Jemy Chan , Jun 26, 2008; 05:33 p.m.
Hi everyone,
A friend of mine is having a wedding, and asked me to make some photos for them, there will be a profesisonal
photographer but they just wanted me to take some more pictures, it don't have to be very professional . . its
just some bonuses for them, and something for me to do during the day.
Currently I only have the Canon EOS 450D with he kit lens, I wanted to know if there are any suggestions for me
to get me set for the wedding day . . I think the outdoor pictures shouldn't be too much a problem, but im kinda
worried about the indoor pictures ( low light ). I would like ask for suggestions about the following things:
- A lens for getting good indoor pictures ( it will be very busy so no tripod probably ) in low light condition
- A flashlight ? if so . . any recommendations?
Thnx
Alastair Baker , Jun 26, 2008; 05:43 p.m.
A 50mm f1.8 has got to be a great (& cheap) starting point for this. I am about to buy one for just this purpose.
G Dan Mitchell , Jun 26, 2008; 05:51 p.m.
If you are just taking some informal photos and there is a professional photographer there as well, I wouldn't worry about
upgrading just for this. Your kit lens will likely be just fine for this purpose. Unless your friend is expecting you to come up
with results that rival those of the professional photog, your 450D, kit lens, and internal flash will do well for this purpose.
As you wrote: "it don't have to be very professional . . its just some bonuses for them, and something for me to do during
the day."
Dan
Peter Lyons , Jun 26, 2008; 06:00 p.m.
Personally, I think that out of respect for the hired pro, you should just be taking grab shots--candids. Don't shoot over the
pro's shoulder and don't set up formal shots.
If I were you I'd just set the ISO to about 1000, and shoot using the on-camera flash with your kit lens. That'll get you
some really nice candids that your friends should be happy with, and shouldn't threaten the livelihood of the pro.
Jemy Chan , Jun 26, 2008; 06:08 p.m.
Thanks for the suggestions. Peter, you made a good point . . I think it will be a little be awkward if the hired photographer see me doing formal pictures .. I will probably be just annoying :)
G Dan Mitchell , Jun 26, 2008; 06:29 p.m.
To piggy-back on Peter's comments, it just so happens that my daughter's wedding was this past weekend. Awwww.... ;-)
We hired professional wedding photographers and they did a fine job. (I was otherwise occupied - something about
walking my daughter down than aisle and so forth.) But I did bring my camera - a 5D with the 24-105 and the 580 EX II. I
mostly did shots when the "hired guns" weren't there - at the rehearsal and as people were getting ready, but I did shoot a few
frames after the wedding.
To avoid confusion, I spoke to the wedding photographers ahead of time and during the event and told them that I had no
intention of grabbing their shots or getting in the way, and I resisted the temptation to shoot stuff that they set up. In the end,
I got a ton of really wonderful photos that will be different from but complementary to the work they did.
Oh, and I did take one shot of the two of them photographing my daughter and new son in law. If you go there soon you can see my photo of them and the photo that Katy (the
photographer) was taking at that moment.
For the second time... awwwwww...
:-)
Dan
Paulo Cortez , Jun 26, 2008; 06:39 p.m.
What's the height of the ceiling? What's its color?
If under 4-5m and white/soft colored, I would recommend a 430EX directed towards the ceiling. You also have the
benefit of AF assist plus no red eyes
If not, also the 430EX with a diffuser (handmade?) but directed towards the subject.
For me, a lens with adequate specs for candid shots during a wedding would be, for example, a 70-200mm f2.8
(Canon, Tamron, Sigma?). You can take your shots quietly, without interfering...
Juan Trinidad , Jun 26, 2008; 06:47 p.m.
I have tested the kit lens, on-camera flash and the default white balance for flash photography on the XSI, and I was thoroughly satisfied with the result. It looked very good as long as you dont shoot too far from the subject.
/bing
Nadine Ohara - SF Bay Area/CA 
, Jun 26, 2008; 08:36 p.m.
If you are going to buy anything, the suggested 50mm f1.8 and the 430EX would be good. Don't photograph anything the pro is photographing, or at least, get a different angle or take on it. Watch carefully so you aren't in his or her way. Otherwise, have fun and shoot all the different and alternative shots you can think of, particularly if the pro isn't covering those parts.
Bob O'Sullivan , Jun 26, 2008; 10:21 p.m.
Another vote for the 50 1.8. It will give you two advantages your kit lens doesn't have. Very nice bokeh (blurred background) when set at F 1.8, 2 or 2.8 for portraits. And ability to shoot with faster shuttrer speed indoors and maybe not need flash so much. For $80 it's the best lens bargain out there. Everyone should have one, and once you get it, you'll realize you should have had it with our without this wedding shoot.
Try to shoot at ISO 400 or less for most of it. But you can go 800 or 1600 for indoors if it's dark. ISO 1600 will actually yeild better shots than ISO 1000 because the in between steps add noise.
