HELP! Please :)

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squirrelfool

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Name
Emilia
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Hey there,
I have been asked to take photographs at a christening.. my first paid photography job! Though to be honest I do not feel remotely set up to do it! I am very concerned about the low light in the church (worse as it is supposed to be cloudy also that day) and am unsure about how to make the photographs look good?

My camera is a Canon EOS 1000D and lens that I most often use is a 50mm 1.8. The photograph style the parents prefer is B&W, with dramatic depth of field.

I don't have a separate flash gun or any fancy equipment.

If anyone could offer any advice as to which settings will give the best results/ any other tips it would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks for reading :)
 
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Welcome to TP.

Have a search for christening and wedding on the forum and you'll find plenty of similar questions with lots of good advice (y)
 
Hi Squirrelfool. welcome to TP.

My advice based on your feelings, is, don't do it.

If you are not confident in yourself and your equipment that feeling is likely to carried over in the results.
 
I have been searching around online but can't find any questions/ advice specific enough? I basically need telling exactly what setting is going to be the best in the situation. I have real problems with low-light photography :/
 
I have to do it as it has all been arranged and it is too late top back out. the parents are aware I have no experience and I am charging them very little. I will be able to do it but could really, really do with some tips!!!
 
What lenses do you currently have? If you're going to be shooting in low light you really need something fast like the Canon 50mm 1.8 (nifty fifty). This should enable you to get some nice shallow depth of field shots in fairly low light.

If you don't have a nifty fifty already I'd advise picking one up. You can get them for around £80 new or cheaper second hand.
 
squirrelfool said:
I have been searching around online but can't find any questions/ advice specific enough? I basically need telling exactly what setting is going to be the best in the situation. I have real problems with low-light photography :/
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Don't do it!
 
OK:)

What is the widest aperture of your lens?
You really could do with at least a proper flashgun however you will need to see if the vicar will allow use of flash or even photography during the christening. They may not. Some recreate the parts using the font after the main service.

Can you go to the church at a similar time of day to the service beforehand. If so go and practice to see what you can achieve.
 
Sorry you say the lens is a 52mm. Have to ask do you mean 50mm with a 52mm filter thread? I use Nikon so don't know Canon lenses but not come across a 52mm lens.
 
squirrelfool said:
Though to be honest I do not feel remotely set up to do it!....and am unsure about how to make the photographs look good?
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Sorry to sound so negative, but why have you offered to do a paid job based on the above? :thinking:
I wouldn't offer to fix someones car without the correct knowledge of mechanics and the right tools for the job. :shrug:

Gareth


EDIT - I do wish you well and hope you come out with some decent shots and the couple are happy. But, you don't start the thread filling me with little confidence.
 
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I have literally no choice but to do it! Unhelpful and not helping the nerves. I do know how to use a camera and CAN take photographs in low-light it's just I could do with some extra tips as I am quite nervous and have never taken photographs for other people in this way!

Yes I do have a nifty fifty! yay! Aperture- 1.8 max.. I'm guessing I just need wide ap, 1/60ish exp and maybe knock the iso up a touch? And even the old rizla- flash trick.. ?
 
Go to the church same time day or so before.

Where is the font? (sp)

Is there any light on it?

Ask the vicar/priest if you can use flash? If so ,buy one.

Assume you mean the Canon 50mm F1.8? If so, shoot it wide open if flash not allowed.

Parents with child, together and individually, god parents ,grand parents, priest/vicar, any other relative the parents would like. Child alone if possible. Just use your head and think what you would like if in the same position.

I`m all for people having a go, but I don`t think your ready to take a paid job yet.Sorry about that, but it is my honest opinion.
 
All your going to get from me is DONT DO IT.

It is clear you are not skilled or equipped to take on this job, you dont even know what your own lens is.... :bonk:

These words may sound harse but why would you be so silly to take on a paid job that you dont have a clue how to do.

I tell you what i have a sharp knife think i will go and do some surgery :bang:.

The more posts i read like this the more i really do want to bang my head against a wall.

Just say no.
 
The people I am doing this for know exactly what equipment I have- exactly my skill level- have seen my portfolio etc.. I am not conning them in to thinking I am a pro!
 
Without either a fast max aperture lens or a flashgun you're simply not equipped to be doing the job at all! There aren't any magical settings which are going to help you overcome the lack of equipment. The only thing you can do is crank up the ISO very high which which is almost certainly going to result in very noisy images taken in subdued light.

I'd make your apologies and bow out - sooner rather than later.
 
I was also ASKED to do this based on a portfolio viewing- I did not look for this job or anything!! They liked my work!
 
Some other points just to advise you

Have you Public Liability insurance. This covers you for people injuring themselves on your equipment and for any damage to property you may cause.

Have you declared yourself to HMRC for purposes of self employment/ additional income?
 
squirrelfool said:
I was also ASKED to do this based on a portfolio viewing- I did not look for this job or anything!! They liked my work!
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Presumably though, your portfolio does not have much low light work in it?
 
squirrelfool said:
I was also ASKED to do this based on a portfolio viewing- I did not look for this job or anything!! They liked my work!
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We're not not trying to put you down, just simply trying to stop you making a big mistake you may well regret. You say yourself you have trouble in low light,t and a decent flashgun isn't 'fancy' equipment it's part of the basic essentials for this sort of work.
 
OK. When is it?

I am not going to be negative, what is the point?

Firstly, take it as an opportunity to get up to the level BEFORE the shoot. Use all your available time and resources (credit card included) to get some experience and necessary kit.

1000D will do for now. 50/1.8 - not brilliant, but stop it down to 2.2 or 2.8, take some extra shots and it will get there. Have a think about f/2.8 zoom or more fast primes. Get 430EX or 550EX flash unit (mk1 from ebay is absolutely fine). Get a cheap and cheerful ebay reflector. Get lightroom 3 if you don't already have it. This will sort out your gear.

Part 2. a) read camera manual in full, and make sure you understand and remember everything
b) then buy or borrow (library) a decent photography book. Read it and make sure you understand and can apply it in practice. It will get you another step closer.
c) practice practice practice, post here and seek for critique, then improve
d) SEE THE LIGHT and make good use of it, don't fight it.

This is doable if you have some time and willing to learn. I hope this is not for this weekend for your own sake.
 
Psi Fox- it is a slightly informal friend of a friend kind of thing and they are just covering my travel costs so no I don't have any of that. My portfolio has a range of subjects, light conditions etc like any normal portfolio.

Daugirdas- thank you for the advice- very helpful and much appreciated.
 
I'm sorry if you are seeing the comments here as negative, but we're a bunch of hoary old snappers who, on the whole like to see people developing their skills and are happy to offer professional advice without charge (well, sometimes, anyway...).

At the very least you should offer to do the job on the understanding that this outside your experience and that you will only charge if the results are any good. The point has been made about public liability insurance - are you aware that you may be liable if things go wrong? A christening is a little like a wedding in that it is one of the most significant days in the life of a couple, and that it MUST be done right the first time. If you make a mess of it, the couple could well take action against you. And that would not be a good way to launch a professional career!

At the very least I would suggest to them that they may like to bring in a more experienced photographer. That way they would not be able to say you didn't warn them!
 
squirrelfool said:
Psi Fox- it is a slightly informal friend of a friend kind of thing and they are just covering my travel costs so no I don't have any of that. My portfolio has a range of subjects, light conditions etc like any normal portfolio.

Daugirdas- thank you for the advice- very helpful and much appreciated.
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So it's cash in hand and if one of the guests works for HMRC.

Sorry but can't advise people trying to do things the wrong way.

You are being paid to do a job professionally, the taxman is due a share.

Similarly, doing this in this day and age with no liability insurance, is asking for trouble. This country is now very litigious and it is extremely foolish not to have this protection in place.
 
Definitely go have a practice at the venue if possible, and get a.flash unit.
Do you have any portfolio pics you can post out of interest?
 
I would use use your 50mm lens and set to aperture priority that will enable you to control depth of field and help with low light. To help with the pressure I would offer your services for free and then say they can buy prints off you after they have seen them! I am in a similar boat just starting out and this is what I am going to do to build up a portfolio we have to start somewhere and one event has to be the first just go out and enjoy the experience!!
 
No I do understand! I can understand how infuriating it is when amateurs get too big for their boots. I do have a degree in photography- just my specialism is more.. experimental.. like pinholes, throwing cameras etc.. so this is a very formal thing for me to do compared to usual.

Yes I have said all of that to them- as I said I am not trying to make them think I am a pro/ safe bet for fantastic results at all!! I will only charge them if the results are ok and even then it will be a very low price. they seem happy about it all otherwise I would have never agreed to it.
 
Do yourself a favour and get along to the venue ASAP and see what available light shutter speeds you can get. Check out the position of windows etc. You may get a shutter speed you can just about hand hold but find the group around the font has a window behind them, putting them in shadow.

I'm sorry if I sound like I'm putting obstacles in your way, but you really need a spare camera - if anything goes wrong, and it can at the most inconvenient times, people will expect you to have the kit to carry on.
 
squirrelfool said:
The people I am doing this for know exactly what equipment I have- exactly my skill level- have seen my portfolio etc.. I am not conning them in to thinking I am a pro!
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So you told them you had a 1000d... What did that mean to them? 99% of my clints would not ahve a clue what the difference is between a kit lens and a super fast L if i told them.... " o you use one of them big cameras with the lens thingy"

You have told them your dont have one clue what your doing?

And they have seen the best shots you have taken in great light that you put into your portfolio?

This does not mean that if you balls it up they wont be Pi**ed off big time. It also does not mean that if they trip on your bag and break a leg they wont claim for damages or even that if you do mess up the shots they wont claim for damages and rebookings.

You dont even have the basic equipment needed for this job and admit you have problems with low light which i am sure you will face. You should not be doing this job. HElp them find a photographer and ask that photographer if you can tag along as a second.

Again i may sound negative but do you realize just how often we see people basically saying " i have booked a job i have no chance of pulling it off on my own how do i do it" :bonk:

Even if you did not go out looking for the work and they came to you does not mean you cant say no.
 
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It's nothing to do with amateurs and being to big for someones boots.

It's about being prepared to do the job properly.

Your opening post says it'd a paid job, now it's only if they like them.

You seem a bit unsure as to your equipment spec. and don't personally feel comfortable with the shoot.

If someone has an accident that is your fault you could be financially ruined for years.

It just doesn't add up.

I have said go and practice so you know what is achievable, but also be aware of what the cost could be to you personally if, god forbid it goes wrong.

A "it won't happen to me" attitude is not a great way to start a business or career.
 
To be honest I didn't realise how important PLI is! It never really crossed my mind in all honesty- for this reason I have backed out as I don't think it is worth the risk- not when there are children involved!
Thanks you very much those of you who offered decent advice! I am going to get a lot of practice in and invest in a decent flash gun before eventually taking on any jobs.
 
p.s I typed 52 by mistake!!! I do know what my lens is. It is a 50,,1.8 and I use it all the time!! TYPOS happen sometimes so Ive heard..
 
squirrelfool said:
To be honest I didn't realise how important PLI is! It never really crossed my mind in all honesty- for this reason I have backed out as I don't think it is worth the risk- not when there are children involved!
Thanks you very much those of you who offered decent advice! I am going to get a lot of practice in and invest in a decent flash gun before eventually taking on any jobs.
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YAY :clap::clap::clap::clap::clap::clap: Well done mate. Good choice. I wish more people would use there head like you have.
 
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May I congratulate you on a sensible decision. Now go invest in some more equipment and practice in every environment you can imagine.
FYI PLI is available for under £100 for £2 million in cover so not expensive.

Please do stay around and post. We are really a nice bunch and everyone learns here:)
 
Remember though if you get around to more " one off events" you need to consider PI Professional Indemnity as well.

This covers you if you fail to turn up for say a christening/ wedding and it needs to be restaged or you are sued by the client for some reason.
 
To be honest I don't think I will stick around. I fully understand some people's annoyance at a stupid little amateur but to rip me to shreds for a typo and to speak to me as though I am a complete and utter idiot is slightly unnecessary.

Thanks to those who were helpful.
 
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