Joshua tells us how he gets creative with wedding portraits in a small venue, in a rush, and with an LED video light.
Small Space
In the video, we get to see the behind-the-scenes footage of a wedding! The couple wanted indoor same-day wedding portraits, although Joshua mentions that the venue was relatively small with minimal scenic areas to shoot with. That’s where the photographer’s creativity becomes crucial!
Instead of taking the usual couple portrait, Joshua captured photos from a birds-eye-view angle and incorporated a light fixture as the main foreground component. Using the chandelier framed the couple in the particular space they were in, and create visual diversity within the portrait. The decision to photograph the chandelier with the couple behind it alleviated the issue of a small venue with very few scenic backgrounds to use.
Time for Light
Because the foreground element gives off its own light, Joshua had to adjust his camera settings to ensure that the background, couple, and chandelier were all lit properly. His camera was set to 1/80 at f 1.8 using an 85mm lens for a tight shot.
With only five minutes to snap the photos, Joshua decided it would be quicker to use a video light (Yongnuo 360) as the additional lighting rather than hefty equipment. The interface and simplicity of the LED light made it easier to take the portraits quickly. The video light provided soft and even lighting so that the bokeh effect of the chandelier could be emphasized.
Get Right to It
Pose your subjects and snap! The editing process after the photoshoot itself is what really enhanced the chandelier portraits. As you can see, Joshua made the background super dark, whereas the couple and the chandelier were brightly lit and focused in the frame.
Before 
After
Next time you’re asked to take photographs in a time crunch or with a space limitation, give alternative lighting and unique angles a try! For more content from The Shutter School, like us on Facebook, subscribe to the YouTube channel, and check out the blog!
