I need a little help with photographing for my church
Jul 5, 2018 08:34:08 #
Shoot raw. Then the only settings that matter are ISO, aperture, shutter speed and focus. I generally use auto white balance and aperture priority. I adjust ISO for the situation: moderate ISO for outdoors, higher for indoors.
Don't be afraid of high ISO if it's needed for indoor work. A little noise won't hurt. It sounds like your photos will be used for church PR and documentation. If it's for web use and newsletters, noise is mostly unimportant because the image size is small. If it's for mementos for the workers, you probably won't be printing them larger than 8x10.
The suggestion above to pick a spot and take a photo from that spot every day is good. It can really show the differences between one day and the next.
Don't be afraid of high ISO if it's needed for indoor work. A little noise won't hurt. It sounds like your photos will be used for church PR and documentation. If it's for web use and newsletters, noise is mostly unimportant because the image size is small. If it's for mementos for the workers, you probably won't be printing them larger than 8x10.
The suggestion above to pick a spot and take a photo from that spot every day is good. It can really show the differences between one day and the next.
Jul 5, 2018 08:45:21 #
I think you've all overlooked the obvious. You're in a church, birdman. Who would know best? All you have to do is pray for advice.
Jul 5, 2018 08:53:05 #
This is just my opinion, but I would balance the flash first, by taking test shots in the sunlight at f7 or higher. (If no people are available for test shot, use a power pole or a tree or whatever), and then adjust the shutter speed to match the background (or even under-expose the background just a tiny bit). Don't be afraid to manually adjust your ISO settings if you have passing clouds, and use your shutter speed strictly to balance the flash.
If you decide to leave your flash on, you will get face fill when needed, but still have balanced background when you are just focusing on the building.
If you decide to leave your flash on, you will get face fill when needed, but still have balanced background when you are just focusing on the building.
Jul 5, 2018 09:23:58 #
gvarner
Loc: Central Oregon Coast
I would use Program mode and a limited array mode for the metering. Avoid high contrast scenes if possible. In all flash shots, use a diffuser and the following: flash in TTL mode, camera in Manual, ISO 400, F4.5, shutter at 1/200. That will cover about 95% of your indoor flash needs. The high shutter speed reduces the impact of ambient light and the flash with TTL controls exposure on the subject. You can increase the ISO for a little more reach with the flash and change the F stop to affect DoF as needed.
Jul 5, 2018 09:38:18 #
Pablo8 wrote:
Just get on with it, stop whining.
Come on, the OP was asking an honest question, not whining.Jul 5, 2018 09:52:02 #
Rick Bailey
Loc: Fayetteville Arkansas
When you shoot people, places, or things that are recognizable, GET A RELEASE and keep it. Five years from now when someone that worked on that project and sees a photo of him (or her) self associated with a particular church or organization that they no longer associate with and sues, you will be glad. As in the film days..."never release your negatives or your releases." If the church wants to get their own released, let them do it themselves.
Rick
Rick
Jul 5, 2018 10:23:36 #
Your knowledge and talent and your willingness to help never ceases to amaze me. I appreciate all of the suggestions and guidance that you have provided. I have reviewed it carefully and plan to use as much of it as I can. This camera is far smarter than I am. I plan to leave as much of the technical decision making to it especially since I won't have time between shots to "fool with" the settings. I will therefore probably be using the automatic mode or perhaps the program mode to operate as automatic as possible.
Thanks so much for your help and I would welcome any further comments that you may have.
Barry
Thanks so much for your help and I would welcome any further comments that you may have.
Barry
Jul 5, 2018 11:12:59 #
hj wrote:
Isn't getting releases for this type situation a bit of overkill? Not selling the pics for commercial gain.
Not really, at least in my opinion. Here's what we do: We have a blanket release that all volunteers sign, in which they agree to the use of their images, and to allow them to be used in publicity for the agency and project. It also covers all of the usual disclosures and waivers for doing the work itself - for instance they assert that they're physically fit to do the work proposed, that they'll opt out of anything that's phsyically difficult or dangerous for them, etc. Habitat also has a similar form. It contains a waiver of liability statement as well, but those tend not to hold up in court - ask any of the ski areas who have you sign a ticket that says they have no responsibity if they accidentally kill you! Yeah, right...
Volunters from the local colleges all have their own forms. United Way uses one of its own. But almost any non-profit has some kind of a volunteer release form. Just take a look at it to make sure that it includes permission to photograph and to use the images.
There are probably many models you can find online or through other agencies if the church doesn't already have one.
Again, kudos to all who are doing these great projects!
Andy
Jul 5, 2018 11:13:05 #
1. Model releases are over kill. You don't need them. Raw is overkill. Shoot jpeg.
2. These are snapshots so don't loose sleep over such a simple job.
3. Your limited knowledge would indicate that one of your auto modes that will also adjust ISO for you would be appropriate .
4. You could experiment with flash on inside shots shooting both direct flash and bounce. Some cameras default to 1/60 of second shutter speed when on auto which could be too slow so be aware of that possibility.
5. Personally I would shoot aperture priority (A) and adjust ISO for appropriate shutter speed and depth of field. If you feel you can do that then go with it.
6. Take a class in photography 101 for the future. To have a camera like yours and not know the basics of photography is pretty silly.
2. These are snapshots so don't loose sleep over such a simple job.
3. Your limited knowledge would indicate that one of your auto modes that will also adjust ISO for you would be appropriate .
4. You could experiment with flash on inside shots shooting both direct flash and bounce. Some cameras default to 1/60 of second shutter speed when on auto which could be too slow so be aware of that possibility.
5. Personally I would shoot aperture priority (A) and adjust ISO for appropriate shutter speed and depth of field. If you feel you can do that then go with it.
6. Take a class in photography 101 for the future. To have a camera like yours and not know the basics of photography is pretty silly.
Jul 5, 2018 11:49:24 #
I have the same camera and a 5D MIII. I frequently set my Canon flash on ETTL, Manual on the camera, Auto ISO and f/5.6 and shoot. Very acceptable results. I shoot RAW, so adjusting the images allows for further refinement. Your shoot is not a creative one. I'm sure the record images you capture will be pleasing to all. Just have fun sharing the photos.
Mark
Mark
birdman12 wrote:
Even though my hobby and interest is bird photogra... (show quote)
Jul 5, 2018 12:06:27 #
xt2
Loc: British Columbia, Canada
birdman12 wrote:
Even though my hobby and interest is bird photogra... (show quote)
You must be totally confused by now! Advice includes, low ISO, higher ISO, flash, no flash, high speed shutter, slower shutter, manua, auto, aperture and shutter control, and finally, “stop whining.” You will know what works once you chimp a bit, or maybe the first day’s photos are a base-line and work from there. It sounds like you are a bit intimidated by all this. Maybe start in Auto mode and TTL the Speedlite? You will be happy... Great project and kind of you to participate with recording it all...
Jul 5, 2018 12:07:42 #
Idaho wrote:
1. Model releases are over kill. You don't need t... (show quote)
It is always so much better if you can present information without demeaning and insulting the original poster. If he or she isn't worthy of your time, maybe you should consider just not responding?
I will reiterate one piece of advice I gave above: Either review the church's waiver / release forms that they use with the volunteers to make sure it contains use of image and permission to photograph language. I'd make certain of this, no matter how well intentioned everyone is. If there's an accident or incident on a volunteer job, tempers rise and lawyers may be called. Once that happens, even the poor volunteer photographer can get sucked up in legal drama. It's a simple document, and almost every volunteer organization uses them for exactly these reasons.
I completely disagree with the "snapshot" comment. These photos play an important part in showing the work that's in progress, and documenting the work that's being done by the group. I'm sure that all concerned are very proud of their work, and you should be as well.
That said.... just do the best you can, don't sweat the details, and experiment a little when you feel like it. Play around with your flash as "fill" on TTL settings. Try some selective depth of field shots to focus on a particular volunteer, but shoot mostly with aperture priority and a small f stop so as many as possible are in focus. Have a little fun doing this - I always do. You're doing a really good thing here, and I'm sure the results will be great.
Andy
Jul 5, 2018 12:13:42 #
It's not a good idea to get bogged down with wondering what settings to use, you are going to be faced with many different situations and you have a dead line to meet and best of all, your not getting paid to do this. This is not something to lose any sleep over. Let the camera do the work, put the camera in "auto" a good DSLR will pick out the best settings to use in every lighting situation fast and the photo's will come out good. People are going to micro-manage this to death and it's not worth it. Your DSLR will do a good enough job.
Jul 5, 2018 13:31:29 #
You have gotten much advice, some very good, some not.
First, you need to be able to look at your photo just after taking it and decide whether or not to change camera settings. This comes with practice, and I'm sure you are getting plenty.
For low light situations needing flash, I would set camera to Manual, set flash to ETTL (which automates exposure). Set aperture around f8 for compromise of DOF (depth of field) and enough light, speed at 1/60 if you want ambient light to help and to stop action, 1/200 if not. If all you want to capture is work progress, stopping worker action is probably not necessary. All you need to evaluate is whether or not the photo is the proper brightness. If not, adjust flash exposure compensation as necessary.
For when you don't need flash, more judgment is required. Shutter speed of 1/60 should be fast enough to minimize camera shake if the lens is image stabilized, 1/125 if not. I like the suggestion of using Manual, f8, and Auto ISO. Then all that is left if adjusting exposure compensation as required.
Best of luck!
First, you need to be able to look at your photo just after taking it and decide whether or not to change camera settings. This comes with practice, and I'm sure you are getting plenty.
For low light situations needing flash, I would set camera to Manual, set flash to ETTL (which automates exposure). Set aperture around f8 for compromise of DOF (depth of field) and enough light, speed at 1/60 if you want ambient light to help and to stop action, 1/200 if not. If all you want to capture is work progress, stopping worker action is probably not necessary. All you need to evaluate is whether or not the photo is the proper brightness. If not, adjust flash exposure compensation as necessary.
For when you don't need flash, more judgment is required. Shutter speed of 1/60 should be fast enough to minimize camera shake if the lens is image stabilized, 1/125 if not. I like the suggestion of using Manual, f8, and Auto ISO. Then all that is left if adjusting exposure compensation as required.
Best of luck!
Jul 5, 2018 13:57:46 #
Angel Star Photography wrote:
Back in June, I found myself in a similar situatio... (show quote)
That would be exactly my plan of attack. From your description of how you will shoot, I think you would waste a lot of time with manual planning shots, adjustments for hostogram correction et al. These are to please and record, not to win a Grand National Exhibition. Just Sayin'
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.