A wedding day is among the most emotional and memorable days of your life. On this day, you want everything to be perfect, from clothes to food, and one of the most crucial aspects of your big day is wedding photography.
Wedding photography is not only about taking pictures; it’s about capturing the pure emotions and joy of your special day. Well-captured moments are those that, whenever you see your wedding album, you always cherish, feel nostalgic about, and revisit your memories.
A professional wedding photographer plays a vital role with the much-needed expertise to take the best shots. Lighting styles are among the most essential elements that enhance the quality of a person’s wedding pictures. So it’s crucial to discuss lighting styles on priority with the wedding photographer before the event.
Cam Studio has jotted down the most popular lighting styles in wedding photography for you. Let’s dive in!
1. Natural light:
Natural light makes wedding pictures more interesting with its bright effect that’s why photographers use this technique very often. Natural light photography includes the use of mild light of a sunrise or a mix of sunlight and the shadow of a tall tree in the pictures to make them perfect.
It requires careful observation and skill to take pictures with proper balance to not make portraits too bright.
2. Flashlights:
The use of a flashlight is common and important among photographers. Professional photographers use flashlights to add extra lighting to add different effects like dramatic contrast, diffused light, or a soft touch.
Most of the time photographers use flashlights in an indoor setting where lighting is low and not suitable for professional wedding photography.
3. Golden light:
Taking wedding pictures 30 minutes before sunset takes the visual aesthetics of your wedding pictures to the next level. For a photographer, it’s hard and needs to be done with proper timing and setting.
But if done correctly, this lighting style will help capture some beautiful and memorable moments. It will be totally worth it if a couple is interested in this lighting-style photography.
4. Low key vs. high key:
The low-key lighting technique is suitable for dramatic-style shots. Photographers use lighting in specific areas of a subject to create shadows and great contrast.
On the other hand, a high-key technique is used for evenly distributing and using light on a subject. Photographers use different setups to achieve this, like umbrellas, soft boxes, or reflectors.
5. Split light:
This lighting technique is used to give an artistic look to pictures. Photographers place a light source at a 90-degree angle in front of a groom or bride, which creates a prominent shadow on one side of their face.
It’s best for capturing detail-oriented pictures because this technique highlights the main features of a subject, like shoes, clothes, or vivid colors.
6. Rim lighting:
This technique is best used in outdoor settings because it showcases the natural glow of the scene. In this wedding-style photography, a lighting source is placed behind a groom or bride to create a halo effect around their body.
Famous wedding photographers in Pakistan use this technique to make a subject stand out from the background by adding depth and separation.
7. Butterfly/Paramount lighting:
This is a common yet classic lighting technique used by wedding videographers to highlight a subject’s features. This technique uses a light source above the bride’s or groom’s face, like a beauty dish or a sandbox.
This photography and videography style creates a butterfly-shaped shadow below the nose and focuses on the cheekbones, producing an elegant look.
8. Ambient light:
By using artificial or natural lighting sources like lamps or window lighting, a photographer can achieve stunning shots only with the use of ambient light sources and without adding any extra lighting.
A photographer can achieve perfect shots by experimenting with different angles that a potential light source adds. For example, a wedding videographer can use the overhead ambient lights for coverage when a couple enters the event hall until they get on the stage.
9. Backlighting:
To capture dramatic shots of a couple, professional photographers use backlighting. Wedding photographers use this technique by utilizing the backlight as a source behind a couple to separate them from the background and capture the desired glow.
An extra tip for photographers is to use a narrower aperture to create a blurred background, which helps you focus more on a couple.
10. Timing:
The timing of wedding photography is crucial when considering lighting techniques for outdoor shooting. If a client requires you to take pictures in a location like Badshahi Mosque or Shahi Qilla, then time matters a lot.
Photographers and couples need to be at the outdoor location at the decided time for the best portraits with the use of perfect lighting. It’s always better to shoot after 3 p.m., so the sunlight will not be too harsh.
Final Thoughts by Cam Studio
As discussed, lighting matters a lot, whether an event is inside the hall or in an outdoor setting. Do research and choose lighting techniques you believe best suit your event. Always discuss the lighting styles with your wedding photographer before the event so the photographer knows how to capture your portraits.
Are you unclear about which lighting style you want on your big day? Call Cam Studio or visit us, and we will cater to your needs and recommend the best and most suitable lighting style for your photography according to your venue, budget, and location.
Cam Studio is among the cheapest wedding photographers in Pakistan. We provide pocket-friendly wedding photography packages for our valued and respected clients. Best wishes from our team.