Outdoor wedding film & lighting advice

[crystal_durr]

I will be shooting an outdoor wedding in a few weeks. I'm planning

my attack. The ceremony will be in a park ampitheatre in open shade.

What is the best color film if the day turns out to be cloudy? Porta

160 VC? NC? Should I tell them to be happy with B&W instead? The

last outdoor wedding I did turned out to have beautiful weather, so

I used Portra 160 NC. As an aside, my step-father-in-law stood right

next to me with a disposable camera and took all of the same shots.

Everyone was amazed at the difference in color saturation (way pink

skin tones) and clarity. Big surprise!

 

I will scout out a lovely grassy field backgroup in dappled or open

shade. I plan on shooting with only one studio strobe directly up

and over the camera for fill. Is this correct for both a sunny and

cloudy day? Anyone have a better suggestion?

[m_p7]

Personally, I prefer the skin tones of NC. Open shade is your friend, as is overcast weather (the biggest softbox you could ask for). Fill flash is more important when it's sunny, so you can control the contrast. Reflectors can work well, too, if you have somebody that knows how to use it and don't have to photograph a group of too many people. Shoot some tests before the wedding.

 

I'm shooting a wedding tomorrow and I'm praying for overcast weather, since there aren't very many trees and the ones that are there are fairly small. Unfortunately, the couples photos will be taken at high noon and it's likely going to be very sunny.

[think27]

May I suggest Fuji Reala 100. I've used it exclusively for 14 years. I've tried other film but always go back. Take a look at my portfolio...I have about 60 or so wedding images there and you can get an idea of how it behaves in different lighting situations.

[picturesque]

Don't know why the usual forum folks haven't answered your question(s), so I thought I'd add my opinions. Even if the day is lightly overcast, Portra 160VC or NC, should be fine, depending on whether you like a little more punch to your colors. I see no need to shoot B&W unless that is what they want. If it is heavily overcast, you might be better off with 400 speed VC and diffused fill flash to fill dark eye sockets. I'd be careful about the dappled sunlight. If the dappling is over people's faces, you won't be able to get rid of the dappling pattern with fill flash. Dappled, backlit light is OK, even nice. Am confused about studio strobe outside--in my opinion, there is no need for that much power, especially combined with having to haul the gear and maybe find a power source. I use on-camera flash and one battery-powered off camera flash for outdoor formals. If you have a mediumly-powerful on camera flash, you should be fine for fill light in both sunny and overcast conditions--maybe with a guide number of about 150. Fill for overcast conditions should be done with a light hand. You need more fill for direct, bright sunlight.

[duffy_smith]

I have found that with outdoor weddings Fuji NPH 160 is excellent, you get

beautiful skin tones as well as blue skies, it is a nice crispy film.

Indoor however, I always use Portra NC. Shoot a few outdoor test rolls at

around the time the ceremony should begin a few weeks beforehand,

compare films, or even shoot a few film types you have always wanted to try

out, also consider your lab,if they are not in balance or are using a cheap

paper your beautifully saturated color negs could turn out to be mud-pies on

paper. consider taking the same neg with no reference print to a few labs for

comparison, you may suprise yourself.