Yikes! What to do?

[texas2step]

This is a sample photo from a wedding facility's website. I'll be shooting here next month for a mid-day wedding. The bride wants to reverse things and have the bride/groom face the audience which puts the natural light to their backs.

I believe this is what you would call a WORSE case scenario. I'll be shooting a 30D with 24-70 and 70-200 both 2.8. Any tips on ensuring I get proper exposure on bride & groom during the ceremony? I don't like the idea of using flash during cermonies.

http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l1/CYarborough/ashfordoaks.jpg

[Visual Bride]

I am no expert, but the light here is coming from above. The light is bouncing off the wall behind.

If they are underneath the light, it might not be quite as bad as some light will fall behind and some in front, on their faces. Though where they stand is critical as the first row is silhouetted . If they are on the platform, you may be ok. If they are in front of the steps, it'll be harder.

[ofdphoto]

Two ideas:

1.) Shoot from behind them and from the sides as much as possible. You should be able to get plenty of good coverage from those angles.

2.) With all of that daylight, using flash isn't going to be a big deal for anybody... there's already a heap of bright light. I would seriously consider finding somewhere discrete to position 1 or 2 off-camera flashes for the necessary forward-facing shots. Be careful to avoid ugly reflections though ;-)

[picturecrazy]

Vary it a bit. Shoot some all natural light with the back really blown out. shoot some with bounced flash if that is even possible. Shoot some with direct flash you have to, but always at an angle so you don't get flash reflected back on the glass.

Most of the venues I've been to have huge windows behind them. It's a trend for venues, but sucky for us.

And someone should tell them that the star filter went out of style 20 years ago. ;)

[ofdphoto]

And someone should tell them that the star filter went out of style 20 years ago. ;)

It has?! Dammit, why did I buy one of those ;-) (Still haven't used the thing :-P)

[tim]

This question was asked recently... your two choices are to expose for the couple and blow out the background (ie shoot manual), or expose for the background and use flash to light them. Be careful of flash metering being confused by guests closer to you than them, or by the glass behind them.

[Raymond Lin]

This question was asked recently... your two choices are to expose for the couple and blow out the background (ie shoot manual), or expose for the background and use flash to light them. Be careful of flash metering being confused by guests closer to you than them, or by the glass behind them.

Would the second one be in manual too as above in no.1 but use ETTL for fill flash ?