- black & white
- Moody
- Upper Thirds
- Sunset
- Soft Light
- simple
- Rule of thirds
- Posed
- Natural Light
- Mid range
- broken rules
- lying down
- intimate
- Energetic
- emotional
- Directional Light
- Dark
- Creative
- Cinematic
- Water
The story behind the image
Directions
Describe how you spoke to your subject(s)
I told my couple to lay down in the water and float with spread arms. I wanted to create a magical vibe, as if the couple was flying. I asked them to put their heads as close as they could, in order to have a feeling of intimacy between them. It was quite simple to direct my couple in the water, as there is no current in the lake.
What did you say?
Okay guys, I want you to lay down in the water and float. Try to put your heads as close as you can. Once it’s done, spread your ams and stay still for a few seconds.
Composition
The unedited photo was upside down : the couple was on the bottom of the image first. They were almost under my feet when I took the picture. I flipped the image in post-production, so the couple could be on the top of the image. I wanted to create a feeling of intimacy and calmness, added to a dreamy vibe, as if the couple was flying.
Focusing
Describe how you spoke to your subject(s)
I used the manual mode and focused on their heads. I chose that mode because they were moving their arms, trying to stay on the surface and float. It would have been harder with the autofocus mode : the focus would have probably be on their arms.
Focus Mode
Manual Focus
Focus POints
Single Point
Focused on
The couple heads
Equipment &
Exif
Camera
Lens
Flash
Filter
1/160 @ f/2.2 ISO5000 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
The sun was almost down on my right and I had no artificial light. I was standing on a dock with a small staircase leading to the water. I didn’t want my couple to be too far from it because the water was cold. I didn’t have many options regarding the light.
Light Type
Natural Light
Time of day
Sunset
Weather
Overcast
Editing Workflow
How did you edit this image?
I used the fade black and white preset by Beloved Wedding Presets. First, I inverted the image so the couple could be on the top of the image, in order to accentuate the feeling of flying. Their heads were at the bottom at first, when the image was not inverted yet. It wasn’t enough magical for me. I adjusted the highlights and shadows, as I was aiming for something darker and more contrasted. I adjusted the luminance too because I didn’t want the image to be grainy. I wanted a smooth aspect.
Editing Software
Preset Used
Challenges
The major challenge was to be quick : I didn’t have much time to shoot that special image, as the sun was almost down that day. I always do the water pictures at the very end of the photoshoot, so my couples can dry off and put comfy clothes right after. The first part of the photoshoot took longer than expected, so I only had a few minutes left. Moreover, the water was pretty cold that day : I didn’t want them to get sick !
Solutions
I told my couples the directions they would have to follow before going into the water.
Location
Location Name
Rennes
Location aDDRESS
Rennes, Brittany, France
Loation Type
Lake
Country
France
Before the shoot, ask your clients if they are confortable with going in the water. Ask them to wear white clothes so the outfit will contrast with the environment.
