HELP!!

[Scuba]

Honestly there is no way you can do this with your equipment. Your camera does not have the capability in low light. I think the church will be a disaster as they will be too dark or blurry. I think the only chance you have is to rent some glass. With your body and lack of ISO capability I think you may even need some primes that are even faster then f/2.8. But if you are dead set on this I think the advice on glass above is the way to go. 24-70 2.8 and the 70-200 2.8 IS. This is the only way. There is no consumer grade glass other then primes that could pull this off. I would rent the glass for the weekend and practice the day before or something. I also like the idea of going to the church with what you got and see how things turn out like pgriz said. Aside from equipment there is a ton to learn about weddings before you can accept as well. You need to know where to be when so you don't just miss the shots. Also you need to learn posing for family shots etc. Finally the fact that you are posting this in the beginners section to me means that you don't have the confidence in yourself to do this and are too new to your camera to fully understand it to even make this adventure possible. With your weakness in the equipment you need to be able to pull every bit of performance out of your body and unless you know your camera in and out I just don't think this is possible. And I think you have a better chance of ruining a friendship here.

 

[Dao]

Thank you all so much for your help. To answer some of your comments, I have already informed my friend that I am not a professional and she should reconsider the idea of having me photograph her big day. She insisted on me doing it and was not worried about "professional" photos, she wants fun photos and since I have a "nice" camera she asked me. I just wanted to know about a lens or setting for the church so the photos don't come out dark and wanted to get a good lens to zoom in closer so I am not right on top of them taking photos while they are saying their vows.

Sometimes, it is not Professional photo vs snapshot. If no flash is allow, it could mean snapshot vs dark/blurry/do not know who is in the photo type case.

I am not a wedding photographer, but I do agree with others. If you insist, make sure she know there are chance that you are not able to deliver a snapshot during the critical moment. If she is fine with that, why not.

I do not think anyone can offer what settings you need to set your camera. It all depends on the condition at the time of taking the photo. As for the lens recommendation, you just need a fast lens that allow you to use a wide aperture such as f/2.8 or wider (smaller f/#). Fast standard zoom or telephoto zoom lenses. You may need to bump your ISO up to obtain a faster shutter speed.

 

[The_Traveler]

If your friend will chip in and pay then rent a fast body and faster lens or two. (about 350 for two weeks body and two lenses)

-and don't ask your friend to pose for two reasons. First, she is insanely busy and wrought up; second, she will then concentrate on the situation and poses and will have expectations that you can't meet.

 

[Jeremy Z]

I disagree with the people who say to refuse. That is no way to treat a friend in need.

If it is going to be a big, fancy wedding, and your friend is a Bride-zilla and just trying to be cheap with photography, then yes, tell them no. But if she is just not rich and just wants pix or snapshots to commemorate the occasion, then by all means, go ahead!

Instead, I suggest you set the expectations accordingly. Let them know that you will do your best, but you are not making any guarantees. Show them your prior people pictures. Are they good enough for them? Are you doing this for free? I suggest you do. Make it your wedding gift to them. Then, they cannot get all nasty and sue you or something, since you're doing it as a favor. (I don't know how close of a friend you are )

Rebel XS is a film camera, right? What lenses do you have for it already?

No-flash wedding means use fast flim (or high sensitivity) and a fast lens. A 50mm f/1.8 is a good one, and also a 28mm f/2.8. (for those groups shots where you can't back up any further)

If you can manage it, go and practice first in similar lighting.

 

[jwbryson1]

How many guests are expected to attend this event?

 

[cgipson1]

Thank you all so much for your help. To answer some of your comments, I have already informed my friend that I am not a professional and she should reconsider the idea of having me photograph her big day. She insisted on me doing it and was not worried about "professional" photos, she wants fun photos and since I have a "nice" camera she asked me. I just wanted to know about a lens or setting for the church so the photos don't come out dark and wanted to get a good lens to zoom in closer so I am not right on top of them taking photos while they are saying their vows.

The biggest issue with your request.. is that we have no idea of the lighting in the church, whether you are allowed to use flash, whether you know how to use flash, etc! You probably need to use a higher ISO (1600, 3200, 6400) based on the lighting you see when you get there.. and hopefully your camera will do that, and do it well. I don't know Canon lenses at all.. but you will need a lens with low light capability... somewhere in the 1.4 to 2.8 minimum aperture range (with constant aperture capability). You may want a zoom to be able to get some different shots without having to to resort to moving back and forth (lenses are available for rent in several places). Good luck!

 

[cgipson1]

I disagree with the people who say to refuse. That is no way to treat a friend in need.

And WHAT If... she gets roll after roll of badly underexposed and/or OOF shots.. that are not salvageable? Is that really the way to treat a friend?

 

[Dao]

I disagree with the people who say to refuse. That is no way to treat a friend in need.

And WHAT If... she gets roll after roll of badly underexposed and/or OOF shots.. that are not salvageable? Is that really the way to treat a friend?

That's why my friend ask me to fix his computer, not fix his house even I have some nice power tools.

 

[Dao]

I remember I saw some wedding photos here before or link to the photos from here that the wedding couple were badly underexposed. No fill light nor meter the on the couple. But the sky were exposed correctly though. Well, at least someone were getting married on that day, that's all I can tell from that photo.

 

[Scuba]

Rebel XS is a film camera, right?

no this is a digital. Model year after the xt and xti and just before the t1i. I believe 10.x MP. I have the xsi which is 12.2 MP.

 

[Dao]

I think Canon do have a camera called Rebel XS as a film based camera while the Rebel people talks about nowadays are Digital Rebel series. So for there is a Rebel XS and a Digital Rebel XS.

 

[thereyougo!3]

If I were your friend and genuinely didn't have the money for a photographer (I would sacrifice other things first and did, in my wedding, but that's another matter) I wouldn't ask for a specific photographer but just ask friends in the invitation to take photos and give copies of the files to the bride and groom after the event. That way it's no ONE friend's fault for any particular failings as NOONE was tasked individually. It's all or nothing on this one. Encourage your friend to budget elsewhere and hire a photographer - perhaps if the official photographer did the most difficult photographs in the dark venue and you took up the easier, fun shots. That might be a compromise to keep the cost down. Otherwise all friends should muck in and the bride and groom could then make a premium scrap book of their friends' pictorial account of the day.

Edited to add: I took additional photos at my brother's wedding, but would never have volunteered to be the official photographer. I have, however processed my favourites and given him and his wife 18 x 12's of them

 

[MLeeK]

Thank you all so much for your help. To answer some of your comments, I have already informed my friend that I am not a professional and she should reconsider the idea of having me photograph her big day. She insisted on me doing it and was not worried about "professional" photos, she wants fun photos and since I have a "nice" camera she asked me. I just wanted to know about a lens or setting for the church so the photos don't come out dark and wanted to get a good lens to zoom in closer so I am not right on top of them taking photos while they are saying their vows.

The thing is your camera isn't capable of the settings needed inside a typical dark church. That is what I am trying to tell you. Even with the f/2.8 lenses your camera isn't able to do it. It does not have the ISO capability. It maxes out at ISO 3200 if you expand your ISO and it's going to have noise problems. The rest of it you can get some great snapshots with beautiful results for. You'll need a speedlight and the two f/2.8 lenses I mentioned before.

 

[Scuba]

MLeek, it doesn't get to 3200 it maxes out at 1600 when expanded. Normal is 100-800.

 

[thereyougo!3]

I disagree with the people who say to refuse. That is no way to treat a friend in need.

If it is going to be a big, fancy wedding, and your friend is a Bride-zilla and just trying to be cheap with photography, then yes, tell them no. But if she is just not rich and just wants pix or snapshots to commemorate the occasion, then by all means, go ahead!

Instead, I suggest you set the expectations accordingly. Let them know that you will do your best, but you are not making any guarantees. Show them your prior people pictures. Are they good enough for them? Are you doing this for free? I suggest you do. Make it your wedding gift to them. Then, they cannot get all nasty and sue you or something, since you're doing it as a favor. (I don't know how close of a friend you are )

Rebel XS is a film camera, right? What lenses do you have for it already?

No-flash wedding means use fast flim (or high sensitivity) and a fast lens. A 50mm f/1.8 is a good one, and also a 28mm f/2.8. (for those groups shots where you can't back up any further)

If you can manage it, go and practice first in similar lighting.

Manage their expectations? How would you want your photography to be remembered after the event? "Ah well, xxx did his best, he's got a good camera, but that was all he could manage with what he had". I have the right equipment to get by in a church wedding with no flash allowed. I shot at a church wedding with good natural light and I'm happy with how they came out. I'm still glad I wasn't my brother's only hope.

If they really can't afford a single official photography I would stick with my all friends together suggestion. Then it becomes a recollection from all friends and changes the emphasis. Better still just hire a pro for the ceremony and get friends to do everything else.