mid day outdoor lighting problem

[3bayjunkie]

I have a wedding to shoot in the end of May 2012. Its already getting ridiculous. For one thing it is Alaska in the end of may, the sun is up for about 21 hours out of the day. Another problem I'm running into is they are having an outdoor wedding around Noon time. The scenery is magnificent, a lake with mountains nearby. However I am trying to figure out how I'm going to photograph the ceremony with the sun directly overhead.

If any of you have magically come up with a way to work in these conditions, please advise. I have also already mentioned to the client the difficult with the lighting situation and suggested an early morning wedding instead, but so far no budging.

Thanks,
CJ

[zona5101]

Originally Posted by 3bayjunkie

I have a wedding to shoot in the end of May 2012. Its already getting ridiculous. For one thing it is Alaska in the end of may, the sun is up for about 21 hours out of the day. Another problem I'm running into is they are having an outdoor wedding around Noon time. The scenery is magnificent, a lake with mountains nearby. However I am trying to figure out how I'm going to photograph the ceremony with the sun directly overhead.

If any of you have magically come up with a way to work in these conditions, please advise. I have also already mentioned to the client the difficult with the lighting situation and suggested an early morning wedding instead, but so far no budging.

Thanks,
CJ

* find or create shade when possible
* master your fill flash technique

[John Hendry]

Yip I would be working on my fill flash try and get some light into the shadows.

Although there will be a lot of light bouncing of the snow so it might not be that bad.

Look for shaded areas use them as much as you can.

All the best

[Doug Sundseth]

The good news about Alaska is that even in mid-day, the sun doesn't rise all that far above the horizon. AFAICT, in mid-May in Anchorage, the sun is around 33 degrees above the horizon at noon. (The elevation of the sun will vary with latitude if the wedding is someplace else.)

It's not ideal, but it's really not "directly overhead".

[GreggObst]

If you know the address or the GPS coordinates of the wedding site, you might try using the Photographer's Ephemeris (download the free desktop version) to determine the actual direction of the sun and relation to the horizon during the hours the wedding will take place. It's great because you can go out to any calendar day and any hour within that day and get all the info you will need.

http://photoephemeris.com/

[3bayjunkie]

Originally Posted by John Hendry

Yip I would be working on my fill flash try and get some light into the shadows.

Although there will be a lot of light bouncing of the snow so it might not be that bad.

Look for shaded areas use them as much as you can.

All the best

There Is rarely any snow in late May. It will probably be in the 70's-80's

Originally Posted by Doug Sundseth

The good news about Alaska is that even in mid-day, the sun doesn't rise all that far above the horizon. AFAICT, in mid-May in Anchorage, the sun is around 33 degrees above the horizon at noon. (The elevation of the sun will vary with latitude if the wedding is someplace else.)

It's not ideal, but it's really not "directly overhead".

You know what, I didn't really think about that. I might not be in as much trouble as i though I live in Fairbanks, but the wedding is in

Originally Posted by GreggObst

If you know the address or the GPS coordinates of the wedding site, you might try using the Photographer's Ephemeris (download the free desktop version) to determine the actual direction of the sun and relation to the horizon during the hours the wedding will take place. It's great because you can go out to any calendar day and any hour within that day and get all the info you will need.

The Photographer's Ephemeris | Plan your shoot

I will check it out. thanks for the reference. Here is the exact location the wedding is taking place Alaska Heavenly Lodge | Chugach Peaks Photography

[Johninbigd]

I'm a total noob, but I'd try fill flash and a pretty fast shutter speed to balance out the ambient light.

[3bayjunkie]

At a wedding I really don't want to be flashing everyone with a bright light every time I take a photo. may use it once in a while, but for indoor low light I use a video light, and i'll use a low powered flash setting to stop motion while dragging the shutter for any fast moving action. Having the subjects back lit with soft natural light is the style I am going for. Thanks for the idea though. I'm sure it would help in situations where you aren't back lighting your subject.

[Johninbigd]

That makes sense! The flash would be obtrusive during the ceremony even if you lowered the power, and if you lowered the power too far, it wouldn't be that useful as a fill. I'm a noob and I've never tried to shoot in those conditions. Good luck!

[cyber3d]

These guys have the pro solution. If you can't afford to buy, try to rent. You'll need a friend/assistant to handle the equipment.

This product is called the sun swatter

And this item is called a micro mini bounce

Here is a link to tutorials on using their products

www.sunbounce.com: AWESOME SUNBOUNCERS VIDEOS

Their stuff can be found in all pro shops.