- calm
- Natural Light
- Wind
- Wide
- Sunset
- Soft Light
- Snow
- Sitting
- Mountain
- Center Framed
- kissing
- Kiss
- intimate
- full body
- Cold
- Cloudy
- Winter
The story behind the image
We arrived to the Alps a day before and went on our mission to find those spots where we could take our couple. One of them being on top of this mountain. While location scouting, we found ourselves in the middle of a storm with freezing temperatures.
We climbed, explored and looked at all points on top of the mountain and froze our asses off. But, having done this, we knew exactly where we wanted to take our couple and what we wanted to do.
We can’t imagine what it would have been like had we not done this research before hand. We likely would have wasted a lot of time and body temperature scouting with the couple and so this always ends up in our
recommendations: always location scout. As much as you can.
Directions
Describe how you spoke to your subject(s)
Have your groom sit somewhere comfortably and encourage your bride to find a spot on his lap. It works really well when she has her legs between his and can turn herself to face her groom. From here, let them get close to each other and really enjoy their moment together.
What did you say?
Gently caress her neck, her cheek and her jaw line; make her feel really good and you can even bring her in for a kiss.
Tone of Directions
Calm
Composition
We framed our couple in the center here since we could bring all the attention to them first. This is quite an important
decision since we were surrounded by incredibly beautiful mountains. We didn’t want the landscape to take center stage, and a good technique to help with this is to make your couple very prominent in the frame.
framing
Center Framed
Focusing
Describe how you spoke to your subject(s)
We focused as per normal on our couple with our single point autofocus directly over them. As there was a strong contrast between our couple and the surrounding areas, we had no real challenges when it came to focusing.
Focus Mode
Single Shot Autofocus
Focus POints
Single Point
Focused on
The Grooms Face
Equipment &
Exif
Camera
Lens
Flash
Filter
1/1000 @ f/1.8 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
This was taken quite late in the afternoon and the sun was already setting; but due to the clouds surrounding us and the sheer cold temperatures, our light was definitely not warm. It was however, very very soft and the fact that we were amongst snow meant that whatever light was around us, was being bounced in all directions because of the white of the snow; adding to the softness of the light.
Light Type
Natural Light
Time of day
Sunset
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
One of the biggest challenges we faced here was the freezing temperatures and the wind that was really strong on top of the mountain. It was so cold our hands were turning blue. Not even to mention just how it must have felt for our couple. We had to work fast and make sure we got everything we needed so we could get back inside to where it was much warmer.
Solutions
What helped us work more effiticently was firstly the fact that we had scouted this very location the day before and found our spots and where we wanted to go. Secondly, we also briefed our couple about the sort of poses we would be going for, so we could spend a bit less time trying to show them while we were there.
It really helps to be prepared for a shoot, and not just shoots where you’re in harsh environements. It makes everything that much more efficient and you can get so much more done in much less time if you know where to go and what you want to do.
Location
Location Name
Alpspitze Mountain
Location aDDRESS
Alpspitze 82467 Garmisch-Partenkirchen
Loation Type
Mountains
Country
Germany
If ever you’re in the cold, keep an eye out for your couple and always ask how they are feeling. Remind them that at any point, if they get too cold or uncomfortable, that you can always move back inside to where it’s warmer. In the end, we all want our couples to have an incredible experience with us and looking out for their comfort is a sure way of helping that.
