Deborah Chan
Wedding photography is a stressful task, and lighting is one of the most important aspects to get right. Flash photography is a great way to ensure that all your photos turn out great, but it can be tricky to use a flash gun effectively. It is important to understand the lighting in the venue and to use the flash to fill in light and create more contrast. You should also be mindful of the placement of your flash and the direction in which it is pointing to avoid horror lighting. There are also a number of technical settings to consider, such as TTL, ETTL, and High-speed Sync.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Flash Photography Use Cases | To light the bride and her family, keeping the background exposed correctly. To fill in light, creating more contrast. To eliminate shadows when shooting outside, especially in bright light. |
| Flash Gun/Speedlight Use Cases | To photograph the couple or guests during the middle of the day, to avoid the background being washed out and overexposed. |
| Flash Settings | TTL (Through the Lens) and High-speed Sync. Manual flash settings can also be used, but they are less suitable for fast-moving receptions. |
| Flash Direction | Avoid pointing the flash directly at the subjects. Point it upwards or at a 45-degree angle to bounce light off the ceiling or walls. Avoid pointing it downwards to prevent "horror lighting". |
| Flash Intensity | When using flash in TTL mode, the flash will meter the light and output the amount of light it thinks is needed for the scene. In manual mode, set the flash to 1/4 power and adjust as needed. |
| Number of Flashes | Depending on the wedding schedule, you may need 2 flashes: one at a 45-degree angle camera left and another on the camera. Carry 3-4 speedlights and 4-6 transceivers. |
| Flash Placement | Place flashes at the back of the room, high up (around 11-12 feet) to balance the light with the outside and act as a fill light. |
| Flash Equipment | Speedlight flash that fits on your camera hot shoe. A diffuser that fits on the end of the flash. Transmitters/receivers to remotely trigger the flash. |
| Other Considerations | Check the guidelines for flash photography at the venue. Be mindful of the ambient lighting and adjust shutter settings accordingly. Ensure you have enough batteries, especially for long wedding receptions. |
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What You'll Learn
- Use flash to light the bride and groom, keeping the background exposed correctly
- Avoid pointing the flash directly at the subjects
- Use a bounce card to disperse light across the whole frame
- Ensure flash is allowed at the venue
- Use a flash gun with a high sync function to photograph scenes with a faster shutter than 1/200th of a second
Use flash to light the bride and groom, keeping the background exposed correctly
Using flash to light the bride and groom while correctly exposing the background requires some technical know-how and an understanding of the lighting conditions. Here are some tips to achieve this:
Firstly, assess the lighting conditions and decide whether you will be using on-camera or off-camera flash. If using on-camera flash, ensure it is not pointed downwards, as this can create unflattering shadows. Instead, angle the flash slightly sideways at a 45-degree angle to bounce the light and create a more even spread of illumination. If there is a ceiling available, bounce the light off it to soften and disperse the light across the frame.
If using off-camera flash, position it at a 45-degree angle to the subjects, relatively close to them. This will keep the focus on their faces while avoiding harsh shadows. You can also experiment with different setups, such as using a softbox or Octabox to soften the light, or a MagGrid to create more dramatic photos.
It is important to adjust your camera settings to balance the flash with the ambient light. Try using a high ISO and low aperture to allow more ambient light into the image, creating a glowy effect. Set your flash power to low or medium to add a soft pop of light on the bride and groom's faces, exposing them correctly without the harsh flash look.
Additionally, consider the time of day and the background elements you want to capture. If photographing during the day, use flash to fill in light and prevent the background from being washed out. If shooting at night or in a dark venue, ensure your flash is strong enough to illuminate the subjects and the background details.
By following these tips, you can use flash to light the bride and groom while maintaining a correctly exposed background, creating beautiful and well-lit wedding photographs.
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Avoid pointing the flash directly at the subjects
When using a flash gun for wedding photography, it is important to avoid pointing the flash directly at the subjects. This is because direct flash can create harsh shadows and an unnatural look that doesn't match the mood or atmosphere of the event. It can also cause the red-eye effect, which is a common problem when using flash for wedding photography, especially if the flash is pointed directly at the subject's face.
To avoid these issues, photographers can use indirect lighting techniques such as bounce flash or off-camera flash. Bounce flash involves pointing the flash at a reflective surface, such as a white wall or ceiling, allowing the light to bounce off and indirectly illuminate the subject. This creates a softer, more diffused effect compared to direct flash and helps to reduce harsh shadows by creating an even distribution of light across the subject's face or body.
When using bounce flash, it is important to consider the colour and texture of the surface you are bouncing the light off. Coloured or textured surfaces can create unwanted colour casts or patterns, so it is best to use white or light-coloured walls and ceilings whenever possible. If there are no suitable walls or ceilings, photographers can use flash modifiers to help bounce the light or soften its effect.
Another way to modify your flash and avoid harsh lighting is by using gels. Gels are coloured pieces of plastic placed over the flash to change its colour temperature. This can be useful when bouncing flash off coloured surfaces, as it can help correct for any unwanted colour hues in the final image.
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Use a bounce card to disperse light across the whole frame
When using a flash gun at a wedding, it's important to consider the lighting and how to avoid creating harsh shadows on your subjects' faces. One way to achieve this is by using a bounce card to disperse light evenly across the whole frame.
A bounce card is a pull-out white plastic sheet found on many modern flashguns. By twisting the flash and using the bounce card, you can achieve a more natural look to your photos. This technique is particularly useful when shooting in low light, as it adds light without the need for a tripod or high ISO settings.
When using a bounce card, angle your flash at 45 degrees towards your subjects. This helps to create even lighting, which is essential for group photos with five or more people. If you're shooting in a room with a high ceiling, you can bounce the light off the ceiling to illuminate your subjects evenly.
However, be mindful of the colour of the ceiling, as this can affect the tint of your photos. White or off-white ceilings are ideal, as they provide natural-looking illumination. If the ceiling is too high or coloured, you can try bouncing the light off a nearby wall, but be aware that this may result in harder light.
Using a bounce card with your flash gun helps to create bright, flattering shots of people indoors and is a useful technique to master for wedding photography.
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Ensure flash is allowed at the venue
When it comes to using a flash gun at a wedding, it's important to ensure that flash photography is permitted at the venue. Here are some tips to ensure flash is allowed:
- Research the venue guidelines: Before the wedding day, take time to research the venue's guidelines on flash photography. Some venues may have specific rules outlined in their information packets or on their websites. Understanding these guidelines in advance will help you prepare accordingly.
- Communicate with the venue coordinator: If you are unsure about the flash photography rules, reach out to the person in charge of the venue. They will be able to provide clear guidelines and let you know if there are any restrictions or limitations on flash use. It's important to respect their guidelines and make any necessary adjustments to your photography plan.
- Consider the ceremony location: If the wedding ceremony is taking place in a church or religious setting, there is a higher likelihood of flash restrictions. Many churches consider a wedding to be an act of worship and may prohibit flash photography during the ceremony. Respect their religious customs and clarify any restrictions with the officiant or minister beforehand.
- Understand the couple's preferences: Discuss flash photography with the couple before the wedding. They may have specific preferences or requests regarding flash use during different parts of the ceremony and reception. It's important to align your photography style with their vision for the wedding.
- Adapt to venue constraints: In some cases, venues may have unique constraints, such as high ceilings or specific lighting conditions, that can impact the effectiveness of flash photography. Be prepared to adapt your equipment and techniques to work within these constraints and still capture stunning photos.
- Explore alternative techniques: If flash is not allowed or presents challenges, consider employing alternative techniques to ensure you capture well-lit photos. This may include using natural light, adjusting camera settings, utilizing additional equipment like tripods or lenses with large apertures, or employing post-processing techniques to enhance the lighting in your photos.
By following these steps, you can ensure that you are respectful of the venue's guidelines and prepared to capture beautiful photos, with or without the use of a flash gun.
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Use a flash gun with a high sync function to photograph scenes with a faster shutter than 1/200th of a second
When using a flash gun at a wedding, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, it's important to know the guidelines for flash photography at the venue. Some churches, for example, may have restrictions on flash photography during certain parts of the ceremony. It's also crucial to understand how light functions within the frame and to use light sources effectively. For instance, bouncing light off a white wall or ceiling can create a softer and more flattering light source.
Now, to use a flash gun with a high sync function to photograph scenes with a faster shutter speed than 1/200th of a second, you'll need to understand the concept of flash sync speed and how to use high-speed sync (HSS) mode. The flash sync speed refers to the fastest shutter speed at which your camera's sensor will be fully exposed to light from the flash, which is typically 1/200th or 1/250th of a second. If you want to use a faster shutter speed, you'll need to switch to manual mode, but this will result in half of your frame being dark and the other half being light due to the rapid shutter speed.
This is where high-speed sync (HSS) mode comes in. HSS mode pulses the flash multiple times in a fraction of a second, ensuring that the entire frame is clearly exposed to the flash. It is useful for capturing fast-moving subjects, such as in sports photography, and can help you avoid motion blur. To set up your camera for HSS, access the menu system and select a HSS flash sync speed, such as 1/250 HSS.
Keep in mind that HSS mode reduces the flash's power, so you may need to link multiple flashguns together or adjust the flash power manually to ensure proper exposure. Additionally, using a large aperture, such as f/2.8 or f/4, can help you achieve a faster shutter speed and create a shallow depth of field, allowing your subject to stand out against the background.
By following these steps and understanding the lighting conditions and equipment settings, you can effectively use a flash gun with a high sync function to capture stunning wedding photos with shutter speeds faster than 1/200th of a second.
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Frequently asked questions
It is recommended to avoid using flash during the ceremony unless it is necessary. If you are using flash, make sure you are aware of any guidelines for flash photography and ask the person in charge of the venue about them. If you are allowed to use flash, try bouncing the light off the ceiling or walls to avoid harsh shadows and red-eye.
Use TTL mode to allow your flash to automatically adjust the amount of light provided. If you are using manual mode, set your flash to 1/4 power and adjust from there. Make sure to use the high-speed sync function so you can use a faster shutter speed to capture movement. Bring plenty of extra batteries, as flash photography uses a lot of power.
It is important to understand the lighting you are working with and adjust your settings accordingly. Sometimes, the available light is sufficient and using flash is unnecessary. Pay attention to the direction and colour of your light source to avoid casting harsh shadows or discolouring your photographs.
For group photos, it is recommended to use two flashes: one at a 45-degree angle camera left and another on your camera. Alternatively, you can use one flash on your camera and another off-camera to light the scene. If you are in a dark room with a low ceiling, you may need to angle your flash upwards to bounce the light off the ceiling.
