Wedding reception off camera flashes

[superduperwesman]

Asked this in the general section and didn't get much reply. Probably Bc I should have asked here.

Just wondering how many of the wedding photographers use manual flashes off camera with TTL on camera at a wedding reception. If so I'm just a little curious to hear some of the aspects you consider.


IE. - How many off camera flashes do you use?
- What do you aim to boost the "ambient" to with the manual flash boost?
- Where do you typically place the manual flashes?
- What cases would you not trigger the off camera manual flashes (if any)?
- Would you use a studio type strobe or strobes vs battery powered flashes?
- I've been to a wedding where the photog used an off camera flash (or flashes - can't remember for sure). Wish I paid closer attention but wasn't as interested in photography at the time. Anyway, I don't remember the flash or flashes that were off camera being annoying but I feel like they could be?
- I know it'll depend a little on the space but would you typically fire bare at the ceiling or us any type of modifier?

[zona5101]

I have not. I have seen it done and read about it from the like of Neil Van Niekerk and Mellissa Gill had a very nice series of post on specifically this. For the most part it appears both of these photographers used it primarily as accent lighting and not main.

[scootermcq]

I have played with it once, but I was not happy with the results. I found the images obviously became hotter as you moved towards the lights (I had set up 2 diagonally across the room bouncing off a white ceiling) and made for constant adjustment of aperture as you worked the room. I gave up quickly and went back to what I was comfortable with as I did not want to miss a crucial image while I was "playing"

The nice thing was I could shoot at ISO200 in a dark room. This does give less noise, but is a PITA as you work. It also really lights the room and I felt it could distract the guests, especially during speeches etc. Even on an older body like mine, ISO800 is acceptable and with a single on camera bounced SB900, you can light the room quite well. It also preserved the ambient and the feeling of the evening better.

I tried a couple strobes in this venue, as the ceilings are probably 30 feet and the walls were yellow. I was worried about the effectiveness of bounce. This image is lit with a single on camera flash and I think better portrays the room and the evening.


I shot this at ISO800 f/5 & 1/30th bounce flash on TTL

I really don't see much of a reason to go off camera in most venues I have been in.

[superduperwesman]

Alright, so I went by the location yesterday and the roof is ~14ft, BLACK, exposed structure (also black).

Attached are some shots:

First is no flash, 70mm, 2.8, 1/40,ISO 2500, Nikon D90

Second shot is me trying to bounce 24mm, 2.8, 1/40,ISO 2500, Nikon D90
with this guy http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/ima...00/sz-3-tn.jpg


Third is me trying to bounce 24mm, 2.8, 1/40,ISO 2500, Nikon D90
with this guy http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/ima...700/sw-14h.jpg

[kirbinster]

Didn't look to see what you used in number three, but I would say you still need a bunch more light.

[superduperwesman]

I should also say the ceremony and reception are at this location.

I checked and it looked like all the available lights were on (ie not more that can be turned on)

Maybe the lights were dimmed down?

Not sure how I feel about strobing at a ceremony but not sure I'll have a choice if this is the best the lighting gets in the room?

[scootermcq]

Originally Posted by superduperwesman

I should also say the ceremony and reception are at this location.

I checked and it looked like all the available lights were on (ie not more that can be turned on)

Maybe the lights were dimmed down?

Not sure how I feel about strobing at a ceremony but not sure I'll have a choice if this is the best the lighting gets in the room?

NICE.....

I would suggest all bets are off.... go with a bounce card.... this has served me well in those sorts of situations and is $5 to make

DIY Reflector-Diffuser

[scootermcq]

BTW ISO 2500 on a D90 is really not usable....I try not to exceed about ISO 1000 and I would not even try using about ISO 1600

[superduperwesman]

Originally Posted by scootermcq

NICE.....

I would suggest all bets are off.... go with a bounce card.... this has served me well in those sorts of situations and is $5 to make

DIY Reflector-Diffuser

I was worried about that. I was hoping there was another alternative that would be better.

Yeah I just bumped to 2500 to show the situation. Ideally I'd like to stick to 800 as a max.

[scootermcq]

Originally Posted by superduperwesman

I was worried about that. I was hoping there was another alternative that would be better.

Yeah I just bumped to 2500 to show the situation. Ideally I'd like to stick to 800 as a max.

Actually, don't worry.... that diffuser I posted a link to makes a nice safe image. I will post an example tonight when I get home to some images, but it is not as bad as you may think.