You may be noticing a theme here: Michael is really interested in camera equipment that takes great photos in low lighting. Yes!<\/p>\n
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I’ve gotten *much* better at using flash photography than when I started photographing weddings 4 years ago. I’ve also gotten quite good at using remote flashes in dark reception halls. This is all well and good and as it should be for a professional wedding photographer. The thing is, I still prefer making photos in existing light when possible.<\/p>\n
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“Existing light” is the lighting the wedding participants are actually<\/em> experiencing at the ceremony and reception. When I go and trigger a flash–either one attached to the camera or a remote flash not attached to the camera–I am altering<\/strong><\/em> the lighting and changing the ambience or “atmosphere”, or whatever you want to call it. Also, those bright lights going off in people’s faces is quite likely altering their behavior<\/em>.<\/p>\n \n Here, I think, we encounter a philosophical question: Is the goal of wedding photography to capture things as “authentically” as possible? Or is the goal to make things as easily seen as possible? I should note that the goal of making the event and the people involved look as good as possible<\/em> isn’t exclusive to either of these. This latter goal may, in fact, require a mixed bag of lighting techniques, including simply using existing light.<\/p>\n \n To be totally honest, I’m usually trying for either authenticity or beauty, and am quite happy when I accomplish both<\/em> simultaneously. With the exception of a short portrait session I sometimes do with the wedding couple on their wedding day, I very seldom go that extra step toward beauty (or “eye candy”) over authenticity<\/strong> and stage<\/em><\/strong> a bunch of shots where I’m dictating poses, actions, and lighting. This is not the way of wedding photojournalism and I am, in fact, primarily photojournalistic in my approach.<\/p>\n \n A camera like the Canon 1D Mark IV combined with a lens like the Canon 35mm f\/1.4L gives the photographer the ability to capture images regardless of lighting conditions or movement in the image. This is Canon’s fastest focusing camera (the 1D series has always been a top-choice of sports photographers) with the highest light sensitivity of any camera made. Sure, I will still have a flash attached to it; but *using* that flash will become much more of an option than with any previous camera.<\/p>\n \n The light at the church or reception hall–or the lack thereof–will cease to be the overriding determinant of the lighting techniques I must use to capture photos. This camera plus the large aperture of the 35mm f\/1.4L lens will keep lighting options open and let my sense of authenticity and\/or artistry lead the way instead…:-).<\/p>\n \n Now for those 2009 Wedding Photos<\/strong>…<\/p>\n \n Okay, so I ended up with a *bunch* of choices from the first wedding I looked at from early in the year! I’ll have to follow-up this post with a few more in order to cover more of my 2009 weddings…:p. By the way, thanks Rachel and Stephen…:-).<\/p>\n
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