Lighting: Taking Wedding Videography from Ordinary to Extraordinary

You might be wondering why you keep seeing videographers talk about adding lighting to their shots. You might even wonder what difference it makes or if it is really that important. You may even be hesitant for your filmmaker to add lighting because you’re worried that your guests or the subject of your film will feel imposed upon by the lights. In case you’re worried that a lighting kit will be a distraction from the events, let’s see if we can put to rest some of those worries and concerns and show why lighting is exceptionally important in certain scenarios, like reception events, speeches and toasts, and interviews.

To start, let’s talk a little bit about what lighting does. Lighting rolls off the dimensions of the subject, creating shadows that help the viewers eye to understand the angles and the curves of said subject. Flat lighting doesn’t show the true, three-dimensional shape of an object. In fact, objects that are shapeless are instantly less attractive to the eye. For example, when we’re looking at a face in film, it can look flattened, round, and two-dimensional without lighting. it removes depth and adds width, weight, and flattens out the subject. The cheekbones blend with the cheek which blends with the neck, and so on. The curve of the jaw is not highlighted the way it would be if the underside of the jawline was shaded. Overall, lighting brings a living subject to three-dimensional life. Spotlighting the subject for cake cutting, speeches, and dancing, instantly pulls it off the background and highlights the subject.

Aside from adding beauty, lighting is sometimes just necessary. For example, poor lighting or daylight fading are times when being able to add flattering light is crucial. At this point, you may wonder if a high-end camera can make up for not having lighting. Yes and no. Professional cameras have settings that the photographer or filmmaker manipulate to create an artistic final product. Photographers and videographers can adjust shutter speed, ISO, and aperture to brighten a photo or video. This website does a great job of covering the meaning of these terms in depth at a beginner level: https://photographylife.com/what-is-shutter-speed-in-photography. The question remains-- can you push the limits in ISO, aperture, and shutter speed to capture a low light shot? The short answer is yes. But- if you aren't adjusting those aspects of the shot to salvage it from low light, you are free to utilize those controls to be artistic instead. Picture your natural light fading as speeches during a reception start. The only lighting are some string lights and a few outdoor lights. These are venue lights, designed to light the area for visibility, not make their subjects attractive. As it gets darker and you realize you are fighting darkness, you slow down your shutter speed. You have limits to this--slow it down too much and your shot will be blurry. So, you push ISO. This also has its limits--push this control too hard and it results in grainy photos. So, open up aperture. This, too, has limits. The shallower you shoot, the less your subject has to move before they have drifted out of focus-- a concern when it comes to capturing speech givers who are moving or pacing, or first dances. Additional lighting is almost always necessary indoors, as well. Indoor lighting at reception halls is often times not flattering because it serves a different purpose. Bright lighting throughout a venue would feel harsh, and venue lighting has a different intent that a filmmakers' lights. This is where purposeful, curated lighting by your filmmaker is vital.

Here, our photographer used a flash to illuminate the couple. This freed him up to expose for the background, a post-sunset deep blue night sky with gold lights on the industrial bridge. Illuminating the couple using camera settings would have left the background overly bright. Tower Bridge, Sacramento, California

To recap, lighting adds dimension, pulls the subject off the background, and allows free range of ISO, shutter speed and aperture to be used artistically as opposed to being used to salvage a shot. All that said, that doesn't mean that for wedding or commercial events that one needs lights on them at all times during the day. There are more documentary style shots occurring during getting ready, and the ceremony portion of the day is fairly sacred and distractions should be minimized. Likewise, at a large event, a commercial videographer is tasked with moving throughout the event, documenting. But during planned or high-end shots, it's game on for lighting! If you are game to have lighting set up at different parts of the day, discuss this with your filmmaker! Keep in mind, higher quality and more effort can come with an increased price tag that is well worth it.

The second concern that people may have, is that the lighting kit will be cumbersome or noticeable. Try to remember that any event has lighting to start, and receptions have multicolor lights to create a mood. (In the same way, filmmakers also use lights to create a mood. There will be lights somewhere-- might as well let your filmmaker use flattering light that will elevate your look!) Having spotlights for dances and even during open dancing creates a fun dynamic feel that contrasts with the low lighting and color lights bouncing around the floor. It gives brief moments of really crisp, beautiful footage while keeping the dance floor vibes. Given the bouncing lights, crowded floor, and all the action, light stands fade to the background.

All that is needed to get the job done are one to two lights on unobtrusive stands. They take very little room and are easily moved to separate locations for separate events during reception time. For commercial video, the same goes. The light stands are unobtrusive and easy to move and adjust when doing commercial interviews. Anyone giving interviews under the lights will find themselves acclimating quickly. There may be one light on your face, likely off to the side, and one rim light behind you bouncing off your hair, which you won't even notice.

Overall, lighting is one of the simplest and most effective ways to secure a crisp, vibrant, beautiful shot that brings the subject--whether a bride, speech giver, or interviewee--to life!