- Bright
- calm
- Center Framed
- full body
- holding each other
- lower thirds
- Natural
- Natural Light
- Rim Light
- simple
- Sunset
- Wide
The story behind the image
Directions
Describe how you spoke to your subject(s)
I didn’t want to pose the bride and groom in too much detail; I wanted them to look as natural as possible. As they were staying on a rock, their mobility was limited. I approached them and advised the groom, Alexander, to hug his wife from behind. I shot, but the light coming from behind darkened their faces so I asked them to position themselves side by side. In this way they would have no shadows in their faces. I noticed that the more I left them alone the more magic was created between them, the glances, the caresses, became more real. so I tried to move as far away as possible and let them get lost in each other’s eyes, and I noticed that the framing by backing away was even more successful, as the couple was framed by other rocks that I had not initially considered in the frame
What did you say?
Guys, you are amazing. The color of your skirt, Laura, matches perfectly with this light. Seeing you there, standing in front of me, is like looking at a painting. I would love you to act as you were alone, without me, looking at each other’s eyes. Try to feel the wind in your hair, the nature that surround you. Try to feel you two as a part of the landscape, and look at you loved one remembering how lucky you are to have found each other.
Tone of Directions
Calm
Composition
Initially I was looking for an intimate shot – I started shooting standing very close to the couple. Then I realized that I could take advantage of the rocks beside them as elements of the composition. I noticed that putting the subjects in the center of the image would create three lines that would enhance the image: the sky, the ground, and the subject with the mountains behind. I placed the bride and groom in the center making sure that none of the lines of the mountains were behind their bodies so that their figure would stand out. I noticed that the yellow tree on their right created an unsymmetrical element, but that could be balanced if I also included the large rock on the left in the frame.
My goal was to have an intimate shot, with the bride and groom not too small, but still within a larger frame surrounding them.
Compositional Rules
Leading LinesRule of Thirds
framing
Center FramedLower ThirdsWideFull Body
Focusing
Describe how you spoke to your subject(s)
Although it’s strange, I always shoot with a single point of focus. i find it better because this way I don’t allow the camera to choose for me. In this case the bride and the groom were very close to each other, and I was quite far from the subject so it wasn’t difficult to get them in focus. I directed the single point of focus at the groom’s arm hugging the bride
Focus Mode
Single Shot Autofocus
Focus POints
Single Point
Focused on
Arm of the Groom
Equipment &
Exif
Camera
Lens
Flash
Filter
1/500 @ f/2.8 ISO100 WB-Auto
The way the EXIF is written out follows the common photographic method (with the inclusion of White Balance at the end). Here it is broken down:
Shutter Speed @ Aperture ISO White Balance.
Light & Weather
shooting at sunset, the light is soft and it was not difficult to direct it. initially, however, by placing the subjects turned with their heads turned to the camera, the faces were very much in shadow. when I placed them in side instead, I noticed that the lighting worked better by contouring them entirely
Light Type
Natural Light
Light Quality
Soft,Backlit
Time of day
Sunset
Weather
Cloudy
Editing Workflow
How did you edit this image?
I put a hint of blue in the highlights and a hint of orange in the shadows. I adjusted the white balance. I worked on the color and tone, saturation and luminance. I wanted the bride’s pink-shaded skirt to match those of the sunset, in accordance with the soft tones of the ground and rocks. At last, I removed some of the clearness and lowered the texture to give the photo a softer, more embracing effect.
Editing Software
Adobe Lightroom Classic
Preset Used
own custom preset
Challenges
The subjects were on the top of a rock, and they were unable to move properly
Solutions
I was forced to move myself instead and I’ve tried different perspectives
Location
Location Name
Dolomites
Location aDDRESS
Passo Giau, Cortina
Loation Type
Mountains
Country
Italy
The place where we shot was difficult to reach and it took us about half an hour of walking uphill. Not every couple would have gone along with this request. I would only return to shoot here with a client willing to walk up the mountain in wedding attire. And especially one who is not afraid of heights, as the rock on which the couple posed was high up and did not allow them to move easily
