Castle lit up at night behind Bride & Groom

[Gilly B]

I was asked last night by the B&G for my next wedding in March if I would take them at night standing in the grounds of the Castle location where the reception is being held. The castle will be lit from ground uplighters (Sodium I think).

My dilemma is I have never done this type of photography and over the next couple of weeks I need to practice, practice and practice a technique.

I need to keep the dark atmosphere of a night shot, but light the couple up enough so they do not appear as silouettes.

Can someone point me in the right direction for best lens and recommend some settings to start me off. I have been thinking of low ISO and fast shutter speeds.

I would appreciate your experience and guidance on this. Many thanks - Gillian

[LORAC]

How about taking a hand held video light. Someone holding this, or if alone, placed at ground level pointing up, can give enough illumination for the couple while keeping the Castles exposure too.

[neilwood32]

My guess is that you will need additional light (either a flash or video light).

Keep your camera on M, and meter for the ambient light. Then use the flash for fill light on the B&G (using FEC as required to get the amount of flash correct). You may need to gel the flash to balance the uplighters if you want the light balanced.

If you havent done anything like this before, go and practise at least once or twice with a friend as model before the big day as the couple wont want to hang about til you get it right.

[Gilly B]

How about taking a hand held video light. Someone holding this, or if alone, placed at ground level pointing up, can give enough illumination for the couple while keeping the Castles exposure too.

My guess is that you will need additional light (either a flash or video light).

Keep your camera on M, and meter for the ambient light. Then use the flash for fill light on the B&G (using FEC as required to get the amount of flash correct). You may need to gel the flash to balance the uplighters if you want the light balanced.

If you havent done anything like this before, go and practise at least once or twice with a friend as model before the big day as the couple wont want to hang about til you get it right.

Thanks Guys for responding.

Very useful tips. I am going to the castle tomorrow night with my husband and camera gear. I will have a practice and let you know how I get on.

[Dchemist]

Hiw did you make out?

[aliflack]

Exactly what NeilWood said - stick your camera in manual, setting ISO, shutter and aperture as needed to get the castle suitably illuninated. Then as long as you have a powerful enough flash (hotshoe mounted like a 430ex will be more than fine) and are close enough, fire away.

Check the first couple of shots and adjust FEC if needed (i.e. if the wedding dress is blown out) and use the histogram to keep the exposure as much to the right as you can to help avoid undue noise...

Good luck, reckon you'll get some excellent atmospheric pics out of this ;)