amanda_gammill

Thank you Mary! I am fairly new to this forum and I will from now on upload the images to my folder. Thank you for the information!

It looks like it may be a combination of both. Your ISO looks higher than 400 too. Do you have your ISO set on Auto? With a Max ISO set? My camera does that somtimes. I have the D200 and I set it on Auto ISO max 1600 when shooting just incase my light changes on me quickly the camera will recognize and set the ISO on it's own incase I don't have time to change it. I know that even when I shoot manual it won't go Off. I have to turn it off. The other day while getting lighting settings for an upcoming wedding I would manually set the ISO at 400 and take the shot and when I would review it on the camera seconds later it would say ISO 1600. I am not sure if the D300 does that too, but it is worth looking into.

Thank you Neal! I figured the high ISO grain wouldn't be seen with the image being small like 8x10 or smaller. I am probably not going to use a tripod because the bride is wanting me to go into the chior loft when the B&G are lighting the unity candle. So, I am going to have to be moving around during the ceremony. Which is fine with everyone. I did set some specific setting on my camera to allow me to be unable to relese the shutter button in case the image is not in focus. It just will not shoot until I get into focus..lol I can't complain on that. I also set Auto ISO max of 1600. That will be ok until I try to shoot manual, and then I will need to turn it off. I switch between S mode and M mode often. It depends on what I am shooting and if I have time to shoot M or not. The wedding will be July 12th so as soon as it is done I will post pictures on my website and everyone can check them out. I am excited and ready..just waiting on the day!

Dallas, Austin, Houston, Waco, Any of those would be good. If your work is outstanding then you shouldn't have any problem wherever you go. Good luck and Best Wishes!

I am also going to upload 2 images of what I think the best settings for the ceremony will be. Let me know what you think<div></div>

Ok, Thanks for the comments. I did go to the new location yesterday. It is not going to be bad at all. I was told that I could use the flash but like Jo Dinning said, "Flash won't help you with long shots from the back of a church filled with 200 people," it didn't work with 4 people in the church and me half way down the isle. So I will not be using the flash after all during the ceremony. So, I shot a few different shots using the 70-200mm f2.8 with different lighting set in the church and found out the best ones were with the lights turned up and all of the over heads about the bride and groom on. I set my WB, ISO, Fstop and shutter speed to find out what looked the best in the lighting. I had the bride actually put on her dress and we did a mock ceremony so I could have everything perfect. I do not have any restrictions on the ceremony. I was told to move about freely and get the best shot possible. I would rather use my 50mm f1.8 for the ceremony, but I do not want to be right up on the bride and groom while they are trying to have their moment, so I am just going to use the "big" lens instead. I will shoot the before and after photos with the 50mm. I love that little lens!

 

L E- I want to say Thank you! Yes, I do know my strengths and weaknesses and there are way more strengths than weaknesses. I am very adaptable and a people pleasure, but at the same time, I know what I like and I know from experiance what I like is what my clients like. You are right, it is not my place to handle the MOB and the Bride, but if I can help calm there nerves I will, and I did. The MOB told me that all the bride wanted was a beautiful dress and beautiful pictures, and she has the dress and I will give her the beautiful pictures. Last night after I had already been home for hours the MOB called me and told me that she wanted to Thank me so much for coming to them and reassuring them that everything would be fine and it was still going to be beautiful. She said she was very excited now and she could not wait until next Sat. I do not doubt my ability as a photographer at all. I will do what I have to do to in order to give my clients the best memories of there day.

 

William W (retired) I have the Nikon 50mm f1.8 and do plan to use that. I am using my Nikon D200 and I did go out and by the Sigma 70-200mm f2.8 lens last minute. I have never really thought that I needed it and I bought it just for this wedding actually. It doesnt matter now because I have it and will use it more in the future. I also have great ideas for the bridal party. Including Bride and Groom there will be 12. The only reason I guess I posted the question was because of the way the MOB and the Bride were freaking out. I did not know what to expect and the way they were talking it was going to be horrible. It won't be horrible at all and I will do my job as the professional that I am and give this bride her beautiful wedding memories.

 

Bob Bernardo - LA area. You are right about the fun part of being a wedding photographer. When I actually got to the new location, I had to smile and laugh. My assistant and I looked at each other and we said, "What is wrong with this?"....lol We walked into the old chruch and actually fell in love with the location. The building it's self is actually 119 years old. When we took a deep breath and smelt the air in the church, you can actually smell the age. It is like you are stepping back in time and for a moment I could see this church in it's prime. There is history in this place and I would feel honored to have gotten married in such a historical church. What some people see as "Ugly" I see the beauty of what it is. I guess that is what make me a good photographer.

 

David Schilling, I love your story! That is amazing! I bet you got some really good shots from that wedding!

 

Nadia, yes I have shot in a dark church before, but it was my first wedding and I didn't know anything like I do today. That was over 5 years ago. I will never stop learing, because when I think I know it all is when I will no longer grow as a photographer. I know the "mind" of the camera and the lenses, and I know what looks good, but I still want to learn new and improved ways of doing things.<div></div>

I am meeting the bride and mother of the bride in a few hours. This has been a planned meeting for months now. It

is one week before the wedding. I received a phone call this morning from the mother of the bride letting me know

that where we have thought we were going to be having the ceremony, we WON'T be having it there now. It was

going to be at the "New" church that they were building, but because the New chruch has not been dedicated yet,

the elders of the church have decided not to allow the Bride to hold her wedding in it. So, she is now going to have

to use the "old" church to hold over 200 people in. The Old chruch may have potential though. It is a country church

and it was dedicated in 1909. I went and looked at both locations earlier this week and the old church is VERY

dark. It is Dark Paneling walls. Not very pretty at all but manageable. The Bride and Mother of the bride are

freaking out and I am trying to hold these 2 together. I am about to go meet with them at the location. I went ahead

and got the 70-200mm F2.8 lens and also the SB800 flash. I am thinking I very well may have to use the Flash in

the ceremony? I am going to take a few shots while I am there today so I can know what settings I need to have my

camera on for the day. I will post a few of the pictures when I get back so everyone can see what I am talking

about. If anyone has any Approaches that I could use for this let me know PLEASE! I think it will all work out

wonderful if my eyes and my ability as a photographer do not fail me...lol

I think the quesiton is really up to you. If you do shoot fewer shots than the next photographer than you should

choose the BEST of what you have to offer. I do not offer 4x6 prints at all to my clients. I actually make a hard back

bound book with images printed on the pages. I will give 300+ images in my book. That price is included in my

price for weddings that I shoot. I do agree with the ones who have talked about making the day a story to be told.

My books do not just have images in them. They have the story of the couples day. I will not tell you what I put in

them because I don't want to give away all of my secrets : ) but I will tell you to not only use your eye at a wedding,

but use your ears as well. I take anywhere from 800 to 1000 shots and I devote at least 8 hours to my clients if the

wedding lasts that long. Each photographer is different, that is why there are so many of us to choose from. What I

would say do is with each shot you take plan on it being your BEST image of the day, and with every shot you take

it will make your next one that much better. Keep reaching for perfection! Then once you set down and look at all

the images you took that day, break them down into bad, good, really good, and best. The ones that are your best

will be the ones that you want to offer to your clients. Never let them see ALL of them, because to them everyone of

the images are special. You are the "Boss" so you show them what you want them to see, as well as purchase.

Good luck and I hope I have helped you with your question.

Thanks again. I understand now why I need the flash and I am greatful for the answers. I will get the SB 800 and the power pack just to use incase I need it. I would hate to not have it and need it rather than have it and not use it. I love the little 50mm f1.8 too. It has done wonders for me since I purchased it. I actually purchased it after I got my new D200 and I love the look of what the two give me. This will be the first wedding I have used it in, but I know my camera and lenses so I have no fear...lol The only thing I have fear about is that I have 3 weeks to learn the speedlight! Looks like I got my work cut out for me. : )

 

Have a good day everyone! Thanks again for the responses!

Thank you all for responding. I do not plan on using the slower lenses when doing close ups or even ceremony shots, because I am under the impression that a flash can not be used during the ceremony. I do plan on using the slower lenses outside and would then need the SB 800 or 600 as a fill flash. The ceremony will be held in a new sanctuary but they have the "old" church which I plan to do bridal portraits and bride and groom shots in. The "Old" church has less lighting than the new one and I am pretty sure I can use the darker lighting in my favor for a few shots, but at the same time I do not want to under expose the photo as well as over expose either. This is where the comment from Shun and Matt come into play. If I use the 50mm F1.8 lens plus the SB 800 will I get an over exposed photo?

Hello, my question is one I am sure has been answered a dozen and a half times in some sort of way or another, but

I haven't found the exact answer that I am looking for so here goes my question.

 

I am using a Nikon D200 for an upcoming wedding. I will be using several lenses during the day. The Nikon AF

50mm F1.8 D, the Nikon 28-80mm 3-5.6 G, and the Nikon AF 70-300mm 4 - 5.6 G. I have always used Natural

lighting in the past in everything I shoot. Personal Preference. I am now going to use a speedlight to help with

shadows (bounce flash) if needed, but I am not sure which flash unit will do the job I need to do while the whole time

saving me a little money to do it. I have looked at both the SB 600 and 800. I am guessing that the only difference

really is the length of light you will get? Could someone elaborate on the issue at hand please.<div></div>