- Artificial Light
- Candles
- Celebrate
- Center Framed
- Couple entrance
- Dinner
- Entrance
- Evening
- Free
- full body
- Indoor
- Leading lines
- Reception
- Simple composition
- Soft Light
The story behind the image
What we found works really well is to try and plan it to start one hour before the dinner. While we’re out shooting with the couple, the guests can already be seated and the best part? They can be encouraged to all welcome & cheer the couple as they return from the shooting!
It makes for an amazing entrance shot to have the couple walk in amongst the cheering crowd; and even have the DJ / Musician throw on some awesome music to enhance the event.
Composition
We kept the composition simple by framing our couple in the middle. We also used the pathway formed by the tables to help guide the viewers eyes towards the celebrating couple.
framing
Center Framed
Focusing
Describe how you spoke to your subject(s)
When your subject moves towards you, focusing can be a bit tricky at times. Normally, modern cameras have a great feature called “AI Servo” (or similar) where it constantly tracks your subject. However, we very rarely use this as we are really fast with focusing & firing as our subjects move towards us. We simply aim at their faces and let the camera lock, and then we shoot the image.
Focus Mode
Single Shot Autofocus
Focus POints
Single Point
Focused on
The Brides Face
Equipment &
Exif
Camera
Lens
Flash
Filter
1/160 @ f/2 ISO500 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
As this was taken in summer, we still had plenty of light pouring in through the big windows which really helped brighten up the room. Once doing our test shots, we found our position where we could easily capture our couple as they walk into the light from the windows.
Light Type
Artificial Light
Time of day
Evening
Weather
Editing Workflow
How did you edit this image?
The edits are made to be warmer with a big focus on skin tones and light play with shadows and highlights. A few minor local adjustments were made (Gradient and Brush) as well as finishing off with a fine layer of grain. The whites are not blown out nor are the blacks 100% crunched.
Editing Software
Adobe Lightroom Classic
Preset Used
Challenges
When the dinner room is pretty tight and there’s a lot of people all sitting around – it can be quite challenging to move with the couple, especially if you’re moving backwards while photographing them.
Solutions
The best way is to take slow steps and to even ask your couple to “slow down a bit” if they are catching up to you. Every once in a while, look over your shoulder and map your route to a position where you can let them pass you so you can photograph them from the back as well.
Location
Location Name
Schloss Freudenstein
Location aDDRESS
Castel Freudenstein Str. Masaccio, 39057 Appiano sulla strada del vino BZ, Italy
Loation Type
Castle
Country
Italy
When you’re in touch with your couple before their wedding, try and put forward the suggestion of doing the couple shoot just before dinner; it really makes a difference when they are informed about the best chances for good light.
When you go into the room before your couple, make sure to get your camera settings right. Do a few test shots before giving the signal.
