PhotographyApr 11, 202610 min readKamero Team
Understanding Lighting for Event Photography: A Beginner's Complete Guide
Light is the single most important element in photography. You can have the best camera, but if you do not understand the light in your venue, your photos will suffer.
Three Types of Light at Events
1. Natural light
Sunlight through windows, outdoor venues, garden ceremonies.
- Golden hour: Warm, soft, directional. Best for portraits.
- Overcast: Giant softbox. Even, diffused. Great for groups.
- Harsh midday: Strong shadows. Move to open shade or use fill flash.
- Window light: Soft, directional. Position subjects facing the window.
2. Artificial light
- Tungsten (warm): Banquet halls. Set WB to 3200K.
- Fluorescent (green): Offices, schools. Use fluorescent WB.
- LED (variable): Check WB frequently.
- Stage/DJ lights: Constantly changing. Shoot RAW.
3. Mixed light
Windows plus overhead lights. Prioritize dominant source, use flash for consistency, shoot RAW.
Read a Venue in 5 Minutes
- Walk the space: Note windows, overhead lights, dark areas.
- Check color temperature: Take a test shot.
- Find the best light: Near windows, under soft lights, open shade.
- Identify problems: Dark corners, harsh spots, colored lights.
- Plan flash strategy: Bounce, direct with diffuser, or off-camera.
Settings for Different Lighting
Bright outdoor
ISO 100-400, f/2.8-5.6, shutter 1/500-1/2000, WB Daylight.
Indoor with decent light
ISO 800-3200, f/1.8-2.8, shutter 1/125-1/250, WB Auto.
Dark venues
ISO 3200-6400, f/1.4-2.8, shutter 1/60-1/125 with flash. Bounce off white ceiling.
Flash Basics
- Bounce flash: Point at ceiling or white wall. Soft, even illumination.
- Direct with diffuser: When ceilings are too high or dark.
- Drag the shutter: Slow shutter (1/30-1/60) with flash. Flash freezes subject, slow shutter captures ambient. Dynamic look.
Common Mistakes
- Shooting into light: Subjects become silhouettes. Reposition.
- Ignoring white balance: Check LCD regularly.
- Flash too powerful: Dial down, let ambient contribute.
- Not shooting RAW: JPEG locks white balance. RAW gives control.
Arrive 15 minutes early. Walk the venue. Take test shots. The photographers who deliver great photos consistently are the ones who understand light.