Anita & Sunny: Navigating Mixed Lighting in a Summer Engagement Session 💍
Photographing Anita and Sunny's engagement session on a radiant summer day was both a delightful and educational experience. The abundant sunlight provided a vibrant backdrop, but it also presented challenges that required careful navigation.
Embracing Mixed Lighting
To balance the intense natural light and ensure flattering portraits, I employed a combination of natural sunlight and off-camera flash. This approach, known as mixed lighting, can be both rewarding and challenging.
Advantages:
Balanced Exposure: The off-camera flash helped to fill in shadows, especially on faces, resulting in evenly lit images.
Enhanced Detail: By controlling the light, I could highlight the couple's features and attire without overexposing the background.
Creative Flexibility: Mixed lighting allowed for a dynamic range of shots, from soft and romantic to bold and dramatic.
Challenges:
Color Temperature Discrepancies: Natural sunlight and flash have different color temperatures, which can lead to inconsistent skin tones if not properly balanced.
Equipment Setup: Managing additional gear like light stands and modifiers in outdoor settings requires extra preparation and can be cumbersome.
Timing and Positioning: The sun's position changes throughout the day, necessitating constant adjustments to maintain consistent lighting.