Advice needed - non flash photography

[carollee]

I've just sent a panicked email to Esther but will put the same question out here in case she's not home tonight and cross fingers someone here will be awake and answer.

I'm going to a church service tomorrow, it is for a friend, and it is a solemn occasion. The lady who is arranging it for her family has asked me to take some photos for her.

Obviously unintrusive ones and obviously without a flash being in a church. She knows I'm just a happy snapper, but I guess out of all our friends, my happy snaps might be a bit better than anyone else she knows.

I'm panicked. What do I do? Can I just shoot on auto (sorry Katrina!!) or what would be the best settings.

I only have the 2 kit lenses. 3.5-5.6 / 18-70 and 4-5.6 / 55-200

I'm completely stuffed aren't I ?

[Amson]

I am no expert but I'd just bump up the ISO to be able to get a fast enough photo. I have taken some photos lately with ISO at 2000 and was so surprised that they printed out so well.

Hope someone else has some advice. Good luck!

[carollee]

OKay, I had a practice tonight in the loungeroom, I did that, although I didn't go quite up to 2000, but found if I held it still enough it was reasonable. Thanks Carolyn. Arrrrgh I'm still panicking.

[Aino]

I am guessing the 18-70 is the probably the best lens for this - unless you can run out an get yourself a 50mm f1.8 which is cheap....???

Yes, bump up your ISO and keep still. I would shoot Manual probably. If you shoot Auto, then the onboard flash will just pop up, wouldn't it?

[luv2cre8]

I agree with Aino, I think the 18-70 is your best bet. Bump up the ISO as high as it will go, keep your lens as wide open as you can (3.50) and keep an eye on your shutter speed (ideally I like mine to be 125 to stop the blur). Good luck Carol!

[esther_a]

I am, too, home tonight!!
Just got your email.
I'm no photo guru, but I'd guess that you want to be as close as you can (without being intrusive) and let in as much light as possible. So your 18-70 would be what I'd try, with high ISO (my camera goes grainy, but you'll know how well yours copes) and on aperture priority.
Pity I can't email my f2.8 lens to you!

[katrinak]

I'd go with the 18-70 because it is your widest aperture.

Shoot with a high ISO as has been mentioned at an aperture of f3.5. Brace yourself or use a tripod as your shutter speeds will probably be slow. Expose for faces as much as you can and really watch for where the light is, kwim?

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

And yes, you could shoot on auto, just be mindful of turning your flash off

[carollee]

Thank you all, I so much appreciate it.

[Joey_M]

You might already be gone, Carol, but you might want to shoot in RAW so that you can color correct and have more correction abilities. Good luck! I know that you will do well!

[carollee]

I'm back. I spoke to the minister early on and he didn't mind flash photography, but I still didn't do it. I took some photos of the minister speaking and they turned out okay. But when the family did readings and then tears flowed, it felt just too intrusive. Outside they had all the kiddies release balloons so I got some good shots there and their two little boys released two white doves, got a wonderful shot there, so I'm happy with the photos I got. I didn't know what the type of service was going to be, and when I met up with her there before hand she said she was happy to just get the balloon release and the doves and anything else was a bonus, so glad I was able to do that.

I really appreciate your advice in my panicked state last night.