- Center Framed
- Details
- Free
- Hands
- Layout
- Leading lines
- Natural Light
- Ribbons
- Shade
- Soft Light
- Stamps
- Stationary
- Wide
The story behind the image
The same can be said for detail shots. When we first started out with photographing details of the wedding, we found
ourselves struggling to think of compositions, layouts and even backgrounds – until we started to look at wedding stylists and their portfolios. We saw what they were doing, and how they were doing it and made it our goal to improve our shots by thinking out of the box and trying out new things.
It’s a valuable lesson we learnt, and one we do encourage everyone to try out; don’t be afraid to try new things and even take what you know from one thing and apply it to your wedding work. Just make sure you have at least one safe shot in your bag ;)
Composition
Composition is really important when it comes to setting up detail shots like this. Our goal here was to find a balance with the stationary, the ribbon details, the flowers and the hand. We laid out our details on a background that didn’t take too much attention away from our subject and took a few test shots to make sure it balanced. When it didn’t, we moved things around a bit until it felt just right.
framing
Center Framed
Focusing
Describe how you spoke to your subject(s)
Sometimes focusing on stationary can be tough, especially if there isn’t much contrast between the text and the paper. Our little solution is to focus on either the edges of the paper (where it meets the background) or even on another part of the layout details.
Focus Mode
Single Shot Autofocus
Focus POints
Single Point
Focused on
The Paper
Equipment &
Exif
Camera
Lens
Flash
Filter
1/500 @ f/1.8 ISO125 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
We found a nice shaded area in the courtyard of the castle where our wedding took place. We wanted to work with the soft light since it meant that we could avoid blowing out our highlights or having too much contrast.
Light Type
Natural Light
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 challenge we faced was trying to figure out just how to lay things in a way that balanced. As we are not experts in this, nor did we have a bucket load of experience to know what little thing should go where, we just had to do our best and try.
Solutions
It helps to be prepared beforehand, but sometimes you get these ideas on the spot and have to just improvise. It helps to set something up, take a picture, and then look at that picture long enough to see how things are feeling. If you are not 100% sure, change something up. But all the while keep shooting. You may not get that banger shot at your first wedding you do this at, but over time you’ll start to know what works and what doesn’t.
Location
Location Name
Schloss Freudenstein
Location aDDRESS
Castel Freudenstein Str. Masaccio, 39057 Appiano sulla strada del vino BZ, Italy
Loation Type
Castle
Country
Italy
If you ever feel stuck on what to learn to improve your photography game, try to explore other genres of photography. Learn about portraiture, about still life, fashion, street photography – all of those can benefit your wedding work :)
When setting up your stationary shots, take some elements from the wedding to add to your styling. Things like a few flowers and decorations can really add to your image and give it more context. If you’re feeling up for it and someone willing is nearby, maybe have them use their hand to interact a bit with the details. It can add a bit more interest to the final image.
