How Lightroom 4 Could Have Saved a Wedding Flash Misfire
As a wedding photographer, there’s a certain amount of pressure to get all the “key moment” shots throughout the day. Make sure you get the kiss, dances, tosses, cutting, etc… The list adds up quickly. Despite good preparation, dependable equipment, and anticipation of events, every now and then you’re probably going to miss one of these shots.
At my latest wedding, my second shooter had her flash misfire just as the bouquet dropped into the eager hands of the group of single ladies. I ended up getting a usable shot from my angle, but the point remains that the bouquet catch is a moment that can’t be recreated and will probably be notably missed. Were there not two photographers, would I have been screwed?
Enter Lightroom 4. For kicks, when I began processing my images, I decided to see if the misfired flash shot could be recovered to the point where I could give it to the client. Here’s what I started with.
After cranking up the exposure all the way (5 stops) and adjusting along with other settings, I still didn’t think the image was bright enough. I exported, re-imported and added more exposure, reduced noise as best I could, and adjusted the luminance. Here’s what I got.
No, it’s not the prettiest picture ever and I would prefer a better one. In a pinch, though, it’s usable.
Just remember, shoot RAW and post processing can save you =)
