When a church is just too dark?

[Denny Kyser]

I just did photography at a church that we always know is dark, and no ac so very hot.
Well they are having the stained glass windows refinished so there is plywood over the windows now.

In a couple weeks I have to do photography and video at this same church and not sure what to do. The balcony is also closes and no place to be upfront, has to be shot from the back.

Luckily this is a one camera coverage although I will still shoot with 2 Canon XF305's.
All I can think of is to shoot wide and set gain to +18 which I find very usable.

Here is a shot I took with the 1D IV at iso 2500 1/30 sec f 2.8 and had to push the exposure a little in LR3, this will let you know how dark it is.

[Denny Kyser]

I guess my question is when you are doing all you can do, do you just explain that that is what the lighting was. I can not light this ceremony, receptions I can but no way I can add lighting to a mass at this church, they insist everyone be behind the last row of guests.

[Philip Howells]

Denny, record it like it is. The client won't or shouldn''t expect you to make miracles and no doubt it was dark when they chose it.

Then in post use a filter to decrease/minimise the noise.

[Corey Graham]

Originally Posted by Philip Howells

Then in post use a filter to decrease/minimise the noise.

I've just begun using Red Giant Denoiser, because churches around here are dark and reception halls are darker.

While I posted a more comprehensive review of it on my web site, the bottom line is that the results I get are great -- amazing, actually. However, to achieve these results, you have to endure numerous crashes and bugs. When it's all said and done, it was worth the $99.

[Stephen J. Williams]

Originally Posted by Corey Graham

I've just begun using Red Giant Denoiser, because churches around here are dark and reception halls are darker.

While I posted a more comprehensive review of it on my web site, the bottom line is that the results I get are great -- amazing, actually. However, to achieve these results, you have to endure numerous crashes and bugs. When it's all said and done, it was worth the $99.

Yep buy a noise reducer fileter... 100% worth the money. I use neat video with FCP and it works perfect. I shoot with Canon T2i who produce a pretty noisy picture anything above 800 iso. I've had to take it up to 3200 and, with the filter I love how it all turned out.

Steve

[Philip Howells]

Obviously we each have our favourites; I use New Blue FX.

[Denny Kyser]

I have a noise reduction filter and do use it but you know we can only do what we can do.
I always give everything I have but like Phillip stated, we do not select the venue.

I just love it when we are set up at reception then all of a sudden just as a dance begins the lights go dim. LOL Reception we learn to make changes with lighting quick but church its tough.

I just wanted to make sure I am not missing something and know of any miracle fix for these problems.

I know DSLR will help, but for long masses I just will not rely on them 100% especially in a non ac church in Aug talk about sensor heating up. ...

Thanks for the reply's
I am using Neat Video for noise are these mentioned above a lot better, if so may look into them.