Even without images, in the time it took for people to make elitist and aggressive comments, useful answers could have been given. I also don't see a notice saying this forum is only for professionals, and I don't think it is on the OP to find out whether or not he or she will get tromped on for asking a question. If you don't want to answer a question, don't answer.
To the OP--I looked at the exif info on your images, and you basically were using too slow a shutter speed to handhold your camera and lens for the focal length you were using. Look at the following article to find out why.
After reading the above, work it out in your head. You were at 300mm focal length (first image), using the above article, that means to successfully hand hold your lens without shake (this is only a guideline but works fairly well), your shutter speed would have to be 1/300th. Looking at the rest of your specs, ISO 1600, 1/60th, f5, you could not have accomplished the same EV using 1/300th shutter. Your only viable option would be to use a tripod. 1/60th is fast enough to record most ceremony images (not talking about the processional or recessional), since people are basically standing there not moving a lot. I would still have picked when I released the shutter though--those little pauses between movements, at the end of sentences, etc.
Things change a bit when you use flash, but I won't go into that. I would recommend you visit planetneil.com and read the articles about using on camera flash.
The different camera modes would not have helped you. Some might have been better than others, but without knowing the above, you would still end up the same way.
To answer your question regarding why none of the church shots worked is not the fault of your camera but the lens that you have used. The 75-300mm f4-5.6 is far too a slow lens for a church service, your shutter speed was only a 60 of a second and your lens wide open at f5.6 at 300mm and 1600iso. The ideal shutter speed for a novice under that light would be a minimum of 250 or use a tripod which would help with the lower shutter speed. As others have suggested offer your services to a Pro wedding photographer even it is only carrying their bags around and take note of how they work the wedding, maybe going to the studio when the files are to be processed where you could ask the Pro about settings for certain shots, and they would be able to explain. Go out with some friends and give yourself a time limit (say 1 hour) like a wedding to get all the shots you need.
Practice is the only way to learn, or Google is your friend in finding tutorails in all the basics of photography. I have been a working Pro for over 40 years and still learn something every day, but then I look for the answers I need.
if you used on camera flash with red eye switched on you would have had preflashes before the main flash causing a delay in exposure, that and hunting for focus with slow glass are all the contributions you need for blurry photos.
The tempo picks up when it's the real deal, and for weddings the heat is on, a flick of a button or switch or a change in settings could change everything, everyone is human and makes mistakes, you just learn from them
If you want to pursue weddings dump the kit len and 70-300,
get a cheap couple of primes a 50 1.8 on aps for bridal portraits etc, and a 20 1.8 sigma or 24 2.8 canon.
That will help sort out your shutter speeds but won't be the magic bullet.
Hook up as an assistant to someone local to you and learn read play as much as possible from this community and others, a couple of years from now this thread will be forgotten and you'll be another Rockstar.
Take criticism with a pinch of salt and pepper add just enough to taste, treat constructive criticism as bibical words of wisdom from the fountains knowledge of mistakes and hard knocks and hard luck, nobody has been breed or born for wedding photography yet!
By the way, Welcome to FM. This forum is for you. Post a hidden link to a rick roll video if you like.
Your friends were very gracious and the fact you were concerned about the results at least shows you care. If you sift through the BS, you will find useful (very useful) information. Remember, the cost of entry to this forum is even less than what you "charged" your friend.
JazzyMac wrote:
So what I'm seeing is, "Don't post here until we feel you're good enough?" I'm not sure this is what this website was made for. I think it was made for amateurs and professionals alike to learn, befriend, and have a sense of community in a common subject. Photography.
this thread is really livening up my layover.
We used to value something called situational awereness back when I wore a uniform. If the "dedicated to PROFESSIONAL wedding photography" didn't clue a forum browser into the makeup of this forum, then one would think the content of the posts might. This is a forum for pro wedding photography. Amateurs are of course welcome, but they are guests. Any good guest should attempt to acquaint him or herself with the local customs before making a big splash or imposing demands on the natives.
It says "dedicated to professional wedding photography", not "professional photographers". It also notes that anyone on FM can peruse these forums. Members with accounts (achieved by registering), can post and reply to threads.
It says nothing about showing true "professional certification", images posted in magazines, or account balances for the previous year.
I agree with Jazzy. FM Rules states that registration is open to anyone and anyone is welcome. Perhaps there should be Wedding Forum rules posted so that amateurs know what to do, if what you say is true?
In any case, isn't part of being professional, being courteous to all who love photography? Just courteous, not necessarily giving anything, although the answer to the OP's question can be given in a few paragraphs. I don't think the OP was demanding, either.
If you don't want to deal with beginner questions, perhaps create a sub forum, like they have on the Digital Wedding Forum, which requires that you be a professional to join. Either that, or just reject beginner questions. That would be better than subjecting beginner posters to bashing.
It says "dedicated to professional wedding photography", not "professional photographers". It also notes that anyone on FM can peruse these forums. Members with accounts (achieved by registering), can post and reply to threads.
It says nothing about showing true "professional certification", images posted in magazines, or account balances for the previous year.
Your SA could use a bit of tightening.
You're failing to notice that in fact the official designation of this forum as a place to discuss pro wedding photography is beside the point really. The active participants of this forum are almost all professionals of some description, or those who hope to one day be pros. This place is *culturally* a pro forum, and if your SA hasn't noticed THAT, then your powers of critical observation are limited.
My point is that given even a moment of careful observation, one could fairly easily anticipate the response that the op received without going to the trouble of posting. You can bemoan the "closed-mindedness" of this forum as you like, but even you noted that you were warned about this place. You are welcome to labor to build your forum utopia where pro's and Bobs can frolic in harmony, but until then my SA has kept me alive in a warzone, so forgive me if I ignore your generous advice to adjust it.
@JazzyPants i missed the part of the thread where you took the OP by the hand and walked him/her through the fundamentals of cameraology. until i see you fulfilling the role of conscientious do-gooder, i don't see your purpose in this thread. i'm choosing to file you under pissy trollface.
@ksmahgrts...I think I'm showing my age. I know all the words to that song.
@baines...what works in the warzone, doesn't always work in peaceful conditions (which is what this forum is, btw). Adjust, adapt, overcome. And all that jazz.
JazzyMac wrote:
@baines...what works in the warzone, doesn't always work in peaceful conditions (which is what this forum is, btw). Adjust, adapt, overcome. And all that jazz.
As someone who has heard the stories of what Evan did in the warzone, you'd be surprised at how much diplomacy and civility was required of his unit.
I'm not trying to get involved, but Evan's a humble guy, and of all the people on this forum, he usually shows the greatest traits of compassion to novices. Just check out his sticky threads near the top for a good example.
JazzyMac wrote:
@ksmahgrts...I think I'm showing my age. I know all the words to that song.
@baines...what works in the warzone, doesn't always work in peaceful conditions (which is what this forum is, btw). Adjust, adapt, overcome. And all that jazz.
Why are you continuing to pick fights in this thread that has NOTHING to do with you?
Tony Hoffer wrote:
As someone who has heard the stories of what Evan did in the warzone, you'd be surprised at how much diplomacy and civility was required of his unit.
I'm not trying to get involved, but Evan's a humble guy, and of all the people on this forum, he usually shows the greatest traits of compassion to novices. Just check out his sticky threads near the top for a good example.
+1000
This is the wrong guy to pick a fight with... then again, that seems to be what JazzyMac is all about.
This forum is for you. Post a hidden link to a rick roll video if you like. 