 Deborah King |
Wedding exposure Hi there, I am going to be taking pictures at a wedding this weekend. The bride knows this is my first wedding. I've been going to school for photography. I just have a few questions that I would like answers from everyone here. I'm nervous about exposure. How do I make the bride and the background come out perfect in the picture. Do I use my light meter on just the bride and hope everyone else is properly exposed? Or do I let my camera's automatic exposure take over. I'm having concerns majorly about this. I've taken lots of studio portraits and I have that down but I'm concerned of these "candids" If it helps my film is Kodak 160NC. Please help!! Thanks
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Justin G. |
First off, never hope something will come out because it won't. Second just take everything that you learned in school and apply it here. A wedding (in generalities) shouldn't be any different than shooting anything else. It's like when you're shooting snow. You know you're gonna dull the whites, so you have to do something about it, same thing here.
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Deborah King |
Guess I should also add. My equipment is a Nikon Camera and Canon. I have a flash I'm attaching to it. (don't know the exact brand) I have an off camera light meter. Should I bring my tripod? Thanks again!
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Kerry L. Walker |
If I knew a little more about your equipment I might could help. For instance, is your flash TTL? If so, try this: Shoot in manual mode. Set your shutter speed to 1/30 (to bring in some additional ambient light on the background) and your aperature to record whatever DOF you want to achieve. Dial in 1 stop overexposure on your exposure compensation dial. This will add enough light to compensate for the white gown. Don't worry about other things being overexposed. Portra 160NC has a latitude of 2 stops underexposure and 3 stops overexposure. Portra 400NC has an additional stop of overexposure if you think you need the additional speed on your film. I shoot 400NC at ISO 320 but I also shoot MF. I would take the tripod and an additional body loaded with Portra 800 for the shots of the ceremony when you are not allowed to use flash. Of course, if you can use flash throughout the ceremony, forget the 800. Either get some kind of diffuser for your flash or be prepared to bounce it to eliminate the hot spots. If you are shooting any shots without flash, just meter off the black tux and the bride's dress will be fine.
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x |
i dont know anything about your particular event, but I think I only shot 160 once. usually 400, always had 800, and used BW 3200 frequently at receptions and getting ready shots. weddings move fast, so you need to move quickly. get the shot, over worrying about technical crap. if it's moving too fast for you, switch into "P" mode for a while until things cool down. seriously. light meter is a waste of time...so is a tripod. you need to concentrate on moments, not planned sequenced poses. moments occur unexpectedly, so be prepared. always hold the camera up near your face for the whoel event, and never stop shooting. if you see something even remotely cool, shoot it. lastly, don't futz with your equipment and travel very lightly. just concentrate on shooting. everything you have learned in your school will hinder you more than help. weddings are not controlled. I never been to photo school, so I don't kno wwhat they teach about light, but learn to find the light...it's there...find it. use it. drop the flash and only us it if absolutely necessary. I think the schools have people flashing almost 100% of the time. most things you need to know for weddings, the schools don't teach. it's more about capturing the moment than anything else. that really can't be taught. try to be a part of the event, feel it. open yourself to it and make yourself the conduit to produce your vision of their day.
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Deborah King |
Jerry, thats the thought I was having. So should I change my film to 400 instead of the 160 for reception? That was my concern was it was going to move to fast I couldn't catch the moments. Does anyone have any other suggestions on what to expect? Thanks so much
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x |
I would use 400, I might even push it to 800, if need be. Depends on how dark it is.
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Deborah King |
Does anyone else have suggestions for me? Again this is my first wedding I want it to be great and I'm just so nervous. Please. Thanks
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