I shot a wedding in Birmingham Alabama a short while back and was presented with a few challenges as the bride and groom were leaving in a helicopter at the end.... This copter was in a big grassy field and was to be surrounded by guests waving goodbye to the new couple.   I knew this thing would be leaving in a hurry, so what to do......

We went out to survey the location...setup one light with a red gel to back-light the copter for a scene setter type shot, then noticed that there was a HUGE Par / Elliptical style light positioned outside aimed at this copter... hey, its big and bright and constant!

SO, What we decided was to pick this light up as a giant flashlight and follow the copter on its ascent!   IT worked :)

We did use a low power off camera flash to accent light the couple for a shot or two... but using what we had in our surroundings also played a big part in making this shot successful for us!

This one was one of the first off camera flash bursts we used.   The pilot was checking something with the copter, giving us a good sense of scale.  Moon light directly behind him.  Shot at very low power on the off cam strobe.

Our simple low power burst behind the copter for a back-light to give us a scene setter.

This is where I got the idea to use this elliptical light as my giant flashlight!  

Low power (1/64 with a ND filter) burst of the couple.  Notice my sexy silhouette of my 5d II with PW attached to the hotshoe... nice detail eh? DOH!

The flashlight at work :)

Saludos!
mateo