Any tips for shooting a funeral?
Discussion
Any tips for shooting a funeral? Family funeral tomorrow and I was initially asked to shoot a video for the family to see in NZ. I said no but agreed to shoot pics. The ceremony will be in an old Church (light isn't brilliant) and the graveside. The minister (BiL) et al have given a free hand.
I'm thinking set one camera up in quiet mode with a 35mm facing the congregation and shoot handheld with a second camera with a 24-70mm from the back for wide shots and details like flowers and the coffin.
Graveside should be ok.
Obviously, don't want to go mad just capture the event respectfully.
Has anyone done this before?
I'm thinking set one camera up in quiet mode with a 35mm facing the congregation and shoot handheld with a second camera with a 24-70mm from the back for wide shots and details like flowers and the coffin.
Graveside should be ok.
Obviously, don't want to go mad just capture the event respectfully.
Has anyone done this before?
I get why they're wanting it, but I'm not convinced any form of photography at a funeral is apt.
When my gran died family in Australia sent one family member over to 'represent' them, can't they stump up one plane ticket?
The eulogy he and others gave was shown to all the remaining families, and he obviously discussed the day with them, but other than that what else can't they imagine? They're pretty straight forward affairs. A few hymns, eulogies, box goes in ground.
My dad had to interject at his sister in laws funeral (my aunt) when one girl was snapping away. I'm sure some attending wouldn't be chuffed at photos being taken.
When my gran died family in Australia sent one family member over to 'represent' them, can't they stump up one plane ticket?
The eulogy he and others gave was shown to all the remaining families, and he obviously discussed the day with them, but other than that what else can't they imagine? They're pretty straight forward affairs. A few hymns, eulogies, box goes in ground.
My dad had to interject at his sister in laws funeral (my aunt) when one girl was snapping away. I'm sure some attending wouldn't be chuffed at photos being taken.
I suggest setting up a small camera(s) such as go pros, somewhere discrete so its not seen, before the service; like at the rear of the church up high. Then perhaps set up a discrete mic running into a recorder for the speech, if they are using a mic already then try and get a feed off the desk to save on visible kit. This kit should be barley visible and non intrusive. If you hide another camera for a closer view of the speaker(s) then that's handy.
It is possible to operate some newer cameras from an app on a tablet. Perhaps you could hire one, put it somewhere out the way and operate it discretely from the rear of the room, though if its your relative then you might be better off getting an operator to do it for you, so you can be present for the funereal.
Filming it overtly would likely be in bad taste.
It is possible to operate some newer cameras from an app on a tablet. Perhaps you could hire one, put it somewhere out the way and operate it discretely from the rear of the room, though if its your relative then you might be better off getting an operator to do it for you, so you can be present for the funereal.
Filming it overtly would likely be in bad taste.
Someone on another forum asked the same question a couple of weeks ago, here's their post about how it went https://www.reddit.com/r/photography/comments/7jt6...
henrycrun said:
Record the audio of the ceremony direct from the PA desk.
Take stills of the church, graveyard/crematorium etc. - maybe on another day.
Stills of the Order of Service (one per page) and also Book of Condolences.
That's a good plan.Take stills of the church, graveyard/crematorium etc. - maybe on another day.
Stills of the Order of Service (one per page) and also Book of Condolences.
Edited by henrycrun on Sunday 17th December 22:40
Well that was a different challenge!
As planned I was able to set up a tripod with a D800 on remote. Found a perfect place tucked into a corner by the choir stalls at the front of the church behind a font with flowers in it facing the mourners. Needed 24mm rather than the 35mm I thought to get the minister, casket and mourners in.
I sat half way back on the aisle end and from a fixed position used a Fuji x100s on silent to shoot down the aisle at the casket, minister and eulogists. white balance inside was difficult - there were infra-red heaters casting a red glow!
Before the service I met the hearse outside, did a couple of shots of the arrival and followed them in shooting from behind them and using the remote shooting from the front. Remote didn't fire every time - think the camera was going to sleep and first button press woke it up and a second was needed to take a shot. I'll look into that. Quiet mode was quiet enough.
Graveside was easier - closeups of casket, name plaque, flowers, cards etc, the casket in the ground and mourner groups. I used a second D800 with a 24-70mm.
Didn't shoot any closeups of people or their grief and no-one seemed to be bothered. Probably helped that I was family and they knew why I was doing it.
Enjoyed it but strange and family very happy with the results and being viewed in NZ - every day is a school day!
As planned I was able to set up a tripod with a D800 on remote. Found a perfect place tucked into a corner by the choir stalls at the front of the church behind a font with flowers in it facing the mourners. Needed 24mm rather than the 35mm I thought to get the minister, casket and mourners in.
I sat half way back on the aisle end and from a fixed position used a Fuji x100s on silent to shoot down the aisle at the casket, minister and eulogists. white balance inside was difficult - there were infra-red heaters casting a red glow!
Before the service I met the hearse outside, did a couple of shots of the arrival and followed them in shooting from behind them and using the remote shooting from the front. Remote didn't fire every time - think the camera was going to sleep and first button press woke it up and a second was needed to take a shot. I'll look into that. Quiet mode was quiet enough.
Graveside was easier - closeups of casket, name plaque, flowers, cards etc, the casket in the ground and mourner groups. I used a second D800 with a 24-70mm.
Didn't shoot any closeups of people or their grief and no-one seemed to be bothered. Probably helped that I was family and they knew why I was doing it.
Enjoyed it but strange and family very happy with the results and being viewed in NZ - every day is a school day!
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