The Perfect Shot - Ruined!

[CrackedButter]

Church rules for photography during the service say stay in the back so as not to disturb the service. I'd have to go down the main aisle about halfway to get a front shot. I don't want my pastor mad at me for disobeying the rules.

I was also running the sound for service that day, and the soundboard was right next to where I took the shot. I wasn't able to wander far from the board even if the rules didn't prohibit it.

The baptismal bowl is also just a few steps from the soundboard, and I had enough time to shoot the few pictures of it during communion.

On a side note, the parents of the baby also had a pro photographer (and a family friend) taking pictures during the service, so I didn't want to push the photo boundaries any further or get in her way. She appreciated the help I provided her for location suggestions during service and letting her know what was going to happen next so she could prepare. I also pointed out some possible shots worth taking which she also appreciated. She didn't get a front shot of grandma and baby, either, but she did get some of other family members in a similar pose when it was possible for her to do so. After service we talked for a good bit, and now I have a new contact in the pro biz. Oh, and she did like the baptism bowl shot shown above, or at least as it looked on my camera's LCD at the time...

Before you even take a picture, access is the most important thing to have. The fewer restrictions placed against you will do more for your photography than having the latest camera gear in your arsenal.

 

[Keleko]

One simple tip I got from a Scott Kelby book,

When your struggling to get enough light and really pushing the shutterspeed/focal length rule and up against Camera shake. Shoot in burst mode if you shoot 4/5 shots in quick succession pretty good chance at least one will come out ok.

That's a good tip. I don't usually think of using burst mode in cases like this. Thanks!

 

[mahood]

Before you even take a picture, access is the most important thing to have. The fewer restrictions placed against you will do more for your photography than having the latest camera gear in your arsenal.

True enough - but the limitations can make you more creative (if you're lucky, or looking for the chances). And if you're not the official photographer, I can understand you'd want to keep out from underfoot - but there's plenty you can do when you can't get the best angles.

Take pictures outside, catch some of the people standing around waiting for a ride home, or sneaking outside for a cigarette Candid shots of a few of the guests at a Christening could be good, and remind people of the social part of the day too.

If there's a party or drinks afterwards, get some photos there. If there's time before or after the service, see if you can get some nice detail shots in the church, or outside - it might seem like cheating, since it wasn't 'at the same time' exactly, but some of those shots can be wonderful reminders of the day... Some of my friends' favourite wedding pictures weren't at the service at all, but were taken before or after, or while getting ready.

There's no reason you couldn't ask nicely and go back to recreate the 'hand in bowl' just for your own peace of mind, too! If there's no service in progress, a tripod won't be a problem and you can take as long as you like to set up.

Mark

 

[monokakata]

You've got what you've got, but you might consider turning your image into something completely different.

I got caught once with an old Nikon Coolpix, at a dimly-lit poetry reading where my friend, the poet, wanted some shots of him reading.

I just couldn't do it. Slow speed, bad (uncontrollable) focus, everything awful you can imagine.

So I brought it up in Photoshop and posterized it. Presto, an "artistic" shot that worked (for what it was needed for).

http://irving-feldman.com/Audio.html

Let me be clear -- this was a "what the hell am I gonna do here because as a straight image this is a disaster" situation. But you might be able to turn your shot into something interesting.