no flash used in the church

[rick4.6]

Dose anyone have any tips on shooting a wedding in a church were you can't use a flash .
thanks for any help, Rick

[venchka]

Same advice applies now as way back when: Fast lenses, fast sensor, quiet shutter.

That spells Leica. Or similar rangefinder equipment. Perhaps a leaf shutter TLR.

But seriously, a monopod will help tame SLR mirror-shutter vibration. Otherwise, #1 & #2 still apply.

[fivegrand]

Your choices are:

Negotiate flash use for the event.

Use hot lights if you MUST have additional lighting.

As above (depending on how low the light levels are), fast glass and slow shutter speeds from a pod.

Change of venue.

[bondarnes]

Absolutely nothing beats a sturdy tripod. Fast lenses also help if you have them.

[WarrenG]

Fast glass is a must (rent it if you do not have it), and a tripod can be your best friend (but in a smaller church, it can get in the way really fast if your working by yourself) so keep this in mind or bring someone to help. You can also try contacting the churches wedding coordinator so you can get into the sanctuary before the wedding date (at about the same time as the service) to get some practice shots. After the ceremony, you can have the church crank up the lighting for formals if you prefer...

[sbp]

sometime it is crap that you can't use flash. don't ask don't tell.

I was in church they says do not use flash and I was without flash, eveyone else was using it.

There was another wedding after us and they was setting up light and had flash mount on their camera.

[ndsimm]

confirm the church policy if possible. I've been in Churches where I was told no flash only to find out that I could use it for the processional, but not the actual ceremony (which was understandable)

[venchka]

Originally Posted by ndsimm

confirm the church policy if possible. I've been in Churches where I was told no flash only to find out that I could use it for the processional, but not the actual ceremony (which was understandable)

Very good advice. Talk to the minister. Find out what you can/can't do and when/where you can do things from the source. Also, go to the church early, like soon and with the bride. Have the lights adjusted the same as for the ceremony. Figure out what is/isn't possible without flash. Rehersal isn't only for the wedding party.

I did weddings where flash wasn't allowed during the ceremony. The clients accepted it and didn't complain about "missed" photos.

[Armadillo]

a couple of sugestions, first and foremost I recommend that you get yourself an Expo disk to white balance your camera before shooting, otherwise your photos will have an overcast depending on the type of lighting being used inside the church. i recently purchaswed one and I am amazed at the difference it has made in my photography. second, use an ISO higher than 400 depending on how much lighting is available. a combination of ISO, Shutter speed and apperture but be careful and keep in mind that if you are shooting with shutter speed lower than 1/60 then a tripod is highly recommended. also remember that the higher the ISO yuor pictures will begin to come out grainy. Good luck

[el gato]

Originally Posted by rick4.6

Dose anyone have any tips on shooting a wedding in a church were you can't use a flash .
thanks for any help, Rick

The last time I shot a wedding with no flash, I used a lens with Image Stabilizer (Canon) set to f/4, ISO 400 and a monopod.

I ended up renting one from Fort Worth Camera at a very reasonable price. Perhaps there's a camera supply near you that can rent you one.

In my limited experience, most churches allow flash during the procession up to the time when the couple is at the altar.
No flash during the ceremony, then flash is allowed again when the groom kisses his bride.

Talk to the lighting person at the church and see if the lights can be cranked up a bit.

Be ready to re-shoot any images you want to re-stage right after the ceremony.

Hope some of this helps.

Felix

[AndrewCCM]

I shoot in churches that don't allow flash during ceremony nearly every weekend.

Bottomline: FOLLOW THE RULES. Rule breakers are what cause these tight restrictions. Attend the rehearsal and speak to the coordinator..Building a repoir there can often help (not only for that wedding, but others).

Heck the other day, we had a coordinator tell us no photos at all during the ceremony after the processional. We got that policy loosened last minute (out of town wedding too). Their reasoning was shutter was disturbing.

Regardless.. basically 9 out of 10 church weddings in the Dallas/Fort Worth area state no flash during ceremony. We use it for processional and recessional. Otherwise, tripod...fast (long) glass and high ISO. I often shoot at ISO 1600 or higher. This was but one of many reasons I switched to Canon.

For formals, flash is acceptable...It's usually only during the ceremony itself that's the problem.

BTW: There are a high percentage of churches that require photographers to be at the back of the church and/or in a balcony too during the ceremony. This is were those long fast lenses and tripod really help.

To be honest, I really haven't had any problems getting the shots that I have needed. Not the greatest images sometimes, but acceptable. I just make sure that the couple is well aware of the venue's rules and that we abide by them (it's also in the contract).

[rick4.6]

Thanks for the advice guys.