Shooting a couple on the beach at night? Anyone tried it?

[ajax_andy]

Would love to know if anyone has shot a couple on a beach at night time, and how they made it work if so.

I'm shooting a wedding in December really close to a beach, there's limited places to get good shots and although it'll be pitch black as night time I'd love to use the beach - I feel there'd be a great sense of intimacy and being "alone" if I could pull it off.

I have 2 external light stands, 2 strobes, a silver umbrella and a soft box.

If anyone can offer any suggestions I'd be eternaly grateful

[graciousness]

That's tough. I've never done it myself, although as you know, I'm shooting a wedding in January in Tasmania around sundown at the beach. So I'm interested to see what people will respond with.

Although I don't have intentions of shooting at night outdoors with the bride and groom. As you've mentioned, it will be pitch black. So whilst you may have some nice intimacy possibility with shots, the thing is that still, it's going to be so dark that the effects of your lighting set up won't be a lot different (I think) with setting up the lights in a dark room. You won't see the beach at all. You may see some rocks/sand/foreground if lit enough around the couple, but nothign else. Also, even with assistant/s, you'd need some time to set up your lights to get the shots. Are the bride and groom giving you plenty of time for this shoot or are you going to do it whilst reception? Wouldn't that mean missing out on reception time, though?

Depending on where the moon is, I think that this is the only 'prop' that may provide that nice intimate opportunity to do the shots. Or if you have some city lights in the distance as background. Otherwise, this is tough.

Anyhoo I'll shut up now as I am probably talking crap out of inexperience. Hope you get lots of comments on this

Cheers,

Grace

[ajax_andy]

Originally Posted by graciousness

That's tough. I've never done it myself, although as you know, I'm shooting a wedding in January in Tasmania around sundown at the beach. So I'm interested to see what people will respond with.

Although I don't have intentions of shooting at night outdoors with the bride and groom. As you've mentioned, it will be pitch black. So whilst you may have some nice intimacy possibility with shots, the thing is that still, it's going to be so dark that the effects of your lighting set up won't be a lot different (I think) with setting up the lights in a dark room. You won't see the beach at all. You may see some rocks/sand/foreground if lit enough around the couple, but nothign else. Also, even with assistant/s, you'd need some time to set up your lights to get the shots. Are the bride and groom giving you plenty of time for this shoot or are you going to do it whilst reception? Wouldn't that mean missing out on reception time, though?

Depending on where the moon is, I think that this is the only 'prop' that may provide that nice intimate opportunity to do the shots. Or if you have some city lights in the distance as background. Otherwise, this is tough.

Anyhoo I'll shut up now as I am probably talking crap out of inexperience. Hope you get lots of comments on this

Cheers,

Grace

Hi grace, no you're not talking crap at all... these are all my thoughts and worries about even trying it

In my mind I can picture them looking out to sea maybe, or sitting near the shore line in the sand, but my feeling is this could only be achieved at dusk and not after sun down... like you said (well kind of) - if there's no context as to the location, what's the point? No sea, no beach etc then it's just not going to work.

Unless someone on here knows how to make it work that is

[UlpilotSC]

Shooting people on the beach.... Use a silencer on your rifle from far away.

Ive tried nighttime beach stuff. Usually kind of windy where I've been at night. Lots of blowing sand.
You have the light, but if there's no other ambient light it's just going to look like a dark room.

Maybe try a full moon night with clear skies? that should help illuminate the shore and waves.

[ajax_andy]

Originally Posted by UlpilotSC

Shooting people on the beach.... Use a silencer on your rifle from far away.Ive tried nighttime beach stuff. Usually kind of windy where I've been at night. Lots of blowing sand.
You have the light, but if there's no other ambient light it's just going to look like a dark room.

Maybe try a full moon night with clear skies? that should help illuminate the shore and waves.

Yeah i think in my mind the moon is full, the skies clear and the moonlight is reflecting on the water.

I dont think this will be the case in December in Northern England where I'll be shooting lol!

[RichardTaylor]

Re the moon settings, directions and size (and sun), see this.

The Photographer's Ephemeris | Plan your shoot

[Sweetlifephoto]

I would say look for areas where there is more ambient light, like a pier or restaurant/bar on the beach and use that to your advantage. A very good tip for night photos is that the light behind your subjects are as important as the light you shoot in front.

There is more light at night than you think, I would try a long exposure up to 30 seconds and manually fire your flash during the exposure to light them up.

Hope these ideas help spark your imagination.

[scootermcq]

Originally Posted by Sweetlifephoto

I would say look for areas where there is more ambient light, like a pier or restaurant/bar on the beach and use that to your advantage. A very good tip for night photos is that the light behind your subjects are as important as the light you shoot in front.

There is more light at night than you think, I would try a long exposure up to 30 seconds and manually fire your flash during the exposure to light them up.

Hope these ideas help spark your imagination.

Exactly.... I have done this technique before, but with rear curtain sync. Have them stand relatively still, but the flash will freeze minimal movement. Camera on a tripod & 30 second exposure (or there abouts) the 30 seconds will allow ambient into the pic & the flashes will light them. Might want a warming gell on the flashes.

[Woody]

Its been a while since I did some night photography. But with a bit of patience, some experimenting and a bit of knowledge, you can achieve some great results.

You need a tripod, long exposure, around 20sec, and for portraits, a very calm, patient and still couple. Worth the try.


https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-T...841%252529.jpg


Cheers,

John W

[graciousness]

Originally Posted by scootermcq

Exactly.... I have done this technique before, but with rear curtain sync. Have them stand relatively still, but the flash will freeze minimal movement. Camera on a tripod & 30 second exposure (or there abouts) the 30 seconds will allow ambient into the pic & the flashes will light them. Might want a warming gell on the flashes.

Wouldn't long exposure introduce a lot of motion blur with people? Like how can you get people to hold their stand/pose for 30 seconds or do you just try and hope for the best? I'm sort of understanding what you're saying about the flash freezing some movements, but I' still imagining a blurry photo in my head from such long exposure. Perhaps a photo sample would be good so that we can understand what you mean.