Junior Rasmussen
Wedding photography can be challenging, especially when dealing with harsh lighting conditions. Photographers need to be adaptable and creative to capture flattering and memorable images. Angles, natural reflectors, and manual camera settings can help manage harsh sunlight, creating soft and even lighting. Shooting from the side or with the sun behind the subjects can reduce harsh shadows, while fast prime lenses blur backgrounds and artificial lighting equipment can be used to overpower ambient light. When all else fails, converting images to black and white can hide unflattering colour casts.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Lighting | Seek out good light, such as soft, even light in doorways. |
| Angles | Shoot at an angle to the sun to match the exposure of the background and subject. |
| Equipment | Use fast prime lenses, strobes, and flashes with CTO gels. |
| Composition | Use the sun to create artistic flares or shadows in your composition. |
| Post-processing | Convert images to black and white to hide ugly color casts. |
| Reflectors | Use natural reflectors to push light back onto the subject when they are backlit. |
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What You'll Learn
Use natural reflectors to push light back onto your subject
Natural reflectors are elements in nature or the environment that help push light back onto your subject when they are strongly backlit. For instance, in one instance, a photographer relied on illuminated portions of red clay in front of the bride to reflect warm light back onto their subject's face.
When there's no naturally occurring reflected light, a folding reflector is a fabulous accessory to have on hand. These reflectors are relatively inexpensive and come in various shapes, sizes, and colors. A reflector can be used to stop a stray beam of sunlight from casting a distracting "hot spot" on your subject, by having someone hold the reflector between the sun and your subject. Reflected light can add depth and a fresh dynamic to your natural light portraits.
When using a reflector, it is important to learn to see the light falling on your subject and then control the strength and quality of the reflected light you are adding. You can train your eye to see it. It may be light bouncing off a nearby wall or pavement, an open newspaper, or skeins of yarn.
When there's no naturally occurring reflected light, you can use a reflector to create it. Finding a location where the sun is hitting a large light-toned neutral surface can provide you with suitable reflected light for portraits. In this photo of the fish vendor at the local fresh market, the light is reflecting off a white painted building behind me. Behind her is an open entrance to a room with no windows, providing a dark background to nicely isolate my subject.
It is important to note that the direction of light and angle of the reflector in relation to your subject are important. If the reflector is not at the best angle, you will have too much or too little light bouncing onto your subject. You may need to coach whoever is assisting you and demonstrate the effect the reflector has, so they can hold it precisely right for the best lighting.
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Face your couple away from the background to balance exposure
When shooting portraits of the couple in harsh lighting conditions, it is important to balance the exposure of the couple's faces with the background. This can be achieved by facing the couple away from the background. By doing this, both the couple's faces and the background will be exposed to the same amount of light, allowing for even colours and tones in the final image. This technique ensures that neither the couple nor the background is underexposed or overexposed, creating a more harmonious and visually pleasing photograph.
For example, if you are shooting in the afternoon when the sun is low in the sky, you can position the couple with their backs to the sun. This will ensure that their faces are evenly lit and free from harsh shadows or highlights that can be unflattering and distracting. It also allows you to capture the warm, soft light that occurs during this time of day, resulting in creamy skin tones and a dreamy aesthetic.
Facing the couple away from the background can also help to minimise the impact of harsh lighting conditions. If the ground between the couple and the shaded background is flooded with bright, harsh light, positioning them with their backs to the background ensures that the important elements—the couple and the background—are evenly lit. This technique allows for more flexibility in post-processing, as you can adjust the colours and tones knowing that the key elements are already balanced in terms of exposure.
Additionally, when the couple is faced away from the background, you can take advantage of natural reflectors. Natural reflectors are elements in nature or the environment that help bounce light back onto the subject. For instance, illuminated portions of red clay or dirt in front of the couple can reflect warm light onto their faces, softening the overall lighting and creating a more flattering effect. This technique is especially useful when the couple is strongly backlit, helping to fill in any shadows on their faces.
By facing the couple away from the background, you can also create visual interest and depth in your compositions. This technique allows you to incorporate leading lines, such as the couple's body angles or the direction of their gaze, that draw the viewer's eye into the image. It also enables you to utilise negative space effectively, creating a sense of balance and emphasis on the couple as the main subjects. Remember to use angles to your advantage, as shooting from the side can help to minimise glare and harsh shadows, resulting in softer and more aesthetically pleasing images.
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Use the right gear: flashes, grid modifiers, CTO gels
Wedding photographers often face the challenge of working with harsh lighting, especially during outdoor ceremonies and when shooting portraits. To overcome this, it is essential to have the right equipment, such as flashes, grid modifiers, and CTO gels, which can help create beautiful images even in unfavourable lighting conditions.
Flashes are artificial light sources that can be used to overpower the harsh ambient light. Photographers can use strobes or speedlights to brighten up the subjects and reduce the impact of strong natural light. This technique is particularly useful when shooting in the middle of a sunny day, as it allows photographers to control the lighting and create softer, more flattering images.
Grid modifiers are attachments that can be used in conjunction with flashes to control the spread of light. They help focus the light on the intended subject, preventing light spillage onto unwanted areas. This is especially useful when working in tight spaces or when you want to create dramatic lighting effects with precise control.
CTO (Colour Temperature Orange) gels are another essential tool for wedding photographers. These gels are used to balance the colour temperature of flash photography, especially when working with tungsten light sources, which have a warmer tone. By using CTO gels, photographers can ensure that the flash blends seamlessly with the ambient light, resulting in more accurate and pleasing skin tones in their photographs.
Additionally, photographers can use other techniques, such as shooting at specific angles to minimise harsh shadows and utilising natural reflectors to bounce light back onto the subjects. Shooting with the sun at an angle behind the subjects can also help create softer lighting and reduce the appearance of harsh highlights.
Finally, post-processing techniques can further enhance images taken in harsh lighting. Adjusting exposure, shadows, and highlights during editing can help create a softer overall look. Converting images to black and white can also hide unflattering colour casts that may have occurred due to challenging lighting conditions.
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Shoot at an angle to minimise glare and harsh shadows
Shooting at an angle is a great way to minimise glare and harsh shadows when photographing weddings in harsh lighting. Here are some tips to help you make the most of this technique:
Firstly, identify the light source and its direction. Is it coming from directly above, or is there a particular side that is more illuminated than the other? Knowing the direction of the light will help you adjust your angle accordingly.
Next, try to position yourself at a side angle relative to the subject(s). This will help to soften their features and reduce any unflattering shadows. For instance, if the sun is coming in from the right, position yourself slightly to the left, and vice versa. This way, you avoid harsh highlights on one side of their face, and instead, most of their face will be nicely lit.
Another tip is to ensure that the sun is behind the couple. This will help avoid shadows and prevent your images from looking overly dark or underexposed. If the couple is walking towards the sun, you may need to expose for highlights instead of shadows.
Don't be afraid to step behind the subjects if the sun is shining directly on them. This will help you achieve a more even light and a softer look in your photos.
You can also try shooting from a lower angle. This will not only give your photos a unique look but will also help eliminate any harsh shadows that fall on the couple, especially when they are at the altar or standing outdoors.
Shooting at an angle can be a powerful tool to minimise harsh lighting and create beautiful, well-lit wedding photographs.
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Shoot with the sun at an angle behind your subjects
Shooting with the sun at an angle behind your subjects can be a great way to light your photos, but it can also create harsh shadows and cause issues with exposure. Here are some tips to help you make the most of this lighting situation when photographing weddings:
When shooting with the sun at an angle, you can use it to create a rim light effect, which will give your subjects a beautiful glow. Place your subjects so that the sun is at a 3/9/12 o'clock position to them, with their backs at an angle to the sun, ensuring their faces are shaded. This will prevent harsh light from hitting their faces and causing unflattering shadows. It will also ensure that both your subjects and the background are evenly lit and expose the same way in your camera, giving you more control over your images.
If there are no areas of open shade available, look for shaded backgrounds, such as the sides of buildings, groves of trees, or mountains in the distance. By placing your subjects in front of these backgrounds, you can ensure that both their faces and the background are evenly lit, creating a natural-looking image.
When shooting in harsh sunlight, it's essential to put your camera in manual mode. This will prevent your camera from overcompensating for the bright light by underexposing your images. By shooting in manual, you can control the exposure and ensure that your subjects' skin tones are properly exposed. Using a wider aperture can also help to soften skin tones, but remember to take your time to focus properly when using a wide aperture to maintain a sharp focus on your subjects.
Additionally, you can use natural reflectors to bounce light back onto your subjects' faces. Look for illuminated portions of the ground or use white bounce boards to reflect warm light and fill in any shadows. This will help you achieve even lighting and soften the light on your subjects' skin.
Finally, don't be afraid to get creative and use the sun to your advantage. Embrace lens flares, wash out your lens, or use the lines of harsh shadows to create unique compositions that reflect your style. Remember, you can always shoot in black and white to hide ugly colour casts or white balance issues that may occur in harsh lighting conditions.
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Frequently asked questions
Harsh lighting can create hard shadows on the skin that highlight blemishes, pores, imperfections, discolourations, and wrinkles, which is unflattering.
Angles are your best friend when it comes to minimising glare and harsh shadows. When shooting outdoors, ensure the sun is behind your couple to avoid shadows and keep your images from looking overly dark or underexposed.
Use natural reflectors to push light back onto your subject when they are strongly backlit. Alternatively, shoot with the sun at an angle behind your subjects or use artificial light.
You can use post-processing to bring up the shadows and reduce the highlights, softening the overall look of the image. Alternatively, you can switch to black and white to hide ugly colour casts or funky white balance.
