HOW i SHOT THiS

  • calm
  • Mirror
  • Staged
  • Serious
  • Rule of thirds
  • Reflection
  • Posed
  • Natural Light
  • Moody
  • Leading lines
  • Center Framed
  • Indoor
  • holding each other
  • Harsh Light
  • Directional Light
  • Dark
  • Creative
  • Close up
  • Window Light

The story behind the image

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This spot is in a sort of “cave” of a wedding venue where they keep all kinds of things in storage. We discovered this place a couple of years ago and whenever we had a wedding there we always took the couple to that cave because it has some nice spots with good light coming from the window. But because we go there often we always try and do something different every time and for that we look for stuff lying around to use as part of the scenario. This time, Paula ( my wife and second shooter ) found these baskets with dead flowers from previous weddings and an old mirror so we took a minute to think about what we could do with this and this is what we came up with.
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Directions

Describe how you spoke to your subject(s)

First I explained to the couple that my idea was to shoot them in the mirror. I then put them in position against the wall facing the window where the light was coming from and asked them to hold that position for a while so that I could try different shots with the mirror.

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What did you say?

Ok guys… I’m going to try something here that may or may not work. I’m going to try to make a portrait of you shooting through that mirror so I will just ask you for a couple of minutes to stand still and not move until I’m finished. You are both going to stand here facing the window with your eyes closed and don’t move or talk for a couple of minutes. You can take this time to relax for a while :)

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Tone of Directions

Calm

Composition

The composition was quite simple. I wanted the main subjects in the center of the frame and then used the baskets with flowers to complete the composition placing them strategically where I could take advantage of the rule of thirds.

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framing

Center Framed

Focusing

Describe how you spoke to your subject(s)

On my first shot, I was focusing on the bride and groom and although I was quite happy with the shot it seemed that something was missing and already thinking about how I would edit it I thought it wouldn’t be “moody” enough. So I gave it a second try and this time I focused on the mirror… and there it was. I knew I had to make a couple of adjustments, but I would definitely focus on the mirror and not the bride and groom.

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Focus Mode

Live View Single Shot

Focus POints

Single Point

Focused on

Mirror frame

Equipment &
Exif

Camera
Sony a7Riii
Lens
Sony 35mm f/1.8
Flash
None
Filter
None
320 @ f/5.0 ISO2500 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

I only used the natural light that was coming from a window directly to the couple. I had to move their bodies a bit more towards the window in order to catch the light on them. I wanted them to turn and face where the light was coming from because it would mean that their faces were lit. But because this was also at a slight angle, I managed to capture the shadows as well – which is great since it brings dimensions to the subject.

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Light Type

Natural Light

Weather

Indoor

Editing Workflow

How did you edit this image?

First I applied the Nomad preset in Lightroom with a few teaks and then used the brush to bring the exposure up on the baskets and flowers and on the wood frame. I also added a little more grain to the image although it wasn’t much because I already had some natural grain from the high ISO used. And then I took the image to photoshop to clone out some table legs that were showing on top of the image. I could have moved them before shooting but I already knew that there would be no problem because I would edit them out later.

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Editing Software
Adobe Lightroom Classic
Preset Used

Challenges

The only challenge we had was to come up with a different idea for that same spot where we go often. We don’t like to repeat photos/ideas with different couples so that was the main challenge.

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Solutions

Once we saw all those props there I knew exactly what I wanted and everything was very easy to do. Sometimes it’s just a matter of looking around the environment for inspiration.

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Location

Location Name

basement / Garage of the wedding venue

Location aDDRESS

Quinta da Concha - Portugal

Loation Type

basement / garage

Country

Portugal

I don’t think I would have done anything different… maybe if I had more time I could look at the scene a little longer and maybe improve it but time is not on our side. We usually have around 15 to 20 minutes to do the couple’s photoshoot so we can’t spend too much time thinking and testing. But I was very happy with the result this time.

If you go to the same spot often always try to do something different every time. Look around, take a walk around to explore new angles, search for things to include in your picture. Don’t just go there and to the same or similar picture with every couple. If you go find yourself going to the same spot and doing the same exact thing, then just move on and find a different spot and don’t go back to that one. This photo I made I will never make another one again with a different couple. This is this couple’s photo. Next time I go there if nothing new comes up I’ll just go somewhere else. Always create something new.

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