Forgot Password
Pentax Camera Forums Home
 

Reply
Show Printable Version Search this Thread
05-21-2015, 11:06 PM   #1
Veteran Member




Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 439
Tips for outdoor wedding partially shoot into sunlight?

What are some good tips for taking pictures at a wedding that's outdoors and will likely be partially shot directly into the sun? The wedding is at 5 PM. Also what filters will help make sure that the sky is equally as exposed as the people and grass in foreground? Would that be a ND filter or polarizing filter?

05-22-2015, 12:18 AM   #2
Veteran Member
redcat's Avatar

Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Paris
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 1,939
I think underexpose (ex : -2EV) to get the sky & cloud details then use flash to compensate
05-22-2015, 01:30 AM   #3
Forum Member




Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 54
I was going to say, the same. Flash to bring up the foreground and expose for the background.
05-22-2015, 05:18 AM   #4
Veteran Member




Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 439
Original Poster
I should have mentioned, my Pentax flash no longer works!

05-22-2015, 06:11 AM   #5
Junior Member




Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: New England
Posts: 45
No flash makes this tough! A polarizing filter would normally help darken the sky, but they don't work pointed directly at the sun. This might be one of those rare instances where it is 'ok' to use your on-camera popup flash.
05-22-2015, 06:26 AM   #6
Veteran Member
redcat's Avatar

Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Paris
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 1,939
Use a reflector (a white plastic board works very well) to bounce the light back to your subject.
Bending your reflector for a softer light
If you use your on-camera flash, put a diffuser in front of it
05-22-2015, 06:56 AM   #7
Veteran Member




Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 385
QuoteOriginally posted by johndny Quote
No flash makes this tough! A polarizing filter would normally help darken the sky, but they don't work pointed directly at the sun. This might be one of those rare instances where it is 'ok' to use your on-camera popup flash.
Wouldn't a polarizer also darken the foreground? I agree with the others that flash(es) or a reflector is the way to go.

05-22-2015, 07:09 AM   #8
Veteran Member
wissink's Avatar

Join Date: May 2014
Location: S-ON
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 609
A polarizer does darken everything and only cuts reflections at 90 degrees to the sun. Or on foliage /water with no sky in the image. Again expose for the sky and add light to the foreground.

If you aren't the main photographer, you may not be allowed to use flash or a reflector. You may not be close enough to use a pop up flash if you were allowed.
05-22-2015, 08:04 AM   #9
Veteran Member
redcat's Avatar

Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Paris
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 1,939
QuoteOriginally posted by wissink Quote
If you aren't the main photographer, you may not be allowed to use flash or a reflector.
Exposure bracketing then merge manually as you like it (don't trust automatic HDR, it will produce a surreal photo). Mask is your friend

But if you are not the main photographer, by all mean, leave everything to the main photog. It's their job and they might loose an amazing shot because someone else try to capture the photos and intrude in the frame @_@
05-22-2015, 08:11 AM   #10
Senior Member




Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: United States
Posts: 156
QuoteOriginally posted by Newtophotos Quote
What are some good tips for taking pictures at a wedding that's outdoors and will likely be partially shot directly into the sun? The wedding is at 5 PM. Also what filters will help make sure that the sky is equally as exposed as the people and grass in foreground? Would that be a ND filter or polarizing filter?
I'm assuming that you are not going be paid for this, because if you are, you should buy a flash. You have two choices: You can under expose as already mentioned and then bring light to the subjects via post processing, or you can make sure the subjects are as properly exposed as possible, and blow out the sky. Subjects that have both shadows and direct light on them (high contrast) are very problematic. Good luck.
05-22-2015, 09:31 AM   #11
Veteran Member




Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Fairbanks, AK
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 1,472
I think a gradient filter is what you were looking for, but would be hard to use with people assuming some will be standing above the horizon line.

Buy a new flash or fix your current flash, and lots of practice.
05-22-2015, 09:43 AM   #12
Veteran Member




Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Tennessee
Posts: 6,617
Buy a high power flash and go practice on a family member several times before the actual wedding. You might get lucky and have a cloudy day, but I never seem to get lucky.
05-24-2015, 06:37 AM   #13
Pentaxian




Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: North
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 4,704
I would use at least one flash mounted on a reflective umbrella directed at the wedding solemnization area.
But that seems a bit too late to pull off.

Some large styrofoam boards held up my helpers may help reflect light onto the wedding area, since you mention that you'd be shooting against the Sun.

I am a bit apprehensive to recommend much w/o knowledge of your familiarity with your equipment and shooting in general.

You might have to practice the above to be safe.
05-25-2015, 12:01 AM   #14
Otis Memorial Pentaxian
Otis FanOtis FanOtis FanOtis FanOtis FanOtis Fan
Loyal Site Supporter
clackers's Avatar

Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Melbourne
Photos: Albums
Posts: 16,394
QuoteOriginally posted by Newtophotos Quote
I should have mentioned, my Pentax flash no longer works!

You should do something about this, Newtophotos. Have a look in the cases of pros at work and you might find three flashes.
05-25-2015, 12:10 AM   #15
Moderator
Site Supporter
Loyal Site Supporter
Sandy Hancock's Avatar

Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Adelaide Hills, South Australia
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 11,254
If you are getting paid to shoot this wedding, buy a new flash. Seriously.
None of your lenses are very flare resistant. I would try to get hold of a DA21 for group shots and anything into the sun. Although the DA15 has even better flare resistance it is probably too wide.
Reply

Bookmarks
  • Submit Thread to Facebook Facebook
  • Submit Thread to Twitter Twitter
  • Submit Thread to Digg Digg
Tags - Make this thread easier to find by adding keywords to it!
camera, filter, photography, tips, wedding
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Outdoor wedding photos - best camera settings? slr_neophyte Troubleshooting and Beginner Help 24 06-06-2014 01:44 AM
Outdoor wedding - recommend fill flash Heritage Flashes, Lighting, and Studio 13 03-28-2014 08:30 PM
Outdoor wedding shoot Camera theft mattt Photographic Industry and Professionals 2 09-11-2013 01:00 AM
Last minute outdoor midday totally unprepared and over my head wedding tips please... Javaslinger Troubleshooting and Beginner Help 12 05-23-2011 10:58 PM
tips for wedding photography little laker Photographic Technique 6 10-27-2006 05:09 PM



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 03:20 AM. | See also: NikonForums.com, CanonForums.com part of our network of photo forums!
  • Red (Default)
  • Green
  • Gray
  • Dark
  • Dark Yellow
  • Dark Blue
  • Old Red
  • Old Green
  • Old Gray
  • Dial-Up Style
Hello! It's great to see you back on the forum! Have you considered joining the community?
register
Creating a FREE ACCOUNT takes under a minute, removes ads, and lets you post! [Dismiss]
Top