What would you do is this lighting situation?

[kellysue22]

I am shooting a wedding at Tenth Pres church in Philly. The church requires photographers to be in the balcony for pictures...

I have done a few dozen weddings, but none so restrictive. What would you do about lighting? What equipment would you take?

[zona5101]

I'd get in there at about the same time of day as the wedding and take a look around, take some meter reading and some sample shots. Then you can decide if you need to rent lens.

[Benji]

Find out what restrictions the pastor has on photography during the ceremony, and follow them. Also find out what church lights will be used during the ceremony and get a meter reading where the bride and groom will be standing. Get a grey card reading at the same time. Shoot in Raw. I'm guessing you will be using a high ISO to freeze any motion of the wedding party.

Find out if there are any restrictions on photographing the participants at the altar for the formally posed shots while you are talking to the pastor (there seldom is.) These are usually done an an hour or so before or immediately after the ceremony. I offer to give the bride and groom a $300.00 discount if I can do all the formally posed shots of the entire wedding party at the altar three hours before the ceremony. About 90% take me up on it.

Benji

[archersdad]

If they are going to stick you in the balcony then they probably don't allow any flash during the ceremony. I would use a long prime or a 70-200 2.8 and bump up the ISO enough to get decent exposures.

[Gromguitar4]

Originally Posted by archersdad

If they are going to stick you in the balcony then they probably don't allow any flash during the ceremony. I would use a long prime or a 70-200 2.8 and bump up the ISO enough to get decent exposures.

Completely agree. Just be careful not to go up too high in your ISO otherwise you will have to deal with grain. Sure you can deal with that in PP but just something to remember/consider.

[autofocus]

a fast zoom a must...(already mentioned.) We had this very situation happen to us. Also a fast wide angle can produce some interesting results from the balcony. We have a Tokina 11-16, f/2.8 for that very purpose. There's usually the opportunity to get your posed shots right after the service..most clergy will allow that. Good luck...you'll do fine

Vinnie

[sk66]

Where you're shooting from doesn't really tell me anything about the lighting.

It does mean you probably won't be able to use supplemental lighting, but that's about it. Fast lenses are always beneficial, but so are high ISO cameras. But I can't say if either/both would be necessary (but I'd lean towards both).

You might be tempted to go with longer lenses due to the distance, but that could be a mistake if light is limited. A shorter lens of the same "speed" will perform better in low light, and the resulting crop required to get the same print as from a longer lens, may very well look better.

[kellysue22]

Unfortunately I don't even know the lighting situation and won't until I get there a couple of days before the wedding. I did talk to the church, no flash during the ceremony and I can't be in the front at all ever. So I have to do most from the balcony. Would my 18-200 be sufficient?

[LeeR]

I have had this kind of restriction before and just did the best I could with it. You can usually get a couple of good long shots and you especially want to try to get the first kiss if you can. However, you should have plenty of time to also get some wide shots. Back in the film days, this is when I would set up my double exposure shots. Now you can do all that in PS but you still need a wide angle shot to pull it off.
I also want to do my best to be as close as possible when the new couple is introduced. This means running down the stairs after the first kiss and making your way up the ailse. By this time, though, I figure the ceremony has ended and there is nothing for me to disturb. I have never had anyone bother me about doing this. I have kept the sanctity of their service, now they need to let me do my job.