- Back lit
- Natural Light
- Sunset
- Sun set
- Sun flare
- Spin
- Rim Light
- Playful
- Masseria
- Bright
- full body
- Energetic
- Dress hold
- Dancing
- Center Framed
- broken rules
- Sunset Light
The story behind the image
Well, the answer is pretty simple. Shoot them the way they are. If they’re a cool couple who aren’t into too much romance – don’t force them into it. Our couple was just this – an amazing couple with the biggest hearts, but their relationship wasn’t all about deep passionate kisses and closed eyes. They were more about fun and easy-going-ness.
When we walked through the olive tree field, we would have normally asked our couple to walk hand-in-hand or arm over the shoulder. Something like that. But for them, we told them to be themselves. Walk as they would. Talk as they would. Have fun with each other as they would.
Directions
Describe how you spoke to your subject(s)
While our couple was walking, we asked them to forget about us and just be themselves. We then noticed that the dress was dragging a little bit too much in the ground so we simply asked our bride to pick up her dress, but while doing so, to spin it around. We wanted to not only “clean” the dress but to get even more movement in it.
What did you say?
“[Bride], can you pick up your dress off the ground. In fact, while you’re picking it up go ahead and spin it around! Have fun with it, and even let it catch some air so it floats and sways”
Composition
With the sunset peeking over the roofs of the Masseria, we wanted to capture part of the sun flare in the frame without it becomes too overwhelming. We framed it so the sun was just peaking in from the top right of our frame, while also paying attention to how our couple was positioned in the image.
framing
Center Framed
Focusing
Describe how you spoke to your subject(s)
Since the main action in this image was coming from our bride, we chose to focus on her rather than our groom. We moved our single point over our bride and let the camera lock-on. Our groom did fall slightly out of focus but since he isn’t the main subject of the image, it’s not a problem.
Focus Mode
Single Shot Autofocus
Focus POints
Single Point
Focused on
The Brides dress
Equipment &
Exif
Camera
Lens
Flash
Filter
1/1600 @ f/1.6 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
This was taken during sunset when the sun was just about to drop below a building. We wanted the sun to be an element in this image simply because it adds a bit more life to the photograph. We positioned ourselves so the sun only peaked in from the side letting in a golden flare.
Light Type
Natural Light
Time of day
Sunset
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
The main challenge was getting our composition just right. It’s always a fine balance between how much sun to let in to get the desired flare and how little. Keeping in mind that also paying attention to what our bride was doing so we didn’t lose the moment also added to the challenge.
Solutions
When we move around our subject with our camera’s up to our face, we find that we can better find our composition while still tracking the moment. If we had our camera down and tried to look for that composition and then raise the camera to shoot, we’d have missed everything.
Location
Location Name
Masseria San Nicola
Location aDDRESS
Strada Provinciale, SP3, 72015 Fasano BR, Italy
Loation Type
Garden / Field
Country
Italy
People are different. Couples are different. They’re different individually and as a couple. As a wedding photographer – capturing your couple for who they are is an absolute key. Even if it turns out to not be your “standard” type. It makes for such a fresh challenge and turns out of images.
If a couple is not so much the romantic type – focus more on them having fun together with movement, games, and even teasing. You can of course try and get those beautiful gentle movements but pay attention to when it’s the right moment and whether your couple has warmed up to the idea.
Never force them to be something they’re not. They will never love those images as much as they should.
