- architecture
- Back lit
- Dark
- Energetic
- Harsh Light
- Leading lines
- lower thirds
- Moody
- Natural
- natural frames
- Natural Light
- Rim Light
- Rule of thirds
- sunny
- Walking
- Wide
The story behind the image
I always had in mind that I didn’t want my couple to be standing still in the centre of the frame, so to add more interest I had the couple walk across the frame. The challenge was to wait until I didn’t have any other people in the frame because it’s a very busy area in Sydney, so patience was key and I’m thankful that they were patient with me.
The bonus of this image are the seagulls flying just behind the couple. To me, it’s that little extra added touch that I think is a reward for being patient.
Directions
Describe how you spoke to your subject(s)
I always envisioned a bit of movement so I asked the couple to walk across the frame and with the bride slightly in front of the groom so they could both be visible in the frame.
What did you say?
Ok folks, when I say go, just start walking. Also, Jet can you make sure you are about 1 or 2 steps ahead of Simon so I can see both of you in the frame!?
Composition
I framed the image with the intention of it being abstract. I wanted the Opera House sails to be more silhouette and the couple more in focus. I knew that initially I had to have them in between the sails, but then I noticed the light was hitting the couple perfectly so I asked them to walk in the direction the light was hitting them. The light was the added bonus to making the couple stand out more.
framing
Lower Thirds
Focusing
Describe how you spoke to your subject(s)
The focus of this image was solely on the couple. They were in the same plane field as the Opera House sails so I knew if I could hit the focus on the couple, everything else would be in focus too.
Focus Mode
Continuous Autofocus
Focus POints
Single Point
Focused on
the couple
Equipment &
Exif
Camera
Lens
Flash
Filter
1/8000 @ f/1.2 ISO64 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
I had full sun for this shot. The sun was located to my left but it was hidden by the opera house sail which gave me the perfect shot for a silhouette. I used the sun to highlight the couple and make everything else dark and underexposed to create the more abstract image I was trying to achieve.
Light Type
Natural Light
Weather
Sunny
Editing Workflow
How did you edit this image?
I used my own custom preset and I was after a more muted/abstract tone. I brushed out a few distracting elements in the sky, like aeroplane trails but that was it.
Editing Software
Preset Used
own preset
Challenges
The challenging part of this shot was avoiding other people in the shot.
Solutions
I had to wait until the perfect time – patience is key.
Location
Location Name
The Opera House
Location aDDRESS
Sydney Opera House
Loation Type
City
Country
Australia
When you’re photographing an iconic landmark, try to think of photographing it differently, think outside the box. You don’t want your image to look like every other image out there.
