Junior Rasmussen
Wedding photography is a challenging task, and lighting is a key consideration. While natural light is always desirable, it is not always available, especially at indoor or evening receptions. Speedlights are small, portable flashes that can be attached to cameras or light stands to illuminate a scene and enhance exposure. They are a useful tool for wedding photographers as they are versatile, can be paired with a remote, and can be bounced to avoid harsh shadows. However, photographers should be mindful of the venue's rules around flash photography, and the potential for horror lighting if the flash is pointed downwards.
Do I need a speedlight for a wedding?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| When to use a speedlight | Use speedlight for outdoor receptions at night or dark indoor receptions. |
| Use speedlight for portraits, group photos, and photos of guests, flowers, the cake, and room decorations. | |
| Use speedlight to fill in light and create more contrast. | |
| Use speedlight to expose the bride and her family correctly while keeping the background exposed correctly. | |
| Use speedlight to avoid "horror lighting" by not pointing the flash downwards. | |
| Speedlight settings | Use a high sync function in manual mode. |
| Set flash to 1/4 power in manual mode. | |
| Set shutter speed to 1/15 or 1/30 of a second to allow more depth and ambient light. | |
| Point the flash straight up or slightly sideways at a 45-degree angle. | |
| Use a bounce or diffuser to avoid harsh light and shadows. | |
| Use colored gels to correct color in real-time. | |
| Speedlight gear | Speedlight (e.g., Canon 600EX-RT Speedlite, Nikon SB-900/SB-910, Nikon SB-400) |
| Camera | |
| Light stands | |
| Tranceivers/transmitters/receivers (e.g., MagMod Bounce Battery Pack) | |
| Diffuser (e.g., MagBounce) |
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What You'll Learn
Speedlight settings for wedding photography
Speedlights are small, portable flashes that can be attached to cameras or set up on light stands. They are a useful tool for wedding photographers, providing illumination and enhancing the exposure of shots. Here are some speedlight settings and techniques to consider for wedding photography:
Speedlight Settings
- Manual Mode: When using a speedlight in manual mode, start by setting your flash to 1/4 power and adjust from there depending on the scene. Using manual mode gives you more control over the lighting and allows you to create the desired atmosphere in your photos.
- High Sync Function: If you're using manual mode, make sure to enable the high sync function. This will allow you to use a shutter speed faster than 1/200th of a second, which can be beneficial in low-light conditions or when you want to freeze action.
- Shutter Speed: Keep in mind that shutter speed does not affect flash exposure. However, it influences the exposure of ambient light. For example, setting your shutter speed to 1/15 or 1/30 of a second can help capture the ambient light in a reception hall or outdoors after sunset, adding depth to your photos.
- Flash Angle: Avoid pointing the flash directly at your subjects. Instead, angle the flash head slightly sideways at a 45-degree angle to achieve a directional bounce. You can also bounce the light upwards to evenly spread the light, but be mindful of potential deep shadows under the eyes and chins.
- Red Beam: Most speedlights have a red beam of light that helps the camera focus in dark environments. Consider turning this feature off during wedding photography, as it can be distracting when red dots appear on your subjects.
Techniques for Wedding Photography
- Natural Light: Embrace natural light whenever possible. It can create beautiful images and reduce the need for extensive post-production editing. However, be prepared to use speedlights in low-light conditions, such as during indoor receptions or outdoors after sunset.
- Backlighting: Experiment with backlighting by positioning the main light source behind your subjects. This can add emotion and creativity to your images, capturing the celebratory nature of the wedding reception.
- Fill Light: Use speedlights to fill in light and create more contrast, especially when shooting in gloomy or poorly lit environments. Speedlights can help ensure that the background is correctly exposed and not washed out.
- Multiple Flashes: Consider using two flashes to add depth and dimension to your photos, especially when shooting on the dance floor. Place one flash on the camera and the other in a corner or near the DJ booth to capture interesting colour temperatures.
- Reception Lighting: Test the lighting conditions at the reception venue before deciding to use your speedlight. Natural lighting can sometimes be limited, but the ambient lighting from sources like twinkle lights or wall lights can add depth to your photos.
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Natural light vs speedlight
Natural light is a gift for photographers, and it can produce beautiful images. However, there are times when natural light is not enough, and this is where speedlights come in. Speedlights are small, portable flashes that can be attached to cameras or placed on light stands. They are a useful tool for wedding photographers as they enhance the exposure of a shot and are easy to use remotely.
Speedlights can be used to fill in light and create more contrast, especially in low-light situations. They can also be used to correctly expose the subject while keeping the background lit. When using speedlights, it is important to remember not to point the flash directly at the subject, as this can create harsh lighting and shadows. Instead, photographers can angle the flash slightly sideways or bounce the light off a wall or ceiling.
While speedlights can be a useful tool, they are not always necessary. In some cases, natural light may be sufficient, and using a speedlight could result in overexposing the image. Additionally, some venues may have restrictions on the use of flash photography, so it is important to ask about guidelines before the event.
Ultimately, the decision to use natural light or speedlights comes down to personal preference and the specific lighting conditions of the wedding. Photographers should be prepared for all lighting situations and experiment with different techniques to find what works best for them.
In conclusion, while speedlights can be a valuable tool for wedding photographers, they are not always necessary. Natural light can often produce beautiful images, and it is important to embrace it whenever possible. However, in low-light situations or when more contrast is needed, speedlights can be a useful solution. By understanding the lighting conditions and their equipment, photographers can capture stunning images that do justice to the special day.
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Speedlight gear for wedding photography
Speedlights are small, portable flashes that can be attached to cameras or set up on light stands. They are a great tool for wedding photographers as they can illuminate a scene and enhance the exposure of a shot. They are also useful for adding emotion and creativity to images.
When using a speedlight, it is important to remember not to point the flash downwards, as this can create unflattering "horror lighting". Instead, the flash head should be angled slightly sideways at a 45-degree angle to get a directional bounce. If the area is particularly dark, the light can be bounced upwards to create a more even spread of light, but this may result in deeper shadows under the eyes and chins.
When shooting in low-light situations, the flash will output the amount of light it judges to be necessary to correctly expose the scene. Shutter speed does not affect flash exposure, but it does impact the exposure of ambient light. For example, setting the shutter to 1/15 of a second will allow more ambient light into the photo, creating more depth and avoiding the "black hole effect".
When using multiple speedlights, wireless capabilities are important to ensure that the flashes can communicate with each other. Additionally, it is crucial to consider the recharge time of the flashes, as some may have poor recharge times that can cause photographers to miss important moments.
- Canon 600EX-RT Speedlite MagMod Bounce Battery Pack
- Nikon SB-900/SB-910 speedlights
- Nikon SB-400 speedlight
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Shutter speed and speedlight
Shutter speed is one of the most crucial aspects of photography at a wedding reception. A wedding party will always have plenty of people around, so a faster shutter speed is required for optimal photo-taking speed. Expert photographers generally agree that a shutter speed of 1/60 of a second produces the best results for photographing weddings. This is because, at 1/60 of a second or slower, the shaking of your hand and camera can cause the entire image to blur.
However, if your subject is moving with any real speed, a shutter speed of 1/200 of a second or faster will be required to freeze the motion. If your subjects are running, you'd want a shutter speed closer to 1/500 of a second. If you want to intentionally create motion blur, you can use a shutter speed of 1/5 of a second or slower.
When using a speedlight, it's important to keep the shutter speed at a fairly low setting to let in more ambient light. The flash firing at a single point will keep the subject sharp, so you don't need to worry about blurry faces. This works well in a very dark room or space with dramatic background lighting.
Speedlights are small, portable flashes that can be secured to cameras or on light stands. They can rotate for a wide variety of lighting options and are easily paired with a remote, making them a useful tool for wedding photographers.
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Speedlight positioning
Speedlights are small portable flashes that can be attached to cameras or set up on light stands. They are useful for wedding photography, especially during the reception, as they can illuminate a scene and enhance the exposure of a shot. Here are some tips for positioning your speedlight:
Firstly, it is important to test the lighting in the room before setting up your speedlight. Natural light can often be sufficient and can create beautiful images, so it is worth assessing the ambient light before adding artificial lighting. If you are shooting an outdoor reception at night or a dark indoor reception, a speedlight paired with a softbox and the natural ambiance of the venue's lighting can create stunning images.
When using a speedlight, it is generally recommended to avoid pointing the flash directly at your subjects. Instead, try to bounce the light off a nearby wall or ceiling to create a softer, more flattering light. If you are using a speedlight on your camera, ensure that the flash is not pointing downward and is instead angled slightly sideways or upward to avoid an unwanted shadow effect. For example, a 45-degree angle will create a directional bounce, while angling the flash upward can help spread the light more evenly.
If you are in a low-light situation, you can use the flash to meter the light. In manual mode, set your flash to 1/4 power and adjust as needed. If you are using ETTL, the flash will automatically output the amount of light it thinks is necessary for the scene.
Additionally, consider the direction of the light. Backlighting, where the main light source is behind your subjects, can create interesting effects and add emotion and creativity to your images. You can also experiment with dragging the shutter, using a slow shutter speed with flash, to capture the illusion of movement, which can be particularly effective for photos of guests dancing.
Finally, don't be afraid to use multiple speedlights. You can use one on-camera flash and place another in the corner or next to the DJ booth to light the dance floor. Just ensure that any additional speedlights have wireless capabilities or the necessary transmitters to communicate with each other.
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Frequently asked questions
Speedlights are small, portable flashes that can be secured to cameras or on light stands. They are useful for illuminating a scene and enhancing the exposure of a shot. While not necessary, speedlights can be helpful in low-light situations or when you want to add emotion and creativity to your images.
Speedlights are handy for photographers because of their portability and versatility. They can rotate for a wide variety of lighting options and are easily paired with remotes. Speedlights can also help you capture beautiful images in low-light situations, such as during an outdoor reception at night or an indoor reception with minimal natural light.
Before using a speedlight, test your flash lighting to understand the settings that create the best results. During the wedding, you can use one speedlight on your camera or try using two flashes to add more depth and dimension to your photos. Remember to angle your flash head slightly sideways at a 45-degree angle to achieve a directional bounce.
You can use a speedlight throughout the wedding day whenever you need to illuminate your subjects or add creative lighting effects. Specifically, you may want to use a speedlight during the reception, as this is when the lighting conditions can be more challenging, and you may need to capture photos in low-light situations.
Yes, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, check with the venue to see if there are any restrictions on using flash photography during the ceremony, as some churches may have guidelines or limitations. Second, remember that speedlights need time to recharge between shots, so a speedlight with a good recharge time is essential to avoid missing important moments. Finally, avoid pointing the flash downwards to prevent creating unflattering "horror lighting."
