SAN FRANCISCO CITY HALL NATURAL LIGHT VS FLASH

San Francisco City Hall weddings are magical because this ornate building is always filled with light. White marble interiors reflect the sun rays that are pouring in through gigantic windows. And regardless of the weather outside, your wedding photographer is bound to make awesome images. Natural light at City Hall is just hypnotizing!

Depending on the season and also on the time of the day, the light will be different. Knowing how to use that light to your advantage and create great images is something your photographer should know how to do. For photographers light is we live by! So understanding and feeling light is something that takes lots of experience, knowledge and lifetime to master.

Where to Take Best Pictures

A unique example of Beaux-Arts architecture, San Francisco City Hall comprises acres of pearly white marble and elegant gilded bronze. Beauty is everywhere you look and natural light is filling the entire building. Most of it is coming from numerous skylights. Stemming from the ceilings, the sun rays are spreading around and filling even the long hallways. On a sunny day, every corner is drenched in sunlight. And when it is cloudy or foggy outside, crisp white surfaces are still bright. Ornate walls are constantly contrasted with bold shadows. This juxtaposition always creates awe-inspiring backdrops for your wedding photography.

Where to find the most beautiful photo shoot locations filled with natural light? The grand staircase and the Rotunda are bathed in light, but they are also the busiest areas. The Mayor’s Balcony also offers shimmery white backdrops, while the third floor features gracious Art Deco windows. One of our personal favorites with the windows being lower giving us more control of the light. The 4th-Floor Galleries offer a myriad of exciting locations and a wonderful interplay of shadows and light.

We will adjust the locations and light to you. There’s no template or standards. While some light might work great for another couples, you would need a different angle and light to make you shine. City Hall gives lots of options and sometimes the biggest challenge not how to photograph, but what options to choose in the time we have

Natural Light and What Not to Do

As a photographer who spends a lot of time at City Hall, I often see two wedding photography patterns. First, even amateur photographers know that using a direct on-camera flash is counterproductive in soft light. Still, some City Hall wedding photographers use that direct flash-light, which overpowers gorgeous window light. Why? I have no idea. And the second group of photographers (who do love natural light) shoots on the go without stabilizing hands, without using breathing techniques which results in probably “not so sharp” images. Yes, these images look great on a camera screen but not so great on a large computer monitor. At high ISO with slow shutter speed, any movement reduces image quality. For those couples who are pixel peekers, I recommend researching the subject before hiring a photographer.

Flash to Compliment Natural Light

There are many ways or reasons to use flash. I don’t use on camera flash for the City Hall as i prefer to create more natural looking photos. There are different ways of using flash. In some cases I want to stand out and sparkle, adding to the charm of the couple and the City Hall. In other cases I’d use it as fill in light, a way to balance the light behind the couple or give a spot light, making it look as natural as possible.