My first wedding: is 50-150 f/2.8 appropriate?

Felisek

Senior Member
This is a part of My First Wedding thread.

I took a few snapshots of bride and groom at home, using Sigma 50-150 f/2.8. This was supposed to be a trial for the hotel eating/dance floor shots.

I'm not entirely pleased with them. I just wonder if this is the right lens to use indoors. On the other hand, the wedding venue will be much bigger than my house.


This demonstrates one of the problems. To get two people in focus at 50 mm I had to use f/16 at which point my on-camera (reflected from the ceiling) SB700 was not powerful enough. This forced my to push the ISO up to 1600. Not good...

2MG_0735.jpg


This one was taken with an on-camera flash reflected from the ceiling. This, from the practical point of view, might be my main option at the venue:

2MG_0731.jpg



Here I tried an off-camera flash with un umbrella placed high, to the right. I can probably quickly setup an umbrella on a stand at the hotel, though it might be a bit awkward.

2MG_0744.jpg
 

Felisek

Senior Member
And here is my attempt on a 'formal' picture. I don't have any backgrounds and at the venue I might only have a bare white wall. Should I invest in a background for the real thing?

For this shot I had two YN565EX on reflective umbrellas. One high to the right, the other just next to the camera (on the left).

2MG_0777.jpg
 

Scott Murray

Senior Member
With the first few I am wondering why you would be shooting f/16? That is too big if you ask me. Try to position the bride and groom so that you can use f/5.6 or f/7'ish. And the single shot holding the glass f/10? Not sure why!!!

With the last even try for a third light if you can (window or speedlight) to get some lighting on her hair. It does look good but could be great ;)

When bouncing flash also remember to bring the white card/reflector out, this will put some front light on the subjects creating catch lights and some fill light in the shadows.
 
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Felisek

Senior Member
Scott, I took the first picture several times, starting with much wider aperture. I couldn't keep both subjects in focus, because they are at different distances. Only at about f/13-f/16 I got them both in focus.

Yes, I know about the hair light. I have three flashes, but I need one more YN622 trigger...
 

Scott Murray

Senior Member
And here is my attempt on a 'formal' picture. I don't have any backgrounds and at the venue I might only have a bare white wall. Should I invest in a background for the real thing?

For this shot I had two YN565EX on reflective umbrellas. One high to the right, the other just next to the camera (on the left).

View attachment 197984
I have looked at the venues and you have a lot of options of using whats there, just watch out for horrible fixtures like power points and air conditioners :) keep it rustic and old.
 

Scott Murray

Senior Member
Scott, I took the first picture several times, starting with much wider aperture. I couldn't keep both subjects in focus, because they are at different distances. Only at about f/13-f/16 I got them both in focus.

This is why I mentioned positioning the bride and groom to suit. Sorry I thought you wanted advice/help.
 
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Scott Murray

Senior Member
Good point, didn't think about it. Perhaps a small LED lamp on the floor, behind the subjects?
I would suggest having it off to the side but a bit behind the subject to the cameras left or right depending on the shot and composition, I honestly wouldn't go right behind but it may work, all I can say is practice now with different angles and placements and see what effects it has.

Also I would have it higher than the subjects.

Have a play on this site.

Foundations of Lighting Placement
 
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hark

Administrator
Staff member
Super Mod
Contributor
Be sure to find out if there are any restrictions during the ceremony. If the wedding will be held at a church, sometimes they only allow photographers to shoot from one place (no moving around). If so, a telephoto such as this might be good. And some churches won't allow flash during a wedding, but you need to find out ahead of time.

For receptions, quite often wider lenses than 50mm are used especially when shooting DX. And you might want a wider lens to photograph the people in the bridal party. BTW, a wider lens will allow more DOF at larger apertures than telephoto lenses. I don't shoot weddings so I can't offer you any specifics. I'm not sure if taking an umbrella would be acceptable for a wedding. There are other, more portable ways of diffusing the light.

No doubt some of the members who shoot weddings will weigh in with specifics. Good luck!!!
 
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