Sunset is one of the best times of the day to photograph. The colors and light can be so pleasing and flattering. While photographing at a wedding at sunset, I had the opportunity to utilize several different lighting configurations. It is amazing how the placement of lighting can result in a dramatically different image.
The following images are basically the couple posed in the same position in the same location and time of day. The major difference in each photograph is the placement of the external lighting.
Without any external lights at sunset, your images will result in silhouettes. A backlit silhouette photograph can be very beautiful, but will not let you capture detail. The following picture is taken without flash or any other external lights.
This next picture was taken with the lighting (flash) in the front. By using a flash with a diffuser, you are able to provide a nice soft lighting on the couple and still leave the rest of the shot properly exposed to display the beautiful colors of the sunset. To bring out the colors of the sunset even more, you can underexpose the photograph by one or two stops. Utilizing the front lighting was a way to bring out the detail of the bride's wedding dress.
The next picture was taken with lighting (flash) from the back. The backlight on the couple is very similar to hair or rim lighting in the studio. It provides more definition of the couples clothing than the first silhouette photograph. The flash was used off camera on a stand and pointed towards the couple. This gives a really neat glow around the couple. You can experiment with moving the flash stand closer to or farther from the couple to decrease and increase the glow behind them. Like the photograph above, you are able to still capture the beautiful colors of the sunset.
The following picture was taken with a flash in both the front and back. This image combines the effects of the second and third photograph. Again, you can play around with the distance the flash stand is from the couple. 10-12 ft of distance between the couple and the flash stand will provide a nice even glow and help them stand apart from the background.
Take-aways:
1) Sunset is a fantastic time to experiment with different lighting setups.
2) Don't get set on just one type of lighting. While you may love the silhouette pictures, your clients may prefer pictures that capture both the detail in the foreground and the sunset. A variety of both will ensure you have captured their preference and yours.
3) Watch the flash or lighting stand in the background of the photograph. It will be important that the light does not spill past the couple and result in unintended lens flare. It is also important to ensure you do not capture the stand in the image.
Happy Photographing!
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