Off camera flash for wedding receptions

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off-camera flash, wedding photographer, wedding photography, wedding reception

Bride and groom during their first dance

Written by Chuck Jackson

During wedding receptions, I always try to use off-camera flash in addition to no flash and/or on-camera flash. For me, this varies the look and feel of the images so everything isn’t looking exactly the same. Furthermore, some effects can only be achieved with an off-camera flash/light source. Without a light source emanating away from the camera, it is impossible to capture images like the above or below.

The Bride during her first dance

If not for any other reason than adding texture and depth to the images using light and shadow, this is a good option to have. It is also a wonderful technique for mixing it up a bit by adding partially silhouetted images to the shot list (see shots below of the Bride and Groom and Bride and her Father).

The first dance of the Bride and Groom

Father and daughter dance

The other HUGE advantage to using off-camera flash units (studio strobes in particular) is that their power can light up the room and subjects to such a degree that you can still shoot at ISO 100 or 200 without any problems. This may be harder to do with less powerful speedlights (on-camera flash heads used off-camera), but still a viable option for adding dimension to your images using light and shadow.

Chuck Jackson is a wedding photographer for PhotoActive Photography in Tampa, FL. Check out http://www.photoactivephotography.com to see wedding images and samples from other photography genres, as well!

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Bounce you fool, bounce!

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bouncing flash, flash photography, wedding photographer, wedding photography

Kristen preparing for her wedding day

Written by Chuck Jackson

For me and my photography and lighting style, I prefer not to use direct flash in most instances – particularly when covering events of any kind (weddings, in particular; sometimes it works better for direct flash but I avoid it if at all possible). Light modifiers for on-camera flash can be great but they still place light on the subject in a linear, direct fashion, which can still (even though mitigated by a softbox, bounce card, etc.), produce some undesired shadow behind the subject. One of the best alternatives, is to simply bounce the flash off a near wall or low ceiling.

In the shot of the bride, Kristen, above, I bounced the flash off the ceiling at about a 90 degree. Notice the pleasing shadows and light on the bride. Also notice there is not harsh shadow behind the bride as there’d be if I used direct flash.

Below is an example of what bouncing flash off the near wall (at about 90 degrees horizontal and 45 degrees up angle to the camera right) looks like! The speaker is well-lit, but not too much so and there is still some dimension to him due to the light and shadow.

The secret is very simple: If you are indoors (with relatively low, non-color casting ceilings), most experienced photographers have preached “bouncing” the flash off the ceiling (with white or off white color; any colored surface will create a color cast on the subject when light hits it) when possible as gospel for achieving softer, more pleasing light on the subject (versus direct flash). While I too do this, there is a one more thing…

Do not simply bounce the flash off the ceiling, bounce the flash off of a wall at about 90 degrees to the subject (angled up about 45 degrees)! Make sure the subject is within range of the flash’s light being bounced and have at it (the closer you and the subject are to the wall, the better; but not too close…)!

This non-direct flash approach leads to more creative lighting and better pictures! Give it a try and you’ll love the results!!!

Chuck Jackson is a wedding photographer for PhotoActive Photography in Tampa, FL. Check out http://www.photoactivephotographytampa.com to see wedding images and samples from other photography genres, as well!

Benefits of off-camera flash for wedding photography

Tags

off-camera flash, wedding photography

Written by Chuck Jackson

Last year, I changed my approach to photographing wedding receptions. Previously, I confined myself to using my studio strobes to the posed formals – now, I’ve expanded the role of strobes in my wedding photography! An example of how I captured the Bride and Groom having their first dance using an off-camera strobe at their wedding reception is above.

Instead of just relying on ambient light and on or off camera flash, I started using studio strobes in addition to those techniques. I have been very pleased with the results! I find myself now shooting dimly lit reception halls at ISO 100 which is really cool (in comparison to the 640, 800, 1000, 1250, or 1600 with or without a single camera mounted flash)! Furthermore, I’ve also used these flash units during the actual CEREMONY of the wedding, as well (See example below where two off-camera strobes were used during the wedding ceremony).

Since I use two camera bodies for weddings, I go back and forth between my standard on camera flash (when used) to allow me the flexibility of maneuvering around and capturing the wedding from various perspectives on one camera body and then using my Radio Popper controlled strobes (allowing me to trigger the strobes without line-of-sight from across the room) with my other camera body to ensure I have all the bases covered.  Doing this also allows for an increased level of flexibility and significantly diverse and beautiful looking imagery to make your Bride and Groom very happy!

Chuck Jackson is a wedding photographer for PhotoActive Photography in Tampa, FL. Check out http://www.photoactiveweddingphotography.com to see hundreds of wedding images and samples from other photography genres, as well! 

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