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First time shooting a wedding

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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · First time shooting a wedding

I was tasked with being the wedding photographer for my sister-in-law's wedding. Spent countless hours trying to prepare for this. Unfortunately, it rained that day, and the day before making it become an indoor ceremony, and really limiting spots for the first look, as well as outdoor photos. The reception hall was so dark as well even during the ceremony. I had set up the OCF to the side and bounced it to try and get any type of light in there.

Used a Canon R6ii, and a 28-70. I did use OCF with a AD300 inside a 28" octabox for outdoor pictures.

1

AllieJessie-firstlook-17 by Garrett Colburn, on Flickr

2.

AllieJessie-firstlook-54 by Garrett Colburn, on Flickr

3.

AllieJessieCeremony-20 by Garrett Colburn, on Flickr

4.

AllieJessieCeremony-45 by Garrett Colburn, on Flickr

5.

Reception1-17 by Garrett Colburn, on Flickr

6.

Reception1-32 by Garrett Colburn, on Flickr

7.

reception-set3-106 by Garrett Colburn, on Flickr

Nov 02, 2023 at 08:19 PM

Ziffl3
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · First time shooting a wedding

next time ... the modifier is only for portraits.

For reception just point flash at dance floor.
If you have any type of grid.... use it.
Never understood bouncing at reception.... might as well be in Las Vegas.
Then have on camera flash to fill close proximity shots. simple ...easy ...can get solid shots to very creative shots.

you got question let me know...

You are off and running.

Mark

Nov 02, 2023 at 08:42 PM

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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · First time shooting a wedding

It was too dark to shoot the ceremony without some type of modifier. My ISO was silly high, and the shadows would've been a bear to tackle.

The outside posed portraits had a gridded octabox. I didn't really post those.

I'm confused by the bouncing comment referring to Las Vegas, but then you said to basically bounce it off the dancefloor? Could you explain further in depth please? I feel like if it wasn't bounce the background would be totally dark, and the people would be too bright.

I'm not trying to be argumentative. I'm just not understanding that's all. Thanks for your help.

AllieJesseAfterWedding-4 by Garrett Colburn, on Flickr

AllieJesseAfterWedding-11 by Garrett Colburn, on Flickr

reception-set3-169 by Garrett Colburn, on Flickr

Nov 02, 2023 at 09:12 PM

Ziffl3
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · First time shooting a wedding

Good question about the flash setup.

Take the last photo posted as reference.
I would have an on-camera flash set to1/128 or 1/64 power.
The on camera flash would be facing up with the bounce card extended.
The iso is in the neighborhood of 3200-5000.
I will have a lens on camera that is f2.8 or faster. (So no f4 lenses)
I would be shooting at f2.8 also. Shooting wide… 24 and wider….. no need to stop down.

The OCF would be placed behind the people against the wall at about 7-9ft high
Depending on ceiling.
The flash head facing the dance floor. No modifier except (maybe)a grid to better control spill.
But you have one OCF…. So I would leave the flash bare.
Given the reference picture: the OCF could be placed to the left or right of the current camera Shooting position.
Or even straight in front of you but still against the wall.
Flash firing straight at you.

The result would be the dance floor images would be front lit by your on camera flash.
We can see people… faces etc.
the OCF would rim light the guest on the dance floor.
At the same time…. You will bring in the ambient lights and not light up the back wall.

This give you separation between wall and people.
Gives you interesting clean images.
Bride is happy because she can see well exposed faces.

Thoughts:
-All the setting work together so adjust as needed.
-the OCF light on the wall is not as bright as your on camera flash.
It is the distance rule. As you get farther away from the flash… the light power drops.

-creative shot: turn off your on camera flash head. Turn off the output.
This leaves just OCF. Now you can get some creative rim only shots.
There others shooting option but we can discuss later

-at this wedding I would have 2-3 OCF. This give me a large area to shoot at any angle and get
Well exposed images that still have ambient background.
As a bonus…. This will help you create high quality look.

Nov 03, 2023 at 09:30 AM

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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · First time shooting a wedding

I’ll reply with some examples later. But, I did do the first part of your last reply. I’m using a 28-70 and it was shot mainly between f/2-2.8 at 3-4k iso. The last picture was just to reference how dark the room was.

Nov 03, 2023 at 01:41 PM

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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · First time shooting a wedding

Reception1-26 by Garrett Colburn, on Flickr

reception-set2-21 by Garrett Colburn, on Flickr

reception-set2-17 by Garrett Colburn, on Flickr

Nov 04, 2023 at 07:39 AM

Flynn Cox
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · First time shooting a wedding

To add a quick tip: always be ready to adjust to the dynamic nature of weddings. Quick tweaks to flash settings and camera angles can make a huge difference in challenging lighting. Remember, capturing the moment's essence sometimes means embracing the ambient mood over perfect lighting. Keep experimenting and stay adaptable!

Dec 13, 2023 at 08:59 AM

johnld
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · First time shooting a wedding

These look great! Instead of pointing a flash at the floor, I'd try using a bounce card and on camera flash pointed at the white ceiling. More natural and better bounce too. Plus, you can drop the ISO. We use modifiers for any setting that needs it and don't limit it to portraits only. Sometimes the best lighting is when viewers can't tell you used any lighting at all. We use Profoto B10's and A1's. The B10's usually in the corner and A1's on camera. They work in tandem to fill the space with ratios that still give mood and character. For ceremonies that need light, I'd ask the couple first as the Profoto's can dial down to be almost imperceptible, but still fill shadows. Alternatively, you can bump the ISO to 6400 and get an F/1.2 lens, but use caution with DOF. The "fat" pixel's of the R6 are the best for this as lower mega pixels cameras work better than 45mp cameras. I'm sure the couple is thrilled with these photos. Nicely done!

Dec 14, 2023 at 11:55 AM

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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · First time shooting a wedding

I'm nervous to take the leap. Way to jump in!!

May 18, 2024 at 03:09 PM


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