specialman
Suspended / Banned
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- 8,193
- Name
- Pat MacInnes
- Edit My Images
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So I shot a wedding on the weekend and due to a downpour, had to do an on-the-fly rethink about posed shots and shoot indoors. Not owning a body with upwards of ISO3200 capabilities, I had to really work the flashes hard and although, on the whole, things worked out well, a few shots just didn't work how I wanted and I'm putting it down to just not having enough equipment to help me shape the light how I wanted.
So, before i head into the weddings I have booked in the near future, just wanted a bit of advise about what you guys use.....
This shot is a prime example (although it's the worst for shadows - might as well go with a proper mess-up!!!):
The B&G wanted stair shots so there are several considerations:
1)
Ambient was poor (and tungsten) and the window light was well above the subjects, so it wasn't exactly a great starting point. Ramp it up to ISO 800 and away I go....
2)
Light levels were mixed, as was WB, the further up the stairs you looked so so that makes getting an even exposure hard.
3)
High ceiling, uneven surfaces and the walls being a deep red meant any bounced light was losing its efficiency AND collecting a red glow... a nice addition to the tungsten bulbs and cold daylight...
4)
Space was limited as to where i could place flashguns so i had to light from the base of the stairs and the top of them.
Now, I used bare flash at the top to create a bit of contrast, especially where the groom was against that dark wall. At the base of the stairs I used a shoot-through brolly but I'm really unhappy that it just didn't diffuse very well, creating hard shadows. I suppose in the great scheme of things, it really didn't make the apparent light source that big, hence the heavy shadows.
How would you guys have got round this? Just use more flashes to try to fill the space with light, or would you have opted for different diffusion AND light positions? Reflectors? A nuclear blast?
I used a similar setup (bare flash and brolly) for the rest of the groups but that was in a room with a white ceiling that I could bounce off, plus everyone was grouped together as opposed to up a staircase. They turned out great, so I'm happy.
Of course, every venue is different and I might not happen upon these obstacle, but for my own piece of mind, the knowledge with how to deal with this situation would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers in advance )
So, before i head into the weddings I have booked in the near future, just wanted a bit of advise about what you guys use.....
This shot is a prime example (although it's the worst for shadows - might as well go with a proper mess-up!!!):
The B&G wanted stair shots so there are several considerations:
1)
Ambient was poor (and tungsten) and the window light was well above the subjects, so it wasn't exactly a great starting point. Ramp it up to ISO 800 and away I go....
2)
Light levels were mixed, as was WB, the further up the stairs you looked so so that makes getting an even exposure hard.
3)
High ceiling, uneven surfaces and the walls being a deep red meant any bounced light was losing its efficiency AND collecting a red glow... a nice addition to the tungsten bulbs and cold daylight...
4)
Space was limited as to where i could place flashguns so i had to light from the base of the stairs and the top of them.
Now, I used bare flash at the top to create a bit of contrast, especially where the groom was against that dark wall. At the base of the stairs I used a shoot-through brolly but I'm really unhappy that it just didn't diffuse very well, creating hard shadows. I suppose in the great scheme of things, it really didn't make the apparent light source that big, hence the heavy shadows.
How would you guys have got round this? Just use more flashes to try to fill the space with light, or would you have opted for different diffusion AND light positions? Reflectors? A nuclear blast?
I used a similar setup (bare flash and brolly) for the rest of the groups but that was in a room with a white ceiling that I could bounce off, plus everyone was grouped together as opposed to up a staircase. They turned out great, so I'm happy.
Of course, every venue is different and I might not happen upon these obstacle, but for my own piece of mind, the knowledge with how to deal with this situation would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers in advance )
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