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07/30/2005 02:07:10 PM · #1 |
I am doing an indoor wedding and need help with lighting. Does anyone have any suggestions and links to the best lighting/flashes to buy? Thanks
Soni~ |
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07/30/2005 02:13:49 PM · #2 |
| First establish if the Minister/Rabbi/Whatever will allow flash photography I'd say. |
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07/30/2005 11:55:05 PM · #3 |
Not much help coming from you guys..what's up!!!
I was seriously hoping to come home and have some answers or some tips. What a drag..I need this info for a wedding next weekend.
Message edited by author 2005-07-30 23:58:44. |
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07/31/2005 12:08:38 AM · #4 |
Well, again, what are you allowed to do? Any flash you want? Do you have a 550ex? I'd want that, maybe a lightsphere II (gary fong's product), a 50mm 1.8, and my tamron 28-75 2.8 with my 20D pretty much kicks any light's butt. I go to about iso 800, 1600 a LOT. Rarely 3200.
M
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07/31/2005 12:12:44 AM · #5 |
| Yes, any lighting is ok! I don't want to use a high iso. I have 2 500ex's to use. Is there something better out there? Money isn't a big deal. |
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07/31/2005 12:15:26 AM · #6 |
For the reception, 550EX or 580EX, Bracket (doesn't really matter which one), Off-Camera cord, and see if you can get a LightSphereII from Gary Fong (Lightsphere II)
If you can't get the lightsphere at least get a stoffen omni bounce or one of those hokey Lumiquest gizmos.
Make sure that you test shoot some shots before the big day.
Message edited by author 2005-07-31 00:16:33.
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07/31/2005 12:15:27 AM · #7 |
If you are looking for studio type light for formals, I'd recommend a couple Alien Bee B800's with brollies or soft boxes. I have a couple and they have been working out great for our formal pictures.
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07/31/2005 12:15:34 AM · #8 |
I use a set of Electra 500 studio flashes with umbrellas, I sync them from a dedicated flash on camera set-2 flashcompensation.
some people use the Lumedyne system which is more portable and used in the main for location photography.
B& H would be as good a place to start
If you have no experience in this is a wedding the best place to experement with this ? just a thought playing the devils advocate, Flash is a whole new ball game from Natural light , and lighting digital is a whole world different than film. just my 2c worth.
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07/31/2005 12:19:16 AM · #9 |
Yes flash is a MUCH different creature, but one that you sorta gotta get used to - so dive in! If you arent worried about the money, get two 550ex, learn how to slave one of them so you can have it off-cam and pretty much double flash stuff. That's a lot of power! :)
Test everything you can - in a cave. lol Every reception hall seems dark - VERY dark to me.
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07/31/2005 12:26:40 AM · #10 |
| Thanks!!! I really needed this help..I will be sure to practice a few days before the wedding. |
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07/31/2005 12:39:19 AM · #11 |
Money no object? Really??
I assisted at a wedding a couple of weeks back - the photog used a 10D with a 28-200 canon lens and a diffuser 1 filter. A strobofram camera flip bracket with a lumedyne flash siamesed to a vivitar 283. I assisted with a similar flash, standing about 6 feet to the side. Both vivitars were adjusted to YELLOW.
Under the tent (it was an outdoor wedding) she had 2 400ws lumedynes, all 4 of these units ran off quantum radio slave units. New, figure $5 to 6 grand for the equipment. She shot in manual, at about f5.6 with a shutter of 1/125 ans adj the aperture based on the histogram.
Now then...I shot at a church with a lerge 2 story purple window. When things were just so ,my flash (a metz 54 with a lightsphere on it) overpowerd the window and room lights and the pics are great. If not...then they have a hard-to-remove purple cast (white dress..not anymore). So this is to warn you about the church and windows, etc - you may need a lot of light to overcome it.
With so many otehr people firing off flashes, the only option you have is radio slaves. Pocket wizard is very good - none are cheap though.
The nice thing about the lumedynes is you can use them as bare bulb or rond reflector (like a quantum, also a fav of wedding photogs). The lightsphere mimics the light quality of a bare bulb flash. It eliminates the harsh shadows of a direct flash giving a nice natural light look to things.
If the room (church or reception) has strong lighting, you maynot be able to WB for it and flash..the fix is to gel the flash to match the lighting (yellow for incadescent, green for flourescent) and WB for the ambient light.
Unless you have practiced a LOT with flash you will have many blown shots. A) different camera modes work the flash differently - P assumes the flash is main light, so BG will go dark. Av and Tv meter for ambient light (beware slow shutter speeds in Av mode - up to 30 seconds!) and use the flash as fill. Manual mode...the flash tries to generate enough light to expose the center correctly. Generally dial in 2/3 to 1 stop FEC (more light).
Now then, factor in recycle time. As the party marches down the aisle (or out, or into the reception) you have little time between people, and hte flash MUST recharge or you will get underexposed pics. SO use a WA lens and wait until they are close to shoot, using as little flash power as possible.
Is that enough for now?
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07/31/2005 01:15:32 AM · #12 |
What is this?
It is things like this that get me confused. Do I need it? What is it used for?
Do I need a Battery Pack like this?
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07/31/2005 01:36:15 AM · #13 |
The Chimera speed ring looks like a ring that attaches to a 550EX and then you mount a small softbox onto it. I suggest the LightSphereII instead.
As for battery pack I'd say that the Quantum Turbo 2x2 is better than the Canon. //www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=339927&is=REG&addedTroughType=search
And from my perspective, you do need some kind of diffuser like the LightSphereII and the battery pack for the flash is also a Godsend.
Kev
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07/31/2005 01:47:59 AM · #14 |
Its been my experience with weddings (I was an assistant this summer) that the best lighting is always during the getting ready, ceremony, the beginning of the reception and outside. We always tried to get the bridal party to go outside for a pretty spot outside the church or there might be a river or playground...anything creative really. So if anything they will at least have the bridal portraits. (thats what couples buy the most) Also make sure your white balance is set to go with the lighting.
Also, shoot in RAW format. This is full proof.
Don't be to scared about the correct lighting. As long as you can use a flash you should be just fine. Use all the other lighting to be a little creative, especially when it comes to the details of the wedding (candels, food, cake, flowers). I know you'll be running around a lot, but it pays to get those creative shots in.
This is my boss' website if you need: //www.brookemayo.com
Good Luck! |
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07/31/2005 10:42:45 AM · #15 |
A question I thought about overnight.
The church is at least a 25' ceiling. Do I still try to bounce the light?
OH and how do I carry the battery pack? Is there anything else I need?
Message edited by author 2005-07-31 10:45:20. |
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07/31/2005 10:46:16 AM · #16 |
Originally posted by Sonifo:
The church is at least a 25' ceiling. Do I still try to bounce the light? |
Best reason to have a lightsphere! :)
M
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07/31/2005 10:59:11 AM · #17 |
Originally posted by Spazmo99:
For the reception, 550EX or 580EX, Bracket (doesn't really matter which one), Off-Camera cord, and see if you can get a LightSphereII from Gary Fong (Lightsphere II)
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With this device would you still want to use a bracket? I checked out Gary's site, the lightsphere looks pretty interesting.
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07/31/2005 11:07:02 AM · #18 |
Out of all the bracketswhich one should I choose.
Kevin, I don't see the Newton Di-400CR flash bracket.
Mavrik, I ordered that yesterday.
thanks again guys.
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07/31/2005 11:15:35 AM · #19 |
| I have this shoe cord. Will it work? |
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07/31/2005 11:21:20 AM · #20 |
Goodness gracious...that's a lot of stuff.
I'd say get a 580 ex or whatever, learn how to use it properly and go from there. You're going to be in such severe overload mode with all this stuff that nothing's going to turn out.
How much time do you have to learn your equipment before this wedding anyway?
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07/31/2005 11:26:20 AM · #21 |
 A week. hehe..
I am a fast learner. :-)) That would really suck if it didn't work. LOL |
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07/31/2005 11:56:49 AM · #22 |
Sorry 'bout that.
It's even named the Di400CR on B&H but you have to search for it as Di400.
//www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=225035&is=REG&addedTroughType=search
I've only used the Stroboframe Pro-T in 2 weddings and my 2nd shooter loved it compared to the Newton Di400CR (mostly due to weight) but for my dollars, when you put the LightsphereII on the 550EX/580EX and flip the flash into portrait, the light source is no longer centered over the lens and you can get some shadows to the side of the subject. The LightsphereII helps mitigate that and as long as he can keep from getting shadows he can use whatever I can buy but for my own use I'll stick with the Newton.
Kev
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07/31/2005 12:11:49 PM · #23 |
Not to keep piling on and at some point ya just gotta pick a style you want to develop and go with it (I see many photogs on DPC who shoot weddings and often find their work in available light more moving than flash enhanced photos) but at this point I'm getting a lot of work based on my flash-filled photos in my demo albums so I stick with that.
If you wanted to follow some of the many available-light wedding photogs on here (my hat is off to them, too), then I'd highly suggest scrapping the flash idea, selling the 300D and going for something with the DigicII processor in it like the 350 or whatever Rebel it is now, the 20D or a 1DmII. I'm not saying you can't make great photos with a Digic processor (plenty of people on here have) but for available light inside locations, there is a major difference.
If you want flash, go with the 550Ex/580EX, LightSphere II, flash bracket & Quantum Turbo 2x2 (or similar) battery pack. If you want available light, go with one of the DigicII processors.
I say that after shooting the 1Ds for most of the flash work before and after the ceremony (processional/recessional, posed shots, candids getting ready) and using the 20D from the dias during the ceremony to get candids of special moments during the ceremony without flash. The difference is awesome. If Canon or Nikon or whoever can make as large a step in range response with the next series of releases as Canon did from the Digic to DigicII processor then WOW. Who'll need one of those 39mp medium format cameras for anything but the highest quality print work.
Just something I thought you might want to consider before dropping the money since I kinda backed my way into shooting flash just 'cause I didn't think my gear was capable of shooting available light at the time.
Good luck, I'm sure that with your eye and your dedication to beautiful shots you'll be a success no matter which way you go.
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07/31/2005 12:29:32 PM · #24 |
This was stated at the bottom of the page when I clicked on that bracket link. NOTE: Flash holders are not included and must be ordered separately.
Can you help me find the right one? I am overwelmed at the moment with all this new stuff.
kev, again thanks for all your help! I just may buy the 20D but for now I am going to use my rebel. I am going to put all my focus on my flashes for now.
Originally posted by KevinRiggs:
Sorry 'bout that.
It's even named the Di400CR on B&H but you have to search for it as Di400.
//www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=225035&is=REG&addedTroughType=search
I've only used the Stroboframe Pro-T in 2 weddings and my 2nd shooter loved it compared to the Newton Di400CR (mostly due to weight) but for my dollars, when you put the LightsphereII on the 550EX/580EX and flip the flash into portrait, the light source is no longer centered over the lens and you can get some shadows to the side of the subject. The LightsphereII helps mitigate that and as long as he can keep from getting shadows he can use whatever I can buy but for my own use I'll stick with the Newton.
Kev |
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07/31/2005 05:46:05 PM · #25 |
Originally posted by Sonifo:
I have this shoe cord. Will it work? |
It works with my 20d, I'm pretty sure it will work with the 300 Rebel also.
Good Luck,
can't wait to see the pics.
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A week. hehe..
