- Blue Hour
- Low Light
- Serious
- Rule of thirds
- Posed
- Portrait
- Natural Light
- Moody
- Mid range
- Leading lines
- Bridal Portrait
- Lanterns
- lantern
- Gloomy
- Dark
- Cinematic
- Center Framed
- calm
- Soft Light
The story behind the image
I think one of the most important things is the empathy you have with a couple. In this case, there was such chemistry and harmony that almost nothing had to be explained. Our style reflected their tastes and they were exactly the couple that best represents us.
Also, one thing that we immediately knew we would use is the oil lamp, we love them and they give an even darker and more mysterious atmosphere to the photos. So we started shooting until we came across this point where, through the trees, the light passed through and ended in the center of the road. It was perfect, it really looked like a television series set.
About her tastes, her style perfectly mirrored ours and when you find a couple with whom you have such strong empathy, things really happen naturally.
Directions
Describe how you spoke to your subject(s)
Knowing them very well and being on the same wavelength there was actually very little to say. This couple, and in this case the bride, knew perfectly well what to do because both we and her wanted to achieve the same result. In this case, we have given minimal directions.
We wanted a very dark portrait but with few and fundamental points of light (in this case the face, the dress, and the oil lamp) so we told her to have a very serious, gloomy, and vain gaze, to believe in herself and to almost seem presumptuous so as to give exactly the emotion we were looking for. We were able to achieve this because she trusted us, and we trusted her.
What did you say?
I want you to give us a strong look, right into the lens. Even feel presumptuous. Think something quite dark, serious and powerful.
Tone of Directions
Calm
Composition
We wanted a somber portrait, a portrait that looked like it came out of a Tim Burton movie or a Netflix series. We used a 50mm because it is the lens with which we are the most comfortable with and once we chose the location, we placed the bride in the middle of the street (we are obsessed with symmetry). The road creates leading lines that go straight towards the bride which guides the viewers straight to her. This symmetry & act of guiding is pleasing in composition.
framing
Center Framed
Focusing
Describe how you spoke to your subject(s)
We focused on the bride and used autofocus because except for a few cases it is the one we are the most successful and it is the fastest way.
Focus Mode
Single Shot Autofocus
Focus POints
Single Point
Focused on
The Bride
Equipment &
Exif
Camera
Lens
Flash
Filter
1/200 @ f/2.8 ISO200 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
We had little light in reality as the sun had set but still a little bit filtered through the trees. So we did a test and we chose the best point. We were facing the bride with the light source behind us. This way, whatever little bit of light was left was illuminating the front of the bride and her dress, even just enough for us to make it all out. This worked exactly as we had hoped as we envisioned things to be dark, black, and gloomy. f I had to do it again maybe I would arrive about 20 minutes early to do things a little more calmly.
Light Type
Natural Light
Time of day
Blue Hour
Editing Workflow
How did you edit this image?
A key aspect was certainly our preset. I truly believe that one of the secrets to a perfect shot is knowing your tools. The original photo is very dark but it was made so intentionally.
I used our preset, we know the results it gives, so we adjusted the camera based on that. Post-production was very light. We turned up the exposure to bring out the face and the dress and we adjusted the contrast and shadows just enough. No other software was used.
Editing Software
Preset Used
un preset creato da noi.
Challenges
The main challenge was certainly the cold, we were at a fairly high altitude and once the sun went down the temperature dropped further and the weather was also a challenge. Once the sun went down, we didn’t have that much daylight left, so we had to act quickly.
Solutions
Obviously, the bride had a coat when not shooting. Once we found the spot and set up the camera, she took off her coat, positioned herself and we took the shot.
Location
Location Name
Reggello
Location aDDRESS
Reggello, Italy
Loation Type
Forest
Country
Italy
We would definitely do this shot again, it’s one of our favorites. And this I think is the secret. Always do things that represent you. It is impossible to please everyone, so instead of pleasing everyone by doing something normal, create your own niche, people who appreciate your style.
This will satisfy them, but first, it will satisfy you. Also always do a small inspection a few days before the shooting. The inspection is a fundamental step and if we can give advice, always do it a few days before the service, this will allow you to understand in what light you will shoot and what type of weather conditions you will find.
