Tips for very poor lit wedding photography

[xxrayna]

I'm shooting a wedding in a few days and the bride just informed me that there will be NO artificial lighting at the ceremony. The ceremony is scheduled to be 40-50 minutes after sunset.

I can turn the ISO on my camera up to about 4500 without any problematic noise and I'll be shooting with these lenses:
Nikon 35mm f/1.8, Nikon 50mm f/1.8, Sigma 18-50 f/2.8-4, Tamron 70-200 f/2.8

For the ceremony I was planning to use the Nikon 35 mm f/1.8 and my assistant will be using the Tamron 70-200 f/2.8 on on a tripod.

I'll also have an sb-700 on my camera but want to use it as little as possible during the ceremony so that I don't distract from it.

Any tips here?

[oldwolf]

No artificial lighting 40-50 min after sunset? Isn't it dark then?

I guess I'm confused as to their definition of no artificial lighting. Are they telling you that they won't have any lights on where ever the ceremony is or are they telling you that you can't use flash?

Unless it's a full moon right after sunset I think it's going to be very dark if there aren't any lights on at all.

[xxrayna]

Originally Posted by oldwolf

No artificial lighting 40-50 min after sunset? Isn't it dark then?

I guess I'm confused as to their definition of no artificial lighting. Are they telling you that they won't have any lights on where ever the ceremony is or are they telling you that you can't use flash?

Unless it's a full moon right after sunset I think it's going to be very dark if there aren't any lights on at all.

Yes, it IS dark then. That's the problem.

So they're having their ceremony in the dark, without any light at all. I can use flash "with in reason" but I don't want to be strobing the entire ceremony, distracting from the bride and groom saying their vowels. So, I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions....

[oldwolf]

Originally Posted by xxrayna

Yes, it IS dark then. That's the problem.

So they're having their ceremony in the dark, without any light at all.

Can you set up lights ahead of time? Throw a speedlite on a stand with maybe a grid on it so you can get some directional lighting instead straight on flash? If not a lightstand then a superclamp up high pointing down?

Otherwise, what you already said is what I'd do. Highest ISO possible, low f/stop, expose for the ambient light and throw some flash in there to expose the subject.

If they have a sense of humor I'd take a shot witout any lights so you get a completely black picture and send it to them. It could be your interpretation of night.

[scootermcq]

This will probably be the best wedding you have never seen.....

Kidding aside, I would also be worried about locking focus in complete darkness.

[JennzPhotography]

Im on the same boat as this guy.. dont want to take all attention off your question...

So i just recently started doing shoots from personal car photoshoots to car meets to Engagement photoshoots.. i was asked to do a wedding in the middle of october but i do need help with what type of Lighting i would need for the reception .. im not sure if its going to have dim lighting or full lighting but i would like to have a speedlight for backup if it is dark..ANY help as in what i can use or what type of speedlight is best for my camera? i have a Nikon D40 ... PLEASE HELP

[TheMoons678]

Originally Posted by JennzPhotography

Im on the same boat as this guy.. dont want to take all attention off your question...

So i just recently started doing shoots from personal car photoshoots to car meets to Engagement photoshoots.. i was asked to do a wedding in the middle of october but i do need help with what type of Lighting i would need for the reception .. im not sure if its going to have dim lighting or full lighting but i would like to have a speedlight for backup if it is dark..ANY help as in what i can use or what type of speedlight is best for my camera? i have a Nikon D40 ... PLEASE HELP

If you have to ask you shouldn't be charging people to be their wedding photographer.

[Tzetsin]

Originally Posted by JennzPhotography

Im on the same boat as this guy.. dont want to take all attention off your question...

So i just recently started doing shoots from personal car photoshoots to car meets to Engagement photoshoots.. i was asked to do a wedding in the middle of october but i do need help with what type of Lighting i would need for the reception .. im not sure if its going to have dim lighting or full lighting but i would like to have a speedlight for backup if it is dark..ANY help as in what i can use or what type of speedlight is best for my camera? i have a Nikon D40 ... PLEASE HELP

ATTEMPTED THREAD JACK.

There really should be a rule against this in the rules sticky. Its so increadibly RUDE.

If you have a question that deserves a "real" answer, create your OWN thread about the topic please.