wont be able to attend the reheresal as i'll be out of town till the day of the wedding...

Checking out the Canon Digital Photo Boards link . Thanks angry hampster

 

[996GT2]

Originally posted by: aznium
the problem with renting is that there aren't a lot of places that do rent in Canada, and getting to the rental place may be a problem to me . i might buy a 430EX since its only $200ish

8-10 feet back seems a little optimisticfor the 50mm for full body shots?

the couple is my cousin, so i already know the families pretty well =P . unfortunately i wont be able to attend the reheresal as i'll be out of town till the day of the wedding...

Checking out the Canon Digital Photo Boards link . Thanks angry hampster

8-10 ft is about as close as you can go and get good full body shots from the 50 (unless you have a full frame camera where the lens is actually 50mm and not 80mm like it is on an XSi)

You should try to stand a bit further back if possible, but if you must 10 ft should be OK.

If you can't rent, do you know any other photographers that'll lend/rent you a flash for a day? I mean, it would be kind of a waste to spend $200 on flash and only use it once or twice in your shooting. If you do decide to buy, get it from a place with a good return policy so you can return it if you decide that you rarely use a flash.