Help with snapshots indoor for wedding

Hi there,
I'm taking snaps on wedding on this Augast.
This will be my first experience for wedding photography.
I have Nikon D200 with SB-800 and Nikon F4 with SB-25. Some photographers prefer not to use any strobs. I know it depends.
Now, I had a practice a few days ago, then I realized something;

Using SB-800, its power suddenly got worse. That image is too dark.
And using SB-800, the part of hi-light got too bright, because of its power,.

I set A mode on my camera and AA mode on my SB-800.

Would you give me any advice?

And should I better set whitebalance on Auto?

Places will be at a church and a learge room in a hotel.

Thanks in advance.

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Permalink Reply by Mike Simpson on May 24, 2008 at 12:25pm: The D200 is the camera I use to shoot weddings and I also have the SB800 flash. But you don't mention your lenses. If you are using your flash in a building with ceiling 10-12 feet or lower point the flash at the ceiling and use bounce flash. Or point it at a 45 degree angle and use the white bounce card built into the flash. Never point it bare buld at your subject because it will be way to harsh. I would also check to make sure you can even use flash in the church. If not set your camera to ISO 400-800 to get a fast enough shutter speed. I would also use a tripod for shooting the formals if they are also indoors. You will probably want to do some test shooting at he church if possible to see what setting work best before the IMPORTANT day. When you go outdoors make darn sure you set your camera up for outdoor shooting so you don't get blown highlights.

On the D200 set your aperture to its lowest setting. You will want to use the SB800 in TTL mode not AA. Also shoot raw with WB set to auto. You can always fix the WB later in Photoshop. If you like I have about 4-5 links to help you with the setting and gear needed to shoot weddings.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jim on May 24, 2008 at 7:50pm: Hi Mike,
Thank you for your advice.And I'm sorry, I didn't mention about my lenses;
I have Nikon 50mm, Nikon 28-85mm, Nikon 35-70mm, Sigma 17-35mm, and Nikon 80-200mm.

Shooting with D200+SB800, you mean I should better set TTL mode on SB-800, is that right?
Could you advice me that I'm purchasing a difuser for SB-800.Do I better have one?

And if you know any website, would you let me know, please.

Thank you for your reply, again.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Mike Simpson on May 25, 2008 at 1:23pm: Hey Jim,

Yes you will want to shoot indoors with TTL mode. The following links about wedding photography should answer most of your questions.

I would recommend using a flash diffuser. My 2 favorites are the Lumiquest (available at www.lumiquest.com. They have many so find the one that is right for you.) and Gary Fongs Lightsphere II ( avaialable at http://store.garyfonginc.com).

A few good links.

http://www.christophermaxwell.com/wedding-photography-tips.htm

http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/wedding-photography-21-tips-for-for-amateur-wedding-photographers/

http://www.all-things-photography.com/wedding-photo-tips-for-amateu...

http://tips.romanzolin.com/articles/article006.php

Hope they help :); ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jim on May 25, 2008 at 8:04pm: Thank you, Mike,
I have just visited a couple of them. These are helpful to me.
Thank you again.; ▶ Reply to This