This has always been my achilles heel. It's always a hit and miss for me. Sometimes I get it properly exposed and sharp. Sometimes, it's dark (maybe because the flash has not completely recycled and the next person is coming already). Sometimes, it's blurred. Sometimes, people just walk too fast and too near each other that before I get my camera focused, they've already reached me and all I can shoot is their upper body. I've just been lucky in my past weddings where I've worked only as a second fotog and where I worked as the main, I have a backup. I have a coming wedding where the couple has very tight budget and I can't afford to get a backup. I am a little bit scared to say the least that I might miss on one or more of the entourage.

And, is it alright for the photographer to go to the middle of the aisle everytime he shoots then go back to the side to let the person pass, then go back to the middle again for the next person?

I badly need help and suggestions.

Thanks in advance.

Marco

Hi Marco,

Before I answer you question and make some suggestions. Kindly provide the following details:

1. The type of battery you are using for your SB-800 Flash? Alkaline or rechargeables?
2. The shooting mode of your Nikon D70 - Continuous Shooting or Single?
3. The Mode Dial like Sports or Portraits and your Exposure Mode - Aperture or Shutter Priority?

I'll get back to you through pm after I finish some stuff here. Until then. Best Regards. Don't worry, I have "Good News" for you from the Preacher. God Bless.

Hi Marco,

Before I answer you question and make some suggestions. Kindly provide the following details:

1. The type of battery you are using for your SB-800 Flash? Alkaline or rechargeables?

I am using rechargeable Ni-MH batteries with a rating of 2400mAh. And I am also using the extra battery module so I have a total of 5 batteries in use (I read somewhere that this will make recycling time faster). I have an SB-600 too, which I feel recycles faster, do you think I should just use that one instead?

2. The shooting mode of your Nikon D70 - Continuous Shooting or Single?

I am shooting in AF-S (Single) mode.

3. The Mode Dial like Sports or Portraits and your Exposure Mode - Aperture or Shutter Priority?

I am using Aperture priority set at f/5.6. I was thinking that this higher f-stop would give me bigger DOF so I'll have a bigger chance of a sharper pictures as opposed to shooting at f/2.8.

I'll get back to you through pm after I finish some stuff here. Until then. Best Regards. Don't worry, I have "Good News" for you from the Preacher. God Bless.

I like the sound of that :).



Thanks in advance, Eric.

Marco

Hi Marco,

Youre' always welcome. Glad to help those in need. I already sent the Good News to your mailbox. Hope it works. God Bless.

Hi Eric,

Can you post the good news here... if not kindly send to my mailbox also...

Thanks.

Hi Marco,

Youre' always welcome. Glad to help those in need. I already sent the Good News to your mailbox. Hope it works. God Bless.

Hi Eric,

Could you be so kind as to share the info please? Or maybe, send them to my mailbox as well? Thanks.

Hi Dino,

Can you share the goodnews to us, or if your prefer, can you email it to my mailbox also? Thanks.

Raymund, Jon-Joe & Ed,

Thanks Guys for your inquiry. As much as possible, I avoid posting in any thread anymore because some rich people misjudge me as self-serving. They even call me a Preacher or Know it all guy with Superiority Complex. I would appreciate that they instead talk to me like real men by posting or sending me private messages instead of saying things behind my back and personally attacking me through insults without any justifiable reason except for the fact that they feel dumb with my comments. Let me now share to you the Good News as far as I can remember:

1. When you read the instruction manual of the SB-800 or SB-600 flash, the use of Nickel Metal Hydride Batteries is Option no. 5. The reason for this is that it is only 1.2 volts. The maximum capacity also for said rechargeble batteries is only 2000mAh. This is the reason why batteries with 2400mAh or more does not function well with the flash. Rechargeable batteries should also be charged 3 hours before your shoot and not a day before because they drain when you don't use them. I charge my expenses to the client including the Alkaline Batteries. I don't do cost cutting because I want to give them the best service. I always use fresh batteries. It doesn't go to waste even if I use it only once because I can still use it to play my portable CD player and the toys of my son.

The good news is you don't have to spend a lot in buying Alkaline Batteries. Sanyo Alkaline Batteries is worth only Php 10.00 at Watson Photo Supply in Quiapo. I always buy a box of 20, around Php 200.00 everytime I go to Manila.
It is even better than Eveready Energizer batteries based on my actual field test. It lasts 25% longer or more. I can shoot around 250 shots continuously while the Energizer shows some failure already when you reach 150 shots. I think the reason for this is that the Batteries of Energizer are made in China while that of Sanyo is made in Thailand whose climate is closer to that of the Philippines. Batteries drain faster in cold temperatures.

2. When shooting Bridal March, you don't have to buy the more expensive SB-800 flash. The SB-600 recycles faster because it uses less power than the high-end model which is good for CLS. When shooting moving subjects, try shooting with the sports mode of your camera and the flash will automatically sync with your setting.

3. In order to freeze your moving subject, again you don't have to use a fast lens with f2.8 aperture. You simply have to adjust the shutter speed to 1/125 sec or 1/250 sec. depending on the pacing of the bridal march. If this does not work, you can always set the setting in auto mode.

4. It is also distracting to control your moving subject by asking them to pause. The Wedding Coordinator or Church Ushers might not even allow you to do this. One of the best angle to shoot moving subjects is to make a half-genuflect position at the corner of the aisle in the middle of the church. You don't have to run after the subject, the subject will come to you. This skill is called hindsight where you can already see in advance what is going to happen in the next few seconds. This is developed through practise and not enrolling in an expensive school.

The good news is you don't have to spend a lot in improving your skills as a photographer. You just have to be familiar with your camera settings. That's all. Best Regards to all of you.

Thanks for sharing and dont get deterred by what other people say.

As with the original poster (OP), my Achilles Heel has likewise been the march. What focus mode do you use: One Shot but manual focus, AI Servo or auto-focus?

Can I join the discussion? =)

Yes I agree that shooting the bridal march is one of the hardest 'coz you only have 1 shot opportunity. What I do is:
1) Prior to the march, choose a fixed spot along the aisle where you want to shoot the entourage.
2) Meter the spot (usually I use f7.1 or 5.6) and have a test shot.
3) Set the camera to Manual mode and use the settings I gathered.
4) Focus on the chosen spot and set your camera to manual focus.
5) During the procession, wait for the subject to reach your chosen spot then fire.
In this way you don't have to have trouble focusing and have different exposure for each entourage.

When it is the bride's turn, I use AF and P mode before the bride enters. Usually there is the "close door effect" When the door opens, I use the * button of my camera to meter the bride for the first shot for the dreamy look and then meter the background of the bride for the silhoutte look. I then use Tv mode set to 1/60 or 1/90 to shoot the bride while walking. I use the Tv mode rather than the Av mode 'coz Av mode tends to give you slower shutter speed making your subject blur...... and while all of these is happening I constantly check the FEC to balance ambient and fill light.

Hard at first try, but you'll get used to it. The servo focusing tends to blur your subject. Not really reliable.

All throughout the ceremony I usually use Manual mode to have maximum control of the exposure or Tv mode..... I seldom use Av and Auto. I vary my Tv settings based on the focal length I'm using =) ...... I also often use the very useful * button =)

Pag tinatamad P mode and * button all throughout he he he =)

Eric,

Thanks for sharing. Another insight learned here. Don't worry about what others say.....there are people who are always ready for new ideas. Keep them pouring.:Evil:

Ed

Darwin,

Thanks for sharing. I had trouble with that "close door effect". I metered with the door closed, then all of the sudden, when the bride entered, I have to change settings fast, panic mode actally. Thanks for the tip.

Ed

i agree with ed... as long as na wala kang tinatapakan...
btw, i learned something new. thanks for sharing eric.

Great suggestions here.
May I add that right before the marching, make sure that your memory card still has a lot of space for the photos that you will be taking until the couple gets seated. (about 100 shots just in case) Also, i take a combination of flashed photos and available light during the marching( if there is enough light). Do some test shots prior to the marching to test your flash and distance. Maybe you can ask the lightman (or anyone you may know) to walk down the aisle (before the rites:D ) and test yor settings.

Oh and BTW, I use energizer batteries and have not encountered any problems.

Good luck!

To Eric,

We are here to share and learn from each other and not to insult or cut anyone down.

Thank you for sharing.:Grin:

Ed and Teejay,

You're always welcome guys and Thanks also for your moral support. I try as much as possible not to step on anyone's face but sometimes they feel that way especially when they are proven to be wrong. I am also not refuting anyone but sharing my experience by using common sense. Everything for me has to be simplified in order to make the work more fun and enjoyable. I agree with the other DPP members that there should be a test shot before the March and probably some improvisation by using available light and video light to capture those important images.

To Mam Pilar,

Thanks for your words of wisdom. The Energizer Rechargeable Batteries are actually good and even perform like the Ansmann Batteries from Germany. There are some sectors that claim that rechargeable batteries recycle faster than Alkaline batteries but I guess it depends also on the flash one is using. In my case, I'm a Nikon user and I just had a corporate event this evening using a rechargeable battery just to try what the other camp is saying. Sad to say, I was again disappointed with the Sanyo Rechargeable Batteries - 2700mAh and I will just stick to my reliable Alkaline Batteries. I also don't have any problems with the Energizer Batteries from Singapore and the US, except the ones from China. By the way, I didn't see you at the WPPP Photo Congress this year, Only Sir Nick for a short time. Until then. Best Regards.

... The servo focusing tends to blur your subject. Not really reliable.



This is the clincher for me, thanks to you Darwin. Many times I've used the Servo focusing (during the march) to no avail. Sometimes its ok sometimes i turn out with blurry shots. There are times that the One-shot focus works even better (under ideal circumstances ofcourse). So I second your statement that its unreliable for that particular occasion. Or perhaps its just me not knowing how to properly use the Servo mode.

Can I join the discussion? =)

What I do is:
1) Prior to the march, choose a fixed spot along the aisle where you want to shoot the entourage.
2) Meter the spot (usually I use f7.1 or 5.6) and have a test shot.
3) Set the camera to Manual mode and use the settings I gathered.
4) Focus on the chosen spot and set your camera to manual focus.
5) During the procession, wait for the subject to reach your chosen spot then fire.
In this way you don't have to have trouble focusing and have different exposure for each entourage.

When it is the bride's turn, I use AF and P mode before the bride enters.


Your suggestion pretty much validates this school of thought which i haven't practiced for fear of turning into panic mode when alternating and switching between buttons and dials with only seconds to spare. Your suggestion to put it on P mode during the bride's turn got me thinking. Thanks for sharing.
:)

... The Energizer Rechargeable Batteries are actually good and even perform like the Ansmann Alkaline Batteries from Germany. There are some sectors that claim that rechargeable batteries recycle faster than Alkaline batteries but I guess it depends also on the flash one is using. In my case, I'm a Nikon user and I just had a corporate event this evening using a rechargeable battery just to try what the other camp is saying. Sad to say, I was again disappointed with the Sanyo Rechargeable Batteries - 2700mAh and I will just stick to my reliable Alkaline Batteries. I also don't have any problems with the Energizer Batteries from Singapore and the US, except the ones from China.

Whoa.. what a revelation. I thought that rechargeable NiMh batteries were the "king of the hill." And you're not the first person to voice this out. I know of some photogs who like using Alkalines instead of NiMh. How humbling as it brings back my respect for the disposable Alkalines. Thanks for voicing out.:)

This is the clincher for me, thanks to you Darwin. Many times I've used the Servo focusing (during the march) to no avail. Sometimes its ok sometimes i turn out with blurry shots. There are times that the One-shot focus works even better (under ideal circumstances ofcourse). So I second your statement that its unreliable for that particular occasion. Or perhaps its just me not knowing how to properly use the Servo mode.

Servo worked fine for me in the last wedding, actually, golden wedding anniversary, I covered. Everyone in the entourage is sharp except... the COUPLE! Patay! :Mad:

Buti na lang nakunan ko nang lumuluhod sila sa harap ng altar. :(

Haaayyy....

Servo worked fine for me in the last wedding, actually, golden wedding anniversary, I covered. Everyone in the entourage is sharp except... the COUPLE! Patay! :Mad:

Buti na lang nakunan ko nang lumuluhod sila sa harap ng altar. :(

Haaayyy....

Ok lang yan Marco. :) Pinakamahirap talaga yang march na yan. If you can let each couple to stop for a while like maybe a second, it would be better. Mas madali mo macapture. However, you need an assistant to do let them stop and guide them.

Servo worked fine for me in the last wedding, actually, golden wedding anniversary, I covered. Everyone in the entourage is sharp except... the COUPLE! Patay!

Buti na lang nakunan ko nang lumuluhod sila sa harap ng altar.

Haaayyy....

Good for you. But how come yung couple pa yung pumalya? :Grin: Is AI Servo really dependable come marching time? Can you share what you did when the other members of the entourage marched, and then the Couple? At what point did you start acquiring focus? Were they walking slow. moderate, or fast? Hay naku, daming tanong...

@Melvin: Actually yan yung original plan. My wife, who is my assistant, was supposed to be the one coordinating the walk and their pacing. Problem is, naki-alam yung Pari at sya na ang nag-coordinate. Nangyari, hindi nasunod yung sinabi ko sa asawa ko na dapat half ng length ng aisle bago yung susunod. Maiksi lang kasi yung aisle, it's more like a chapel than a real church. Para yatang five paces lang yung difference nila. Tapos hindi lang yun ang naging problema ko. Nasa harapan kasi ako medyo left side. Pagdating nila sa harap pinaluhod sila ng Pari which blocked my view for the next incoming member of the entourage. I know, dahilan, dahilan. In the end I know I should have been more prepared. It's still my fault. :(

@Jon-jone: This is the first time (actually second na nga pala) I tried using servo. Sinunod ko kasi yung payo ni Eric. (Hi Eric: I also used non-rechargeable Duracell battery on my SB600 here. I did not use the SB800. Actually, nawala sa isip ko yung dapat Shutter Priority ang ginamit ko as you said. Nagamit ko eh Aperture Priority at f/5.6.) I think naman na very reliable sya. Yun nga lang you have to give time for the AI to make the proper predictions of where your subjects are going to be when you press your shutter fully. I tried acquiring focus mula doon pa lang sa pagpasok nila sa aisle. Yan yung nangyari doon sa mga nauna kaya sharp silang lahat. Tapos kagaya nga ng sabi ko kanina, yung Pari ang nag-coordinate at ang nangyari paiksi ng paiksi yung distance between each member of the entourage. Paiksi ng paiksi yung nabibigay ko na time sa servo to work. Hanggang doon sa couple na they ended up na they are almost right behind the last member. Wala pa yatang two seconds nasa harap ko na sila. Siempre aayusin ko pa yung zoom ko. Hala, wala na.

Tsk tsk... another lesson learned for me.

to all,
thanks for all the voices of experience talking here.
you can pick up a lot from these exchanges.

@Jon-jone: This is the first time (actually second na nga pala) I tried using servo. ...I think naman na very reliable sya. Yun nga lang you have to give time for the AI to make the proper predictions of where your subjects are going to be when you press your shutter fully. I tried acquiring focus mula doon pa lang sa pagpasok nila sa aisle.

@ Marco: Clarification lang po ser ha.. hope you dont mind :Grin: . Need to perfect the march kc it's really been my achilles heal.

Sa march you use Servo focus mode. Pagpasok ng subject sa aisle you start acquiring focus by half-pressing the shutter button na walang bitawan habang sinusundan mo sya through slightly varying the camera aim. When the subject reaches the point where you intend to take the shoot, that's the time you fully press the shutter button. Am I correct?

Hindi rin advisable sa Servo yung bigla ka na lang pipitik, right?

Darwin,

Thanks for sharing. I had trouble with that "close door effect". I metered with the door closed, then all of the sudden, when the bride entered, I have to change settings fast, panic mode actally. Thanks for the tip.

Ed

:) You don't have to change settings fast and panic. All you have to do is use the P mode 'coz most probably the shutter speed will be above 1/90 due to the bright outdoors then use the * button he he he. Minsan pang tamad pero those controls are there for you to maximize and it usually gives me the right exposure. Minsan we have to rely on the high-tech features ng cam natin rather than rely on our ego that we have to use Manual mode no matter what kasi sabi ng iba pag hindi naka manual mode hindi Pro. Bahala sila.

I maximize the 35segment metering of Canon or Multi-Cam 900 for Nikon.... we paid for it anyway.

:Grin:

Your suggestion pretty much validates this school of thought which i haven't practiced for fear of turning into panic mode when alternating and switching between buttons and dials with only seconds to spare. Your suggestion to put it on P mode during the bride's turn got me thinking. Thanks for sharing.
:)

This is just me.... P mode is my best bet as long as you know how to use it and you know how it functions. P mode functions differently when you're using different metering systems i.e. Matrix, Center Weighted, Average, or Spot.

The most important thing to remember is you have to know where to meter your camera and learn where the highlights and shadows are.

One tip (I usually just give tips to my co-worker:)):
I prefer long zoom lens with fast AF when shooting the bride entering. Y? With long zoom lens I can zoom to the longest to get the part of the bride where I want to meter, lock my meter using the * button, zoom back to the widest to frame the bride with the door, then shoot. It takes about a second or two to do this. Usually an 18-200mm works best.... Nevermind the sharp ek ek pixel peeping thing with zoom lens.... the couple won't identify the diff when you've laid out the photos in their album =)

Y zoom to the longest for metering? When you meter the bride with considerable large bright area on the background you would probably get incorrect metering due to overexposed background (with relation to the bride)..... this is where Nikon comes in he he he (I'm a Canon user by the way) their cams are equiped with spot metering from D50 to the highest end. On 350d and 400d there are no spot metering, so you have to use the Center weighted metering and the center circle of your screen should occupy approx the bride to get the proper exposure lock of the bride (resulting with the dreamy look at the background).... for silhoute shots, just shoot the bride in P mode, magsilhoute na yun he he he (your cam will choose to meter the dominant area which is your bright background) ......... pero pag gabi ibang usapan na yan he he he.


Whew! I should have put this in my blog :Shock:

This is the clincher for me, thanks to you Darwin. Many times I've used the Servo focusing (during the march) to no avail. Sometimes its ok sometimes i turn out with blurry shots. There are times that the One-shot focus works even better (under ideal circumstances ofcourse). So I second your statement that its unreliable for that particular occasion. Or perhaps its just me not knowing how to properly use the Servo mode.

I read somewhere that servo focussing is dependent on the movement of the subject and the ambient light. If the ambient light is bright the servo is more reliable. Pag madilim medyo not reliable na.

@Darwin, Thanks for the tips again. Baka meron ka pa dyan..,, Bring it on.

@ Marco: Clarification lang po ser ha.. hope you dont mind :Grin: . Need to perfect the march kc it's really been my achilles heal.

Sa march you use Servo focus mode. Pagpasok ng subject sa aisle you start acquiring focus by half-pressing the shutter button na walang bitawan habang sinusundan mo sya through slightly varying the camera aim. When the subject reaches the point where you intend to take the shoot, that's the time you fully press the shutter button. Am I correct?

Hindi rin advisable sa Servo yung bigla ka na lang pipitik, right?

Pareho lang tayo na achiles heel ang march. Masusubukan ko lang ulit itong technique na ito next Saturday so titingnan ko. I'll keep you updated.

About kung advisable sa Servo yung bigla ka na lang pipitik, i-try mo na lang. I'm sure you have enough time between now and the next wedding. Practice practice lang.

Cheers!

Marco

Pareho lang tayo na achiles heel ang march. Masusubukan ko lang ulit itong technique na ito next Saturday so titingnan ko. I'll keep you updated.

About kung advisable sa Servo yung bigla ka na lang pipitik, i-try mo na lang. I'm sure you have enough time between now and the next wedding. Practice practice lang.

Cheers!

Marco

Tried the Servo with biglang pitik before, turns out no good. I think we need to give the camera time to focus kahit servo. Just wondering if it works for you.

Thanks.

Tried the Servo with biglang pitik before, turns out no good. I think we need to give the camera time to focus kahit servo. Just wondering if it works for you.

Thanks.

Ah... hindi gumana sa kin yung biglang pitik dati eh. Kailangan siguro mga at least 1 second for it to hold focus.

... One tip (I usually just give tips to my co-worker:)):


Thanks for sharing and for reminding me pards. Sometimes, it really takes somebody else's testimonies before believing in a system. Anyhow, maybe someday we could be... ahhm.. co-workers?:)

Ah... hindi gumana sa kin yung biglang pitik dati eh. Kailangan siguro mga at least 1 second for it to hold focus.

SAme here. I think servo works better under ideal lighting conditions. If maliwanag yung church OK siguro. But if its the otherwise and we use flash to mainly illuminate the walking subjects then I'd better change my plan of attack. Regards.

I read somewhere that servo focussing is dependent on the movement of the subject and the ambient light. If the ambient light is bright the servo is more reliable. Pag madilim medyo not reliable na.

I see. I'll bear that in mind. Thanks pards.

@Darwin, Thanks for the tips again. Baka meron ka pa dyan..,, Bring it on.

Parang OT na to ah.

OK another tip :) ....... use Nikon when shooting weddings he he he he..... just joking....... I'm a Canon user. Seriously, I'm making great use of the Custom white balance of the camera..... no need for pringles cap or exposdisc. Just read the manual on how to use the custom white balance........ Pero pag Nikon gamit AWB n lang :Grin: Seriously, Nikon gives better white balance than Canon.

Another tip:
When marching and using bounce flash or lumiquest, you can't do continous shoot. You have probably 2 shots the most to get the image. Lalo na pag gamit mo Lumiquest. Do my first suggestion and you'll be fine :) It's better to have a single good image than 4 or 5 continous images na blur or under exposed.

Another thing:

It's not always the indian that counts minsan pag mapurol ang pana kahit si Legolas pa ang tumira sablay yan :Grin:

very imformative posts mga sir...

keep it flowing...

tried the AI servo and with the "pitik-agad" won't work on it...

and AI-servo will be benificial on those well lighted weddings... or specially beach or open area weddings...

iba talaga dito sa DPP, i really learned a lot.. Mabuhay kayo mga bossing!!
you keep it coming, we'll keep on learning.

Good Info guys. Darwin, you have shared enough of your trade secrets.
So this means you have to discover more techniques.

I really admire those people who share their PRO techniques and are not afraid that their counter parts on the field will learn it. They are compelled, more than ever to learn new techniques so as not to be left out. Thus, increasing the level of skills which I believe is endless when it comes to art.

Again, thanks for all the info. It really helps.

Marco,

Thank you so much for this thread. It is quite comforting to learn from others that the bridal march is really not that easy to shoot. But even then, there is much hope:) Thanks everyone for the precious tips that are all very helpful and encouraging.

here's what i do with marches... to check the light, i usually ask an assistant to stand where i want the entourage to be at when i click the button to check if my flash is just right, then, time comes pag march na, i use ai servo pang focus (im a canon user). i use m all thru out the wedding (mainly because i never did learn the features :P hehe, kidding. full manual kasi nun school days pa. hope this helps. cheers.

Marco,

Thank you so much for this thread. It is quite comforting to learn from others that the bridal march is really not that easy to shoot. But even then, there is much hope:) Thanks everyone for the precious tips that are all very helpful and encouraging.


agree hirap tagal mag shoot pag bridal march especially pag backlighted ,kaya dami ko din natutunan dito sa topic n ito ,salamat :)

im using 580ex flash , what is the best battery partner for this flash (2400,2700ni-mh or energizer )

very helpful thread especially for newbies like me.
Thanks for the threadstarter and everyone sharing their techniques

i haven't really tried this. is it advisable sa wedding march to set to hyperfocal distance para in-focus lahat?

im using 580ex flash , what is the best battery partner for this flash (2400,2700ni-mh or energizer )

get the ansmann brand. you won't regret it. :)

I'll be having my first stint next weekend. Got some time to practice the suggestions here. Thanks po for sharing. It will come handy. :)

when shooting the entourage, i use the wide (but not so wide) end of my lens, this way, i minimize the distance between my cam and the subject, hence i save my flash power (better refresh). normally i use f/4-f/5.6 to get crisp pics, then set the shutter to something from 60-90 (to expose the background just right), and adjust the iso to 400 (normally). i also dial in a +/- compensation on my flash depending on the distance & color/shade of their clothes (getting a stand in at this point really helps). normally i set my 580 to -1/3 because i have an off cam flash that serves as my main light. i set my flash to something like +2/3 to +1 when it is my sole light source. i also set a marker (flower, pew etc), then shoot 2-3 frames, before the marker, at the marker, and a bit after; i use single shot, AF (ive messed up before using manual focus). i use canon gear.

hope this helps

Kix: Sir, info overload for a newbie hehe... Expound please :D

Kix: Sir, info overload for a newbie hehe... Expound please :D

ooppss...sorry. let me try that again...basically, this is what i do...

1. position myself:
i find myself a marker (flower/pew etc) & position myself about 8-10ft away from it & use the wide end of my lens to frame my marker and subject. btw, i use a 24-70mm lens & i dont zoom all the way to 70mm--to conserve my flash battery. normally i use the 28-35mm range on my lens.

2. set my camera to meter for ambient light: (manual metering)
i meter for the ambient light & with the flash turned OFF, shoot several frames to test and adjust my settings. normally, my aperture is about f/4 or f/5.6, then i set my shutter accordingly (about 1/60-1/125). its ok to underexpose the ambient reading a bit, just a bit. i set the iso to 400--this is the only acceptable setting for my cam :( you can set it higher...just be conscious about the noise/grain

3. set my flash power
when all this is set, i reduce OR increase my flash output power to match my distance (Flash Exposure Compensation or FEC--pls read your flash manual on how to set the FEC). this ensures that the right amount of flash reaches my subject/marker. this is where having an assistant/stand-in is helpful :D normally if my 580ex if mounted on cam, i set my FEC to a +2/3 or +1. then fire several test shots and make adjustments to nail the exposure.

4. shoot the entourage
i shoot about 2-3 frames; 1 frame when the subject is near my marker, another frame when the subject is in line with my marker and the last frame right after passing my marker. sometimes my AF misses a shot, but i still get 1-2 shots that are ok. also, at times the godparents are looking elsewhere...so an extra shot may be needed....and pray that they dont blink in all 3 shots. hehehe

these are my normal settings. hope i did well this time... :D

I read somewhere that servo focussing is dependent on the movement of the subject and the ambient light. If the ambient light is bright the servo is more reliable. Pag madilim medyo not reliable na.

This is true. To add, AI Servo is also dependent on a few more things:


Subject Position - Your chances of nailing a sharp shot decreases if they fall outside the cross-type AF points. (For the Canon non 1-series cams except for the 5D, the center AF point is usually the only cross-type AF point.)


Subject Contrast - The higher, the better. Aiming at the barong or the dress in general will net you a smaller chance of getting a sharp photo. Try going for the face instead.


Camera shake and Subject Motion - Now this gets tricky. The moment your hand starts moving, then your camera will start to re-evaluate focus, and it takes time to re-acquire the lock, especially if your subject is moving.You can read more about it at:
http://photonotes.org/other/ai-servo.html
It covers Canon 1-series AI Servo mechanics, but a lot of it made sense when I tried it out for my 20D. :)

From experience, AI Focus is only good if your subject is moving at a more or less consistent speed in a predictable manner. AI Focus will really have a tough time with ring and coin bearer kids running in a zigzag motion down the aisle, and the bad part is that until it acquires focus (for some cam models like the 20D at least), you can't shoot.

For me, pre-focusing at a certain point, using a smaller aperture for greater depth of field, and using One-Shot AF is still the safest bet towards getting sharp aisle shots. Making sure that your flash's IR-AF assist beam is active helps a great deal too.

For bridal march and the rest of ceremony I dont use flash at all. If I do use flash it is more for filling in some light to reduce shadow as opposed to using it as main light. Using flash at church, in my opinion, ruins the shot. I suggest to use the smallest apperture setting like f2.8. Do not be afraid to use high ISO like 800. Normally I use 800 or sometimes ISO 1600 in church. You have to capture the moments and not focus on getting photo that is sharp. Most of the photos during the ceremony do not get used for enlargements or re-prints. Normally they use photos that are taken during the "formals" after the ceremony or at a different location.

See some of my ceremony shots at my website.

http://www.jvphotography.com/content.html