Flash photography is a great way to light up a dark scene within a ceremony venue, reception venue or any other place where light is lacking. The humble strobe can leave the subjects looking lost and confused, like deer staring into oncoming car headlights. Flash produces unrealistic shadows, and there's a very real risk your subjects will have red eyes.
Flash photography during weddings should be avoided. It detracts from the solemnity of the occasion and provides unflattering illumination. The resulting photos look a lot less like reality than their "naturally lit" counterparts would.
What should you do, when shooting wedding photos in a dark environment?
Brace yourself! Brace your camera, select a high iso on your selection dial, open up your lens aperture and gently squeeze the shutter, with the stealth of a cat.
It would be highly unlikely that a wedding ceremony would take place in a location where there is no light at all- even a moonless night yields some light. The officiator needs to see what's happening, the couple getting married no to be sure that it is their chosen partner standing there, and the correct ring needs to be selected for exchange. Most indoor wedding ceremonies take place in chapels, restaurants, wineries and homes. All of these have enough light to allow for available light photography. The portable flash can remain at the bottom of the camera bag.
This type of dark or sombre ambience is probably what the couple love about the venue. Using on-camera or off-camera flash would intrude on that appeal. If the light level is too low for you to comfortable hand-hold the camera, use a monopod or tripod for extra stability.
Don't be concerned about extra digital noise in the photos- this will only be apparent when the images are enlarged beyond A3 size. My experience over the years has shown that people equate digital noise with mood, and prefer a little noise to the harsh shadows of flash.
Another area of wedding photography where flash has been popular is at the outdoor photo session, if it takes place on a bright sunny day. Wedding photographers have used flash to fill the shadows created by contrasty lighting on the subjects' faces.
When wedding photos were shot on film, there was no option, however things have changed. For a more pleasing result, and one which involves less calculation and testing on the wedding day, use a "fill light" adjustment in post-capture image processing software. It will be easier on your subjects, and you will be able to vary the amount of fill for a natural, pleasing result.
Leave your flash at home. The extra space you save in your wedding photography kit bag can house a lens, or spare camera body.
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