HELP!! Asked to photograph church services

[martyp]

I've not been on here in a while, to be honest, I can't remember the last time I actually went to take a photograph!

However, about 10 months ago I said to the Reverend at my church that if he ever wanted any photographs taken to give me a shout and I'd do my best to help out. At the time I had a D3s and 24-70 f/2.8 so low light wasn't much of an issue. I never heard anything back and a couple of months ago I decided to sell up and go back to a 500d, kit lens and 35mm f/2.

Couple of weeks ago he asked if I would take some photographs during the advent services. So I took along the camera yesterday, in the hope that he would give me some guidance on what he wanted but just got told to do what I thought and to feel free to move around during the service (which is nice!)


So, the service on Sunday was just a regular service with the only addition of a advent candle being lit. There was also a baptism which I got a few photographs off but I didn't feel comfortable walking right in order to snap pics so I just took some from another pew. The only additional photographs I took were right at the start when people were entering in and chatting then the overall building inside etc.

I've never done anything like this before and to be honest I'm more of a landscape/car photographer but with a little guidence I know I can pull this off.

What I want to know is; what would you shoot during a church service? Aside from snapping a photograph of the candle being lit (which I didn't get :bang, perhaps some of the reverend speaking, then??? Perhaps I should watch some songs of praise to get ideas?!

Any advice would be greatly appreciated and sorry for the long post!!

 

[donut]

and to feel free to move around during the service (which is nice!)


So, the service on Sunday was just a regular service with the only addition of a advent candle being lit. There was also a baptism which I got a few photographs off but I didn't feel comfortable walking right in order to snap pics so I just took some from another pew. !

cant really help with what to shoot,,,,keep your eyes on everything and decide from what you see ,,,but i would say get in close or closer ,,,,,just tell yourself that you are there working ,you are the chosen one ( alright the chosen photographer ) so you are allowed to get in there and do your stuff ,,and dont worry about what anyone else thinks ,,,

 

[SThornton]

Never done anything like this myself but my mate did a wedding in a church in the hight of summer, on one of those rare bright days, and struggled with an f2.8 zoom lens as it was still pretty dark and he wasn't able to use a flash. I know he upped the ISO but then you have the trade off with grain.

But it all depends on the light in the church as (I'm guessing) not one is the same as another.

 

[gramps]

What I want to know is; what would you shoot during a church service?

• The vicar in the pulpit.
• An elderly worshipper or two.
• A young child or two.
• Family group.
• Wide angle(s) of the congregation.
• Some stained glass/glass colour reflection.
• Some depth of field examples, e.g. candle/brasswork with OOF congregation in the background.
• Choir.
• Vicar shaking hands with members of the congregation after the service.
• External views of the church.

In regular services I would suggest not getting too 'in your face' with the congregation but things like baptisms should be easier to get close.