I'm having trouble with lighting at outdoor weddings. What camera settings do you recommend for bright sunlight vs evening events? Any specific tips for dealing with harsh shadows and ensuring guests look great in photos?
I'm currently using a Canon 80D with a 50mm f/1.8 lens, but I feel like I'm missing something in my technique. The indoor shots look amazing, but outdoor events are challenging.
For outdoor events, I always use ISO 100-200 in bright sunlight and bump it up to 800-1600 for evening shots. The key is to balance your aperture and shutter speed based on the lighting conditions.
Also, consider investing in a reflector or portable softbox. They're game-changers for outdoor photography!
@EventExpert is absolutely right about the reflector! Don't forget about the golden hour - best lighting is usually 1 hour before sunset.
For harsh sunlight, try to find some open shade (like under a tree or building overhang) and use that as your main photo area. The light will be much more flattering.
Since you're using an 80D, make sure you're shooting in RAW format. This gives you much more flexibility in post-processing to recover shadows and highlights.
Consider upgrading to a lens with image stabilization for sharper handheld shots, especially in lower light situations.