- broken rules
- calm
- Center Framed
- Close up
- Field
- grass
- lying down
- Natural Light
- Outdoor
- Posed
- Shade
- simple
- Soft Light
The story behind the image
While there, we decided to take a little break and wait for the sun to drop a bit more so we could shoot in much softer light (there was not a cloud in the sky that day, and it was full-on bright and sunny). While we hung out and started chatting, we noticed that up on top of this hill was a wall of trees that let out a bit of shade.
We climbed on up and enjoyed the fantastic few from on top. We then had this idea, why not capture our couple as they were – chilling. We had never shot from this top-down angle of a couple before and thought we didn’t really have much to lose besides a bit of time. So, we just went for it. It turned out to be pretty cool in the end.
Directions
Describe how you spoke to your subject(s)
We had our couple lie in the grass opposite to each other (from their heads). We got them as close as we could without it looking like they were on top of each other and we simply asked them to tuck one of their hands under their head to form a pillow and to close their eyes. Just to breathe, take in the sounds, the feelings, and the moments.
What did you say?
Guys, we got this cool idea. If you [Guy] lie down here and tuck your hand under your head, and you [Girl], lie next to his head like this with your hand tucked too. Perfect. Now, just close your eyes. Take in the moment. Forget about us, and just imagine you were here with each other relaxing.
Tone of Directions
Calm
Composition
Since it was a pretty interesting way to pose a couple, we decided to keep it simple. We shot directly top-down over the couple and framed them equally in the picture. We also had to be careful to shoot too wide as that would have meant our legs would have been in the shoot too.
framing
Center Framed
Focusing
Describe how you spoke to your subject(s)
The focusing of this shot was very easy. We moved the focus box to the Bride and let it lock on. Since both of them were on the exact same level, we just needed to pick one of them to focus on as the other would 100% be focused too.
Focus Mode
Live View Single Shot
Focus POints
Single Point
Focused on
The Brides face
Equipment &
Exif
Camera
Lens
Flash
Filter
1/1250 @ f/1.6 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
Since we had found this spot in the shade, the light was really soft. But literally 2 meters away the sun was scorching bright and way too harsh. We had our couple lie in the shaded area to help us create these beautifully soft and smooth skin tones while also keeping a little play of highlights and shadows.
Light Type
Natural Light
Editing Workflow
How did you edit this image?
To edit this shot, we applied our Protea preset and adjusted the exposure, white balance and colour saturations to get the overall tones that we wanted. We then added a manual vignette by inserting a radial filter and darkening the edges. We finally ended off by adding in some gentle dodging and burning to help make our couple pop a little more.
Editing Software
Adobe Lightroom Classic
Preset Used
Challenges
The biggest challenge was getting our couple comfortable in this position as any sign of discomfort became quite visible.
Solutions
We reminded our couple to get as comfortable as they could, and to just relax. We kept shooting for a little while; long enough to have them get themselves into the ‘zone’.
Location
Location Name
Geroldsee
Location aDDRESS
Geroldsee, Germany
Loation Type
Garden / Field
Country
Germany
If you end up having plenty of time to kill while waiting for better light, try out new ideas with your couple and don’t be afraid to tell them that you’re actually experimenting. Tell them that you’re just trying something out and it may or may not work – most of the time they’d totally be keen but by mentioning that it “may not work” means they won’t necessarily ask about those shots if they aren’t delivered.
