How to take pictures of people with dark complexions?

Question

I was asked to take pictures for a wedding and I am not a professional (they can't afford a professional so I'm their best bet) so I don't have a lot of equipment. Just a Canon Rebel.

Half the family is black so this is a big concern of mine. I also don't want to invest in a lot of equipment for one wedding. I guess I'm looking for tips on how to take better pictures with what I have.

Thanks

Answer 1

Work on lighting. You can rent lighting if you need. Check out your area for camera rental shops. Rent a few days early to practice in both bright outdoor light and dim indoor light.
Rent a 580EX if you can.
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Shoot RAW, you can fix problems so much better!!!!!
If you don't have enough CF space, borrow some from friends, or buy more
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Have plenty of batteries too!! Both camera and flash batteries.

If it looks like the dark-toned people are too dark on your shots, up your exposure compensation 1/3 or 2/3 stop. It's easier to push down highlights than pull up shadows in post processing. Watch your histogram close, a little clipping (saturated) is ok, you can pull it back. If you have a lot of clipping, the shot may be ruining.

Answer 2

Film or digital?

If digital, you run the risk of blowing the highlights on the dress if you open up much. Believe me, brides want detail in their dress. (I assume the dress is white, if it's a color then you don't have to worry so much.)

If film, you are better off as an amateur wedding photographer. You will have the latitude to over expose a bit to get the darker faces. By all means, use flash. If you have a spot meter, meter on the dress and go one or one and a half stop over. ( For film, NOT digital.)

I second shot a wedding years ago, the bride was very dark ebony and the groom was albino. The photographer used studio lighting for the formals, including a spot on the bride's face to even up the lighting. But he was very accomplished at studio work. If you're not, I wouldn't recommend trying it for the first time at a wedding.

If your exposures are right for the lighting situation, then the faces will be all right too. Try to take some outside in open shade. Use your flash. Then move into some sunlit space. Take a few side-lit, with flash. Back lit with plus compensated flash. If they face the sun, they will squint, but the light will be even.

Good luck!

Answer 3

First, it's a big mistake to ask friends to shoot the most important moment of your life. That said, darker skinned people require a small over exposure (+1/3 or 2/3 of a stop) to render their skin tones accurately. However, that will over expose the lighter skinned members of the wedding party sooooo... you probably should expose for what the light meter says and add a little fill flash. Set you flash for -1/3 of a stop and expose normally. That should do it.

Answer 4

OK, A Canon camera is a very good one.I've been to weddings where the pictures where taken at the most beautiful moments..like when they come out of the church or whatever and look at each other the first time as a married couple..I suggest you try getting magical moments!It always looks great and nobody would have to fake a smile...☺

Answer 5

use flash. not a very powerful and blinding one, but one that is good enough to brighten everyone's faces and take a good shot.
u can also put them in the middle b/c the effect of the flash will shine more in the middle

Answer 6

Use the spot metering and expose for the face. Bracket your most important shots.