Flash During a Wedding? Or no?

[PhotoJunkieJen]

Is there any kind of etiquette when it comes to shooting weddings on whether you can or even should use a flash or not during the ceremony?

I'm starting to shoot some friend's weddings... but I don't want to be a distraction to the ceremony. At the same time, the lighting in some of those places makes it tough to get good shots without a flash.

Do you wedding photographers use flash during the ceremony? Or is this something that varies by situation and venue?

[RexK_Cozumel]

Talk to the minister or officiant before hand. Some churchs allow it some will not. Also talk to the brige and groom to see what they think.

Personally I think it is tacky and I would not do that. But then again I am shooting with a bunch of f2.8 glass and D700 so flash is not necessary for me. It would be a completely different story if I could not get a good image with out the flash.

Another thing that you can do is ask the church if they have more lights that they can setup/turn on a lot of times churches will have extra lights and stuff.

[wulf]

Yes - the main point of etiquette is to ask well in advance. Some ministers will not only want no flash but no photos during the ceremony. Best to find out well in advance so that the family know what photos they can expect.

Wulf

[B..]

During the ceremony, will you be close enough that flash will be useful? I would think not.

It might be useful for posed shots, but possibly not otherwise.

[RexK_Cozumel]

Originally Posted by B..

During the ceremony, will you be close enough that flash will be useful? I would think not.

It might be useful for posed shots, but possibly not otherwise.

Those little speedlights can throw a pretty far distance. I have used an SB800 to light a subject over 30 feet away quite a few times with no problem not even full power.

[LoveDSLR]

That is why I loved to use my Metz. 100 feet @ISO 400 f/2.8.

[PhotoJunkieJen]

So if flash isn't allowed... or would seem tacky... the next logical question for me is... after you crank the ISO, how can I tell I'm getting a good, clear shot without flash?

I ask because that little preview screen can be quiet deceiving. You snap a shot, think you're getting something good in the field... and bring it back and it's blurry or otherwise unfit for use.

[RexK_Cozumel]

practice before hand...... I can pretty much tell you that the XTi does not have very good high ISO performance. so a slower shutter speed or really large aperture is a must.

My best suggestion would be to go to the church and beg/plead/bribe whoever you have to so that they can get more lights.

[Turtlemouse]

If the roof allows, bounce your flash off the roof. If you are standing up, not many guests notice this as much and you don't get harsh shadows around the bride and groom and whoever else you are aiming your lens at. A tripod or monopod and fast lenses also help if you can't use flash but people are often moving so you'll get lots of blurred pics if you can't use flash.

[LoveDSLR]

Originally Posted by PhotoJunkieJen

So if flash isn't allowed... or would seem tacky... the next logical question for me is... after you crank the ISO, how can I tell I'm getting a good, clear shot without flash?

I ask because that little preview screen can be quiet deceiving. You snap a shot, think you're getting something good in the field... and bring it back and it's blurry or otherwise unfit for use.

You can guess how to shoot without flash with the help of the Exposure Value Chart.

EV TYPE OF LIGHTING SITUATION

4 Candle lit close-ups. Christmas lights, floodlit buildings, fountains, and monuments. Subjects under bright street lamps.
5 Night home interiors, average light. School or church auditoriums. Subjects lit by campfires or bonfires.
6 Brightly lit home interiors at night. Fairs, amusement parks.
7 Bottom of rainforest canopy. Brightly lighted nighttime streets. Indoor sports. Stage shows, circuses.

Example:

EV 5: ISO 400 1/15 f/2.8 (Canon Rebel Xti?)

ISO 6400 1/125 f/4 (Nikon D3/D700)
ISO 3200 1/125 f/2.8 (Canon 5D2, Nikon D300 etc.)