For most of my career I have been using small speedlights as my main lighting option for outdoor portraits. Over the years I have experimented with larger lights but recently I have switched over to the Profoto B1 system. I honestly do not think there is any special magic in studio lights vs small speedlights (cause usually the difference is either very specific or negligible) but there are a few things I love about these Profoto B1 lights. The first is that they are super easy to use with the wireless Air system (no more telling my assistants to go up and down in power) and the second is that using larger studio lights has allowed me to use larger light modifiers that I usually wouldn't mount to my small strobes.
After shooting weddings for about 7 years now, sometimes I like to try something different during my wedding sessions...you know mix it up a bit and explore some styles that are not my typical go to lighting setups. The two images below are the exact same setup only I gave the first image a bit of a desaturated look to the already moody lighting. The light modifier here is the Profoto 3' octabox, and I placed it sort of angled down from camera left and set above my couple. Traditionally I do not like to underexpose my ambient light too much as it gives that overly "strobist" look that I think calls too much attention to the flash. However in this case the setting sun was already pretty dark and I opted for a bit larger lighting ratio than I normally prefer meaning more strobe and less ambient.
Again, I want everyone to know that this is not about using Profoto vs Alien Bee vs SB-910. This is more about using a light modifier you think fits the overall mood you are going for and also balancing the ambient light with flash in a way that gives you exactly the look you are going for. The large octabox works great for this style because it is a large soft light which is flattering light on most people's faces but it also can be angled off to the side so you still get some shadows moving from side to side.
Anyways, just wanted to share these two images because I thought they were cool and because they venture outside of the normal type of wedding images I usually shoot on a regular basis. Anyone else have any images that are a little outside of their normal approach that turned out cool on the day of the wedding?
I prefer the first edit. Also if you don't mind talking about how you coordinated this shot, like was this before or after the ceremony, or during the reception or during intermission, how far did you have to walk away from the party?
I like the first one just because it's so different than your standard style.
The first one definitely has more of a Gabe McClintock vibe (If he used flash that often?), which I know I am scared to try.
i agree with the rest of the guys, i like the first one too. you can see more of the photo and tells the whole story, unless you want to focus on the couple more, then the 2nd image is better. both good, both very different.
Just so it is clear, the second photo is the straight out of camera image so if you like the first one then you have to have the second one as a starting point. The final edit I give the clients will probably be much brighter and less dramatic than either of these two I posted.
Love the second one
I still think this is just the right ratio for this shot. My eye as a photographer thinks big light source camera left, however, viewing it as someone who doesn't know too much about lighting I would think "Ok there was probably a light pole there." Love it Patrick!
I'm so used to speedlights, I'm on the fence about trying Profoto B1 - but I've only heard good things about it and contemplate trying it. Any downsides?
The only downsides I can think are they are expensive, they are way more top heavy than speed lights and unfortunately Profoto did not design them to also plug into the wall so you can shoot them in the studio while also charging the battery on the unit. Other than that they are pretty much the shit
After watching Peter Hurley's recent video the Profoto B1 lights look amazing and this shot is fantastic.
My only issue is price, they're expensive!!! I'm sure they're worth every penny, but I just can't afford to spend that kind of money right now. I'm stuck with Speedlights!
Love both as I'm sure the clients do. As to which is better? Totally an opion / style thing. I prefer the first.
The only thing if i where to pic at hairs is i wish i could see the grooms face more.
Im sure more expensive lights are great but keeping things simple is an art unto itself. Nice work.
Personaly i prefer second one. I love lot of shadows, contrast and just a lick of light.
I like both shots but prefer the muted colors of the top image. Although her face expression works the mood a little better in the second image. I also have been using the B1 as my main goto light for all my shoots this past year. Incredible value and the quality of light is truly amazing. Here are some images lit with the B1 and a 5' Octa held on a monopod by my trusty assistant. Always at a 45 degree angle to my subjects. Hope you like them.
Love both... My style/taste swings towards #1 but I would pull some of the color back out of the sky... Maybe.
As for the mod/lights. I made it a point to bring an einstein and a large mod to every wedding I shot this year... Almost 100% of the time I got my winning shot with the large setup. The "quality of light"? Maybe, but mostly because the couples attitude changes with the big light... As if they are like "oh, sweet now we are taking the "real" photos"
I like the first image better, seems less busy and just more to my taste. The color of the sky is distracting in #2. I believe that I would brush out some shadow from the groom's eyes. In any case, I'd be happy to have taken that image.
Nice work
John
I like the first one, there is more drama, more emotion.
About different photos: I did these 2. They are out of the normal approach, maybe many people could find them too strong, but the bride was happy ;)
Second picture for me, because of sky colors adding a different dimension to the image.
very nice. using speedlite in outdoor is something great, cause we have to keep balancing beetwen sun and out light. you do a good job! mind if visit my instagram ? @roby.zf
I like the 2nd. I like the difference between the warms and cools. Also there is enough information in it that you know where you are, my mind fills in the blanks and completes what is not as clear. Both are architectonic, but the focal pt. is the couple.