Mixed Race Wedding

mudbug46 · 9th of February 2008 (Sat)

First I'm not a racist and this strictly a lighting question. I normally don't do alot of weddings so I have never come across this before. I am shooting a very dark skinned black man wearing a white tux to a very light skinned white lady also wearing white soon I always meet with the couple in the church before I shoot them to go the layout and do some light readings. Should I overexpose by 1 fstop to be able to make out facial features on the man and risk blowing out the bride. Just curious any help would be appreciated.

Scott_Quier · 9th of February 2008 (Sat)

It's all about incident light readings, not reflected light readings. Measure the incident light, and expose for that. You may be able to get away with +1/2 stop, but more than that will blow out the dress and his tux. In addition, if you expose based on the incident light readings, his skin will be exposed correctly. It's a challenge, but no more so then shooting a bride and groom together where the bride is in traditional white and the groom in traditional black.

sobad · 9th of February 2008 (Sat)

Howdy neighbor. I second Scott's comment, in situations like you described i usually go +1/2 stop and its still a challenge. A good flash is a must in my opinion.

canonloader · 9th of February 2008 (Sat)

Great question. Can you use fill flash? Or is flash taboo when shooting weddings? It would solve the problem though.

mudbug46 · 9th of February 2008 (Sat)

Yes will be using a good flash Canon 580EXII
Will shoot some test shots before and will post

canonloader · 10th of February 2008 (Sun)

I'll be interested in seeing them, but I think that is going to be the fix for your problem. I suggested it cause I know that fill flash works wonders on black birds in snow, black and white birds, and white birds against dark backgrounds.

bieber · 10th of February 2008 (Sun)

There are basically two ways to resolve detail in a black man's face: overexpose and blow out the whites, or put a light on him that produces some direct reflection. The latter is obviously the preferable choice, and the 580EXII is the way to do it. If at all possible, get it off your camera, but if you can't then head-on works, too...

canonloader · 10th of February 2008 (Sun)

I was going to suggest a diffuser, so you don't get any pointlights. A piece cut from a plastic milk jug and held on with a rubber band works wonders.

bieber · 10th of February 2008 (Sun)

Quote:

Originally Posted by canonloader

I was going to suggest a diffuser, so you don't get any pointlights. A piece cut from a plastic milk jug and held on with a rubber band works wonders.

Ehh, it won't really do anything that ceiling bounce can't. If (and this is a big if) the ceiling in the church is low enough to get a reasonable ceiling bounce, just point the flash up at it and use an index card and a rubber band to send a little bit of light directly at the subject.

canonloader · 10th of February 2008 (Sun)

I would at least take one with me. Bounced light takes on a tone of what it bounces off of, like wood. The diffuser won't. Try both.

PhotosGuy · 10th of February 2008 (Sun)

Test this work around before the shoot: Get the flash off the cam to his side of the shot. (have someone hold it) The light fall off will give him more light than it will give her.

mudbug46 · 10th of February 2008 (Sun)

Thanks for all the suggestions. Just don't want to have to spend the next 2 weeks in pshop lightenor darkening all images.

9th of February 2008 (Sat)	#1
mudbug46 Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Ville Platte Louisiana Posts: 171 IMAGE EDITING OK	Mixed Race Wedding First I'm not a racist and this strictly a lighting question. I normally don't do alot of weddings so I have never come across this before. I am shooting a very dark skinned black man wearing a white tux to a very light skinned white lady also wearing white soon I always meet with the couple in the church before I shoot them to go the layout and do some light readings. Should I overexpose by 1 fstop to be able to make out facial features on the man and risk blowing out the bride. Just curious any help would be appreciated.

9th of February 2008 (Sat)	#2
Scott_Quier Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Newport News, VA Posts: 888 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: Mixed Race Wedding It's all about incident light readings, not reflected light readings. Measure the incident light, and expose for that. You may be able to get away with +1/2 stop, but more than that will blow out the dress and his tux. In addition, if you expose based on the incident light readings, his skin will be exposed correctly. It's a challenge, but no more so then shooting a bride and groom together where the bride is in traditional white and the groom in traditional black. __________________ Scott Operation: Love Reunited Check out my blog Gear List

9th of February 2008 (Sat)	#3
sobad Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Louisiana Posts: 220 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: Mixed Race Wedding Howdy neighbor. I second Scott's comment, in situations like you described i usually go +1/2 stop and its still a challenge. A good flash is a must in my opinion. __________________ Canon 1DMKIIN, 7D, 40D, 70-200 f/2.8L IS, 17-40 f4L, 28-135mm IS, 85mm 1.8, 35mm 2.0, 50mm 1.8, , 18-55mm kit, 430EX II, 580EX II (2), AB800 x 2 Tamron 17-50 f/2.8

9th of February 2008 (Sat)	#4
canonloader Cream of the Crop Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Behind A Camera Posts: 52,850 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: Mixed Race Wedding Great question. Can you use fill flash? Or is flash taboo when shooting weddings? It would solve the problem though. __________________ Mitch- ____...^.^...____ My Microscope Stuff Gear List, My Flash Gallery, My You Tube, Ride My Bi-Sickle War is not about who's right, it's about who's left.

9th of February 2008 (Sat)	#5
mudbug46 Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Ville Platte Louisiana Posts: 171 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: Mixed Race Wedding Yes will be using a good flash Canon 580EXII Will shoot some test shots before and will post

10th of February 2008 (Sun)	#6
canonloader Cream of the Crop Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Behind A Camera Posts: 52,850 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: Mixed Race Wedding I'll be interested in seeing them, but I think that is going to be the fix for your problem. I suggested it cause I know that fill flash works wonders on black birds in snow, black and white birds, and white birds against dark backgrounds. __________________ Mitch- ____...^.^...____ My Microscope Stuff Gear List, My Flash Gallery, My You Tube, Ride My Bi-Sickle War is not about who's right, it's about who's left.

10th of February 2008 (Sun)	#7
bieber Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Bradenton, FL Posts: 1,992 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: Mixed Race Wedding There are basically two ways to resolve detail in a black man's face: overexpose and blow out the whites, or put a light on him that produces some direct reflection. The latter is obviously the preferable choice, and the 580EXII is the way to do it. If at all possible, get it off your camera, but if you can't then head-on works, too... __________________ EOS 20D w/ BG-E2 grip Nifty fifty, EF 28mm f/2.8, EF 70-200mm f/4L USM Speedlights SB-25/SB-26/580EX, Pocket Wizards and such My Gallery

10th of February 2008 (Sun)	#8
canonloader Cream of the Crop Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Behind A Camera Posts: 52,850 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: Mixed Race Wedding I was going to suggest a diffuser, so you don't get any pointlights. A piece cut from a plastic milk jug and held on with a rubber band works wonders. __________________ Mitch- ____...^.^...____ My Microscope Stuff Gear List, My Flash Gallery, My You Tube, Ride My Bi-Sickle War is not about who's right, it's about who's left.

10th of February 2008 (Sun)	#10
canonloader Cream of the Crop Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Behind A Camera Posts: 52,850 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: Mixed Race Wedding I would at least take one with me. Bounced light takes on a tone of what it bounces off of, like wood. The diffuser won't. Try both. __________________ Mitch- ____...^.^...____ My Microscope Stuff Gear List, My Flash Gallery, My You Tube, Ride My Bi-Sickle War is not about who's right, it's about who's left.

10th of February 2008 (Sun)	#11
PhotosGuy Moderator Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: S. E. Michigan Posts: 64,656	Re: Mixed Race Wedding Test this work around before the shoot: Get the flash off the cam to his side of the shot. (have someone hold it) The light fall off will give him more light than it will give her. __________________ FrankC - 20D, RAW, Manual everything... Classic Carz, Racing, Air Show, Flowers. www.FrankCizek.com Find the light... A few Car Lighting Tips, and MOVE YOUR FEET! Have you thought about making your own book? // Need an exposure crutch?

10th of February 2008 (Sun)	#12
mudbug46 Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Ville Platte Louisiana Posts: 171 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: Mixed Race Wedding Thanks for all the suggestions. Just don't want to have to spend the next 2 weeks in pshop lightenor darkening all images.

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