Cathedral shots

Adow2

Adow2

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668
Name
Alan
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Hi

I'm after some advice please. Please be patient as I'm fairly new but picking things up fairly quickly!

My Godson is being confirmed tomorrow at Liverpool Cathedral. I've checked and flash photography is not permitted. I have two lenses the canon 400d kit lens 18-55 and a canon 55-200. Whilst I can take long exposures taking architectural shots I'm a bit concerned about under exposing portrait shots of my nephew and his mates. What will be the lowest exposure speed I'll get away with any movement/blur? Apart from a wide aperture(f4.0 on both these lenses) and increase of ISO is there any other tips , tricks I could use? I know very little about post production, I do have Aperture 3 and Lightroom 4, is there any tips with regards to using them?
 
The usual rule is the inverse of focal length, so to stop blur on a 50mm lens you'd want a 1/50th second shutter. (This does change slightly because of cropped sensors).

However, stabilised lenses have rewritten that rule to some extent. I'm not a Canon man so I don't know if your lenses are stabilised.

Assuming they're not then the standard thing to do would be to use a monopod or tripod. If you can't use those then you will have to crank up the ISO. You can correct noise, and many other problems, but the one you can't correct is blurred images due to camera or subject movement.

As you're in a church I assume people will be fairly static, so it's not as if you have to freeze action.

Hope that helps a little.
 
Hi Alan

Which cathedral are you going to be in.Both are quite dark but do allow the use of tripods.That will get rid of any camera shake at your end.What shutter speed you need for your subjects will depend on how much they are moving.If they are pretty static you will be able to go quite low.
Like you said,bump the iso.I also like to shoot in bursts when there's a chance of blur.It's suprising how often you get a nice sharp shot in among all the blurred ones.You are going to struggle at F4 so good luck.Do you not know anyone who can lend you something a bit faster.

Gary
 
In your position I'd concentrate on getting a decent portrait outside the cathedral after the ceremony. Play to the strengths (good natural light) of your equipment and avoid the weaknesses (low light). It also avoids the whole "only viewing life through the lens" scenario.

Have you checked that they will allow photography during the ceremony? When my nephew was condemned confirmed there was no photography permitted during the ceremony (not for religious reasons, they'd booked a pro for shots during the ceremony and wanted a monopoly).
 
Thanks for all The advice n tips. I don't know anyone whose got a faster lens, maybe I should invest in one in the future. I beleive that photography is not permitted during the service but for copyright purposes(????) great idea about getting a few outside portrait shots! Defo do that and the idea of taking a lot of continual shoots inside. Just hoping that I find a well lit spot inside solve my worries and concerns!!
 
Treat yourself to a 50mm 1.8 prime before the event? Only about £80, you know you want to..
 
Another possible help would be to consider the use of CHDK firmware (I use it on my 400) which will enable you to use ISO 3200.

Results may vary, however.
 
Cheers Dorset dude I've been very tempted for a couple of weeks now got a few watching on eBay!! Not sure how I do the firmware update MikeT is it quite easy? I've actually got back from my Godson's confirmation and surprisingly found a good well light area in the Cathedral and snapped quite a few shots, whether they are any good time will tell in the next hour or so when put them on my mac!
 
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