Wedding photography - Off Camera Flash

Shadowness

Shadowness

Shadowness

Soldato
Joined
17 Sep 2006
Posts
4,531
Location
Gloucestershire
Wedding photographers - I know there's some talented guys on here so I wouldnt mind a bit of advice about lighting. Im due to shoot a wedding in Summer, a long time off yet I know but still.....

I've noticed a lot of wedding photographers use a remote flash that they leave in the corner/side of the room. So we're mainly talking about lighting the after party event rather than the wedding itself.

For example:

Untitled-1-7.jpg


660a2228afe2ac6e7166ef2fe456ade8.jpg


ac616f1348a966c60bee9f4a632e0630.jpg


f384ff6f25b3bd7764025e0ad1a358d8.jpg



Now I assume you have to use an 'on-camera' flash too, to fill in the dubject, otherwise the subjects would almost be silhouettes (to a certain extent).

So, I need to refer to an amazing drawing I just whipped together thanks to my new Intuos4 tablet (awesome bit of kit btw!)

Flash-Diagram.jpg


All of the photos above is when the photographer is at A on the diagram above, or very close to.
So here they are using the flash to give a nice outline to the people, this effect I really like! And I guess they have a flash on the camera, maybe bouncing it off the ceiling so it's a really soft light.

But....if the photographer moves to position B, I assume he turns one of the flashes off, depending on how far the remote flash is away from the people, as you wouldnt want both flashes lighting the same thing.

Do any of you guys do this? Or have any advice for doing this?

Also, if you have a flash on the camera, and a remote one, how do you control them both? As the hotshoe on the camera is taken up by a flash, so how would you trigger the remote flash?

All and any help would be great :)
 
^lol no worries Nick. I would like to know as much as I can, as you can imagine, I dont want to be learning it for the first time at the actual wedding!

How would you normally light photos in the examples above if I can ask?
 
Off camera flash is a big thing to swallow and requires lots of practice, lets start from the beginning.

What equipment do you have?
 
Shadowness said:
^lol no worries Nick. I would like to know as much as I can, as you can imagine, I dont want to be learning it for the first time at the actual wedding!

How would you normally light photos in the examples above if I can ask?
Click to expand...

I'm just using on camera flash for the weddings I do at the moment. I'm taking things one step at a time.

Definitely want to give this a go when the time is right though.
 
Err can't see what your posting? Under 'this should help'

Assuming something should be there?
 
^Yes for automotive work, but I use two massive 500W strobes using cheap ebay triggers (they work really well!)

Is this more or less the same?
 
Pretty much, so you've got your head around the basics, ever tried firing into the sun whilst using off camera flash? :)
 
can't really help with your question, but just wanted to say that i thought your website and photography work is of a very, very high standard.

Well done you.

:)
 
^Thanks, means a lot :)

Phate - a little bit. My question really is about balancing the two flashes together. Also, how would I trigger a remote flash if I have a flash on the camera? (apart from setting the flash to go off when it detects a flash)
 
Shadowness said:
^Thanks, means a lot :)

Phate - a little bit. My question really is about balancing the two flashes together. Also, how would I trigger a remote flash if I have a flash on the camera? (apart from setting the flash to go off when it detects a flash)
Click to expand...

Well I'm not sure about Nikons but I know the Canon 580EXii can control other flashes and trigger them? So you would need to ask someone who knows more about Nikon, bigredshark maybe?

And tbh if your only firing one flash anyway (not the one on your camera) then just fire it using a trigger.
 
Phate said:
And tbh if your only firing one flash anyway (not the one on your camera) then just fire it using a trigger.
Click to expand...

Yeh I can do that no problem, but the transmitter would go in the hotshoe, so I couldnt use the on camera flash too.

Thanks for the help so far :)
 
Shadowness said:
Yeh I can do that no problem, but the transmitter would go in the hotshoe, so I couldnt use the on camera flash too.

Thanks for the help so far :)
Click to expand...

I didn't think you'd be able to anyway :)

If your using a flash as well you fire another flash(s) with the flash thats on your camera, if your not you use a trigger.

Someone can correct me if I'm being thick though, which is quite likely :p
 
Using flash is something I feel is down to the photographer. If you enjoy having clear and bright pictures in low light situations then it would be the result your after.

Using possibly one flash (not off the shoe) can result in capturing the environment and the surroundings how its meant to be there and then.
 
^ I can relate to that. I would use the on camera flash as the primary, capturing the main subjects. I just really liked the effect of the flash behind the people, as it can be down quite subtly too.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom