Christening shoot

Todd

Todd

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Dale
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Hi, I have been asked by a friend if I could shoot his sons christening, he said if I didn't do it there wouldn't be a photographer there Due to cost, so I agreed to do it.

I have a nikon d80 and a 18-85 and a 55-200mm lens which to be honest in a church with no flash isn't going to cut it in my opinion.

I have been looking at the nikon 50mm prime lens as a alternative for the day seems very good in low light and very cheap.

This kind of subject is also new to me so I have planned to checkout the venue and take a few test shots so I know the situation I will be facing. Any other pointers and advice would be appreciated.

Many thanks.
 
first thing is to make sure that he knows the limitations of your kit and your level of experience.
secondly christenings are done rather quickly and it will be over before you know it. Make sure you speak thet the preist etc. on restrictions where you can stand etc... no point buying a 50mm if you need a 135mm because of restrictions.
 
If you can get in close a 50mm 1.8 would be a good option. I own one and its a fantastic lens. Every photographer should own one or the 1.4 version. :D
 
Yes I'm off to checkout the venue and meet the vicar hopefully in the next few days, I have decided to get the 50mm as it's something I want anyway. My friend is fully aware of my abilities and like I said if I wasn't to do it no one would apart from family snap shots of the day.

Gives me a good experience and my friend some (hopefully) good images of the day.
 
I love my D80 very dearly, but I honestly can't see this working very well, even if you're shooting wide open at f/1.8 - the results would be so shallow, the picture would be almost unusable. Depending on the ambient light of the church - which I expect is poor - you'll be looking at shooting at something like ISO 3200+, and in my experience the D80 is very poor above ISO 800 with noticeable noise. That being said, it'll still probably be better than most snapshot cameras - and not every photo we take is for critique! I'm sure his family will be very happy with whatever you can produce :)
 
I've done a fair few christenings and so much depends on the venue. More modern churches tend to be quite light and bright while the older ones are often distinctly gloomy and you'll struggle even with a fast lens. Don't forget you need to think about safe hand holding speed AND potential subject movement.

If it's the latter type of environment you need to sell your predicament to the vicar when you meet up. A flash may be pretty much essential so I think you'd be well advised to beg borrow or otherwise acquire one for the day.
 
I asked for help and never showed some of the results, How rude, There was a lot of things i could have done better looking back, but the family was very pleased with the results, not as many church pics as i hoped for was a massive scramble to get to the front!
1

grandkids2_edited-1 by Dale Batchelor photography, on Flickr

2

Alfie and by Dale Batchelor photography, on Flickr

3

is that a tear by Dale Batchelor photography, on Flickr

4

hmmm whats this by Dale Batchelor photography, on Flickr

5

cake by Dale Batchelor photography, on Flickr

6

Nan Alfie and Lee by Dale Batchelor photography, on Flickr
 
There's a bit of a purple cast on No 4, but I reckon you've done alright with these - give yourself a pat on the back.:thumbs:
 
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