Making The Most Of Artificial And Natural Lighting Options For Wedding Photography

Making the most of unpredictable lighting at weddings

Lighting options can be a nightmarish challenge for most wedding photographers. A photographer’s job is not limited to the mandap or stage alone. It is his responsibility to cover the entire event. Taking consistently good photos with whatever lighting is available can be quite a challenge for even the most experienced photographer. It is a challenge that will make or break their reputation.

Manipulating lighting comes with experience and plenty of trials and errors. If you are a beginner, you should note the following tips given by some of the best wedding photographers in Chennai.

Make optimum use of available light

By available lighting we mean the sunlight, fairy lights, neon lights, bulbs, tubelights, light from the TV, or even the light from your smartphone’s torch. No matter what the source, diffused directional lighting will always accentuate the human subjects in the best possible way. Budding photographers are bound to think of sunlight as a big blessing. But even that can be challenging if it is not the right time of the day.

When you cannot manipulate the light source, you can make your subject stand or sit at a 45 degree angle to the source. This trick helps to shift the focus on the subject without the lighting obscuring the entire picture. Use natural or portable reflectors to fill shadows. Another useful technique is to illuminate the subject by placing them at the edge of a shaded area, facing the non-shaded area.

Use LED panels for flattering photos

LED panels are awesome, but they need to be used judiciously. The advantage about using LED panels is that they are portable, easy to mount, lightweight, and come with the option of adjusting brightness levels. The trick with using LED panels is to place them at a 45-degree angle so that they flatter the subject’s expressions and facial features.

Know how to use your camera flash

That split second instant blinding light from your camera flash can make people go “Wow” or “Ugh”, depending on your expertise in using it. Here are some expert tips to sharpen your skills with the camera flash:

• Learn to manually control the flash settings. Read your camera manual and experiment with trials and errors.

• When using the on-camera flash, try to minimize the harshness of the light by angling it towards the wall or ceiling or use plastic diffusers or reflectors.

• Opt for off-camera lighting whenever you need to take those dramatic, natural and candid photos.

• Pair your off-camera flash with a simple umbrella for a diffused softer shade of lighting.

Sharpen your technical skills

The bottom line is this: Experience matters. There are photographers who try to avoid the flash as much as they can. And then there are those who are experts in handling them. There are no definitive set of rules with the flash-except for one: No one wants to be blinded by the light.

The current generation of photographers ought to be in tandem with the latest trends, software and lighting equipment that are making waves. Outdated lighting will not work if you want to create a niche for yourself. Above all, practice makes a perfect photographer. And lighting is not something you can learn overnight. So, practice, experiment and hone your expertise!

Read More : Essential Questions To Ask Before Finalizing The Best Candid Wedding Photographers In Chennai