What Is the Best Lighting for Wedding Photography?
The celebration of a wedding is one of the most anticipated moments in the lives of many people when they find that special someone, both for men and women, and including their families, for that reason it is also one of the celebrations that work and time Planning leads. So that everything is perfect in the eyes of the couple, every detail of the organization, the party, the food, the decoration and especially the lighting is thought and organized. That is responsible for creating that much-desired atmosphere of a cozy, romantic or cheerful and lively environment, regardless of the time at which the ceremony is held. And this important detail lies in the result of the photographic report that is expected to be made, either with photos or videos.
To achieve that much-desired setting, the locations, wedding planners, decorators and the bride and groom, turn to an immense menu of options in lights to highlight the decoration, some chosen place, the wedding table, the cake and others. Using light bulbs, colored lights, different shapes, candles, smoke, LED lighting, bulbs in glass jars, large and bulky lamps, soft or strong lighting. In some cases, they are not the best option as far as photographic quality is concerned, but a wedding photographer will always know how to take advantage of each other's existence and the aesthetic possibilities offered from the professional's point of view. If there is a good artificial light (if it is an indoor celebration), the photographs will not give much trouble, but the types of lighting with which certain considerations should be taken are: natural light, ambient lights, and Photographers flash especially.
The benefits and difficulties of NATURAL LIGHT.
Choosing the right location for the wedding will be essential to know what kind of light we will have, photographers prefer that the locations of this kind of events be outdoors, to take advantage of daylight, since natural light is the best for the photographs, which will have a more natural appearance and without alteration or rare effects. In this regard, daytime ceremonies offer more possibilities, especially if other factors such as the landscape, and decorative elements around that positively complement the spaces to be photographed.
Although natural light is the best in professional photo sessions, you can also be exposed to weather conditions and changes that may occur such as rain, strong winds or intense sun. Investigate the weather forecast of the scheduled day beforehand and take the necessary precautions. The ideal daylight to get a good photographic job is a dim light with a cloudy sky, which provides a softer light and a cooler atmosphere, ideal for working comfortably.
Daylight will always be subject to variations throughout the day, when a session is carried out under very intense sunlight, it is best to place the couple between the camera and the sun for two main reasons: When we are facing In the sun, the eyes narrow, resulting in photos with strange expressions on the face.
And on the other hand, if we are in profile to him, a very hard shadow will be projected by dividing the face in two and marking high unwanted contrasts in the photograph. Another alternative to a very inclement sun is to choose a harmonic site under the shade if it is present, if not choose to use focal points for photos that have dark trees or buildings in the background, to placate the effect of a very intense light in the pictures.
If, on the contrary, the weather is rather stormy, rainy or very changing, an option is to go for the safe and postpone the plans or take advantage of the adversities, and in turn to the creativity of the photographer to show each of the details lived during the wedding through good results, include umbrellas or other accessories that make the scenario more original. The rest is part of the talent of the photographer hired and his ability to decide to take more aesthetic photos, able to decide on the flash used to attenuate very pronounced shadows or alter the camera's exposure to the intensity of the light, being variable power flash equipment the best for these cases.
Although the ceremony is not going to be performed outdoors, it can still be in a location that has very good intervention of natural light, which will also cause beautiful results in the photos of your celebration. This also applies to other sites involved in the process of the bride and groom, such as choosing a hotel with good light access as a preparation site for the bride, excellent for pre-wedding sessions.
The variety of ENVIRONMENTAL LIGHT
There are many couples who opt for a more peaceful or melancholy atmosphere, using small and dark chapels or dimly lit spaces. Thanks to technology there are many images that depended on the use of the flash and that today can be achieved only with the presence of ambient light, in addition to the fact that if the flash is used less, more natural and more unique effects will be taken.
It is ideal for these spaces to have the constant illumination of the reflection of a wide window, a soft lightbox or some sidelight, they serve to emphasize the portraits of people or to give drama to certain objects in the photographs. If your ceremony is extended, it will take place at night or with a dark atmosphere, remember to place many lights in play, which allow the photographer to play with them and the effects. Also, remember that, if you have a company in charge of the animation of the dance area, agree with them so that you are clear about the lighting and consult your
wure wedding photographer about these decisions.
The key to good photography is to get good lighting and good compositions. During a wedding this is not something that can be controlled at all, so the best thing for a good photographic result is to have a variety of lighting.
The use of FLASH
The use of the flash must be minority, to ensure that the photos are true to the moment and are not altered images. But unfortunately, it does not apply to weddings that happen during the night, where it is more difficult to do a good job with photography. This becomes an opportunity for photographers who make creative use of the flash as a support resource and not abuse, resulting in flat and textured images.
Before hiring the photographic service, ask the photographer to show you his portfolio or work samples at other weddings, detail if the photographs have any effect of strange or unnatural lights such as alterations in depth. Or ask directly how they use the flash during their work sessions.
Considerations for photographers
- Use a simple flash: the simple flash mounted on the camera is the best element you can count on when lighting photos with artificial light, provided that it is of good quality and power, taking into account that using it frontally can result in effects of unwanted shadows. The solution: take advantage if the location has a ceiling close enough to bounce the light in it and soften the effects of light and throwing you better-modeled images. Remember to have the necessary resources, take with you the occasional diffuser and reflector accessory that helps you to do the task more efficiently.
- Use a multiple flash: it is usually intimidating for guests to have more than one flash present, but it definitely helps to have a good result and leave your customers satisfied. The method consists of placing one or two movable supports in an elevated position (after calculating the exposure) connected to a flash repeater that is operated by the auxiliary positioned on the camera. With regard to the automatic activation of the flash remember that the flash of the cell phones of the guests could also activate them, which you can avoid using repeaters that are activated by control, although they are usually more expensive.
- Analyze the location: always consult with your client about the restrictions of the site in terms of the use of the flash, to avoid causing problems to your customers and to be able to take the competent measures regarding technique, resource to use or take out the permits and authorizations that are necessary in case you think you need the flash. Also, consider the structure of the place, if you intend to bounce the flash on a very high ceiling you will only be able to waste your time without making any difference, in these cases consider different angles or perspectives that involve the site and give you a better and creative result.
- Go prepared: if you are aware that you will use the flash a lot, remember that regardless of its quality it will have high energy consumption, leaving you without a work tool before half of your service, include extra charged batteries, chargers among your work kit And without leaving any loose ends, it includes an extra camera with another configuration in case you need it and you need to be quick to change it.
It is not uncommon for many photographers not to interfere in the world of wedding photography, especially for the subject of lighting. And the opposite is the case in which the couples do not take the photograph of their wedding into consideration within the general planning of the wedding, without thinking about the importance of the photographs and their quality within the memory of their ceremony.
