I have a new photo assignment: Wedding - Backup Photographer - Candid and Posed Shots

They hired a professional to do the actual wedding, but they asked me to shot candid and posed shots, mostly at the reception.
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Gear:
D5100
Lens - a Rented Nikon AF-S 17-55 f/2.8
Flash - SB700 (which I'd like to avoid using)

Setting:
Indoors, Daytime 1PM - 5PM, rented hall
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I rented the 17-55 because I wanted to see how it performs indoors.
But I had zero time with this lens.

I had hoped to avoid the Flash.

So - I plan to shoot in Program Mode, JPEG, Large.
Maybe RAW plus JPEG? I have 32GB.

WB - Auto WB? but open to suggestions.

ISO / Shutter Speed - I was going to set the ISO upper limit to 800? Slowest shutter speed 1/60?
(one friend recommended setting the ISO to Fixed 800...??

I hadn't planned on Aperture Priority, but I'd go there if recommended.

I'm going to walk around while people are eating, toasting, etc.

Maybe do a few posed shots, just try to capture the festive mood.

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For WB I'm going with the Lastolite.
I'll do a custom WB onsite.

The 17-55 Lens is a beast!

I'm still trying to figure out what my best ISO setting should be.

I want to keep the noise down, but not miss any shots.

I played around the house and watched how the D5100 reacts to different settings with the 17-55 f/2.8 lens on.

Inside my house it wants to shoot f2.8 around 1000ISO.
The photos aren't too noisy at that, so I may set a max ISO of 1600 with a min shutter of 1/60.

No IS in this lens, so 1/60 may prove to be a little ambitious.

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Hi Bill

Your assignment sounds like a lot of work and a lot of fun at the same time. I'm sure that some of our members who do more wedding photography than I can offer some better advice, but if this assignment is coming up tomorrow, then in answer to your specific questions these would be my thoughts.

1. Definitely shoot jpeg plus raw or just raw. If your white balance or exposure is wrong you can fix some of the problems in post processing if you are shooting raw.

2. When you are shooting with your flash either turn auto iso off or limit your auto iso to 400 or 800 at the top limit. For some reason many of the newer Nikons do not seem to factor a flash into the exposure equation and seek the highest available iso when using flash.

3. Personally, I would prefer a minimum shutter speed of 1/100 or faster with a higher iso if that was the trade off.

4. The 17-55 is supposed to be a great lens so you have one of the finest tools at your disposal. The lack of VR should not be an obstacle and I agree that 1/60 is going to be too slow for most of your shots. Given the choice, I would choose iso 1600 or higher over a shutter speed of 1/60.

5. As for using Program Mode, that would not be my first choice. I would prefer Aperture priority, but if you feel that you are going to have too much to think about, then use it. But, keep in mind that you can use the command dial to switch the EVs and achieve essentially the same results.

Good luck and post some of your favorite shots.

jP

Edit: I would use Auto-ISO with an upper limit of 1600 and a minimun shutter speed of 1/100 except for the flash pictures as stated above.

Thanks JP. My D5100 is still new to me and I don't want to experiment while doing a friend's wedding.

Good advice and thanks. I'm going print your reply and take it with me.

Bill

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JP,

I was just reading the thread to get some ideas for my next wedding, since I've been asked to follow the same sort of assignment a couple of times myself. Your answer is a good one for anyone doing indoor shooting for an occasion. I think that I'm going to bookmark it!


LL49Wat

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I just uploaded a few shots.
The AF-S 17-55 f/2.8 lens is a great lens, but I don't think it's the lens for me.
I need a lighter lens. I might rent the Sigma next.

I don't think wedding assignments are for me. Too much responsibility. I'm glad they hired professionals; took the pressure off me. But I did enjoy the experience and learning curve.

I got lots of subject movement, possibly too slow a shutter. I limited the ISO to 1600. Missed allot of shots while the camera hunted for focus.

Near the end, the dancing scenes, I attached my SB700 flash. Tricky getting consistent results.

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Dude those are some good shots. You did good especially being the backup.

Less pressure lower expectations but you probally blew them away. Good job. Keep shooting.