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Home: Video University Forums: Digital Photography for Videographers:
suggested settings for reception/bouquet toss

Shadow
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Oct 1, 2006, 10:41 AM

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suggested settings for reception/bouquet toss	Can't Post

I think I asked a similar question a couple of months ago but I'm going to ask it again.

Does anyone have a preferred setting to use during the reception, let's say it is typical dark lighting.

I took my camera along last night again and did some test shots. I was disappointed with the bouquet toss because it was a bit blurry. I think that one I had on tv mode (which I seem to like) at 40 (slow, I know). I've tried different things with the ISO at 1600 and the ISO at 100 full flash, bounced flash, dragged shutter.
When in doubt I stick it in automatic at the reception if it is a one shot deal (garter toss).

Just wondered if anyone had a stand by setting they use when there's no second takes.

One more question, I was shooting the cake ornaments and had troubles getting it to focus correctly, I did manage but it took a few shots to get it correct. It was very dark in that corner. It was on TV mode again (can't remember settings off hand). I wondered if keeping the UV filter on would have something to do with it? The lens I am using is a Sigma 2.8 24-60mm on a Canon 20D if that matters.
Thanks.

:) Happy Sunday
H

(This post was edited by Shadow on Oct 1, 2006, 10:43 AM)

Colvin ADTR
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Oct 1, 2006, 12:18 PM

Post #2 of 22 (962 views)
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Re: [Shadow] suggested settings for reception/bouquet toss [In reply to]	Can't Post

The secret is that things like the toss are not 1-off but repeated 3 times, 1 focus on the bride, 2 concentrate on the bouquet, 3 on the bridesmaids catching. The UV shouldn't have any effect. I often have to go full manual to force my camera to do what I want of it.

Scott Brooks
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Oct 1, 2006, 1:42 PM

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Re: [Shadow] suggested settings for reception/bouquet toss [In reply to]	Can't Post

Since you're shooting shutter priority in a very dark area then that means your camera is going to set the aperture at 2.8 (more than likely).

We all have our own way of doing things, but I try to shoot in manual. I would typically shoot at 1/30 or 40th @ f/4.0 or 4.5. The reason is because you're right ... sometimes it's hard to get the focus perfect in the dark. Shooting at f/4 would give you a bit more dof.

If you're shooting RAW and have Noise Ninja or Neat Image you can easily go to an iso setting of 3200 if needed.

There's nothing wrong with a little bit of motion blur for the bouquet, but it would be helpful to see a shot.

The biggest problem in providing suggestions is that we don't see the room, the ceiling height, the color of the ceiling, etc.

I know that I always ... 100% of the time ... use ETTL and bounce in my reception settings, but all my venues are nearly the same. I may add or decrease FEC, but that's all.

videochicke
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Oct 1, 2006, 2:40 PM

Post #4 of 22 (955 views)
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Re: [Shadow] suggested settings for reception/bouquet toss [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

Just wondered if anyone had a stand by setting they use when there's no second takes.

There really is a second take. Have the bride pretend to throw the bouquet but do not let it go. You can do that a couple of times if you need to to get the shot and you have the girls in the background. This way if something happens to mess up the moment--like she throws it out of the blue or a guest steps in front of you, all is not lost. And if you miss the catch, you can have the girl who caught it hold the bouquet up in victory and snap that.
Julie

Shadow
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Oct 1, 2006, 2:44 PM

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Re: [videochicke] suggested settings for reception/bouquet toss [In reply to]	Can't Post

Good advice
Thanks everyone for the tips.

I've noticed that sometimes the focus is off on my pictures, I'm not sure why. I can see where the metering points go, and it is a constant lens. I take lots of photos so the few that are out of focus I just delete, no problem.

I'd like to have a perfect picture with every shot though!

:)

Colvin ADTR
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Oct 1, 2006, 2:53 PM

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Re: [Shadow] suggested settings for reception/bouquet toss [In reply to]	Can't Post

I always use aperture priority when I am not in manual so I know what the depth of focus will look like. Try a smaller aperture to keep more things in focus. A tip I read yesterday is to auto focus on a fixed point then switch to manual so that it stays there while you recompose.

Shadow
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Oct 1, 2006, 3:05 PM

Post #7 of 22 (947 views)
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Re: [Colvin ADTR] suggested settings for reception/bouquet toss [In reply to]	Can't Post

Thanks for the focus tip.

Yeah, I just took a bunch of photos of friends at the park today, most of them are nice but many of them have a soft focus. Maybe I am snapping and pulling the camera down at the same time.

For the most part the photos turned out very well but there's a few that are very soft, and some that were just bad. I'm not sure what the deal was.
Could it be something with my lens? Some are very crisp while others are not.
Maybe I'm just doing a bad focusing job. I do take 2 pics of each pose and usually at least one of them is a good shot. It is just odd how the focus is off.
hmm.
grr.

Mad

Scott Brooks
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Oct 1, 2006, 3:12 PM

Post #8 of 22 (945 views)
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Re: [Shadow] suggested settings for reception/bouquet toss [In reply to]	Can't Post

Quote

Could it be something with my lens?

Yes it can. I don't know which camera and lens you're using, but it's very possible the the lens needs adjusted.

Shadow
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Oct 1, 2006, 3:24 PM

Post #9 of 22 (940 views)
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Re: [Sparky] suggested settings for reception/bouquet toss [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hmm, how would I find out if I need something adjusted? The camera store?
I use a canon 20d and a sigma 24-60mm 2.8 lens - says ex DG on it as well.

Is this an adjustment that I would do when taking photos or something that would need to be done in a camera store?

Interesting, thanks.
Heidi

Shadow
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Oct 1, 2006, 3:25 PM

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Re: [Sparky] suggested settings for reception/bouquet toss [In reply to]	Can't Post

This lens was $450, I had better luck with my $70 second hand f5.6 lens.

Shadow
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Oct 1, 2006, 3:28 PM

Post #11 of 22 (938 views)
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Re: [Sparky] suggested settings for reception/bouquet toss [In reply to]	Can't Post

I'm looking at the photos. I remember that the focus point targeted on the guy's face as he was kissing his wife. Now she is literally inches from him on the same level as he is and she is slightly out of focus.
?

Colvin ADTR
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Oct 1, 2006, 3:37 PM

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Re: [Shadow] suggested settings for reception/bouquet toss [In reply to]	Can't Post

I find that movement is what makes the big difference for me in whether a shot is sharp or soft; either me not holding the camera still all the way through or subject movement. The last time I went to the park I found that keeping the shutter over 1/100 made a big difference to the percentage of clean shots- less time to wobble.

Colvin ADTR
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Oct 1, 2006, 3:43 PM

Post #13 of 22 (933 views)
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Re: [Shadow] suggested settings for reception/bouquet toss [In reply to]	Can't Post

Most lenses have a sweet spot when they are sharp, often around f4-f8. Have a look at the exif of your shots and see if you can see what settings are giving the best results. It could be the lens, sigma haven't been that brilliant in the past. See if you can google some of the test websites that have the graphs of canon lenses to see which are the sharpest for your use.

Shadow
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Oct 1, 2006, 3:43 PM

Post #14 of 22 (933 views)
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Re: [Colvin ADTR] suggested settings for reception/bouquet toss [In reply to]	Can't Post

I just checked the settings.
Had the flash in ettl mode, AV mode - F14 and it was only 1/13 shutter speed at 200ISO. I would have thought it would have gone faster. I'm not sure why I had it set at F14, probably still from an earlier shot when I wanted more in focus of the background.

Ok, so that makes sense why it is a bit soft in the focus.

Thanks
Heidi

Shadow
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Oct 1, 2006, 3:47 PM

Post #15 of 22 (931 views)
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Re: [Colvin ADTR] suggested settings for reception/bouquet toss [In reply to]	Can't Post

Thanks Colvin.

Thank goodness for black and white, that seemes to save the day on some shots.

Colvin ADTR
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Oct 1, 2006, 3:54 PM

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Re: [Shadow] suggested settings for reception/bouquet toss [In reply to]	Can't Post

You never know, you might have found a new look- just say you artistically defocussed Wink

. Check out this site that has caused pages of argument about charging $5k to blow out the highlights Crazy

Scott Brooks
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Oct 1, 2006, 4:02 PM

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Re: [Shadow] suggested settings for reception/bouquet toss [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

WOW! Yeah ... you might have answered your own question on that one. I'm not sure I could shoot 1/13 on a tripod and keep it steady. Wink

Shadow
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Oct 1, 2006, 5:20 PM

Post #18 of 22 (924 views)
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Re: [Sparky] suggested settings for reception/bouquet toss [In reply to]	Can't Post

Yeah I know - what a bummer! I was having way too much fun and not concentrating on the settings enough.

I did manage to get 94 good pictures, and this was free, and they knew they were being my guinea pigs.
Still part of me wanted to give them 200 awesome photos.

Guess it is one of those learn the hard way scenarios. I probably (or hopefully) won't forget to check my aparature settings again. I usually put it back to about 5.6 or so on average. Oh well.

Thanks everyone for helping me solve the mystery.

Cheers
H

Shadow
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Oct 1, 2006, 5:26 PM

Post #19 of 22 (922 views)
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Re: [Colvin ADTR] suggested settings for reception/bouquet toss [In reply to]	Can't Post

Those are different! Perhaps not on every photo, but I do like the look.

Yes, I'll call it art. :)

I called my photographer friend and said I was bummed out. She said she'd have a story to top whatever I had to say. Her topper was when she first started she took her light meter and umbrella to someone's home to do a newborn portrait. She plugged the meter into the wall instead of her power box. Well her meter popped and smoked, she found out after if it didn't have a safety feature she would have blown off her hand and also the baby she was metering.
I felt better after that. At least no one almost died. :)

H

Brackish
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Oct 1, 2006, 8:12 PM

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Colvin ADTR
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Oct 2, 2006, 3:42 AM

Post #21 of 22 (892 views)
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Re: [Brackish] suggested settings for reception/bouquet toss [In reply to]	Can't Post

That is why I am moving to full manual more. Some motion blur is okay, like during the reception but it is crucial to have pin sharp shots during the ceremony and formals, which is why I am spending a lot of time practicing setups.

Shadow
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Oct 2, 2006, 6:22 AM

Post #22 of 22 (886 views)
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Re: [Colvin ADTR] suggested settings for reception/bouquet toss [In reply to]	Can't Post

Practicing really pays off. I've done a lot of practice shots.
That's why I was so disappointed in today's shoot. I was too busy having fun that I forgot to change my setting back.
It bugged me so much I woke up at 4:30 this morning and couldn't get back to sleep.
Oh well, better now than at a wedding I suppose.