Smoke Machines as Obstructions for Photography and Filming of you First Dance.

From a photographer and filmmaker’s point of view, capturing the perfect moments during a wedding is of utmost importance. As a professional who has had the privilege of documenting numerous weddings, I'd like to provide some insight into why incorporating smoke machines at the first dance can become a hindrance for photographers and filmmakers. Here's a tip for wedding dance-floors: avoid smoke machines if you want to ensure the best photography and filming experience.

Why exactly do smoke machines pose challenges for photographers and videographers during the first dance? Let me shed some light on the matter. First and foremost, smoke machines tend to create a dense haze that can obscure the subjects being captured. As a photographer, my goal is to capture the emotions, expressions, and interactions between the newlyweds during their first dance section of the wedding. Unfortunately, the thick fog created by smoke machines can obstruct the view, making it difficult to capture these genuine moments. The resulting photographs and films may end up with a hazy appearance that lacks clarity and detail. Ins one cases completely obstructing a photographer or filmmakers POV.

One common issue that arises when smoke machines are used during the first dance is the challenge of achieving the right balance and density of smoke. This responsibility often falls on the DJ or the band in charge of operating the smoke machine. Unfortunately, it's not uncommon for them to get it wrong, resulting in an undesirable effect where the smoke fails to settle on the ground as intended. This can make it difficult for photographers and videographers to capture clear images and videos. When the smoke is too thin or dispersed, it loses its intended effect of creating a romantic or dramatic atmosphere. Instead, it becomes a hazy cloud that hangs in the air, obscuring the view and making it challenging to capture the couple and their movements clearly. The thinness of the smoke caused by incorrect density can also create an awkward visual experience. Photography relies on capturing moments with clarity and precision. When the smoke is not properly balanced and dense enough, it can result in images that lack the desired impact and fail to convey the intended mood. The thin and awkward dry ice effect caused by improperly settled smoke can essentially obstruct the couple, making their photo's or videos unusable.

In addition to the visual challenges, smoke machines also affect the lighting conditions on the dance-floor. Photography and filming rely heavily on lighting either coming from that of the band of DJ set up or a photographers own lighting. The smoke particles in the air reflect and scatter light, creating uneven illumination and making it near impossible to achieve crisp photography or film footage. This can result in underexposed or overexposed images, inconsistent colour tones, and overall less-than-optimal visual aesthetics.

Smoke machines during the first dance may create an atmospheric effect, that looks cool to the eye, but it comes at a cost to the overall photography and filming experience. The dense haze can obstruct the subjects being captured, So, if you want to ensure that your wedding photos and films are of the highest quality and truly capture the beauty of your first dance, my advice is to just say no to smoke machines. Your memories will be preserved beautifully, and the focus will remain on the genuine emotions and connections between you and your partner, creating a truly magical experience for years to come.

I would highly recommend that you speak with your DJ, Venue or Band and make them aware that you do not require a smoke machine to be set off during your first Dance.