p.2 #1 · What do you use to light for Wedding Formals?
I don't do that many wedding formals (here in the Netherlands it's not that common), but recently when I DO have to shoot them, I've been using an innovatronix XT in coorporation with an Elinchrom fx (same as bx) 400 with a large umbrella. Great light.
p.2 #2 · What do you use to light for Wedding Formals?
we try to do natural light as much as possible but I'll often have to supplement it with some off camera fill or modeling light from a 580 shot through a scrim.... Using a 5d and a 35L helps a lot.
p.2 #3 · What do you use to light for Wedding Formals?
MIKE ben wrote:
"We use one or two WL X1600s. Depending on the available room, we will either use one as key and one as fill or one above and behind as key."
Thanks for the reply Ryan.
If you were shooting it outdoor with a flash, how do you go about setting up the lighting ratios?
It really depends on the sun. At one of our recent weddings the couple wanted their formals done in this spot that had full sun. The sun became the key light and we used one WL X1600 with 47" octabox (baffle only) for fill, partially because the X1600 cannot overpower that level of sun and partially because it wasn't necessary to. They were squinty, but the shadows were soft and the photos came out well.
The wedding we did this past Saturday had the formals in a shaded area. We used both X1600s, one as key and one as a rim light. The ambient was fill.
For setting up the lighting ratios, I will make my best guess and fire a test shot and go from there. Dialing it in usually only takes me about 30-40 seconds.
p.2 #4 · What do you use to light for Wedding Formals?
Also, In direct sunlight, I usually leave the heavy equipment in the car and just throw on a good diffuser, like the Fong light sphere, to eliminate the shadows in the face.
p.2 #6 · What do you use to light for Wedding Formals?
Depending on how big the place is and what time of day. If early with good light we go outside....if inside and small venue 2 umbi's with 2 sb 800's. If it's a large place and I'm feeling froggy, then 2 AB400's and 2 umbi's.
p.2 #11 · What do you use to light for Wedding Formals?
MIKE ben wrote:
Any quick set up? What do you use or do to make it easier for you?
Mike
Hi Mike,
I've only done a few weddings, but in my neck of the woods, fomals (or maybe I should say, "group shots" are still a big priority for most couples, and I spend 30-45 min. getting all the necessary permutations. I find it's worth it to set up 2 AB1600's with umbrellas, using 2 Vagabond battery packs, and here's my reasoning:
1. Enough light/DOF for any size group.
2. Fast recycling of strobes vs. battery-powered flashes means less waiting, faster shooting. (This wouldn't be worth it if I only had to take a few.)
3. Even if using speedlites, I'd still have stands....so I just have a little bigger stands--not a big diff., IMO.
4. Two vagabonds makes everything as self-contained and portable as the speedlites...just heavier.
5. Predictable color, minimal post-processing.
It takes my wife and I about 5 min. to set up, 3 min. to put away. Hope this helps!
p.2 #12 · What do you use to light for Wedding Formals?
Mike,
That's why I like using studio lights! the color just pops and like you said, minimal post processing (it's just a pain to lug around extra equipment - I work alone).
p.2 #13 · What do you use to light for Wedding Formals?
Two AB800s for big groups indoors, one in the XL Octobox for key, kicker has a medium softbox. Smaller groups and outdoors I'll use natural light with an umbrella'd 580 for fill.
p.2 #14 · What do you use to light for Wedding Formals?
I usually try to keep it simple.. I use a 400ws Lumedyne with a 60in umbrella to camera right and a SB800 set manually on camera with a stofen for large groups and a soft white shoot throught for the bride and groom shots
p.2 #15 · What do you use to light for Wedding Formals?
All mention of what someone uses should be provided with a photo example - I could light formals with 100 Canadian Tire flashlights, but unless you know how the results look, it doesn't really help the decision making process.
p.2 #16 · What do you use to light for Wedding Formals?
Ryan Britton wrote:
It really depends on the sun. At one of our recent weddings the couple wanted their formals done in this spot that had full sun. The sun became the key light and we used one WL X1600 with 47" octabox (baffle only) for fill, partially because the X1600 cannot overpower that level of sun and partially because it wasn't necessary to. They were squinty, but the shadows were soft and the photos came out well.
Ouch...
I happen to love taking formals in the noon-day sun. Only, never use the sun as a key light. They get all "squinty" as you said. I use 1 or 2 580EX's on stands triggered by PW's. Have the group face away from the sun at a 45 degree angle. Cross light with the 580EX, drop the ambient 1 stop, and you're golden.
I shoot my formals with a 1000WS Dynalite pack. Just this past week I bought an Elinchrom Ranger Speed RX AS pack and will be using that in the future - having to find power is sometimes a pain and my Vagabond 2 is nice, but doesn't offer quite the recycle times I'd like. I have a buddy who's usually free on weekends and he helps me out - I give him $100 per day, plus drinks on me that night. He has a blast at the party, dances with a couple bridesmaids, and we're all happy.
As far as sweating like a pig - my hard and fast rule is that all formals are shot well in advance of the reception and I shoot them in t-shirt and shorts - you can see my suit hanging over the front pew.
As Asim said in a different topic - it's all about showmanship. My clients see 5' octabanks flown high on a Bogen Superboom and they eat it up! Smoke and mirrors baby, smoke and mirrors.
p.2 #19 · What do you use to light for Wedding Formals?
jeremy_clay wrote:
All mention of what someone uses should be provided with a photo example - I could light formals with 100 Canadian Tire flashlights, but unless you know how the results look, it doesn't really help the decision making process.
Waiting to see a formal lit with Jeremy's smile.....
