Best Way to Photograph Evening Engagement: I have a client who is going to purpose and wants me to be out of sight from her. It's at 8:00pm so the light is not on my side. He asked if...

KMarcell Loc: Houston, TX

I have a client who is going to purpose and wants me to be out of sight from her. It's at 8:00pm so the light is not on my side. He asked if I could NOT use a flash. What would be the best way to do this and get good pictures.

Erv Loc: Medina Ohio

Hi K. This sounds like a hard one if it is going to be in the evening. Tripod and a very good zoom lens F 2.8. And hope you can catch them when they are still. What camera? And what lenses do you have? You might have to rent a fast lens.
Erv

Fransmunnik

K: If you use a DSLR like a Nikon or Canon, you may also try a standard 50mm f1.8 on the camera. Hopefully you use a DSLR with good tolerance for digital noise in which cas eyou take your ISO settings up to a high number without attarcting too much noise to spoil your picture

KMarcell Loc: Houston, TX

I have a Cannon 3ti and my lenses are the standard that comes with the camera, a canon EFS 55-250mm, and a canon 50mm.

Erv Loc: Medina Ohio

Your 55-250 will keep you out of the way, but what are the F settings on it? You are going to need a faster lens I think. F2.8 70-200 will get the job done if it isn't to dark. And that is a 2.8 all the way out to 200. Might look into renting it.If you are making good money on this I would rent. If you aren't, I would pass on it. Better to be safe than sorry with bad PR out there. I would also talk to him and see if you could use a flash. Just tell him taking pictures in darkness is pretty iffy.:)
Erv

KMarcell wrote:

I have a Cannon 3ti and my lenses are the standard that comes with the camera, a canon EFS 55-250mm, and a canon 50mm.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

KMarcell wrote:

I have a client who is going to purpose and wants me to be out of sight from her. It's at 8:00pm so the light is not on my side. He asked if I could NOT use a flash. What would be the best way to do this and get good pictures.

Bump the ISO up, and correct noise in post. Use the fastest lens you have. Would he be willing to rent a 70-200mm F/2.8 for you? You get four days for just $81. Be ready to crop the shot in post.

http://www.lensrentals.com/rent/nikon/lenses/telephoto/nikon-70-200mm-f2.8g-af-s-vr-ii

Remember, any shot you get is better than a perfect shot that you don't get. Looking back on this in years to come, they will want to remember the moment, not pixel peep to check sharpness and contrast. Get lots of shots.

David Kay Loc: Arlington Heights IL

KMarcell wrote:

I have a Cannon 3ti and my lenses are the standard that comes with the camera, a canon EFS 55-250mm, and a canon 50mm.

If the 50mm is an f1.8, you have a chance with that lens. However, if there is any movement of the subjects, you might have a problem. You need a very high ISO with a very fast lens on a tripod and subjects with very little movement. I wish you good luck with this.

pithydoug Loc: Catskill Mountains, NY

KMarcell wrote:

I have a client who is going to purpose and wants me to be out of sight from her. It's at 8:00pm so the light is not on my side. He asked if I could NOT use a flash. What would be the best way to do this and get good pictures.

They may as well blind fold you. :) I'm concerned your t3i with a 55 -250mm(F4.0-F5.6) just isn't wide/fast enough. Out of sight means how far away small room or amphitheater? With your rig you will need to crank the ISO way up which of course will add some grain.

If you want to get "good" pictures you might want to rent a lens. Of course what size is dependent on how far/close you will be to stay out of sight.

I you have a local mom and pop that rents lenses go talk to them and have the answer to distance(s) and lighting. I don't know how limited the choices will be for a fast lens on ans APS-C sensor, mount and 1.6 crop factor.

Basically more questions than answers.

Jcmarino

8:00 this time of year is still nice light in some locations. Where is he going to propose? Scout the location. Is there any artificial or natural light around? Street light, building lights, car lights?? Is there anything natural you can use as reflectors? Try to get them in as much light as possible. Use a tripod, high an ISO as you can, fastest lens you can get hold of. Shoot RAW and you should be fine.

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

Practice shooting at that location at that time to see what your camera is capable of. I agree, you really need to rent a high quality 2.8 lens.

Frankly, the best plan is for you to hide, and when he goes down on one knee, you run out and get the shot with a flash and everything....and hope she is saying "yes" as you snap the photo. Once he asks, she won't be paying attention to anyting or anyone. You will be able to compose the shot, you won't end up with silouettes instead of photos of their faces and what is going on, and they will have a photo to treasure, instead of some random snapshot taken from the bushes.

At least, that's what I would "propose" to him as a solution.

wilikioti Loc: Deep South, USA

KMarcell wrote:

I have a client who is going to purpose and wants me to be out of sight from her. It's at 8:00pm so the light is not on my side. He asked if I could NOT use a flash. What would be the best way to do this and get good pictures.

You claim to be a professional photographer yet you ask a question like this without giving any indication as to the gear you are using. Are you pulling our leg??

jeryh Loc: Oxfordshire UK

Don't do it- !

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

KMarcell wrote:

I have a client who is going to purpose and wants me to be out of sight from her. It's at 8:00pm so the light is not on my side. He asked if I could NOT use a flash. What would be the best way to do this and get good pictures.

Flash is the best way to go. Tell him if he wants a good picture you must use flash.

Pablo8 Loc: Nottingham UK.

wilikioti wrote:

You claim to be a professional photographer yet you ask a question like this without giving any indication as to the gear you are using. Are you pulling our leg??

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You beat me to it ...................Exactly my reaction, when the first line was ..."A client". I think 'Propose' should have followed.All sounds rather suspect to me. There have been posters claiming to be 'Professional Photographers', asking the most basic technical questions before. I will give advice to real beginners, but 'Professional Photographers' are at the same or similar level as myself.

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

Funny thing, I just got hired to shoot a proposal in the park last night. How we finally decided that we were going to do this is that I'm going to be in the park taking pictures of the flowers, etc. Then, when he goes down on one knee, I'm going to turn around and start getting the shots. As far as she'll know, I was already there, and I'm just taking photos of them, because it caught my eye. He paid for the sitting fee, and his goal is to get a 20x30 print to hang up at the reception along with some of their engagment photo session. It works, because the bride doesn't know me. I only know the groom from our meeting yesterday.