Tangents

video light for wedding formals

June 26, 2009

wedding photography: using video light for romantic portraits

At a recent wedding the time we had for the formal photographs were compressed, and we had to come up with a variety of romantic portraits and formal photos. This time I decided I want to do them only using video lights. The wysiwyg nature of lighting a subject with video lights was a bonus in this case, allowing me to work fast.

I had my assistant crouch down behind them, rim lighting them with the video lights. The actual light falling on the couple is the ambient light in the room. The image above was shot at 1/80th @ f2.8 @1600 iso, using the Nikon D3 and Nikon 24-70mm f2.8 lens. The other images here which are directly lit by video lights, are at different settings with lower ISOs and higher shutter speeds. But since this image was rim lit by the video lights, and the video lights didn’t contribute much to the actual exposure values, I had to go higher on the ISO, and a little lower on the shutter speed than I normally prefer.

I purposely let the video light flare here, by changing my position until I could see the edge of the video light.

The image above had some post-processing done to it, by running one of the Totally Rad actions on it, giving a slightly retro feel which I think suited it. Here is what the image looked like with only the WB touched up a bit …

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Two more images from the portrait session:

1/100 @ f3.2 @ 1000 ISO

1/100 @ f2.8 @ 1000 ISO

With these images, I do have to touch up the exposure as part of the normal editing of the RAW file. Since my assistant would move position during a sequence, whether inadvertently, or whether on my instruction, there will be some variation in exposure, as well as variation in the spread of light. But this is part of the bit of serendipity of working with video lights – there are often a surprise in how the images comes out simply by the light being positioned differently for various images in the same sequence.

More articles on how I use video light:
- Sasha L (model),
- Priscilla (model),
- embracing tungsten light.

And here’s a list of equipment if you’re curious about which video lights I use.

Amazon.com Widgets

You can order the Totally Rad action sets, or other goodies offered, via this affiliate link:

photography books by Neil vN

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9 Comments »

Thanks for your informative blog!

Comment by Magnus — June 26, 2009 @ 4:01 am
How do you avoid a shadow? Is the video light being held high to push any shadows down? Mostly talking about the B&W shot of them against the wall.

Comment by Mike — June 26, 2009 @ 11:08 am
@Mike

You can see alittle shadow behind the groom on the wall. It looks like the the light was high (just enough to create the loop effect on the bride and hide 99% of the shadow) and to camera left.

In short, I believe you’re correct.

I’d love to try this technique out some day since the modeling light feature on the SB800′s is kind of annoying and doesn’t last long.
Bryan

Comment by Bryan Noll — June 27, 2009 @ 8:24 am
Yes, I looked at it again and do see a slight shadow just as it should be.

Comment by Mike — June 28, 2009 @ 12:37 am
Since the video light is quite powerful so close-up to people’s faces, they either have to look away from the light, or you have to hold the light up higher … and this does cause the shadows to fall behind them.

Neil vN

Comment by Neil — June 28, 2009 @ 2:27 pm
Hi Neil,
Great pix! Just a question with using video lights on the dance floor – do the couple find it not too intrusive during the first dance with an assistant crouched behind them or were they set-up at a later stage? Also – I use the ID light as well – did you need any to use any filters to balance the colour?

thnx Daniel

Comment by Daniel Sheehan — February 9, 2010 @ 10:14 pm
Daniel .. these images were taken during the romantic portrait session with the couple, some time during the reception while everyone was having dinner. It wasn’t taken during the first dance or any time during the dances. That would’ve been too intrusive, I think.

I don’t use filters with the Lowel iD Light. I use the Incandescent WB on my camera, and then adjust the files a little further during post.

Neil vN

Comment by Neil — February 9, 2010 @ 11:37 pm
To achieve a more natural result, I’ve been recommended to invest in a ‘small’ L.E.D. video light as fill-light for backlit subjects …humans as well as wildlife in lieu of external flash light. I’ve not seen or experienced using an LED
1) What constitutes a ‘small’ L.E.D.video light…its dimensions or weight or light output?
2) Must it be on a tripod or attached to the camera or even hand held ? by the photographer
3) Max effective distance especially photographing wildlife
3) Approx cost in Aust$

Comment by Dorothy Martin — March 3, 2013 @ 9:26 am
Dorothy .. these LED video lights are by definition small.

Their light output is usually relatively low .. but there are new models available that have very powerful LEDs. You’ll have to check brand by brand.

I don’t think LED lights are what you’re looking for if you’re thinking of lighting wildlife at a distance. They aren’t powerful enough.

Neil vN

Comment by Neil vN — March 5, 2013 @ 12:59 am