Do you use umbrellas for for group photos during weddings?

[haring]

Do you use umbrellas for for group photos during weddings? Do you have a before (without the umbrella setup) and after (with umbrella) shot so we can see the difference?

 

[Robin Usagani]

I havent done many weddings, so take this with a grain of salt. I think for a group shot, you are better off doing it with on camera flash. You might put harsh shadow from person to person if you do off camera flash. I would limit off camera flash to 2 people, 3 may be pushing it. Or use 2 lights... but really.. do what you feel comfortable with. I know I wouldnt be comfortable setting up umbrella since I work alone. Plus there is a possibility of wind blowing it away.

 

[RauschPhotography]

2 lights with umbrellas.

 

[Big Mike]

Usually one light, off camera....but not too far off of the camera axis, because (as mentioned) it's harder to avoid shadows falling onto other people, when you're shooting a group.

I would use an umbrella, but most of the time I'm shooting outside and an umbrella on a light stand is basically a sail and would blow the stand & light over with a little wind.

We have been using a large diffusion panel though. When we can, we hold it up between the sun & the subject, but we also hold it between the flash and the subject. Since it takes one (or even two) people to hold the reflector, I guess that person could hold the stand with umbrella as well...but it's nice to have the flexibility of the panel.

 

[haring]

Usually one light, off camera....but not too far off of the camera axis, because (as mentioned) it's harder to avoid shadows falling onto other people, when you're shooting a group.

I would use an umbrella, but most of the time I'm shooting outside and an umbrella on a light stand is basically a sail and would blow the stand & light over with a little wind.

We have been using a large diffusion panel though. When we can, we hold it up between the sun & the subject, but we also hold it between the flash and the subject. Since it takes one (or even two) people to hold the reflector, I guess that person could hold the stand with umbrella as well...but it's nice to have the flexibility of the panel.

Yes, it makes sense!