Lighting, Lighting, Lighting.

To use a light or not to use a light? This question has befuddled many videographers and their clients for years.

We - as videographers - are there to capture your special day, but we don't want to ruin the mood by having a bright light on the camera, or elsewhere. This mainly comes up during the reception when the lights go down for dancing.

However, the flip side of this goes back to that famous saying from the Bible - We "cannot make bricks without straw." If the reception area is completely dark, then our cameras cannot pick up any images, and therefore you will be looking at a black screen during your video, which contradicts the whole reason for getting the video made.

Also, there are several assumptions that are made when it comes to camera lighting or remote/detached lighting. For example: many people think that the light will be directly in their face, and therefore making them uncomfortable. Any videographer who knows what they are doing will know how to "bounce the light"

Prime example, a wedding we did in a dance hall, these frame grabs are within 5 minutes of each other:

Quite a difference! We had a single remote light on the stage by the DJ, and it was able to flood enough light to give the camera an image to capture, but not be overpowering to the people who were dancing.

Now of course, we COULD correct the "darker image", but this is what you would end up with:

Notice the grain? The unsharp image? This detracts from the whole experience.

There is also the issue of the "on camera light." Some videographers will beam this directly into the crowd or the subject in question. In some cases, this is necessary, but most of the time, it is not. The videographer should bounce the light to give enough light on the subject for the camera.

Our philosophy on remote or on-camera lighting is basically "play it by ear." We ALWAYS let our clients know the possibility of the need for remote or on camera lighting. We do everything that we can to avoid it, but sometimes, we have to.

So don't be afraid of it! It will benefit the overall effect of the video, and allow you to enjoy your wedding video even more.