candle lit wedding?

Question

I need to know from the photograph a candle lit wedding

Answer 1

I know I'll probably get a lot of thumbs down for this, but sometimes the truth hurts.

IF YOU NEED TO ASK THIS QUESTION, THEN YOU ARE NOT READY TO SHOOT WEDDINGS!!

Just don't do it.

Answer 2

This calls for the fastest lens you can buy - an 85mm f1.4 if at all possible. A tripod is also needed, even if the lens has Image Stabilization. Forget about flash - its almost never allowed during the ceremony.

Try to position yourself so you can shoot the couple from the front as they exchange vows, etc. Check out the church before the wedding. Attend the rehearsal. You'll be shooting the processional so you can work with the flower girl, ring bearer and bridesmaids and have them pause while you take the photos. Same with the bride as she is escorted down the aisle. All the way till she is presented to the groom. Then make tracks for your spot out of sight behind the altar where your tripod awaits. Don't forget to disarm the flash.

Your camera must be in Manual Mode. Use a cable release if your camera accepts one; if not, use the camera's self-timer at its fastest setting.

Here are some suggestions for exposures.

ISO 400

f1.4 @ 1/30 sec
f2 @ 1/15 sec.
f2.8 @ 1/8 sec.
f4 @ 1/4 sec.
f5.6 @ 1/2 sec.
f8 @ 1 sec.

If your camera has really good Noise Reduction Circuitry:

ISO 800

f1.4 @ 1/60 sec.
f2 @ 1/30 sec.
f2.8 @ 1/15 sec.
f4 @ 1/8 sec.
f5.6 @ 1/4 sec.
f8 @ 1/2 sec.

If you absolutely have no choice other than ISO 1600:

f1.4 @ 1/125 sec.
f2 @ 1/60 sec.
f2.8 @ 1/30 sec.
f4 @ 1/15 sec.
f5.6 @ 1/8 sec.
f8 @ 1/4 sec.

These suggestions should get you in the game.

Good luck!

Answer 3

Pay attention to the two above me. If you have to ask....don't do it.

The truth is, you need the fastest lens possible, at least f/1.4, or even a noct or 1.2, a tripod, high ISO, and experience. Even then, depending on how dark it is, many of the shots may be unusable due to subject movement. In dim candlelight, I always ask for a quick re-enactment of the important parts, like the ring exchange, unity candle, etc. Then you gel your flash to match the ambient to avoid destroying the mood with overpowering strobe light. It is not a job for inexperienced wedding photographers. Period.

EDIT: VR or IS is not enough for candlelight only ceremonies. The lens may help camera shake by a stop or a bit more, but it doesn't do diddley squat for subject movement, and it won't get you any more light via larger aperture. Great for some applications, but not here.

Answer 4

It's very technical.

I'd suggest you use a tripod for a start and secondly do some test exposures, you could try flash exposures + bleed (i.e. in manual so you can set a long shutter speed / longer than the flash synch speed of 1/60 or 1/125 second anyway) which will enable the background (candle light) to register and warm the image.

You can experiment with ISO settings to reduce grain / noise as much as possible but may main tip is not to overdo the flash or you'll kill the available light and ruin the atmosphere.

Good luck!!!

Answer 5

Crazy!

Use a camera that allows a high ISO setting with minimal noise (rent a digital medium format or a full-frame-sensor Canon body). Get comfy with noise reduction in post processing, like Noise Ninja or Neat Image for Photoshop. Use IS or VR lenses (Canon/Nikon speak for image stabilized).

Answer 6

tripod will be essential, and try to take shots when there are natural still moments in the service. most of your work will require a wide apeture lens setting so focus will be critical
with a asa of 400 most of your shutter speeds will be from 1/30th to 1 sec !!!!!

Answer 7

Well, Gryphon kinda nailed it, but if you put your camera on a tripod, stuck it on AUTO and used the remote I'll bet you'd get some pretty cool shots.

Sellable shots? That's something else.

Hope this helps.

Answer 8

know I'll probably get a lot of thumbs down for this, but sometimes the truth hurts.

IF YOU NEED TO ASK THIS QUESTION, THEN YOU ARE NOT READY TO SHOOT WEDDINGS!!

Just don't do it.