Beercat Loc: Central Coast of California

I meant the bride to be for a wedding shoot we have coming up in a few weeks, it's at a chapel (Chapel Hill in Shandon, California) that was built by William Clark who served under President Ronald Reagan as the Deputy Secretary of State from 1981 to 1982, United States National Security Advisor from 1982 to 1983, and the Secretary of the Interior from 1983 to 1985.

It's incredibly gorgeous ...... sits on top of a plateau all by itself surrounded by hundreds of acres with nothing on them but oats and some vineyards. The views are incredible .........

I wanted to see what the lighting was like at the time the wedding will take place as there are to huge double doors which open up into a courtyard where other people will be seated. 425 guest ........ oh my!

I snapped a few pictures to see what the exposure was like with all the back light when her father walks his daughter from the outside courtyard thru the double doors. I think I was close to nailing.

We are shooting stills and video .......

425 guest ........ oh my!

(Download)


(Download)

superpijak Loc: Middle TN

Now that's some nice large doors.....

Weddingguy Loc: British Columbia - Canada

Would definitely suggest some fill flash on the bride to be. Off camera of course is best either being held by an assistant or on a stand, depending on the space available. If not, on camera with a Lite-Scoop to soften it some, without losing too much power.

Beercat Loc: Central Coast of California

No flash allowed in the church

Weddingguy Loc: British Columbia - Canada

But by asking you will be allowed to use flash until they get down the aisle, especially at the doorway. The purpose of no flash is actually so that it does not interfere with the ceremony, which at this point will not have started. If they still insist on "no", then I would certainly consider a reflector at that point of her entrance.
I have never had a minister/pastor/priest turn me down on pictures before the ceremony starts, and that is for over 50 years of shooting weddings . . . but I must say . . . you don't ask . . . you don't get!

Beercat Loc: Central Coast of California

I'll ask

Weddingguy Loc: British Columbia - Canada

HINT . . . if it is a catholic wedding (church) you will win big stripes with the priest if you feed his ego. Make sure you let him know, that you know HE is in charge, and you are wanting to know where HE thinks it would be OK to use flash in HIS church and during HIS ceremony. I've managed to convert a "no flash" church and ceremony into, "Go where ever you like except this small area, during "this" part of the ceremony.

Beercat Loc: Central Coast of California

90% of the Catholic weddings we shoot are in one of the Missions and they always have a policy of no flash because of the age of the interior building/items

Weddingguy Loc: British Columbia - Canada

That's cool . . . but please remember . . . you don't ask . . . you don't get.

jaysnave Loc: Central Ohio

Oh My!

You can bring up exposure on her face in post (I tried it), but fill light would be better

Oh my, it looks like you could have different exposures on the same person like your bride has from shading. Then her dad also. Oh my.

You might need some powerful fill to even that out. Either light stands on either side which the priest will not like or get up close with your on camera modifier.

Oh my then you have your video cameras picking up your off camera lighting and or you.

Oh my, I wish I could be more help but this may be one of those it is what it is scenarios. After all, back lit Bride and Dad are what the guests are seeing when those doors open. It will take a lot of intervention to turn it into something else.

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

Oh My, she's beautiful, so I'm guessing you will do the usual "stellar" job of making the most of a difficult lighting scenario.
I too have shot at locations where they wouldn't let me use ANY flash at any time. They chose the location, so they will need to understand that you can only do so much. Hopefully, with strategically placed reflectors you can catch some light and use it for at least the formal shots.