So I have a confession to make. I LOVE taking the crazy swirly lights photos at wedding receptions. It's something that I do at almost every wedding and not something all photographers do, so I thought I'd share a little bit about why I enjoy working in this way at a reception (or other event).
1. It looks like there is a PAR-TEH goin' on!
Maybe it's just a few folks on the dance floor, maybe it's packed. But these photos always look like there was a serious party happening. And that's awesome.
2. They capture action with a mix of motion and stillness.
These photos freeze one instant of someone totally into the moment and combine it with the motion of the lights. Technically and philisophically, I enjoy the duality of that.
3. It doesn't matter what color lights the DJ booth has going on
For me, these photos can have all kinds of crazy colors and llights in them. In traditional stills, I prefer the colors to be accurate and skin tones to look like skin tones. This can be a challenge when the DJ booth has a ton of different lights going at the same time, each casting a different color on the subject of the photos unless I use a high-powered flash to overpower and neutralize the tones (and worry that I'm blinding everyone).
4. The outcome is always a surprise
Due to the nature of this technique, you never know exactly what you're going to get in the final image. Sometimes you end up with a photo you'll never show anyone, and sometimes the stars align and you get something more perfect than you can imagine. On top of that, it is impossible to exactly re-create any photo you take with this technique. I feel like I let go a lot of control when I work this way, so it almost feels like a collaboration between the subjects, the space, the camera, and me.
How To
Lastly, the how-to. Other photographers ask me how I do this all the time. The secret is combining a mid- to low-powered flash with a long exposure time (dragging the shutter) at a very low ISO (e.g., 100). Start by dropping your ISO and finding the flash setting to get the right exposure at about 1/30 sec. Once that is set, change the shutter speed to one second or more and move the camera as you take the shot. The pop of the flash will freeze the action and expose your subject properly. The slow shutter speed will allow you to capture the ambient light of the room and create the streaks of light from whatever lightbulbs, LEDs, or other light sources are present.
Use it with people as the subject or in other situations too! This last photo was taken right after the bride and groom got into their getaway car after the sparkler exit. A few folks were still playing with the sparklers as the car was pulling away and I just dragged the camera directly to the side as I took the shot.
Maybe these photos are not everyone's cup of tea, but they sure are mine!
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