Better Available Light Digital Photography : How to Make the Most of Your Night and Low-light Shots

176 Better Available Light Digital Photography

Off to the reception

We’re off to the reception and this means changing gears. It’s

time to regroup, check remaining battery life on the cameras,

and check fl ash-card capacity. If either are low, it’s better to

change them now than to miss good photographs later when a

battery dies or a fl ash card reaches maximum capacity, register-

ing full just as a great reception moment is about to occur.

Brides love detail shots. They’ve been planning this big day for

months, down to the last aspect, yet don’t often get to see the

reception room in all its splendor before the guests enter and

make themselves comfortable before the bride arrives. These are

some of the toughest photographs to take, only because of timing

and logistics. Many venues don’t have the room completely

ready until mere minutes before opening the doors to guests, and

serving staff are frantically moving about placing items on tables.

Now’s the time to make good use of a second photographer. A

variety of photographs are needed: wide-angle views of the entire

room; tighter shots of individual tables; the centerpieces; any

special favors or items at individual places; the decor at the head

table; and, last but not least, the cake table. Here are several detail

photographs to show the variety of images possible. Barry often

It goes without saying that the
cake and bridal bouquet are must-
have detail photographs. Show-
casing the bride’s Vera Wang
gown isn’t a bad idea either. ©
2007 Matthew Staver.