What’s Your Preference?

kellysue22 · #1 (**permalink**) 02-08-2010, 11:00 PM

Hi I am new to the board

I have been doing weddings for a few years now. I have about 17-20 weddings a summer and think I do a pretty good job. I really want to be more creative with my lighting in the ceremony and receptions. I do a lot of weddings outdoors so I am not "as" concerned with the ceremonies, but when I do, do indoor ones I would like some more ideas. But the receptions are almost ALWAYS indoors. Right now I use a Gary Fong with my SB600. Sometimes I take it off and use a wireless trigger and hold it up high to make the light a little more artistic and ambient. But that's kind of a pain.

What are some things I can do to maybe shoot from far away, but still have lighting on my subject? What lighting equipment can I bring and set up that's not too obtrusive and something I will have to keep moving....And with the ceremony indoors same question.

OsmosisStudios · #2 (**permalink**) 02-09-2010, 01:50 PM

What body are you using? And what kind of range are we talking about?

zona5101 · #3 (**permalink**) 02-09-2010, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kellysue22

What are some things I can do to maybe shoot from far away, but still have lighting on my subject? What lighting equipment can I bring and set up that's not too obtrusive and something I will have to keep moving....And with the ceremony indoors same question.

Shooting 17-20 weddings - good for you! You have an assistant? They can be your human powered light stand. Get a remote radio trigger and you and your flash can be apart yet focused on the same subject.

kellysue22 · #4 (**permalink**) 02-12-2010, 03:16 AM

I am using a Nikon D200...The ranges are soooo varied. I sometimes have an assistant, but they are usually interns who need to takes shots too. They are from the university so they help me, but need shots too. I try not to depend on them and since they aren't always there, I need to know what's best when I am alone.

Thanks so much!

kellysue22 · #5 (**permalink**) 02-12-2010, 03:17 AM

zona5101
I see you are from Boise. We are moving there in July. I am hoping to open a studio there! As well as keep doing weddings.

LeeR · #6 (**permalink**) 02-12-2010, 03:29 AM

I have used a couple of remote flashes on some sort of light stand to good effect. I like to bounce these lights off the ceiling where possible and use them primarily as fill. I have also used assistants. This is probably the ideal as you can often make fine adjustments from across the room with hand signals. In outdoor situations an assistant with a reflector can accomplish the same thing for you.
Another thing I like to do is set up a corner with an umbrella or softbox portrait style. This allows me to pull people over for a mini portrait session. Doing this can add significantly to your reprint sales after the wedding.