Need advice on what to tell Bride

[dnpayne]

Originally Posted by Photoboothguy

Impromptu outdoor group shot at night? LOL

Yeah, without setting up several lights, that would have been incredibly hard. And even then, with 60 people, you're bound to have harsh shadows in the absence of any ambient light.

I'd just say "Sorry, I did the best I could with the conditions I had. This was an incredibly hard shot to take correctly given the number of subjects, lighting conditions, and lack of advanced notice."

lol. I should have a sticker mounted on my camera that says... "If you can't see your hand in front of your face, then I can't see you."

[bhursey]

Originally Posted by dnpayne

I did have my main 430ex flash I was using throughout the night on my 5dii. I don't carry near as much stuff though. I have two bodies, a few lenses, tripod, flash that I use. I'm still learning with the flash as sometimes I have trouble getting good light spread across a large area, say.. a group of 60 people.

Ya a 430EX will in no way light 60 people even on full power. How were you using the flash. Bounce would of not worked.. It would unfortunately of had to be direct.

You have a Canon 5d MKII? Man im Jealous. I have ran a business for 4 years on just my 8.2 MP 20D that is now 7+ years old. I hope that did not put you in debt to bad. I pay for everything with cash I earn from shoots. My next camera will be a 7D. 310$ down 1200+ to go..

[dnpayne]

Originally Posted by bhursey

Ya a 430EX will in no way light 60 people even on full power. How were you using the flash. Bounce would of not worked.. It would unfortunately of had to be direct.

You have a Canon 5d MKII? Man im Jealous. I have ran a business for 4 years on just my 8.2 MP 20D that is now 7+ years old. I hope that did not put you in debt to bad. I pay for everything with cash I earn from shoots. My next camera will be a 7D. 310$ down 1200+ to go..

I couldn't bounce it anyway as the ceiling was very dark (wood). I had to use it direct. No luck with that I tell ya.

Yep. I love my 5dii. I have an older 5di as a backup. Really nice bodies. My next purchase is the Canon 20-70 1.4. I have a ways to go for that one though!

[dnpayne]

Ok all, here is what I came up with. Let me know your thoughts on how it sounds.

"Hey [Bride], I do have a shot of the [Bride's] family on disk, but I was disappointed with how it turned out. Being such a spur of the moment photo, dark lighting conditions, the size of the space and number of people in the shot... it's just a very difficult portrait to pull off successfully without dedicating a session for it. I feel I did the best I could with the conditions at hand, but unfortunately was not enough. I try to hold a high standard on which photos are presented and this is not up to par with those standards.

I'd be more than happy to schedule a group family session with all the [Bride's Family] at no charge to get a better result for you all. I know this may be somewhat of an inconvenience and some folks may be from out of town, but I want you all to be happy and I'm more than willing to do that. Obviously, this doesn't replace the candid photo from your big day, but I'm hoping you can understand the situation."

[bhursey]

Originally Posted by dnpayne

I couldn't bounce it anyway as the ceiling was very dark (wood). I had to use it direct. No luck with that I tell ya.

Yep. I love my 5dii. I have an older 5di as a backup. Really nice bodies. My next purchase is the Canon 20-70 1.4. I have a ways to go for that one though!

Wish I had that kind of money.. :P I thought about getting a 5Di.. but I know if I got ones of those I would want L glass. The main thing that I like about full frame bodies in the lack of noise and the extra field of view you get.. Although in the nose rhelm the 60D and 7D are very close.

Back on subject ya they best thing to say is that you can send the image and just say it was the best you could do in a situation you were not previously aware of. I hope you shot it in RAW.

[bhursey]

What about this. I think you got to technical.

"Hey [Bride], I do have a shot of the [Bride's] family on disk, but I was disappointed with how it turned out. Because of previously unknown factors I had no control over. I was not able to capture a photo on par with the rest of the photos in your wedding. I try to hold a high standard on which photos are presented and this is not up to par with those standards. If you would like I can provide the image that has been corrected to the best ability of the original image captured so that you will have it with your set.

I'd be more than happy to schedule a group family session at no charge to you. Obviously, this doesn't replace the candid photo from your big day, but I'm hoping you can understand the situation."

[kirbinster]

How about posting a copy of the picture here so we can see what you got and how hard you are being on yourself.