Shooting a wedding at night with whitle Christmas lights as the lighting
Nov 21, 2011 10:13:56 #
Hey everyone...Really hate to bother you all again, but you've been so helpful to me before! As I have said I will be "maybe" the only photographer at a wedding in about 2 weeks. 200-300 people expected, 2-3 bridesmaids and groomsmen. They have told me that the main source of lighting will be white Christmas lights running down the center isle and on an archway with garland and lights where the bride and groom will be. The bride is wanting a lot of candid shots during the ceremony. I'm concerned because I know I need to use a tripod and won't be able to manuever as fast as she wants. I recently purchased a Nikon D5100 with an SB- 700 flash. I normally work in Manual Mode, but this also concerns me because of the variance in lights..Any suggestions would be ever so welcome. Thank you. Btw...my tripod is pretty heavy duty, not easy to raise or lower without adjusting each leg twice and then locking them down, it's because I usually work outside.
Nov 21, 2011 20:26:35 #
I'd suggest going to the location before the wedding and try to get the lighting on as it will be during the wedding. You can also take shots of the building inside and out to "complete" the album of the event, which will also give you ideas on where you would want to take pics during wedding. Talking to whom ever is in charge of the building esp. it's it's clergy will also help, on items like a no flash policy if there is one.
Nov 21, 2011 21:52:47 #
Thank you. I have visited the church, and they do not care about the flash. I guess my main concern is being quick enough to do what the bride wants. I was thinking about doing the photos in A mode, so that I wouldn't have to constantly adjust the settings. Not sure yet...will go a few days before and the night of the rehersal to see how things are set up. Just nervous I guess! :-o
Nov 22, 2011 07:08:01 #
I would suggest shooting in manual mode so you can control ISO setting and shutter speed. I would also use flash with reflecter and bounce it off of the ceiling if possible. It is important to keep your cool when shooting in low or embient light. Also look into buying or renting lenses with low f-stop (1.4 to 2.8) they will help as well.
Nov 22, 2011 07:32:04 #
Go to craft store buy a sheet of black foam. make a " Black Foamie Thing" as described at neilvn.com/tangents.
Read Neil's articles on flash photography. He ia a master teacher. Practice his techniques! You will be amazed at the quality of the pictures you can create with just a single on camera strobe light. By bouncing your light to create soft directional lighting. You said that flash at the venue was NOT a problem and you implied that you have a flash unit other than the Camera's built in unit.
Good Luck and be sure to post some results.
I am including an example using this technique.
Read Neil's articles on flash photography. He ia a master teacher. Practice his techniques! You will be amazed at the quality of the pictures you can create with just a single on camera strobe light. By bouncing your light to create soft directional lighting. You said that flash at the venue was NOT a problem and you implied that you have a flash unit other than the Camera's built in unit.
Good Luck and be sure to post some results.
I am including an example using this technique.
Nov 22, 2011 07:34:53 #
Nov 22, 2011 09:25:46 #
I suggest you also see if setting up a custom white balance gives you the results you are looking for.
Nov 22, 2011 09:49:54 #
As suggested by a previous member, a fast lens (i.e 1.2, 1.4, 1.8) will be your best friend on that night.
Yes you could use a flash for fill; but you must reduce its out so that you don't overwhelm the decorative lights.
Remember to bounce or point away the flash head.
Another suggestion would be to consider investing in a monopod. They are easy and light carry-on items, quickly adjustable, and provide acceptable stability.
Their only drawback is that the heads don't tilt for quick vertical shots.
Yes you could use a flash for fill; but you must reduce its out so that you don't overwhelm the decorative lights.
Remember to bounce or point away the flash head.
Another suggestion would be to consider investing in a monopod. They are easy and light carry-on items, quickly adjustable, and provide acceptable stability.
Their only drawback is that the heads don't tilt for quick vertical shots.
Nov 22, 2011 11:21:37 #
THANK YOU! My "speedlight" does come with a white bouncer on top of the light as well as a diffuser. I also have relfectors, in gold, white, silver, black, and white...thought they might help.
Nov 22, 2011 11:22:32 #
Nov 22, 2011 11:24:49 #
Very nice. I will definately check out his work. And your words of wisdom. Guess I just have to get over it being my "first" wedding to shoot! :)
Nov 22, 2011 12:43:36 #
gregoryalanmccorkle
Loc: Seattle, Washington
Manfroto's monopod has a tilt head so you can shoot in portrait orientation.
Nov 22, 2011 13:40:28 #
Thank you. I can't tell you how much I apprecite your advice as well as everyone's elses. Wish I had found y'all (I am from the South you know) about a year ago. Oh well...better late than never! :-D
Nov 22, 2011 16:40:09 #
Hello, I see a lot of people have opinions here, but I have real life experience doing the kind of shoot you have asked about. Put your flash on ETTL setting, the camera on "P" setting and shoot away. The computer chips in modern cameas are so smart, they have given me perfect exposures under all types of lighting when I followed the simple suggestion I made above. If you diffuse your flash in any manner, then increase the exposure setting on your camera by 1/3 or 2/3's or your photos could be underexposed.
Nov 22, 2011 17:08:17 #
Thank you so much for your input. Since I may be the only one shooting at the wedding, I was concerned about constantly adjusting in Manual Mode. Your advice sounds wonderful. I will definately try this. Thank you again!!! :-)
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