Need suggestions for flash settings for wedding

[mom51949]

New digicam, new flash unit (Sunpak 433D/GN 120), need help determining which aperature/speed settings to use for best results. Will be mainly indoors with available lighting, no windows. Also, should I take a white tablecloth to set a custom WB at the church with my new flash unit or can I do this at home beforehand? Should I shoot in Manual mode or ? I also intend to try a diffuser on the flash to soften shadows since I don't have a flash bracket.

Thanks for your help!
mom-- http://welcome.to/cassandras-gallery
http://photos.yahoo.com/clubsi_mom

 

[liza wallis]

New digicam, new flash unit (Sunpak 433D/GN 120), need help
determining which aperature/speed settings to use for best results.
Will be mainly indoors with available lighting, no windows. Also,
should I take a white tablecloth to set a custom WB at the church
with my new flash unit or can I do this at home beforehand? Should
I shoot in Manual mode or ? I also intend to try a diffuser on the
flash to soften shadows since I don't have a flash bracket.

I will ditto mom's questions and add one of my own. I was just shooting in the woods. Under the trees there was not a lot of light so I tried my new sunpak. As per THeo, I was in A mode and I set the aperture to 9 (I think). All my photos with action came out blurry... is there any way to avoid this?

Mom, have you checked out Theo's tutorial? Vulturesong turned me on to it and it was very helpful.

Liza

 

[TomD54324]

Mom,

Just did my Nephew's wedding. Did not have time to fiddle with WB, so used default.

I used external flash, manual mode, F4, 1/250th shutter speed.

See some of my new photos at the 69er page, click on me, backup to "folders, then look at "wedding" folder.

Comments appreciated.

Good luck on wedding shots!

TomD

 

[liza wallis]

Mom,

Just did my Nephew's wedding. Did not have time to fiddle with WB,
so used default.

I used external flash, manual mode, F4, 1/250th shutter speed.

See some of my new photos at the 69er page, click on me, backup to
"folders, then look at "wedding" folder.

Comments appreciated.

Good luck on wedding shots!

TomD

Actually Tom, your links have not yet been updated yet on the new Mugshot page. I am making my way slowly and have just finished mom. Since you are alphabetically challenged (ie... you fall at the end of the list) I have not gotten to you yet. I am hoping to have it all updated by later tonight NY time.

liza

 

[AJaye]

See some of my new photos at the 69er page, click on me, backup to
"folders, then look at "wedding" folder.

Tom the link isn't working yet to your site from the 69ers page. Can you post the URL please

 

[TomD54324]

I think this will get you to my pictures!!

http://briefcase.yahoo.com/bc/td1947

then go to wedding folder

TomD

 

[mom51949]

Very nice, Tom! That last one is gorgeous! I have a feeling the church I'll be shooting in isn't nearly as fancy. Hope there's a decent background for the group shots.

I've done several weddings over the years -- all of them only after having my arm twisted -- and they all turned out very nice. I am confident these will too, but I won't have much time to practice with the flash because it's not scheduled to arrive until Thursday!

I think this will get you to my pictures!!

http://briefcase.yahoo.com/bc/td1947

then go to wedding folder

TomD

 

[mom51949]

Liza,

Thanks for reminding me of Theo's site -- I'll definitely take advantage of his expertise! Sheesh, talk about a cram course before the big test!!!

mom

Mom, have you checked out Theo's tutorial? Vulturesong turned me
on to it and it was very helpful.

 

[mom51949]

Okay, what's the difference between shooting in M or A mode with external flash? Which is better and why?

 

[Ron H]

Hi Mom! Shot a wedding recently with my Olympus E-10, so maybe I can give you a few suggestions about shooting yours. Didn't havw my 6900 at the time. The E-10 is actually probably quite a bit easier to use for something such as a wedding, as it has the slr viewfinder and has almost no shutter lag and has very good low light capabilities. The 6900 does have much more shutter lag, so you have to plan accordingly. When you can, try to use manual focus, and then use the white balnce button to quick focus on your subject. The shutter lag will then by reduced considerably. Inside you will probably have to use the flash for your pictures, as I am sure you won't have enough light. If you ever have a ceiling in a small place to bounce off, you will get good results that way.Otherwise, you will have to use direct flash. Shoot in manual mode with a fairly wide open aperature, so as to give your flash range more distance. Set to something like f4 or lower and then match the camera aperature to your flash in auto mode. If you are shooting outside the flash will also help reduce the shadows tremendously. Outside I would shoot in aperature mode and then set your flash at least a stop lower than that of your camera. Also, make sure to use fairly wide open aperatures as if you shoot at one too small, your flash range will be very small. Also, you can check out this link at http://www.weddingbasics.com/photography/photovideo_check.asp to get an idea of the shots one might expect of a wedding photographer. Just took some pics today of a wedding that was being shot by someone else. I was just a spectator and managed to get a few shots off on my 6900. You can check them out at http://www.pbase.com/ronhep/fuji_6900_wedding_shots . Best of luck with your wedding and make sure to have lots of memory and batteries.
You can set your white balance at home for your flash.

New digicam, new flash unit (Sunpak 433D/GN 120), need help
determining which aperature/speed settings to use for best results.
Will be mainly indoors with available lighting, no windows. Also,
should I take a white tablecloth to set a custom WB at the church
with my new flash unit or can I do this at home beforehand? Should
I shoot in Manual mode or ? I also intend to try a diffuser on the
flash to soften shadows since I don't have a flash bracket.

Thanks for your help!
mom
--
http://welcome.to/cassandras-gallery
http://photos.yahoo.com/clubsi_mom

 

[mom51949]

Hi Ron,

Thanks for the tips! Your pics are wonderful; really beautiful. I thought about using my Canon A-1 to shoot the pics except 1. It's been awhile since I used it and I don't know if the camera is reliable (from lack of use) and 2. I like viewing the images on-the-spot so I can reshoot if necessary! I ordered a Lumiquest Mini Soft Box for the flash and may use it for the small group shots indoors or at least pics of the bride. Weather permitting, I'll try to take the group pics outdoors with fill flash.

That wedding basics website is great!!! I already asked the bride & groom to make up a list of their must-have pics. I'll also ask them to remind everyone who's supposed to be in a group shot to stick around until I'm through with them. The hardest thing about shooting weddings IMO is getting everyone to cooperate with the photographer!

 

[TomD54324]

Hi Ron,

Thanks for the tips! Your pics are wonderful; really beautiful. I
thought about using my Canon A-1 to shoot the pics except 1. It's
been awhile since I used it and I don't know if the camera is
reliable (from lack of use) and 2. I like viewing the images
on-the-spot so I can reshoot if necessary! I ordered a Lumiquest
Mini Soft Box for the flash and may use it for the small group
shots indoors or at least pics of the bride. Weather permitting,
I'll try to take the group pics outdoors with fill flash.

That wedding basics website is great!!! I already asked the bride &
groom to make up a list of their must-have pics. I'll also ask them
to remind everyone who's supposed to be in a group shot to stick
around until I'm through with them. The hardest thing about
shooting weddings IMO is getting everyone to cooperate with the
photographer!

 

[Ron H]

Thanks Mom. Remember the soft box will cause some light loss, and the best advice I can give is to some tests beforehand with all your new equipment and make adjustments accordingly.

Hi Ron,

Thanks for the tips! Your pics are wonderful; really beautiful. I
thought about using my Canon A-1 to shoot the pics except 1. It's
been awhile since I used it and I don't know if the camera is
reliable (from lack of use) and 2. I like viewing the images
on-the-spot so I can reshoot if necessary! I ordered a Lumiquest
Mini Soft Box for the flash and may use it for the small group
shots indoors or at least pics of the bride. Weather permitting,
I'll try to take the group pics outdoors with fill flash.

That wedding basics website is great!!! I already asked the bride &
groom to make up a list of their must-have pics. I'll also ask them
to remind everyone who's supposed to be in a group shot to stick
around until I'm through with them. The hardest thing about
shooting weddings IMO is getting everyone to cooperate with the
photographer!

 

[mom51949]

The light box needs +1 stop.
I'll have ONE day to practice!
Also taking my SLR and film -- just in case.

mom

Thanks Mom. Remember the soft box will cause some light loss, and
the best advice I can give is to some tests beforehand with all
your new equipment and make adjustments accordingly.

 

[Steve Howard]

I always use the manual mode, usually 1/500th at f5.6 depending on the depth of field that I'm looking for. As far as white balance, my sunpak 422 seems to be perfect in the default WB.

New digicam, new flash unit (Sunpak 433D/GN 120), need help
determining which aperature/speed settings to use for best results.
Will be mainly indoors with available lighting, no windows. Also,
should I take a white tablecloth to set a custom WB at the church
with my new flash unit or can I do this at home beforehand? Should
I shoot in Manual mode or ? I also intend to try a diffuser on the
flash to soften shadows since I don't have a flash bracket.

Thanks for your help!
mom
--
http://welcome.to/cassandras-gallery
http://photos.yahoo.com/clubsi_mom

 

[Harvey]

Mom,

I use a Sunpak 433D with another digicam in full manual on both the flash & camera. With a GN of 120 my camera is set at f8 for a distance of 15 ft. The Sunpak has an adjustable power level which I use to decrease to 1/2 as I move in 10 ft or even 1/16 at 3 ft. I've found that 15 ft is a good distance to take pics at weddings / receptions, using the camera's zoom to compose & capture the pic. For the bouquet & garter toss, I change my aperature to either f4 typically where i shoot at about 30 ft. I've found that my default external hot shoe shutter speed of 1/250 is ok. In the beginning I use to use 1/90 but for my camera either speed is ok.

I'm thinking about getting a 6900Z as my next digicam.

Good luck

New digicam, new flash unit (Sunpak 433D/GN 120), need help
determining which aperature/speed settings to use for best results.
Will be mainly indoors with available lighting, no windows. Also,
should I take a white tablecloth to set a custom WB at the church
with my new flash unit or can I do this at home beforehand? Should
I shoot in Manual mode or ? I also intend to try a diffuser on the
flash to soften shadows since I don't have a flash bracket.

Thanks for your help!
mom
--
http://welcome.to/cassandras-gallery
http://photos.yahoo.com/clubsi_mom

 

[Theo Lumens]

Okay, what's the difference between shooting in M or A mode with
external flash? Which is better and why?

I prefer manual myself. You have to set the aperture to the value that the flash unit provides via a table of scale, if you set the flash to manual that is.

Both Aperture mode and manual mode would be okay on the 6900.

With manual mode on the camera you set the aperture according to the table/scale on the flash and the time as fast as you like (but no faster than the duration of a full flash, see the flash unit manual for this).

When you use very fast shuttertimes, the pictures will really look like flashphotography pictures: white, bright and everyone 'frozen'.

When you use slow shuttertimes, the pictures will become slow-synchro flash pictures, showing the atmosphere/warmth of the place and freezing everyone to a certain extend. But some movements might be seen if there is still enough light available. Personally I like these pictures better.

By using Manual mode on the camera, I can control the shutterspeed. With Aperture mode I can't.

Good luck,
Theo

BTW can't you do some 'practice' shots in a local church before the actual wedding?

 

[RJNedimyer]

Also, you can check out this link at
http://www.weddingbasics.com/photography/photovideo_check.asp to
get an idea of the shots one might expect of a wedding photographer.

Ron,

I attempted to access this sight about 6 or 7 times and am locked out how do you gain access ro register your name and password?? As I mentioned in another thread I have not shot any weddings for 2 years and this will be my first using a digital camera. So any tips are welcome.

Thank you,

Ray
RJNedimyer

 

[mom51949]

Thanks Theo! I've reviewed your webpages on flash photography as well. I think I'll use the Manual setting but I'm wondering what shutter speed range will give the best results?

I may go to the wedding rehearsal the night before to do some practice shots.

mom

When you use very fast shuttertimes, the pictures will really look
like flashphotography pictures: white, bright and everyone 'frozen'.

When you use slow shuttertimes, the pictures will become
slow-synchro flash pictures, showing the atmosphere/warmth of the
place and freezing everyone to a certain extend. But some movements
might be seen if there is still enough light available. Personally
I like these pictures better.

By using Manual mode on the camera, I can control the shutterspeed.

Good luck,
Theo

BTW can't you do some 'practice' shots in a local church before the
actual wedding?

 

[mom51949]

Very strange. I was able to access it last night but not today. Well I have a book with the same information so all is not lost.

R J: Your local library or bookstore will have books on wedding photography. Best of luck with your shoot!

mom

Ron,
I attempted to access this sight about 6 or 7 times and am locked
out how do you gain access ro register your name and password?? As
I mentioned in another thread I have not shot any weddings for 2
years and this will be my first using a digital camera. So any
tips are welcome.

Thank you,

Ray
RJNedimyer