Evening Wedding

[hmca]

I have been asked to take a few photos at an evening wedding this weekend.  I don't have an external flash so am thinking my  best options will be my Sony 35 1.8 or the Sigma 16 mm 1.4.   This is not something I am comfortable with and would appreciate any suggestions.

I don't have much experience with either of these lenses but am leaning toward the 35mm.   

[caspa]

Especially with no external flash it would be very useful to take at least the fastest lens (with the smallest f-number) you have.

In your situation I would take both your lenses.  The 16mm should be best for any large group shots and the 35mm more for closeup/portrait type shots.

To maximise image quality regarding minimising visible noise, remember to try to get as much light as you can to hit the sensor within your depth of field and motion blur/camera-shake requirements without clipping important highlights.

This recent thread might also help you -

photoshopelementsandmore.com/thread/6557/photographic-noise-explained

Good luck and let us know how you went 

[pontiac1940]

Helen

Reminds of of a UK photographer who was on a Sony forum years ago. He was a good photographer and had a great website advertising his services. There were buttons on his home page directing customers to his products and services: Fine art, product shoots, family shoots, etc. You click and get examples of his work. There was also a "wedding" button. Click it and the page had four words: I DON'T DO WEDDINGS! 

Now your camera has an APS-C sensor right? So that Sigma 16 is the equivalent of 24 mm right? By all means take it, but where I am going with this is even 24-mm is pretty wide for "people" photos. The results might yield an non natural perspective. The Sony 35 (~52mmm equivalent) will yield much better "perspective" and at f1.8 is still fast. 

Test your pop-up flash in your home. They are very handy, although can result is hard wall shadows. You can temper that by muting the flash with a small piece of tissue.  

Whereas, the f1.4 is handy for possible group shots in a room and low light (as caspa noted), the DOF (even with wide angle) can be frustratingly narrow resulting in some sharp faces and some out of focus. 

Get Brian to be a model in the condo lobby or in your home and do some tests for DOF, exposures etc. If you have access to the building prior to the weekend do some tests inside. Try both lenses.   

Good luck. 

Clive

 

[BuckSkin]

If you have Amazon Prime (quick shipping), there are dozens of easy-to-attach pop-up flash diffusers that will really help the on-camera flash; we have at least a half dozen examples.

One of my favorites has a plastic bracket that slides in the flash shoe and a thick plastic diffuser that snaps onto the bracket.

There are all manner of instructions and youtube videos about how to make your own from a piece of milk jug plastic.


I DON'T DO WEDDINGS either; and, after the last one, I don't think the wife ever will again either.

It is not the photographers fault that, in order to have a fancy wedding, one is actually expected to marry someone.

The more costly the wedding, the sooner the divorce; most won't last until the bill is finally paid off.

[hmca]

Thanks for the suggestions! This is not one of those big budget weddings....hence the reason I've been asked to take a few photos. There will be a real photographer for a short time who is not going to be there that long.

I will practice taking pictures this week at home....just getting familiar with what is in focus at the various aperture settings. You are right I am sure about the diffuser, BuckSkin. However, knowing me, trying to master something new at this late date will just send me into "panic mode". Will come back to this thread and let you know how it went...maybe even sharing a picture or two.

[srmoment]

Hey Helen, I don't envy you this task? I don't have any constructive feedback re your lenses and settings; you might, however, take a look at the internet for 'cool' wedding shot ideas. I saw one during my curling adventures where the bride was running down a lane, leaving one shoe behind her which was the focus in the foreground, with the bride in the distance. It was amazing! I know you are indoors, but perhaps there might be something different that you could take, AND.....members of this forum might have some ideas???

Here is one photographer on pinterest:

www.pinterest.ca/abisanny/indoor-wedding-poses/

[BuckSkin]

Nov 2, 2021 18:00:43 GMT srmoment said:

 I saw one where the bride was running down a lane, leaving one shoe behind her which was the focus in the foreground, with the bride in the distance.

This is assuming the bride is capable of running; the old sister may be on a walker and can't run anymore....


Here are a few examples of simple diffusers for pop-up flash.

We have examples of the first two, but I got them from Chinese EBay vendors and only paid about 1/4 the price = wait wait wait until it gets here.

The first example is thin as a card when not in use and takes no space at all to carry.

The second example is very simple to use; it just slides into the hot shoe and works.

The third example is Sony-specific and right now has a 20% Off coupon clicker (I also saw them for Canon and Nikon).

www.amazon.com/urjipstore-Universal-Soft-Screen-Diffuser-Ultra-Light/dp/B08KZKXZK1/ref=sr_1_11?crid=2GKDRIP3OMIIN&dchild=1&keywords=pop+up+flash+diffuser&qid=1635876871&s=electronics&sprefix=pop+up+flash%2Caps%2C1562&sr=1-11

www.amazon.com/BESTLIFE-Diffuser-Cameras-Background-Shadows/dp/B08FZYX2Q9/ref=sr_1_4?crid=2GKDRIP3OMIIN&dchild=1&keywords=pop+up+flash+diffuser&qid=1635876871&s=electronics&sprefix=pop+up+flash%2Caps%2C1562&sr=1-4

www.amazon.com/Diffuser-Colored-Transparent-CANMEELUX-Diffuser/dp/B0922FYXLH/ref=sr_1_25?crid=2GKDRIP3OMIIN&dchild=1&keywords=pop+up+flash+diffuser&qid=1635876871&s=electronics&sprefix=pop+up+flash%2Caps%2C1562&sr=1-25

[hmca]

My pictures will be candid.....nothing posed. I have checked out some pictures on flickr using the lenses I mentioned above. Again, thanks for the suggestions.