Last week I wrote a post for brides and grooms about having a great sparker exit, and I know this is something that can be challenging to photograph, so I thought this week I would share something for my photographer friends! Photographing a sparkler exit doesn’t have to be scary! I think they are a lot of fun, and so much less stressful if you have a system down. Here’s what I do to light mine!

MY SETUP:

On Camera: Canon 580 EX II, Calumet trigger. I typically photograph sparklers with my 35mm. It’s my favorite for clutch moments when focus is key…especially in a situation like during a night time exit, because you can’t use al servo focusing if you’re going to be outside. You MUST use one shot so that the little “pre-flash” light will come out of your flash and help give your camera something to focus on.

Off Camera: 430 EX II, Calumet trigger, umbrella. All of this on my 13 ft nightstand.

I place my flash off to the left or right of the scene facing parallel to where the couple will be walking out. Usually I put it at the middle of the lineup. The light stand is always extended high enough to where it will be above even tall people’s heads, but not high enough to where the light stand becomes unstable. I usually place it about 5-7 feet away so it’s out of the way and less likely for someone to trip over. I then position myself either in the middle or towards the end of the lines of people with sparklers. Yep, directly in the line of fire. Pun intended 😉 If you’re more of a visual type of person, check out my super fancy sparkler exit diagram below:

Shoot completely manual. AND I MEAN COMPLETELY! If you aren’t shooting manual with your flash, you’re leaving it up to your camera and flash to determine what settings you need. I know shooting manual with flash can be kind of intimidating, but it really isn’t that bad. I start with my on camera flash settings at 1/16 or 1/32 depending on what the ambient light situation is and then move up or down from there. I use my wonderful second shooter/life partner/future baby daddy as my test subject. I do the same exact thing with the off camera flash! It’s just like using ISO, Shutter Speed, and aperture during the day…you have to balance both flashes and your camera settings to get the exact look you want. I personally love to make my ocf a little stronger so that I can be sure to capture a bright, crisp image of the exit. While I’m doing that, often John will shoot with no flash at all…just the ambient light from the sparklers. This gives us two looks to deliver to our clients…the clean images I shoot, and somewhat moodier images from John since there’s no flash to cut through them. If you have a second shooter working with you, I would try it out and see! The benefit to two shooters in a situation like this is that one person can get the “safe” shot and the other has the license to get more creative!!!

Here’s an example…the top photo was taken by me and the bottom by John. Mine with flash and ocf and his without. Both are great shots, but the top one is more consistent with the rest of the reception images we delivered. The bottom one is fun and has a romantic feel that I love! I would have been nervous though to try to take an image like the bottom one though if I was shooting on my own, since I need to guarantee a crisp, in focus shot for couple and that’s a lot harder to do at slower shutter speeds and higher isos that you need for shooting without a flash setup.

Settings: F 2.8, 1/125, ISO400 (I don’t know what my flash was set at, but I would guess 1/16 on camera and 1/16 or 1/8 off camera)

Settings: F 2.8, 1/100 ISO 2500. No flash.

Another thing I can’t stress enough is, EDUCATE YOUR CLIENTS!! They don’t attend weddings every single weekend like we do. They’re trusting your judgement as a professional and it’s up to you to give them guidance on how to get the best images. So tell them what you need them to do! I always suggest my clients walk slowly (and please do not run!) and savor the moment when they’re going out for a sparkler exit. That’s the last little part of the wedding day! I mention it before the wedding, and I mention it again right before they are about to walk out. I also try my best to coordinate and corral the drunk folks who are about to be wielding fire sticks as best as I can…especially if there isn’t a coordinator or friend designated to organize things. I also have to mention, I wouldn’t be afraid to say “Hey, do you guys mind doing it one more time, please?” if you don’t get a good shot the first time. ESPECIALLY IF THEY RAN OUT. I’d rather ask them to do it again then not have a good photo to deliver. I don’t do this much, but there’s no shame in my game! Especially due to the unpredictable nature of sparkler exits…people may or may not hop in front of you as the bride and groom are coming out. And they may or may not hit you on your head with a sparkler (true story…). Better to be safe than sorry in my opinion.

Settings: F3.2, 1/160, ISO 1250. Again, not sure what my flash settings were, but I think 1/8 on camera and 1/32 off camera.

So that’s my process for shooting these kinds of exits! Non sparkler exits are shot very similarly, but often you’ll have to bump your ISO that much higher because there’s really not much ambient light outside. Hope you guys can take these tips and go forth and conquer these exits confidently this year! As always, feel free to comment or email me with questions!

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