How can I handle mixed window and indoor light when photographing an event in a long living room?

Question

I photograph informal family events in a long living room with very uneven light. One short side has a large French window with late-afternoon sun, while the rest of the room is much darker and lit mainly by CFL bulbs. As people move around, some are strongly backlit near the window and others are in low light on the opposite side. I often end up changing shutter speed, aperture, and ISO constantly and miss moments.

My current gear is a Nikon D3000 with a 35mm f/1.8 prime, which I use instead of the 18-55 kit lens because of the low light. I usually shoot from around the middle of the room.

What are practical ways to shoot in this kind of space? I’m interested in tips on camera mode, metering, where to stand, and simple ways to improve the light. If extra gear is really the best solution, what would help most in this specific scenario?

user11392 · Answer

Fill flashes and auto exposure with TTL is my main suggestion. A lower end camera might have trouble with it, but a good mid-range to high end DSLR should be able to use a fill flash to prevent backlighting issues and figure out the exposure needed within an acceptable range.

You might also have to use spot metering because the harsh mix of lighting may throw off average and evaluative metering.

If able, you could get multiple wireless flash units and set them up around the room to help, but I'd suggest starting with a single flash unit to get used to it and see how well it works in your environment before making a more considerable investment.

How can I handle mixed window and indoor light when photographing an event in a long living room?

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