what is the best mode for shooting wedding

<p> This is the first wedding I am shooting and I would like some advice on which camera mode to use. I will be using a canon 50d with a 70-200 2.8 IS and 40d with a 24-70 2.8.</p>

<p>The best mode is the one that you can use and get the results that you want - it's not the same for everybody. If you don't know yet what you like in different scenarios you might want to practice lots and lots before shooting a wedding. The things that are good to start with are your preferences on exposure mode, metering mode, white balance setting and auto focus mode. Next after that is flash.</p>

<p>If you're proficient with M (Manual Mode) then it's "the best" if you know how to make it work for you. </p>

<p>If you don't know how to make M mode work for you then it's not "the best" for "you".</p>

<p>Manual, use a handheld meter also.</p>

<p>Manual or I am a big fan of Aperture Priority, depending on the situation.</p>

<p> If you don't know what you're doing, manual could prove a real disaster.</p>

<p>M is the best if you know how to use it quickly and well. If you can't, then use whatever works for you to get good results. Aperture Priority is a good one.</p>

<blockquote>

<p>This is the first wedding I am shooting</p>

 

</blockquote>

<p>I agree with shooting in full manual <strong>IF </strong>you are proficient, esp where flash is concerned.<br>

Weddings are quite dynamic at times and not the best time to begin learning techniques or getting creative. When you have a few weddings under your belt, you will begin to see what works best for you.</p>

<p>My suggstion for you in this instance?</p>

<p>Shoot in aperture priority. Get there early to see how the light is falling. Take some test shots to see if any exp comp may be needed for the light of the day.</p>

<p>Flash: Shoot in TTL and dial it back a little...-1.0 to -1.7 should do the trick.<br>

Essentially,as your 1st wedding, you need no surprises; so shoot what is comfortable for you. </p>

<p>I would NEVER suggest manual to a person who needs to ask which setting is best for their first wedding shoot. Joxer's absolute best setting is full automatic because that setting will give the best results during a crazy wedding shoot. I started shooting weddings on auto and now after many weddings I shoot almost entirely in manual because I now 'get it'. It takes freakin' years.</p>

<p>I have a sneaking suspicion, this may just be me being a bit jaded, but I think "Joxter" may be pulling our leg a bit.</p>

 

<p>Program mode. NOT aperture priority with Canon cameras, inside with flash. One Shot focusing. Learn how to read the histogram and when, why and how to compensate the ambient exposure and flash exposure (these are two different things).</p>

<p>You are lacking the wider angles, and I would review hand holding guidelines. Even with IS, which does not stop subject motion. Also, hope you have an external flash and full backup.</p>

<p>Joxer, until you feel comfortable with the settings, I would use P (Professional) setting. When you are comfortable with the camera functionality and wedding coverage, you'll know that you are comfortable when you no longer need to ask your question on any forum, then I would use M, TV, and AV.</p>

<p>Howdy!</p>

<p>Aside from the name (Joxer D'Mighty indeed) doesn't it seem rather incomprehensible that a person would go out and purchase the signature cameras and lenses for fast wedding work, yet not know what setting to use?</p>

<p>Ok, just in case the OP is indeed as clueless as he/she sounds, here's my favorite shooting mode:</p>

<p>Lens cap off.</p>

<p>Later,</p>

<p>Paulsky</p>

<p>"W" (Wedding Mode) is really the one to use. If your camera lacks "W" you can obtain the same results by shooting all the images into a mirror in "M" mode. "W" mode automatically adjusts the color of wedding dresses to their correct color and keeps all images sharp while kicking in a soft-focus effect for any subject over 35.<br>

Sorry; couldn't resist.</p>

<p>That was a good one Maury.<br>

So my S mode on the camera is for Sport then?</p>

 

<p>I completely agree with Nadine on the settings. BTW, Joxer welcome to P-net and thanks for supporting the forum with a subscription.</p>

<p>Paul-<br>

You forgot Lens cap off...turn camera on.<br>

; )</p>

Shoot all Canon cameras in Program mode. AP will mess you up BIG time when shooting inside with a flash. For example if the reception room is dark, which is almost always the case, your Canon camera will have a shutter speed of about 1 second or even more, even though you are using your flash. The results will be nothing but blurred images. Nikons behave differently.

 

Since this is your first wedding I have a feeling you have limited knowledge of how to have complete control over your camera, therefore use the Program mode with or without your flash.

 

If you understand how to use your camera and you have a full understanding regarding depth of field, high speed sync, how to meter your camera with and without flash, shooting outside with a flash, then shoot the wedding in Manual.

 

Also shoot in RAW format not jpeg, because you will be able to fix a lot of images that are under or over exposed. If you are unsure what RAW is read your manual and practice a lot editing your images.

<p>P for professional, or A for artistic. Depends on your taste really.</p>

<p>I've never shot a Canon, so excuse my dumb question: but what does a Canon do on AP that messes it up? This intrigues m.....</p>

<p>AP (Av) on Canon defaults to exposing for ambient and using flash to fill. You can, and many do, set a flash-sync speed with a custom function so that it functions mostly like Manual when a flash is attached and powered on (or popped up). This usually only bites people who don't know what they're doing (haven't read the manual).</p>

<p>Hmmm, that's interesting. I never knew that. Heck, learn something new everyday!</p>

<p>I shoot mostly M(manual) mode, but I keep the TTL on. I had horrendous experiences with all the other modes, especially "P" ! Keeping the TTL on with my flash lets me see the range of what is acceptable. I try to keep the subject(s) within 1/2 to 1/3 of that range. For example, if my flash tells me I got a 10 foot range then I place my subject(s) no less that 5 feet, preferably around 7 feet(2/3) to allow for light fall off. Once in a while I will switch to the AV(aperture priority) or TV(shutter priority), but not very often, because I might forget and leave it there. One thing about TTL with Canon flashes is that they work the most consistently when the aperture is set to f5.6 and higher and the ISO is 400 or lower. </p>

<p>As far as I know, there is no custom function to allow flash with AV to be as if with manual. AV on Canon assumes you want to expose for the ambient light, so it does. If that means ISO 1600, f1.4, 1/8th second, that's what you get. If you have the flash turned on, it will use the flash as fill in the sense that it will automatically lower the flash power and/or if there isn't sufficient light with the ambient parameters, it will use flash to make up the difference toward a 'correct' exposure.</p>

<p>The only custom function that I know of for flash with AV is where you can have it that shutter speed is set to highest flash sync, meaning your backgrounds (if inside with flash), will go dark, in many instances.</p>

<p>As far as I know, Nikon sets something like 1/60th shutter in aperture priority, or maybe it is set-able by the user.</p>

<p>In Program, Canon cameras save you from yourself by using at least 1/60th or 1/125th inside (in dimmer light) with the flash on.</p>

<p>I said mostly. On my 50D, you can optionally fix the shutter at 1/250 or 1/60-1/250 when a flash is enabled in Av mode. If you fix it at 1/250, that's pretty much exactly like M mode with shutter stuck on 1/250.</p>