Christening Photography

[kellyanne1703]

I've been asked to do a Christening on sunday and I've never done a church scene photography. Has any one got any good advice on camera settings, good equipment to take?

I know I would need a high Iso, as cant use flash in the church.

Thanks in advance

 

[KieranSLR]

best bet is to try and go down before it starts look at postions and get to know the lights so you dont have to mess about whilst there, depending on lighting will depend on iso

 

[jammy_c]

Shoot RAW so you can edit the exposures later to increase light levels or reduce ISO noise, Churches also play havoc with WB depending on where your light sources are coming from (candles, lightbulbs, though stained-glass window, etc).
I agree with Kieran, preperation is best. will also give you a good idea of where to stand, etc...

 

[popeyebilly]

A lot of churches do allow flash at christenings, just not weddings. My kids are catholic and they have had christenings, communions and conformations in a lot of different churches and cathedrals and not once have I not been allowed to use flash and there are normally a lot of children and families doing it all at the same time. My daughters christening my photographer was allowed anywhere he wanted. Weddings are different as it is a legal binding. I have also been to a lot of christenings etc and also been allowed to use flash and some of them church's didn't allow it for the wedding I went to.

Have a chat with the priest first and don't just expect to take photos with flash, most are accommodating.

Ant

 

[Phil V]

A lot of churches do allow flash at christenings, just not weddings. My kids are catholic and they have had christenings, communions and conformations in a lot of different churches and cathedrals and not once have I not been allowed to use flash and there are normally a lot of children and families doing it all at the same time. My daughters christening my photographer was allowed anywhere he wanted. Weddings are different as it is a legal binding. I have also been to a lot of christenings etc and also been allowed to use flash and some of them church's didn't allow it for the wedding I went to.

Have a chat with the priest first and don't just expect to take photos with flash, most are accommodating.

Ant

It's because church's don't like photographers (I'm only half joking). It's rare to hire a pro for a christening, and the church just let the 'family' take whatever photo's they like. But everyone knows that photographers ruin weddings if you give them half a chance - so they put lots of restrictions on pro's at weddings:bonk:.

Legally, morally, whatever else - a wedding is no more or less important than a christening.

 

[Phil V]

And for Kelly - settings aren't something that you can just transfer from one job to another. Use whatever settings are required to get the shot that you want in the light where you are working.

 

[a1ex2001]

Legally, morally, whatever else - a wedding is no more or less important than a christening.

Legally a wedding is more important, it is for starters actually recognised in law unlike a christening.

Morally I would argue a christening is more important as it welcomes you into a life if faith but I'm sure others would see it differently.

 

[popeyebilly]

It's because church's don't like photographers (I'm only half joking). It's rare to hire a pro for a christening, and the church just let the 'family' take whatever photo's they like. But everyone knows that photographers ruin weddings if you give them half a chance - so they put lots of restrictions on pro's at weddings:bonk:.

Legally, morally, whatever else - a wedding is no more or less important than a christening.

It's true not many people hire a pro for a christening and it is also true that a lot of priests have had run ins with pros down the line and put the restrictions in place, I did 2 weddings in the same church, the first I was allowed to use flash the second I wasn't and his reason to me was that the last photography wound him up by roaming everywhere and using his flash constantly so he was a bit miffed with the photographer.

I agree that one is no more important than the other, but they are treated different.

 

[philslizzy]

I've done several. Chat with the priest first. They don't like it if you use flash during the actual ceremony but will always give you time after to take posed photos. Last time I did one I videoed it with my DSLR. I was able to frame grab stills, and after a little photoshop they were very acceptable in a photo album. I normally use the video technique for weddings.

A baptism isn't as common as wedding as far as 'official' photos are concerned and the choice for family groups like a wedding doesn't happen, just take loads of photos and video what you can't photograph. You'll be fine.

A suggestion; when videoing, set your camera to tungsten lighting (artificial light) Auto white balance is slow to respond and doesn't always work in this environment. I usually use two cameras, one for video and one for the stills so I'm not messing with the menu.

Good luck
Phil

 

[meonshore]

The Christenings I have photographed I have had much more freedom than when shooting weddings (even in the same church and with the same officiant).

As long as you don't interrupt the service, respect the church and the congregation, and are discreet you'll find that there tends to be less regulation around when you can actually shoot, and about moving around. As a matter of course I always checked with the person running the show on the day.

As for settings and kit - it depends entirely on the venue, and the weather that day. I have shot a christening on a 24-70, and one service because of the layout/position on a 70-200. Take what you might need, use what you do need - or do a reccee, work it out and bring at least a backup for your main lens.

Kelly - this is another of a series of very basic questions. You are getting the same answer every time. YOU need to be able to assess the situation and the environment and make some decisions. Unless you tell us the exact venue, and date, and someone has shot there before the only answer you'll get is the one Phil and I have given you. I appreciate you are new to this but you need to start working some of this stuff out for yourself, and get some confidence. If you never get past people telling you what to do you will never have the professional air you need to convince a PAYING client that you are the person they are going to trust for their wedding/portrait/christening etc.

I genuinely recommend that you consider working as an assistant, or engaging (paying) an experienced photographer as a mentor or trainer to help you through some of this, and to give you some structured development and feedback. You can't learn the business of being a professional photographer in a forum at the completeness and rate at which you seem to be demanding it.

 

[philslizzy]

just out of interest, in the uk photographers have to be very discreet during any ceremony in church. But last year I attended a wedding in Poland, they do the reg office first then a week or so later have the church ceremony. The photographer was all over the place, right in front of the priest at times - seriously, wideangle close-ups of the couple kneeling at the altar. I couldnt believe it. It spoiled everything for me but none of the family seemed that bothered.

Talking to the photographer later he told me he'd taken about 1000, yes, a thousand photos in the church alone. I was speechless.

My tip is go and work in Poland, and don't worry about upsetting anyone!!