BetterPhoto Q&A
Category: New Questions

Candle light Photography

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July 21, 2001

Trying to get an idea how much light you will have, where it will be coming from relative to the primary subjects of interest, and how much light your lenses can let in. This, and some other factors will determine film speed. I would normally shoot an ISO 160 portrait film, but you may need to bump it up to an ISO 400, or possibly an ISO 800 one. Kodak Portra comes in all three speeds, but I would avoid the ISO 800 (grainier) unless its speed is absolutely necessary.

In general, shooting only by candlelight results in a very warm (yellow-red) tone to the photographs. If it's done well, including the lighting, and obvious it's candlelight, it can look very natural.

Also, depending on the answers, there may be some methods for providing a very small amount of fill to add just a little light without overtaking the candle lighting, but for that you would have to experiment with it to determine settings and understand what to expect from it.

-- John

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July 22, 2001

Thanks for your response.

The wedding is inside a hotel ballroom. There are no windows or skylights as far as I know. The candle light will be from a very large candelabra that stands about five feet tall and about 10 feet wide. It will be directly behind the person officiating the ceremony. I am unsure if there will be any other lighting available, maybe some dim lighting along the walls of the room. I need to call about that. Also, I am not allowed to use a flash during the ceremony. As far as the lense choice, I would probably be shooting with a 50mm lens, possibly some with my wide angle lens (28mm).

I appreciate your help.

Thanks, Monica

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July 23, 2001

Here's what the Kodak Master Photoguide gives for estimating exposure under the conditions you described (Candlelit close-ups):
ISO 400:
1/60th @ f/1.2 (only 1/2-stop faster than f/1.4)
1/30th @ f/1.4
ISO 800:
1/60th @ f/1.4
1/30th @ f/2
ISO 1600:
1/125th @ f/1.4
1/60th @ f/2
1/30th @ f/2.8

This is _only_ an estimate (guideline) but should be in the ballpark (+/- one stop). Obviously it depends on how many candles and how close your subjects are to them. Is it possible to go there and measure how much light you will have, or at least simulate it somehow with an experiment elsewhere?

I would be concerned about having the candelabra in the photograph. The candles could flare the lens and overpower the people on the other side of it that it's illuminating. Ensure you are using a lens hood!!! This is an item often forgotten about for the type of lighting you've described (and in night photography using available light).

At this point I'm thinking ISO 800 with an ultra-fast lens, but would have some ISO 1600 on hand as an insurance policy. I'm also thinking you will likely do better with the 50mm (but would not leave the 28mm at home).

Some random thoughts:
If you can use a good, sturdy tripod with cable release, you could get away 1/15th second provided people are pretty still (not wavering around). I've done available light from the back of a church with a telephoto at 1/15th on a tripod without too much problem. Your problem may be the need to move around from side to side and inability to do so with a tripod.

-- John

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July 24, 2001

I'm not quite sure I understand what you mean about "How fast is your lens?".
On the 50mm lens the lowest f-stop is 2 and the 28mm lens the lowest f-stop is 2.8. Is that what you mean?

I do have a lens hood (good advice)and I plan on using my tripod. I think I will have enough room to move around from side to side with it.

I won't be able to see the actual conditions until that day, but I do plan on simulating the conditions and taking some practice shots.

Thanks, Monica

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July 24, 2001

BTW, the term comes from the very early days with very, very slow emulsions on glass plates. Very early lenses did not have aperture diaphragms and the "shutter" was a cap over the front of the lens. By today's standards these lenses were also very "slow." The photographer would remove the cap for some tens of seconds and then replace it. A "fast lens" meant the photographer could leave the lens uncovered for a shorter time.

Very glad you're planning to simulate and practice! Your lighting situation for a wedding ceremony is very unusual, and you'll be working in very low light. Along with getting a more exact idea of what exposure is required, you'll have to feel comfortable focusing and operating all the controls in the low light.

-- John

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July 24, 2001

Thanks, Monica

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July 24, 2001