A No Flash Photography Wedding

[sarahdavis]

Ok, I have a couple questions, and after reading thru the pet peeves on here I've gotta admit I'm a little nervous to even post about this, but I need some advice so screw it.

My husband's cousin & his fiance want me to take their wedding photos. I've done some family shoots and another cousin's wedding reception, but this would be my 1st ceremony. Knowing that they didn't have much to spend on wedding photography, I thought it would be ok until I got the answer to my question - no, the church doesn't allow flash photography. I was already worried about my on-board flash being good enough for like the group posed shots, etc. But now I'm wondering if it's even possible for me to do this.

I have a 28-105mm f/3.5 that I use most of the time, the regular kit lens, and a 18-50mm. But 3.5 is my widest aperature - even if I bought an f/1.8 before then, I wouldn't be able to get a good all-in-focus group shot without using a much smaller ap, right?

I have Photoshop Elements 6.0 so I know I'd be able to take out some noise if I bumped up the ISO, but do they ever look as good as a photo that never had noise? I hate that so have only done it once.

Anyway, I'm trying to decide if I should tell them that I can't do it (although I don't think they'd be able to pay anyone else much, they were going to pay me $100) or if I can figure it out between now & Sept. The $100 f/1.8 lens would be doable before then, but I doubt any other lighting equipment will be in the budget before then. If so, it's gotta be another flash, but the $270 for that isn't in the bugdet for sure right at the moment (and that flash wouldn't help me then anyway! It would be awesome to have for the reception however)

Thanks ahead of time for any imput....
Gotta go before my daughter unplugs the computer on me - again.
Sarah

I would also like to add however that I am shooting in manual, just so you know! *L*

[LoveDSLR]

Just a suggestion. Use high ISO and convert photo with unacceptable noise to black-and-white. The results sometime are quite acceptable. This is the same technique use when shooting @ISO 25,600 with a Nikon D3.

[ShepArt]

Many churches have a "no photography" or "no flash photography" policy during the ceremony. What you need to find out is if you can use flash for the group / posed photos following the ceremony.

[Seltzer]

have any friends you can borrow gear from or any locations to rent from in the area? i know there is one member here that has mentioned an online rental place a few times.. i don't remember the site tho, maybe a search would uncover that.... maybe try for a fast zoom lens like the 70-200mm 2.8

Personally I'd go for the 50mm 1.8 for ~$100... with the 50mm you will be moving around a LOT and plan on cropping down some shots as you sometimes just won't be able to get the shot without some distracting element in there but at least you could open it up and crank the ISO and go without a flash that way.

[Jamesc359]

If it were me I'd call the Church and make arrangements to visit around the same time of day that the wedding is supposed to be held. I'd take along a couple of friends to stand in for the bride and groom and then I would take some photos with my current lenses and see just how high I had to bump the ISO. Then I'd print the pictures out as 4x6's and maybe do a 5x7 and 8x10 so I could see just how much noise I would be dealing with.

Even if they were very noisy, I'd still likely do it anyways - I'd just make sure I showed the test pictures to the bride and groom so they knew before hand what to expect. They'll most likely still want you there, simply because a noisy picture is still better than no picture at all.

[jprime84]

Talk to the bride and groom to make them aware of the situation. They will undoubtedly want to help you any way they can to get nicer photos. This could including talking with the priest, or whatever.

[fletch]

If it is you or nobody when it comes to taking pictures then I say do it. Just make sure the B&G are aware they aren't getting a pro wedding photographer for nothing and you can't do the main thing that you would pay an expensive pro for, guarantee quality.

Then stick to the basics, don't try anything fancy and relax.

As for lenses and light I would be tempted to hire some decent glass with the $100 rather than buy the 50mm 1.8. Sure you will have to give it back but a 24-70 f2.8 will be much more useful on the day and that is what counts.

[djotaku]

Originally Posted by ShepArt

Many churches have a "no photography" or "no flash photography" policy during the ceremony. What you need to find out is if you can use flash for the group / posed photos following the ceremony.

I think this is very likely to be the case. I'd been to a lot of weddings and photographed a few too. Usually this rule is to preserve the sanctity of the ceremony. Afterwards you can use as much flash as you want/need for the posed shots.

I also think the person who told you to go to the church on another day was spot on. See what you get at f/3.5 and whatever ISO you need. ALSO, if they have a no flash rule during the ceremony they may also have a "the photographer needs to stand still" rule. That's what my church had. So if you have to pick one place and stay there, you can use a tripod and that might help on all the shots except the kiss (which will be too fast for a slow shutter speed).

I also think you should rent some f/2.8 equipment. Look online - I found about 6 places that rent Canon and/or Nikon equipment. It shouldn't cost more than $200 for a few days. And you need a few days to get familiar with the lens.

One very important thing is to stress over and over that you are not a pro. People have ended up not speaking to each other for years over bad wedding photos. But if they can only afford $100, they need to not expect the moon.

Good Luck! (Make sure you go over tips like the list of wedding photos listed on the DPS blog a few days ago)

[jdepould]

Just do the group shots outside, obviously it doesn't help you during the ceremony, but it's one less thing to contend with. Maybe consider renting something fast (like a 24-70 f/2.8 or some such).

[sarahdavis]

Thank you for all the replies, I really appreciate all the advice!! And the positive comments and suggestions also instead of just "don't do it cause you're going to suck" *L*

I'm sorry it's taken me this long to reply, I normally only time at night, and last night it was storming so I had to shut down the computer.

I'm definitely going to visit the church and see if there's somewhere outside I can do the group photos cause my flash won't be good enough anyway if there's very many people, and I have to stand back. Checking to see if it's just during the ceremony when flash is not allowed also (thanks! I didn't realize that might be an option)

I'm going to buy the f/1.8 even though it has almost no zoom which will suck - but I dont think I'll be renting a lens, especially if it's more than what I'll be getting paid to do the wedding.

I might see about doing the rehearsal as a wedding present for them and then I can get a better idea also of what the expect the next day.

Thanks!!!!!
Sarah