 BetterPhoto Member |
Lighting Questions ... I'm not sure how to judge the lighting in the sunlight and in the shade. I also have been asked to take photos at a family wedding, and I'd like to know how to eliminate shadows behind the subjects.
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John A. Lind |
Janice: Two general methods for controlling shadows: multiple off-camera lights including a background light, or on-camera flash that's elevated and kept directly above the lens. With either, sufficient distance between the subjects and background lets shadows fall well outside the frame or drop down behind them. A background light is often used in studio portraiture to provide a modest highlighting on the background behind the subject and ensures shadows are eliminated. I don't believe this is feasible for the wedding you mention; even if you used off-camera lighting for portraiture, it must be basic with "fail-safe" lighting angles for quick setup and tear-down. For candids, photojournalism, etc., that use on-camera flash, keeping the flash directly above the lens at all times by about 10-14 inches drops shadows directly behind the subjects. Even with that flash elevation, distance between subject(s) and background is important. Even though the shadows fall down behind them, if the subject(s) are too close to a wall or other vertical object, the head shadow may not drop far enough to land below the shoulders and can be seen around the neck. For wedding work with on-camera lighting, a bracket is used to elevate the flash and keep it directly above the lens regardless of camera orientation. There are two basic styles: camera rotator and "flip flash." The first is a bracket with handle or grip and has a rotating mechanism for the camera. The second allows the flash to rotate (or "flip") to the side of the camera to keep it above the lens for vertical compositions. The best known and largest bracket maker is Stroboframe; another is Newton Camera Brackets (in Florida). If Stroboframe is the "Chevy" of flash brackets, the "Rolls Royce" is made by Custom Brackets in Ohio. For the wedding you will be shooting, you may wish to see my Survival Guide:
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