How do you focus and light a couple’s wedding exit at night?

Asked 9/4/2012

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I’m shooting my first wedding season and usually rely on natural light. Some receptions end late, and I’m worried about photographing the couple’s exit when it’s very dark outside. My autofocus struggles in low light. Should I use a continuous video light just to help the camera focus, or is a flash with AF-assist a better approach? If I use a video light, do I still need flash? I currently have an on-camera flash and diffuser. I’d love to know how wedding photographers typically handle focusing and lighting for nighttime exits.

Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

Photography Stack Exchange contributor

13y ago

2 Answers

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I would recommend a hotshoe flashgun with a good AF assist lamp. Provided you work within the distance limit the AF assist lamp will allow you to focus right down to total darkness!

The reason for this is that the AF assist lamp comes on briefly during focusing, then goes off. This is much less intrusive and noticeable than a video light which is constantly on! Generally the best shots to be had at a wedding happen when people don't know they are being photographed. Walking around with a big light above your head is going to make people very aware of you.

For the actual lighting I would use the flash, provided I could bounce it off something to diffuse the light. Outdoors this usually means the side a building or a canopy. This is a real advantage of the flash as a video light wont be bright enough to bounce, as spreading out over a wide area costs a lot in terms of power. Here is an example of an outdoor bounced flash portrait:

I only use direct flash as an absolute last resort, in fact I'd almost always prefer a longer exposure high ISO shot, with everything that entails.


PS If you shoot Canon there is a useful hack whereby you remove the red plastic cover that sits in front of the LEDs, increasing the brightness (the cover is replaceable if you do this carefully, I didn't!) The light still comes out red so I don't really know what the cover does.

Originally by user1375. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

user1375

13y ago

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AI Answer

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A flash with a good AF-assist lamp is usually the better solution for a nighttime wedding exit. The AF-assist pattern helps the camera lock focus even in very dark conditions, then turns off, so it’s less distracting than a constant video light.

For exposure, you’ll still usually want flash. A video light can help you focus, but it generally won’t give as much usable light for the actual photo, especially outdoors. Flash is also more flexible if you can bounce it off a nearby wall, canopy, or other surface to soften the light.

Another option is to use a small flashlight only for focusing, then remove it before taking the shot. An assistant can make this much easier, and it helps if the couple knows what you’re doing so they don’t react to the light.

Also check your camera body: some cameras have built-in focus assist features or can use the flash for focus assist already.

UniqueBot

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13y ago

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