George Boyle
Barn weddings are a popular choice for couples seeking a rustic yet elegant setting for their special day. When it comes to lighting a barn wedding for photography, there are several techniques and considerations to keep in mind. The lighting setup will depend on various factors such as the time of day, available natural light, and the features of the barn itself. Photographers may use a combination of natural light, flash photography, and artificial lighting fixtures to capture beautiful and well-lit images. The lighting choices can also help create a romantic and inviting atmosphere for the wedding reception.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Lighting equipment | Flash, monolights, soft boxes, lightstands, bi-colour lights |
| Lighting setup | Place lighting equipment around the perimeter of the room, in balconies or lofts, or on high light stands |
| Lighting techniques | Use bounce flash, adjust aperture and shutter speed to control ambient light and depth of field |
| Lighting challenges | High ceilings, dark wood surfaces, limited power outlets, fire safety concerns |
| Lighting testing | Arrive early or set up the day before to test lighting equipment and settings |
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Flash photography
If you are looking to avoid using flash photography, you can use a bounce card. This is not ideal, but it can be made to work. You can also shoot Kelvin in orange barn situations. If you want to avoid flat and dull images, do not use a bounce card with high flash power. Instead, shoot with a wide aperture, less flash power, and a higher ISO to lower the flash power.
If you are using flash photography, you can put three of your flashes in slave mode, your main flash into master mode, and clamp them in neat spots. You can also put a flash in each corner and turn them on and off as needed. For shots that are not in a good location for those lights, you can use a second body with a flash as a main light and the other lights as a rim or backlight. You will have to adjust the power of the light and your aperture as needed as your subjects move around.
It is recommended that you arrive at the venue at least half an hour early, or even the day before, to test and write down all your settings.
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Bouncing light
Additionally, the distance and angle of the bounce surface can also affect the quality and intensity of the light. For example, if the ceiling is too high, the light may not reach your subjects effectively. In such cases, a lower bounce surface, such as a wall, may be more effective. It's also important to avoid pointing your flash directly at your subjects to prevent harsh lighting and glare.
When using bouncing light in a barn wedding setting, there are a few additional considerations. Barns often have wooden walls and ceilings, which can affect the colour temperature of your images. If the barn has neutral-coloured sides, as mentioned in one source, bouncing light off these surfaces can create a large, even light source. However, if the barn has coloured walls or ceilings, it may be more challenging to bounce light effectively without altering the colour temperature of your images.
In summary, bouncing light is a useful technique for wedding photographers to create flattering and well-lit images in low-light conditions. By understanding how to utilise bounce surfaces and adjust camera settings, photographers can effectively use bouncing light in various settings, including barn weddings, to capture beautiful and well-exposed photographs.
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Lighting equipment
Barn weddings pose a unique set of challenges when it comes to lighting equipment due to their high ceilings, limited power outlets, and rustic ambiance. Here are some lighting equipment considerations for achieving well-lit and aesthetically pleasing photographs in a barn setting:
- Softboxes: Unlike venues with white ceilings that allow for easy light diffusion, barns typically have high, non-white ceilings, making softboxes a crucial tool for controlling and softening the light output.
- Monolights: Place monolights or other powerful light sources around the perimeter of the room, utilizing balconies, lofts, or high light stands positioned away from high-traffic areas. This provides even and directional main lighting.
- Strobes: Use a strobe on your camera as a fill light to complement the surrounding monolights. Adjust the strobe output to control the aperture and capture ambient light.
- Flash Units: Off-camera flash units, such as the Profoto A2, can be bounced off neutral-coloured walls or surfaces to create a large, diffused light source. This avoids the issue of wooden surfaces affecting the colour of bounced light.
- Light Stands and Clamps: Consider using light stands with a large footprint for safety, or opt for Justin Arms/superclamps to attach lights to support structures within the barn, such as beams or pillars. Ensure you have permission and assistance from the venue coordinator.
- Backup Lighting: Always bring backup lighting equipment, such as additional flash units or more powerful lights with C-stands and modifiers, in case you need more illumination or encounter equipment malfunctions.
- Power Considerations: Barns may have limited power outlets, so be mindful of your power requirements and plan accordingly. Ensure you respect the fire safety concerns of the venue and avoid disturbing the rustic ambiance that your clients likely appreciate.
- Lighting Assistant: Consider having a lighting assistant who can help adjust and move lighting equipment as needed, especially if you are using handheld light modifiers like umbrellas or softboxes.
- Test and Rehearse: Arrive early or visit the venue in advance to test your lighting setup and make any necessary adjustments. Take into account the placement of decorations and furniture, and try to attend the rehearsal to ensure you are fully prepared for the lighting conditions on the day of the wedding.
By carefully selecting and positioning your lighting equipment, you can overcome the challenges of lighting a barn wedding and capture beautifully lit photographs that preserve the unique ambiance of the venue.
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Lighting placement
Barn wedding photography presents unique challenges due to the typical characteristics of a barn: low light, rustic features, and wooden walls and ceilings. Here are some lighting placement tips to help you capture bright and crisp photos in a barn setting:
- Utilize the Perimeter: Place your main lights, such as monolights or speedlights, around the perimeter of the barn, taking advantage of any balconies, lofts, or high light stands. This ensures even and directional lighting throughout the room.
- Corner Lights: Place flash units in the corners of the barn to provide additional lighting. You can turn these on and off as needed, and they work well to illuminate the dance floor. Adjust the power of these lights to fill in any harsh shadows they may create.
- On-Camera Flash: Use an on-camera flash to light the subjects and fill in any shadows cast by the corner lights. This ensures that your subjects are well-lit and visible, even in low-light conditions.
- Bounce Flash: If the barn has neutral-colored walls or sides, you can use off-camera bounce flash to create a large light source. Place one flash on each side of the barn to illuminate the scene evenly. Avoid on-camera bounce flash if the walls are wooden, as it may not produce the desired lighting effect.
- Lighting Assistant: Consider having a lighting assistant with a small box/umbrella or a light on a stick setup. They can move around with you to ensure that the lighting is optimal for each shot.
- Adjust Lighting for Different Parts of the Wedding: During the ceremony, you may want a darker background, while for the reception or dance, you might reduce the room lighting to focus more on the subjects lit by the on-camera flash.
- Uplighting: Use uplighting to highlight the barn's vertical wooden beams or entrances. This type of lighting can add depth and dimension to your photos.
- Chandeliers: Install chandeliers over the dance floor to create a sophisticated and elegant atmosphere. Edison bulb chandeliers give off a warm and inviting glow.
- String Lights: String lights can be draped across beams, hung in scallops among the rafters, or intertwined with greenery to create a soft, romantic, and whimsical ambiance.
- Lanterns: Hanging lanterns, especially when paired with candles or LED fairy lights, bring a rustic and charming feel to the reception.
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Lighting tests
Barn wedding photography can be challenging due to the unique lighting conditions, but with some careful planning and testing, you can achieve beautiful results. Here are some lighting tests to consider:
Off-Camera Flashes
Test using off-camera flashes, such as the Profoto A2, to create a large light source coming in from the sides. This will provide even lighting and avoid the harshness of on-camera flash. You can also use a flash bracket for the on-camera flash to put a remote control or trigger in the hot shoe, allowing you to control both the flash on the camera and the off-camera flashes.
Barn Features
If the barn has features like lofts or balconies, you can place your monolights or speedlights up there. If not, you can use light stands to position your lights out of the way of high-traffic areas. Test the placement of these lights to ensure even illumination of the room.
Ambient Light
Test shooting with and without ambient light. Adjust your shutter speed to record some of the ambient light, creating a brighter, more natural look. Alternatively, reduce the ambient light and rely more on your flash to create a dramatic effect.
Multiple Lights
Test using multiple lights to fill in harsh shadows. You can place several lights around the reception area, pointing them directly at the subjects. This will help you manage the shadows cast by the corner lights.
Lighting Assistant
Consider having a lighting assistant with a small box/umbrella and a light on a stick setup. They can move with you to ensure that the lighting is optimal for each shot, making adjustments as needed.
Remember, lighting tests will help you understand how different lighting setups affect the mood and atmosphere of your photos. By experimenting with these techniques, you can find the best approach for capturing the magic of a barn wedding.
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Frequently asked questions
Barns are hard to light with a minimal setup due to their high, non-white ceilings. This makes it difficult to bounce light to diffuse it. To light a barn wedding, you can use two 60W soft boxes for dances and speeches, with two 300W soft boxes with C stands and modifiers as backup. If you're using flash photography, you can put three flashes in slave mode and your main 600 into master mode, clamping them in neat spots. You can also place monolights around the perimeter of the room, up in balconies or lofts, or on high light stands.
If you're using flash photography, be mindful that part of the reason your clients picked a barn is the ambiance, so you don't want to disturb that. Avoid using on-camera bounce flash, and instead use off-camera flashes to create a large light source coming in from the left and right. You can also put flashes in each corner and turn them on and off as needed.
Before the wedding, go to the rehearsal to make sure you're prepared for the venue and decide what you can get away with in terms of lighting. If possible, arrive early or the day before the wedding to test your lighting setup and write down your settings. Make sure to bring extra equipment, such as backup soft boxes and lighting stands, as power outlets can be hard to come by in barns.
