As an Oxfordshire-based Wedding Photographer who shoots weddings all throughout the year in the UK, you need to be able to make the most of natural light when the UK weather allows.

But when it isnt so generous, and that’s quite often, you need to turn to your backup lighting.

When it comes to wedding photography, one of the most important decisions a photographer is faced with is how to use light be it artificial or natural. Sometimes you just use one source or the other, and sometimes you use both light sources at the same time…

Natural light photographers rely solely on the available light in the environment, while those who use flash rely on artificial light to enhance or create a specific mood or effect.

Natural light photography is the act of using the available light in a scene, whether it's sunlight, window light, or any other ambient light source.

This approach is ideal for capturing candid, unposed moments that occur naturally during a wedding. Natural light photographers don't require much equipment, which makes them more agile and flexible during a wedding shoot. They can move around freely and quickly, which is particularly useful during fast-paced wedding events.

Many photographers prefer natural light for weddings due to several reasons:

1. Authenticity and Mood: Natural light creates a soft and flattering atmosphere that enhances the natural beauty of the subjects. It tends to produce a more natural and organic look in the photographs, resulting in a timeless and romantic feel. It can also create a warm and ethereal ambiance, especially during golden hour (the period shortly after sunrise or before sunset), which is highly sought after in wedding photography.

2. Emotional Connection: Natural light photography has the ability to evoke emotions and capture candid moments effortlessly. The soft, diffused light can create a sense of intimacy and enhance the emotional connection between the couple, as well as their guests. It allows the photographer to capture genuine expressions, interactions, and emotions without being intrusive.

3. Flexibility and Versatility: Natural light photographers have the advantage of flexibility and adaptability to various lighting situations. They can move around more freely and quickly without the need for complex lighting setups, allowing them to capture spontaneous moments throughout the day. This flexibility is particularly valuable during fast-paced events like weddings, where the photographer needs to be agile and capture fleeting moments.

4. Natural Beauty: Natural light can enhance the natural beauty of the surroundings, such as outdoor landscapes, architecture, or venue details. It allows the photographer to incorporate scenic elements into the wedding photos, providing a sense of place and context. The interplay between natural light and the environment can result in breathtaking and visually stunning images.

5. Less Intrusive: Using natural light eliminates the need for artificial lighting equipment, which can be distracting and intrusive during a wedding ceremony or reception. The absence of bulky equipment allows the photographer to blend into the background and capture the moments discreetly, ensuring a more relaxed and authentic experience for the couple and their guests.

6. Time Efficiency: Natural light photographers can work efficiently, as they do not need to spend time setting up complex lighting equipment or adjusting artificial light sources. This allows them to maximize the time available for capturing important moments and ensures a smooth flow of the wedding day schedule.

While natural light photography has numerous advantages, it's important to note that it also comes with its own challenges. The availability and quality of natural light can vary depending on the weather conditions, time of day, and location. Skilled natural light photographers understand how to work with these variables, making adjustments and utilizing techniques to achieve the desired results.

Overall, natural light photography can provide a beautiful and authentic representation of a wedding day. Its ability to capture emotions, create a romantic atmosphere, and highlight the natural beauty of the surroundings makes it a popular choice among couples and photographers alike.

Natural light photography can produce soft and delicate images, with a natural feel that accurately captures the scene. Photographers can use natural light to create flattering portraits of the couple and their guests, and to capture the details of the wedding dress, flowers, and décor.

Studio Flash Lighting on/off Camera.

On the other hand, using flash allows photographers to create their own light, independent of the environment. This approach is often used to add drama and depth to wedding photographs. Flash photography can produce more vibrant and colorful images, and allows photographers to capture subjects in low-light situations. It's particularly useful during receptions or dances when the ambient light is low.

Using flash photography requires more equipment, including a camera-mounted flash, off-camera flashes, and light modifiers. This makes the setup time longer and less agile than natural light photography. Additionally, flash photography can be more intrusive, and may draw more attention from guests. However, when done correctly, flash photography can produce stunning images that are impossible to capture with natural light alone.

Flash photography is a technique that involves using artificial light, typically from a flash unit or strobe, to illuminate a scene or subject. In the context of wedding photography, flash photography can be a valuable tool for capturing beautiful and well-exposed images in various lighting conditions.

Here are some reasons why flash photography is beneficial for wedding photography:

1. Consistent lighting: Weddings often take place in diverse lighting environments, such as dimly lit venues, outdoor settings, or evening receptions. By using flash, photographers can ensure consistent lighting throughout their shots, reducing the risk of underexposed or poorly lit images. This is especially crucial for capturing important moments, such as the ceremony or first dance.

2. Fill light and balanced exposure: In challenging lighting situations, such as when the subject is backlit or in shadow, using a flash can help balance the exposure. The flash can fill in the shadows, resulting in a well-lit and properly exposed photograph. It allows the photographer to maintain detail in both the highlights and shadows, resulting in more pleasing and natural-looking images.

3. Creative control: Flash photography opens up a world of creative possibilities. Photographers can experiment with different lighting techniques, such as bouncing the flash off walls or ceilings to create softer, more diffused light, or using off-camera flash for more dramatic effects. This versatility allows photographers to create unique and visually appealing images that highlight the couple and the ambiance of the wedding.

4. Freeze motion: Weddings are dynamic events with moments of movement and action. Using flash photography enables the photographer to freeze motion and capture crisp, sharp images, even in low-light situations. This is particularly useful for capturing moments like the first kiss, dancing, or throwing the bouquet, where the action may happen quickly.

5. Reducing red-eye and enhancing eyes: Flash photography can help eliminate the dreaded red-eye effect often caused by direct on-camera flash. Modern flash units often have features like red-eye reduction or pre-flashes that minimize this issue. Additionally, the use of flash can add a catchlight to the subjects' eyes, which brings more life and sparkle to the portraits.

6. Fill flash for outdoor shots: When photographing outdoors, especially during daytime, the natural light can cast harsh shadows on the subjects' faces. By using fill flash, photographers can balance the exposure and reduce unflattering shadows. This technique is particularly useful during outdoor ceremonies, portrait sessions, or when the couple is backlit by the sun.

While flash photography has numerous advantages for wedding photography, it's important for photographers to use it skillfully and considerately.

Proper technique, such as diffusing the flash, avoiding overexposure, and being mindful of the atmosphere, ensures that the flash enhances the photographs and doesn't distract or disturb the wedding ceremony or celebration.

During all of the weddings I have shot, there hasn’t been one that has been photographed using just ambient light or just flash. The key is to know when to maximise each scenario to achieve the best lighting for the given circumstance.

To review some of my recent Wedding Galleries click on the link box below…

In conclusion, natural light photographers and those who use flash both have their own advantages and limitations when it comes to wedding photography. Natural light photographers can produce soft and natural images, while those who use flash can create dramatic and vibrant images.

Ultimately, the decision of which approach to use will depend on the photographer's style, the wedding location, and the couple's preferences. A skilled photographer can work with both approaches to create a beautiful and memorable wedding album that captures the essence of the day.