which camera mode and settings to use for wedding shots


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nismonur

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Jun 21, 2009
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I been approach by my friend to be his 2nd photographer, but i only had my canon 500d for 3 months and i am still in the stage of exploring my camera. i have also borrow the canon speed-lite from my friend, its either the 580 or 430. can't recall

in order for the shots to look good what mode should i set my camera to? the aperture and ISO settings?
 

I been approach by my friend to be his 2nd photographer, but i only had my canon 500d for 3 months and i am still in the stage of exploring my camera. i have also borrow the canon speed-lite from my friend, its either the 580 or 430. can't recall

in order for the shots to look good what mode should i set my camera to? the aperture and ISO settings?

Hi nimonur, may I ask if you are referring to the daytime shoot, or the evening Wedding dinner shoot?
 

I been approach by my friend to be his 2nd photographer, but i only had my canon 500d for 3 months and i am still in the stage of exploring my camera. i have also borrow the canon speed-lite from my friend, its either the 580 or 430. can't recall

in order for the shots to look good what mode should i set my camera to? the aperture and ISO settings?

the information you've given isn't really sufficient.
I don't think any wedding photographer can go to a shoot and pre-determine the settings before even getting there. So... with that in mind, it'd be hard to give you precise settings.

Basically the shutter speed cannot be too slow, else you introduce hand-shake.
You need to control the ISO and aperture in order to get the shutter speed to an acceptable range for handholding.
Aperture affects depth of field.
ISO value affects the amount of digital noise in the image.
can't really tell you more.
here's my BEST SUGGESTION:
Go and practice in a similar environment to the actual shoot.
 

Zero gave very good advice.

I just want to add on that you should also know what are your lenses capable of. How far can it zoom etc. This would tell you if you stand back or go straight up to get the right framing.

If you're shooting indoors, you can be brave and go for manual mode. Because after a few shots, you should be able to get the right exposure. And generally, indoor lightings don't change much and hence exposure wouldn't deviate by much.
 

try da get a f2.8 lens if possible...the low-light conditions require a lot of time for light to pass thru...
get a 50mm f1.8 to start wit as its cheap.
be safe try ISO at least 800...
WB depends...indoor wedding dinner i tried color temp 7700k.
if afraid exposure not bright enough can add exposure value +0.3-0.7 n shoot in A mode unless comfortable in M mode.
 

I been approach by my friend to be his 2nd photographer, but i only had my canon 500d for 3 months and i am still in the stage of exploring my camera. i have also borrow the canon speed-lite from my friend, its either the 580 or 430. can't recall
in order for the shots to look good what mode should i set my camera to? the aperture and ISO settings?

It doesn't speak very well for your friend and his professional attitude asking you to be 2nd photographer. Nothing against you, you are on the beginning to learn. But flash photography has a lot of topics to learn (bounce, diffuser, metering, exposure / flash compensation, white balance and others) - do you really think you can learn this just on the fly? If your friend wants to earn money form that then he should act like a professional: getting skilled people to do the job.
You can still go and try for yourself, can be an interesting learning session for you. But if I were you I wouldn't dream of taking the job where results MUST be delivered. Remember, there is no 2nd chance. It has to work on the spot.
 

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Try looking for the pre selected Wedding Mode in your camera.. maybe just after the sports or potrait mode. That would probably help you!
 

is it your friend's wedding or is your friend the main photographer...
 

If you do not know what settings to use or if you do not have any experience, just use the Auto or P mode.
 

wedding day event is mixture of different types of situation and various type of subjects, you should be competent in basic photography, familiar with your camera, in able to handle all these well.

there is no one sett fix all and able to get good results.

unless you get the itinerary, plan all the "what to take shots", arrange them into orders, than write down the suggested mode, setting and shoot accordingly.

if you really have no idea what to use, than just set to full auto and hope for the best.
 

i use 'auto' all my life. Dont understand why we buy a camera for such a high price and dun use its functions? haha... :)
 

Aiyo, dun worry lah. Just shoot many, many, many photos and something will sure turn out nice! Forget about the technical stuff. Go for the basic mode you're most comfy with and shoot away.

Of course, some practice is necessary to try out the mode you desire and the flash thingy. Then stick with it.

Seriously, you dun hv much time to experiment...but if you need need some hot tips, here are a few:
1. Since you ask, use ISO 400 or 800 for indoors
2. Flash, make it bounce up if indoors. Buy a simple diffuser. Use auto settings on flash.
3. Aperture - set at f/4-5.6 thereabouts.
4. Bring as many memory cards as possible.
5. Have enough battery power incl. for camera and flash.
7. Shoot in high res so that you can crop etc.
8. Must learn how to FOCUS!!! Even Auto-Focus needs practice! What destroys a good pic is OOF - out of focus.

Lastly, set yor fren's expectation right!

Good luck and have fun!
 

i will say yes if i'm ready , at least know what to do....in this case , just relax and and enjoy the shooting, the lcd screen for you to view and and make necessary adjustment, so u need to understand camera basic , else say no to your friend


cheers
 

will be shooting for my friend's solemnization, then follow by his actual day+wedding dinner, and my friend's uncle will be the main photographer. i do not expect myself to be able to learn everything on the fly, but at least produce decent shots.

i will play with my camera settings and experience for myself the settings i need on my friend's solemnization day. on actual day it will be tougher with a combination of outdoor indoor night day and noon.

will be using my kit lens 18-55mm, canon speedlite 430 or 580 depends on what my friend lend me, and also lens hood, i also been looking at wedding portfolio to see how ppl took those wonderful shots.

and lastly thanks every1 for their feedback
 

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will be shooting for his solemnization, then follow by his actual day+wedding dinner. i do not expect myself to be able to learn everything on the fly, but at least produce decent shots.

i will play with my camera settings and experience for myself the settings i need on my friend's solemnization day. on actual day it will be tougher with a combination of outdoor indoor night day and noon.

will be using my kit lens 18-55mm, canon speedlite 430 or 580 depends on what my friend lend me, and also lens hood, i also been looking at wedding portfolio to see how ppl took those wonderful shots.

and lastly thanks every1 for their feedback

Use Auto Mode or a mode where you can adjust your exposure. Indoor Low lighting not easy to shoot especially with flash.
Too much flash - over exposed and background lighting/mood/atmosphere all gone
Too less flash - Underexposed and blurred photo.
Be extremely sensitive to your settings and flash.
 

will be shooting for his solemnization, then follow by his actual day. i do not expect myself to be able to learn everything on the fly, but at least produce decent shots.

i will play with my camera settings and experience for myself the settings i need on my friend's solemnization day. on actual day it will be tougher with a combination of outdoor indoor night day and noon.

Intend to use my kit lens 18-55mm, canon speedlite 430 or 580 depends on what my friend lend me. i also been looking at wedding portfolio to see how ppl took those wonderful shots.

and lastly thanks every1 for their feedback
 

Best camera use for wedding, choose full frame regardless wat brands. ISO is tolerable up to 3200 with prime lens. Hence if u using camera such as the 450d. Stick to prime lens in or outdoors. Flash use for group shots only wen necessary. Lens apperture f1.4-1.8 is the best for weddings. :)
 

Best camera use for wedding, choose full frame regardless wat brands. ISO is tolerable up to 3200 with prime lens. Hence if u using camera such as the 450d. Stick to prime lens in or outdoors. Flash use for group shots only wen necessary. Lens apperture f1.4-1.8 is the best for weddings. :)

Waaaah, that's really bad advice!

You DO NOT need a full-frame camera. ISO 3200 is not tolerable, no matter what the lens. 1.4-1.8?? Your DOF will be so thin that maybe the bride's left ear is in focus and the rest not.
 

reconn said:
Best camera use for wedding, choose full frame regardless wat brands. ISO is tolerable up to 3200 with prime lens. Hence if u using camera such as the 450d. Stick to prime lens in or outdoors. Flash use for group shots only wen necessary. Lens apperture f1.4-1.8 is the best for weddings. :)

wah piang eh.... is your advice backed up with any experience using the equipment and settings as mentioned? Care to share the images for us to see?
 

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