Strobist setup for backyard evening wedding reception

I thought I'd try my luck in the lighting section rather than the wedding one.

So I'm shooting a wedding next week in a backyard setting, with the ceremony ending around 7:30pm. Because I'm shooting until 8:30pm it's clear that I'll need to introduce some kind of lighting in order to secure enough light--and the 'right kind' of light. I will not be using flash during the ceremony.

I'm definitely not going to use direct on-axis lighting.

What I have to work with are two flashes (430ex + vivitar) + wireless capability (yongnuo), a flash stand, bungees and other ways of affixing a lens somewhere. Ah--and I have another 430ex that I can simultaneously have on my hot-shoe for flash assist if need be.

I have some idea about what I want to do, but I'm very curious to hear your suggestions and even see some example setups \ diagrams of approaches you have employed.

thanks !

Hard to guess the ceremony without being there and seeing where the sun will be, what direction everything faces and where they ceremony will be held in relation to all that. I can tell you that at that time, the light starts getting a little orange to it, so maybe gel 1/4 to 1/2 CTO to keep colors consistent.

For the reception and dancing, I usually put two lights out, one on opposing sides and shoot ETTL and use FEC as needed.

Well it looks like the sun will be down by 730pm as stated, so it won't be a factor.

It's a little vague, so you have 2 or 3 flashes to work with??

If you have 2, I'd set them at different ends of the venue (hoping it's not too large), crank up the ISO just enough to keep the flash exposure and not have too much ambient taking over the photo.

If you have 3 flashes, even better. Same setup as above and keep one on camera for fill. Use a fast lens to give you more breathing room for your ISO, so you don't crank it too much.

@bdillon: would you gel that way even if working in open shade (during sunset) ? Tall trees will be putting the wedding in shade during the ceremony at least. I guess this is a physics question regarding light hue in direct vs. diffused shade.

@ultimachi: Sorry-I have 2 fully functional flashes. I have an extra 430ex that doesn't put out light but serves as a handy AF-assist. When you say different ends, do you mean corner-to-corner cross lighting ? or literally two flashes facing each other at either end ?

ultimachi wrote in post #14892650
Well it looks like the sun will be down by 730pm as stated, so it won't be a factor.

It's a little vague, so you have 2 or 3 flashes to work with??

If you have 2, I'd set them at different ends of the venue (hoping it's not too large), crank up the ISO just enough to keep the flash exposure and not have too much ambient taking over the photo.

If you have 3 flashes, even better. Same setup as above and keep one on camera for fill. Use a fast lens to give you more breathing room for your ISO, so you don't crank it too much.

At 7:30 the sun is still well above the horizon where I am, will it be in Canada?

Christopher Steven b wrote in post #14892858
@bdillon: would you gel that way even if working in open shade (during sunset) ? Tall trees will be putting the wedding in shade during the ceremony at least. I guess this is a physics question regarding light hue in direct vs. diffused shade.

@ultimachi: Sorry-I have 2 fully functional flashes. I have an extra 430ex that doesn't put out light but serves as a handy AF-assist. When you say different ends, do you mean corner-to-corner cross lighting ? or literally two flashes facing each other at either end ?

In open shade I tend to put a CTB on to match the white balance. Experiment.

^ Yep, in Ottawa. Thanks, man.

It's always enjoyable to see a thread wrapped up--right ?

So here is an example of a shot taken long after dark. For the rest of the wedding see here.

I'll be back to comment on the challenges of shooting with this kind of a setup as soon as I get a moment.

IMAGE LINK: http://www.christopher​stevenb.com/ottawa-wedding-1/e45a58294

Christopher Steven b wrote in post #15304657
It's always enjoyable to see a thread wrapped up--right ?

So here is an example of a shot taken long after dark. For the rest of the wedding see here.

I'll be back to comment on the challenges of shooting with this kind of a setup as soon as I get a moment.

IMAGE LINK: http://www.christopher​stevenb.com/ottawa-wedding-1/e45a58294

Looks great!

Great work... I'm sure they love the results.

Nice work! BTW, I love the black and white shot of the bride in the lavatory doing makeup with Mom peaking in...