Hey there,.

I'm new to SLR as well but thought I'd chime in. Opening the aperture wider should increase your shutter speed? Did you mean that you increased the number, ie from 3.5->5.6 and hence that means a smaller aperature and would need a slower shutter speed?.

If you don't want to use flash and it's indoors, you'll need to get a fast lens. A cheap fast lens is the Canon 50mm, f/1.8. I just got that lens and it's incredible. Very fast. Focusing in low light is kind of tricky though. There are a few other prime lenses I have my eyes on, namely the 80mm and 100mm.

You don't necessarily need a prime lens to be fast, but it'll certainly be less expensive. Most zoom lenses that are affordable have variable max apertures so the longer end of it will not be as fast..

I know this question has been asked before, but I would pick up the Canon 50mm for around $80 and maybe look at the 100mm and 80mm, both fast lenses for around $350-$400. All of these lenses have gotten great reviews..

You could also pick up a slower lens that has IS..

Also, you don't necessarily have to be in manual mode to not use the flash. I usually shoot in Aperture priority mode and it doesn't fire the flash automatically. So you may want to try one of the other modes out, namely aperture mode, for what you are shooting. I don't use Tv mode (shutter speed) mode much since I don't take a whole lot of action shoots. Also, crank up the ISO some too if the combination of Aperture and shutter speed aren't working for you. Initially when I started shooting, I was "afriad" to turn up the ISO b/c of noise but I quickly realized that noise in the photo was better than bad, blurry pic.



Blog: http://novicephotog.blogspot.com/Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/9778447@N07/..

Newtophotography617 wrote:[snip].

I have been asked to be the photographer at a friend's wedding. Ihave accepted the job, but I think I definitely need another lens todo the job..

Probably, especially if you plan on doing the wedding without flash..

I shot some pictures at my brother-in-law's wedding inJune, and I tried using the Manual setting on my camera, so I wouldnthave to use the flash. Most of the pictures indoors turned outblurry because the more I opened the aperture, the slower the shutterspeed was. I have been told that a fixed lens will help. I dontknow what I need. Any suggestions will be MUCH appreciated. I wanta lens I can use for the wedding without having to use a flash, andthat will have a shutter speed quick enough to not blur the pictures.Also, recommendations on the focal length (ie 18-55, etc) would behelpful as well.



Hmmm...sounds like you are in a bit over your head. Are you sure you want to take the pictures of your friend's once in a lifetime (hopefully) event? It's a big job and it sounds like you have a lot of work and learning to do. I'm not telling you not to do it, but your post doesn't exactly inspire confidence..

BTW, I'm not a pro, and if the couple has zero money for a photog, then yeah, it may be beneficial to all, but from the questions you've asked above, it sounds like too much for you. For starters, the type of lens you're asking about can easily go over $2000. Are you prepared to 'gift' that as well?.

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Http://www.pbase.com/jfinite..

You had also asked for advice on focal lengths. Somebody with more experience than me will probably chime in, but in addition to the lenses I mentioned, you will probably need a wider angle lens too, similar to the range on the kit. There are some great lenses out there, I think I've seen the 17-40mm lens on here with very positive reviews. It will all depend on your budget. That lens runs in the $600-$700 range I think. But that might not even be fast enough for indoors, not positive..

Just trying to learn.

Blog: http://novicephotog.blogspot.com/Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/9778447@N07/..

Please keep in mind I do not know your knowlege or skill in photography when I ask this question. I am not trying to be insulting when I ask it..

The reason that I ask is becasue taking on a wedding is a BIG deal. If you are the primary and there are missed opportunities or bad shots, they will be very disappointed. It's not like you can ask to redo something because you blew a shot..

Receiently, I was asked by a family member to take their wedding. I said no because I did not want the pressure of making perfect shots. That is what a wedding party expects..

Turns out, my shots were not bad (definately not professional) and they were quite happy with my shots as a supplement to thier pro's shots..

I've read a lot of comments to shoting weddings. Make sure you are prepared for this event!Mike.

Just starting out and having fun at it!.

Nikon D80 18-135mmNikon Coolpix 3100 (Hey, I had to start somewhere)..

A wedding is huge. I would recommend you get yourself some more experience and knowledge in addition to equipment..

Before I shot my first wedding, I accumulated several lenses, two flash units, a backup body, etc. I also worked for a local wedding/event photographer for several months as an assistant/second photographer..

I highly recommend finding a pro in your area and offer to be their assistant for a while. They may or may not pay you, but the knowledge and experience you will gain from it is payment itself..

My most often used lenses at weddings:.

11-18 f/3.5-5.628-75 f/2.870-210 f/4.

If you aren't going to use flash and the wedding is indoors, I suggest picking up a super fast (i.e. 50mm 1.8) prime lens or two and use your feet for 'zooming'..

Speaking of flash, why aren't you going to use flash?.

Newtophotography617 wrote:.

I just recently (at Christmas) purchased a Canon Rebel xT. Thecamera came with the standard 18-55mm lens. I have been takingpictures of children mostly, as well as families. Mostly outdoors.The lens has worked ok for that, but I want more versatility..

I have been asked to be the photographer at a friend's wedding. Ihave accepted the job, but I think I definitely need another lens todo the job. I shot some pictures at my brother-in-law's wedding inJune, and I tried using the Manual setting on my camera, so I wouldnthave to use the flash. Most of the pictures indoors turned outblurry because the more I opened the aperture, the slower the shutterspeed was. I have been told that a fixed lens will help. I dontknow what I need.

I wanta lens I can use for the wedding without having to use a flash, andthat will have a shutter speed quick enough to not blur the pictures.Also, recommendations on the focal length (ie 18-55, etc) would behelpful as well. Thanks so much for your input!.

'I reject your reality and substitute my own' -Adam Savage..

Depending how much money you have, in order of priority....

1. Something better than the low-quality kit lens that came with your camera (e.g. Sigma 17-70, Canon 17-85)..

2. A 50mm f/1.8 for indoor pics without a flash.

3. A telephoto zoom for candids, close ups etc: Sigma, Canon and Tamron all make decent cheap 55-200 zooms..

Can you borrow a second body (camera body, that is) so you aren't messing about changing lenses all the time?.

Equally important: if you haven't tried it yet, for something irreplaceable like this, take the pictures in RAW as you have much more chance to salvage shots that are imperfectly exposed. There is free software (like Adobe Camera Raw, a Photoshop plugin) that will allow you to process them before converting to JPEGs. You can figure out how to use it later, just get the shots first!.

Finally get some extra memory cards...Mike..

Wrote the following for another person who was talking about shooting a wedding.i realize there are many pros who are wedding phtographers, so ignore this..

Many yrs ago I shot 2 weddings; one for a friend and one for my brother in law. afterwards I made myself a promise that I have kept: NEVER AGAIN.if you must-.

-do your research. there are plenty of web sites available. find out what scenes EXACTLY to shoot and what to shoot it with. make yourself a list of expected shots and take it with you. make it in order of the shots..

-check out the church and check out the reception hall. this means go to them. can you use flash in the church? ASK the minister without fail before the ceremony starts, preferably when you check out the church. are you supposed to be at the brides home BEFORE everything on wedding day for pictures? which pictures,of who, are they going to be there,who tells them to be there? I was for one of my weddings. my day started at 5:00am and I didn't leave the reception till past 2:00am. it was almost 24hrs on my feet.

At wedding and reception, pop or water only. you will be the soberest one there. your job is to produce pictures nothing else. what shots are needed at every place? of who are the shots at everyplace needed? where are these people? you are going to tell/ask anyone that you need after the ceremony to remain? if you do not ask them, who is?.

-get a external flash, as big as you can buy. also brackets,cables, more batteries(if flash takes extra), any other needed accesories. you do have more than one camera battery, right? and charger? do you need a12volt charger as well???-again. read. research so you know everything about taking wedding pics.-after reading. do you need any more lenses? what kind, what size, what fstop?.

- memory cards. do you have enough gb? if no, buy major brands only. do not take a chance on any great deals on memory cards. if you have el chepo cards do not use them, replace them. in all respects this is when you go with the best and most dependable equipment you can find.- consider a backup dslr. if you do not have one-buy, rent, borrow..

-you mentioned setting up your tripod and taking many pics with it. do you absolutely have permision of the priest/vicar to use a tripod at that location. do not assume. also the same question about flash in the church..

-find some way to talk the couple into using a wedding pro. this couple may not be your friends AFTER the wedding.try this web site-.

[URL is in our block list, either at the request of the site or due to spam]...ing-photo-tips-for-amateurs.htmlalso try this. it is a pdf file, 79 pages.http://www.aljacobs.com/NEW%20WEDDING.pdf.

You should read the following web site. very interesting.http://tips.romanzolin.com/articles/article006.php.

Where do wedding photographers learn their trade???.

By being an assistant to a PRO wedding photographer. do it without fee if you have to but get the experience.- and very lastly. THE VERY VERY BEST OF LUCK. you will need it..

Gary.

Another reply-.

At the wedding I was refering to I was in the house with the brides and all the bridesmaids at 7:40am, haveing arrived 10min earlier. at the reception I was shooting till about 2am when the bride/groom finally left. that ended up at just under 18hrs shooting. when I did this it was with film, not digital..

Though I have been asked, the one thing I learned was never again. the 2 weddings were done gratis, no fee, that was the wedding present..

If you want to do more weddings I suggest glen johnson's book "digital wedding photography". not cheap, but well worth it. I have not read it all the way yet, but my conclusion is anybody who reads the book will never do a wedding. he simply tells what you have to do to photograph a wedding...

Thank you so much for this info...very helpful. And yes, I do have a second camera body I can borrow. It is a small wedding, and they dont have much to spend on a photographer. I am really excited about doing it, and certainly wouldnt have taken the job if I didnt feel confident and comfortable enough to do so. I already have plans to get several more memory cards, too. Thanks again!..

I hope. Please tell us that you're joking.Rob.

Everyone, everywhere, has to do everything for a first time. There is no failure in failure, only in failing to learn...

Newtophotography617 wrote:.

I just recently (at Christmas) purchased a Canon Rebel xT. Thecamera came with the standard 18-55mm lens. I have been takingpictures of children mostly, as well as families. Mostly outdoors.The lens has worked ok for that, but I want more versatility..

I have been asked to be the photographer at a friend's wedding. Ihave accepted the job, but I think I definitely need another lens todo the job. I shot some pictures at my brother-in-law's wedding inJune, and I tried using the Manual setting on my camera, so I wouldnthave to use the flash. Most of the pictures indoors turned outblurry because the more I opened the aperture, the slower the shutterspeed was..

Interesting, the laws of physics work differently in my world. Lol, just teasing, but you have the concept backwards. The more you open up the aperture (lower number), the faster the shutter speed. I'm assuming you thought a higher aperture was more open, which is incorrect..

You'll see the number on the lens, something like F/2.8 or maybe F/4 That's the maximum (lowest) aperture you can use. If there's a range, it varies depending on the zoom..

I have been told that a fixed lens will help. I dont.

Know what I need. Any suggestions will be MUCH appreciated. I wanta lens I can use for the wedding without having to use a flash, andthat will have a shutter speed quick enough to not blur the pictures.Also, recommendations on the focal length (ie 18-55, etc) would behelpful as well. Thanks so much for your input!.

My recommendation: don't do it. Wedding photography is a big responsibility, you don't want to mess it up. Rent or buy a big flash for the reception if you insist. Learn to use it. Read, read, read.Good luck.-Porter..

I would recommend you try to get out of it. Wedding photos are very important, and what you have written shows you so far have too limited knowledge to be responsible for the photos of a lifetime, eg. "the more I opened the aperture, the slower the shutter speed was". Not understanding the most basic aspects of exposure will make it difficult to successfully capture a wedding..

If you do go ahead with it, you will need fast lenses, such as zooms with f2.8 apertures, and/or several good fast primes. A flash will almost certainly be needed, and a backup body is a must..

If you indeed will be the wedding photog, shoot & learn as much as you can before the big day, and good luck!.

PatcoA photograph is more than a bunch of pixels..

With respect., it really is hard to image a dumber plan..

In regard to >I opened the aperture, the slower the shutter speed was. <.

Uh? It does not work this way..

If you think it does, and if you are confident in your abilities and think buying a new lens will give you knowledge, you're worng..

If you want to not fail, first of all, buy a flash gun..

Second of all, buy a light diffuser, such as the Gary Fong Lightsphere..

For a low-budget, low expectations wedding, your kit lens is fine..

Set your camera at ISO 400, set the camera on manual exposure, and learn to set the flash on both minus one and zero exposure compensation..

For outdoor pictures, set the flash on minus one; indoors set the flash on zero..

At a wedding, the "official" photographer usually works quite close to the happy couple, between the couple (and other people having their phtos taken) and a ring or arc of guests behind you, looking over your shoulder and flashing their cameras, too..

Since you'll be close, the advice to buy telephoto lenses is just plain wrong..

Fast lenses, in the sense that f2 is "faster" than f3.5, are helpful, but only under limited conditions. When you open up the lens (which does not cause the shutter speed to slow down) you minimize depth of field. With a lot of lenses, at a lot of shooting distances, this means that the bride's flowers will be fuzzy, her face will be shapr, and her husband, standing behind her, will be fuzzy..

When she's feeding apiece of cake to him, you can coose between fuzzy cake and sharp mouth, or sharp cake and fuzzy mouth..

If you want to spend money on a new lens, buy a Sigma 18-500mm f2.8, so that you get the easier focus of a faster lens, and the brighter viewfinder will let you decide more easily when to press the shutter release..

Failur to use flash will result on fuzzy, off-color, photographs, unless you are relaly lucky about your locations..

BAK..

Dear newtophotography617,.

'taking pictures' and 'taking photographs' is a big difference. I am not sure about the reasons why your friend asked you to be his wedding photographer (budget, ...), but - and with all due respect - I believe that neither your friend nor you know what it really takes to successfully shoot a wedding. Wedding photography is far more than owning a simply owning a DLSR and pushing a button. It's not the equipment that makes the photographer, but it's the skill, knowledge and experience. You have to know about lighting - indoors, outdoors, ambient and low light, with or without flash, proper white balance, proper flash settings / compensation, metering and which lens, focal length and aperture / shutter speed to use at what time, to get enough bokeh ... do you know about poses that will make the bride look skinnier or more flattering and which poses to avoid? You have to understand timing and location, when to shot what where? Family, friends, relatives, other guests.

The list goes on and on ....

Do you have enough back-up gear to keep shooting on this most important day? If all of a sudden your camera dies, your battery dies, you drop a lens in the heat of the moment, do you have enough memory?.

What your a trying to accomplish is comparable to a driver's ed student trying to compete in a pro sports car race. Just because someone is able to drive a car around the block, doesn't mean he's able to compete in a professional race..

Again, even if you have the best intentions - stay away ... you won't do your friends a favor and nor will you do yourself a favor if you aren't prepared for the job..

Cheers,becksi.

Newtophotography617 wrote:.

I just recently (at Christmas) purchased a Canon Rebel xT. Thecamera came with the standard 18-55mm lens. I have been takingpictures of children mostly, as well as families. Mostly outdoors.The lens has worked ok for that, but I want more versatility..

I have been asked to be the photographer at a friend's wedding. Ihave accepted the job, but I think I definitely need another lens todo the job. I shot some pictures at my brother-in-law's wedding inJune, and I tried using the Manual setting on my camera, so I wouldnthave to use the flash. Most of the pictures indoors turned outblurry because the more I opened the aperture, the slower the shutterspeed was. I have been told that a fixed lens will help. I dontknow what I need.

I wanta lens I can use for the wedding without having to use a flash, andthat will have a shutter speed quick enough to not blur the pictures.Also, recommendations on the focal length (ie 18-55, etc) would behelpful as well. Thanks so much for your input!..

Newtophotography617 wrote:.

I am really excited aboutdoing it, and certainly wouldnt have taken the job if I didnt feelconfident and comfortable enough to do so.

I dont want to rain on your parade, and please dont take this the wrong way, Im trying to help, not criticise - but - read again what you wrote earlier..

Newtophotography617 wrote:.

I just recently (at Christmas) purchased a Canon Rebel xTI shot some pictures at my brother-in-law's wedding inJune, and I tried using the Manual setting on my camera, so I wouldnthave to use the flash. Most of the pictures indoors turned outblurry because the more I opened the aperture, the slower the shutterspeed was. I have been told that a fixed lens will help. I dontknow what I need. Any suggestions will be MUCH appreciated. I wanta lens I can use for the wedding without having to use a flash, andthat will have a shutter speed quick enough to not blur the pictures..

Youve had the camera since Christmas. You used the Manual setting for the first time in June, and most of the pictures turned out blurry and you think (wrongly) that the more I opened the aperture, the slower the shutter speed was..

Im not repeating that to make you feel bad. Im asking you to read it again, and understand, objectively and realistically, just where you stand at the moment in terms of your photographic skills and experience..

Im actually worried that you feel excited and confident after the above experience, and that your attention is directed to what lens should I buy. It tells me that you very much dont know what youre in for..

It is a small wedding, and theydont have much to spend on a photographer..

Sure. And Im sure they dont expect professional results from you. But - most of the pictures turned out blurry?.

Does your friend know where you are at, photography wise? Or do they just know that youve got a cool new camera? Does your friend understand what a very, very big thing they are asking of you?.

A photographer doesnt have to cost thousands of $. You dont have to buy the whole package, with the Vanity Fair sessions, the metal-bound albums and all the other extras. Look around a bit and you can find a photographer (pro or semi-pro) who will just turn up and take the pictures for a reasonable price. No, they wont be one of the citys top professionals, but your friend isnt expecting that anyway..

Please think this over..

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I've been in to digital SLR photography around the same time as you and from the limited information in your post I think it would be fair to say that in that time I have aquired more kit, experience and knowledge than you..

However the only way I would do a wedding is if the couple were literally as broke as can possibly be and the alternative was a family member with their point and shoot camera..

I would impress upon them just how new to this you are and try to convince them to juggle their budget and get a pro in to at least do the formal shots and you be second shooter to get all the candid shots..

Lastly I think you need to spend every spare minute of your time reading up on wedding photography, also buy as many well illustrated books as you can so that you get a feel for what is expected of a wedding album..

P.S..

In addition to the above I can understand why you are excited, I would love to be able have an excuse to buy a new fancy lens and do a wedding and make photographs that jump off the page with lovely colour and skin tones, where the bride looks like a million dollars etc. However in reality it is going to do your confidence no good when the photos come back looking flat and lifeless and you certainly wont be the flavour of the month with the nelyweds!..

I shot my first and only wedding earlier this year. I have been in photography for over 15 years and was also nervous before shooting it. There are a few things you must have..

Get a list of shots the couple wants. This makes taking the formal shots a lot easier, since you can check them off as you go..

You need an assistant. I had one of the wedding party help me. She had a wedding a few months before and was completely familiar with the shots the couple wanted to take. She also helped get the group shots lined up..

You need a flash. It must be powerful enough to bounce off a wall or ceiling, if they are white. Or get a difusser for it. The light should not be direct or it will seem harsh. The key word is "natural.".

You will need a tripod for the group shots..

I brought most of my lenses, which is quite a few. All I ended up using were my Sigma 17-70 @ F4 indoor and F8 out. It is a really nice zoom and far better than any kit lens. I also used my Zenitar 16 Fisheye for wide angle, mainly at the reception. I had an old thyristor handle type flash and it was a great thing to have...

Thank you for the advice. I have tons of videos and books I have already started reading and researching. Most people who replied to my question literally left me feeling like a spec of dirt on the bottom of their shoes. I appreciate you taking the time to actually give me the advice I was asking for, instead of making me feel like I am stupid, untalented, and incapable of producing quality work. I realize I have a lot to learn, and believe me, I know I need to prepare for this big event. And I plan to do just that.

Thanks for the input...

One small point - relevant to more or less any pics of people, not just weddings..

Try and avoid direct sunlight - it makes people squint; the light is often horrible and casts ugly shadows of their noses across their faces; and the white dress (if the bride wears one) will likely end up 'burnt out', i.e. bright white with no detail..

Cloud makes things much better and easier, with a more even and diffuse light. But this of course is not in your control. if it is bright and sunny, find some shade... or wait for some clouds!.

A pro would use fill-in flash, but if you haven't done this before, the wedding day itself is not the time to experiment..

Best wishesMike..

Talk about lighting nightmare..

You can't tell the bride and groom to move their ceremony under trees, or that they should wait until just before sunset for their our door reception..

I think I did well in most cases. A few times I had no choice but to shoot into direct sunlight..

A flash is your friend, as is knowing how to use it to fill..

Lighting can change in a moment also...so shooting RAW can help you white balance later on..

Have faith, don't let the old pros scare you away from "their turf" or let the people that never done it out of their own fear for that matter..

Here is the out door wedding I did this last Friday..

Http://www.pbase.com/ewhalen/ericas_wedding.

I used mostly the 24-105 lens, as well as the 100 MM Macro and 16-35 lens for a few shots..

Http://www.pbase.com/ewhalen.

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Shooting a wedding is a lot of hard work. Around here, a cheap wedding photographer will set you back about a grand. They will catch the important shots but do not expect anything special. If you want "special" it will cost you about 3 or more times that amount. So, the couple needs to realize that you may not capture anything that will go on the cover of NG but you should be able to do a reasonable job documenting the important moments..

I can understand some posters trying to discourage you. As I mentioned before, it really is tough, at least the first time you shoot a wedding. With some practice, a good body, lens, flash and tripod, you can do it. Practice shooting at events. Outdoors, practice using Av with different metering and AF options. Practice the same indoors this way and with the flash as well.

I do use ISO 1600 when needed..

With your DSLR, the most important lens to get would be a replacement of the kit lens. A sigma 17-70, Sigma 18-50/2.8 macro, Tamron 17-50/2.8 or Tamron 24-75/2.8 are good ones to consider. I prefer the first one I mentioned because it is fast enough, great optically and has a nice range...

Reliable web hosting for your pictures is also something I recommend lol.http://www.pbase.com/ewhalen.

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