Maybe I got it all wrong... [Archive] - Canon Digital Photography Forums

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morlia

7th of October 2007 (Sun), 21:49

I went to my last wedding of the season and there are few things that I have noticed and just wanted to check with my fellow POTN members to see what they have to say.
I have learned so much in the forum, but it seems that alot of the wedding photographers that I watched work this year don't use the techniques that we see here.

1. I have noticed that at the outdoor weddings none of the photographers that I saw used flash outdoors. So I was wondering how common that is. I always use it especially when we have a really blue sky. Aren't they going to wind up with blown out skies?

2. The indoor weddings that we went to the photographers seemed to use direct bare external flash, no bracket and ddn't bounce it at all. In particular I am thinking about the reception last night that had fantastic low white ceilings. Aren't they going to end up with that yucky harsh shadow behind their subjects?

I ask these questions because I am wondering if I a missing some piece of the puzzle.

cdifoto

7th of October 2007 (Sun), 21:51

1. I use flash outdoors most, but not all, of the time.

2. Depends on how high the ceiling is. Sometimes the ceiling is too high and the flash doesn't have enough oomph to push the light that far. Yes they'll get side shadow if there is something behind them for the shadow to hit.

3. Not all photographers have a clue. :D

viet

8th of October 2007 (Mon), 03:15

...snip..
2. The indoor weddings that we went to the photographers seemed to use direct bare external flash, no bracket and ddn't bounce it at all. In particular I am thinking about the reception last night that had fantastic low white ceilings. Aren't they going to end up with that yucky harsh shadow behind their subjects?

I ask these questions because I am wondering if I a missing some piece of the puzzle.

When you said bare external, did you mean an on board flash such as the 580ex? or a light on a stick with bare-bulb like the quantum?

With the Quantum bare-bulb, it's actually very nice sometime. No comments if it was on-board flash.

morlia

8th of October 2007 (Mon), 09:11

When you said bare external, did you mean an on board flash such as the 580ex? or a light on a stick with bare-bulb like the quantum?

With the Quantum bare-bulb, it's actually very nice sometime. No comments if it was on-board flash.

it was onboard external....not bare bulb.

bcap

8th of October 2007 (Mon), 09:27

I use my flash 99% of the time. Even if I have a great shaded spot outdoors, I'll use it for a little bit of pop.

Indoors, I don't like using direct flash, but sometimes I'll use direct off-camera flash. The harsh transition between highlights and shadows can sometimes be pleasing, for example, during the 1st dance.

morlia

8th of October 2007 (Mon), 09:31

bcap

8th of October 2007 (Mon), 09:34

So maybe I am unnderstanding...thanks for the comment

I think you need to find what works for you.

For example, when I 2nd shoot with Jeff (member Toogy), we have very different shooting styles. I flash a lot and do alot with off-camera flash, where as he likes to use natural light more than I do, yet our images are equally as good, even though we're using two opposite techniques.

So find what you like to do, find the look you like, what you are comfortable with, and work with that :)

song4themoon

8th of October 2007 (Mon), 09:58

A lot of times outdoors I dont use flash. I do test shots in advance to see what works better and go from there. It really all depends on the particular situation.

Indoors I bounce most of the time but it doesnt always work well... again I test it out and go by what works best in the particular situation

Megapixle

8th of October 2007 (Mon), 10:03

bcap

8th of October 2007 (Mon), 10:05

morila I think you have a pretty good handle on it. As cdifoto said, not all photographers have a clue. (I'm still working on it myself, lol) I had a conversation with one "wedding photographer" last week who said that photographers who use the flash when it's sunny outside should "get off their ego trip." Okay sir, have a nice day...

~mp

I had some "professional photographer" say that I should get a flash bracket before anything else (this was back when I had my Sigma 24-70 and Sigma 70-200 and Rebel XT, lol)

stathunter

8th of October 2007 (Mon), 12:35

.......

3. Not all photographers have a clue. :D

Sooooo true. Look at most wedding photos and they are simply icky...........

nicolerork

8th of October 2007 (Mon), 13:26

1. I have noticed that at the outdoor weddings none of the photographers that I saw used flash outdoors. So I was wondering how common that is. I always use it especially when we have a really blue sky. Aren't they going to wind up with blown out skies?

http://blog.jeffnewsom.com/storage/mikren07.jpg

Not my photo, but this was shot with a 1DsMII, Canon 15mm Fisheye at 1/3200 @ 2.8, 200 ISO. No flash. No blowouts.

restech

8th of October 2007 (Mon), 13:59

Hi Nic,
On that photo, are you sure there is no other lightning ?
It's really wonderful pic.

joshbehan

8th of October 2007 (Mon), 14:11

there HAS to be some other light source, or gigantic reflector in front of that couple.

zorz

8th of October 2007 (Mon), 14:17

Hi Nic,
On that photo, are you sure there is no other lightning ?
It's really wonderful pic.

I would think quite an extensive PP-ing was applied to compensate for lack of fill-in light in backlight conditions. You can't go against the nature.

morlia

8th of October 2007 (Mon), 14:25

I would think quite an extensive PP-ing was applied to compensate for lack of fill-in light in backlight conditions. You can't go against the nature.

That's what I was thinking...but I have changed my mind when proved wrong. lol...I am learning so much reading this banter. It is a gorgeous photo though!

Thanks to everyone who has joined in on this conversation.