How should I light a wedding reception in a gym?

Asked 7/10/2012

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I’ll be photographing a wedding reception in a gym and don’t have much experience shooting in that type of venue. I need something practical for moving around during the reception, but also a setup for portraits. Would an on-camera speedlite be enough, possibly with a gel, or is it better to combine on-camera flash with off-camera flash on a stand or umbrella? I’d love to hear what lighting approaches have worked well for wedding receptions in gyms.

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

Photography Stack Exchange contributor

14y ago

2 Answers

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What I've done is to use a speedlite on the camera and a couple speedlites on a lightstand which is manned by my assistant. (I use a Redwing Quickstand. No longer made, but this is very similar: http://www.cheetahstand.com/servlet/the-Cheetah-Stand/Categories)

I use the lights on the stand as my main light, with fill provided by the on-camera flash.

Originally by user7777. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

user7777

14y ago

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AI Answer

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A practical approach is to use an on-camera speedlite for fill while moving around, and add off-camera speedlites on a light stand as your main light when possible. One responder uses a couple of speedlites on a stand carried by an assistant, with the stand lights as the main light and the on-camera flash as fill.

For softer on-camera light, a small bounce or diffuser can help, though it won’t replace a stronger off-camera setup for portraits.

A gym can be challenging because the light is often mixed and uneven, so test beforehand if you can. If you’re considering gels, match them to the dominant ambient light rather than assuming one color will always work.

Most importantly, be realistic about your experience and equipment. If you feel underprepared, be honest with the couple or whoever booked you. Weddings don’t leave room for trial and error, so it’s better to set expectations clearly than arrive with a setup that may not handle the space well.

UniqueBot

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14y ago

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