First Christening - What films are best for this?

ted_smith · Apr 18, 2008

Hi

I have been asked by my wife's cousin to photograph her baby daughters christening. I've never done one before. I will read up myself on tips for shooting such an event but I want to ask you folks at APUG some specific questions if I may?

Before I begin - I have a 35mm Nikon F80, Nikon 20mm prime 2.8D, Nikon 50mm prime 1.8D, Nikon 60mm prime Micro Nikkor 2.8D and the super Nikon 80-200 2.8 Zoom.

The christening is most likely going to be in a traditional church in middle England (Derbyshire) around May, possibly June. So :

1) What 35mm colour film would you recommend for this kind of shoot?
2) What 35mm B&W film would you recommend for this kind of shoot?
3) Will my Nikon F80 be up to the job? I think it will, but I am worried it might not be 'professional enough' for the occasion? Would I be advised to hire an F100 for the day (or a few days in advance to get used to it first)? (I realise I should have a backup etc etc so may well hire another F80 at least)

Thanks a lot people

Ted

mabman · Apr 18, 2008

It would be good if you could get in ahead of time to at least take some light readings - older Churches of England, here in the colonies at least, tend to be not very well lit, but can be reasonably bright with the sun shining through the stained glass windows, depending on time of day.

It could vary from a comfortable 400 ISO to ~1600 ISO (just eyeballing, but that's my estimation).

lgrabun · Apr 18, 2008

Not that I am expert on this, but have you considered Fuji 800Z? They say it's professional high speed film that yields natural sking tones in low light conditions.

I second mabman's advice on going to the church and checking out the light.

Eric Rose · Apr 18, 2008

Here are my suggestions. First don't try and get the toddlers attention by dangling doggie chews LOL. Check out Ted's website to get the joke. Second use Ilford XP2 rated at 400 asa for the B&W stuff. Nothing (IMHO) beats this film for smooth skin tones and wonderful mid tones with minimal grain. For colour use a pro DSLR. Yes I know I should be burned at the stake for suggesting it, but you will be able to adjust your asa on the fly, do a white balance and change it if necessary and there are good programs for noise reduction. Rent one if you have to. If that is not an option then a fast C41 film will do but be ready to do some major colour correction if you don't want to use a flash. Flash would suck anyway for any option you go for. You seemed to be concerned about "professional" results and since your website says you are semi-professional (whatever that means) your friends are still expecting fully-professional results.

The F80 is a great camera and can deliver the results you want. However take it off autofocus. The darn thing will always want to focus on the wrong thing and you will miss those special little moments.

Good luck.

walter23 · Apr 18, 2008

I agree with Eric on the, uhh, colour aspect of things. I'm not a film fundamentalist - it's best to use the best tool for the job, and in this case, Eric's suggestion is the best tool.

Give me Velvia for large format landscapes anyday, but for a professional shoot in a dim church interior? CMOS @ 1600 ISO please.

As for the B&W, I'll defer to other people's expertise here, as fast B&W film just isn't my thing.

Blighty · Apr 18, 2008

Keep it simple. Your F80 is a more than capable camera. Use the 50mm 1.8 and shoot, if you can, with available light. Wouldn't know what colour film to use, but for B+W, XP2 sounds like a good idea (although HP5 would be my preference - grain, shmain!). Bring along the 80~200 for any outdoor shots where the lights good.

ted_smith · Apr 19, 2008

I do have a digital - Nikon D70s - and was planning on taking that too, but I do generally prefer the results of film.

Eric

since your website says you are semi-professional (whatever that means)

By semi-pro, I mean that I earn a little bit of money from my photography, but photography is really just a hobby and I have another unrelated full time job. Thus, semi-pro

tony lockerbie · Apr 19, 2008

The F100 won't do anything that the F80 won't do except make you look better. The 50mm 1.8 is by far and away the best bet for your low light stuff. I agree that a C41 B&W film would be the best bet for a job like this as not everyone is in to grain, and the tones on XP2 and T400CN are nice and smooth.
Also agree about turning off the autofocus, it will drive you bonkers in those conditions, actually it drives you bonkers in most conditions!
Tony

IloveTLRs · Apr 19, 2008

I'll third what's been said about turning-off autofocus. One because the bright AF assist lamp may be distracting (I turn it off or use MF indoors) and the sound of AF-hunting may be distracting as well - both especially in a church.

Otherwise I think the F80 is a great choice since it's so quiet (have one myself, just used it in Switzerland.)

As for color film, perhaps Kodak Portra 800? Personally I'm also a fan of Kodak Super Gold 400 for low/available light, but since I don't photograph people, I can't say what it does with skin tones.

Or how about Fuji Natura 1600, if you can get it?

Jack Lusted · Apr 19, 2008

And don't forget to have a word with the priest before the service. Explain that you've been asked to take some photos - get him/her on side and that will make all the difference.

Jack

PhotoJim · Apr 19, 2008

ted_smith said:
By semi-pro, I mean that I earn a little bit of money from my photography, but photography is really just a hobby and I have another unrelated full time job. Thus, semi-pro

That's what it means to me, too, so I think you picked the term aptly.

MattKing · Apr 19, 2008

Jack Lusted said:
And don't forget to have a word with the priest before the service. Explain that you've been asked to take some photos - get him/her on side and that will make all the difference.

Jack

This is really good advice.

I shot a wedding once, where my offhand comment to the priest and the bridal party caused them to re-configure the entire church for that wedding and subsequent weddings as well - not only was the priest willing to cooperate, he was keenly interested in improving the photographic opportunities.

They may be happy to do even simple things, like turning the lights up a bit .

They may also be willing to discuss the pace and sequence of the event, so as to build in a few brief chances for photos.

Most importantly, you will likely learn what they don't want (e.g. flash during the ceremony itself) and what they are happy to have (e.g. flash at other times, if you should so desire).

I've shot more than one wedding where the officiant was a keen photographer as well. I'm sure that Christenings are no different.

Matt

pentaxuser · Apr 19, 2008

Inside the church I'd have thought that flash is a non starter and given you won't be at the font I think that the zoom lens gives you the best chance. I'd want to be on my own at the side away from the assembled congregation to avoid disruption and here a visit to the church and a word with the vicar/priest is the key.

Unlike weddings, colour is less important for christenings, if you can persuade the parents that B&W does a great job for parents and baby shots.

A lot depends on what print size is wanted for shots inside the church but unless the light is quite good, I'd consider D3200 and Perceptol. You have a lot more scope with 3200 than 400 in terms of shutter speed and DoF.

Outside and at the post christening "do" is a different kettle of fish in terms of film speed although even here an indoors reception can pose problems that even 400 film struggles with.

I've done two christenings as the only but not the official photographer, so no burden placed on me. I was just there shooting and I found that the best shots were the candids after the christening when everybody is relaxed.

If people are looking for grain free, big enlargements then with 35mm you may be restricted to ISO 100 and outside shots. Otherwise it's MF. Really depends on the customer's wants. I'd want to be sure that what she wants is within the compass of your equipment. It should be but some people have unrealistic demands. Others would be happy with less than you can and will give them. That win/win and they are the best kind of people!

Best of luck

pentaxuser

film_guy · Apr 19, 2008

I agree with what the others say about using C-41 B&W film like XP2 (or even BW400CN) for minimal grain. Use fast lenses (anything with a fixed aperture of F2.8 and below), and make sure to shoot as low of a shutter speed as possible without compromising hand-holding. You can try to stabilize yourself on pillars or walls and learning proper breathing techniques.

For color, try Fuji's N800Z or Superia 1600.

BobbyR · Apr 19, 2008

Does the church have balcony; if so get up in the balcony where you are unobtrusive and can get some pictures looking down into the ceremony.
Bobby

Russ - SVP · Apr 20, 2008

Is flash allowed? Ilfords XP-2, rated @ 200, gives beautiful flesh tones. For speed, I used to use Fuji's NPZ (an excellent film) but I've recently found Kodak Portra 800 to be better and give very nice flesh tones with minimal grain.

Kiron Kid

First Christening - What films are best for this?

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