I used a wide lens so that I would be able to frame the image with the rock formation that appears like a cave. I wanted to make sure to get a little sun flair to give more of that desert vibe, but otherwise mostly keeping the subject centered in the frame.
Center Framed
I placed my partner where he would stand for the portrait and focused on him to set up the shot.
Single Shot Autofocus
Single Point
The couple
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.
As I have shot at this location many times throughout the fall, winter and spring this time of year is prime for this shot. The sun passes through the perfect spot for a little sun flare, backlight on the couple, and lighting the edges of the “cave” to add a special dynamic effect. I typically shoot backlit so this type of lighting is easy for me to work with.
Natural Light
Sunny
I have a custom preset that is a mix of two presets that I’ve purchased that edits the HSL and tone curves. However, I keep my editing pretty simple. I like the photos to be realistic and to speak for themselves, mostly just turning the dull RAW into a pretty Jpeg.
The first challenge was finding the location and determining the best way to get to the spot, as you have to traverse a sketchy rocky ledge. We are all climbers and have the proper shoes to feel confident to do it, but this isn’t a route so the first time our friend thought we should enter the back way, lol he was wrong.
The second challenge was this wasn’t a place I could safely put a tripod nor have enough time to safely get over to the other rock for a self portrait, my solution was to have a live human act as a tripod.
Sedona
Sedona, Arizona
Desert
United States
Working in Sedona most of the year we often work in the same location, this thought me to really push the boundaries when it comes to looking at an area differently or finding other ways to shoot a location. Take the time to go somewhere without a couple, just for fun to get super familiar with it, how the light falls each time of year, or what is nearby higher and lower. Since this shot we have used this for almost every couple, sometimes even getting the couple to different areas than we usually would, depends on their fear of heights.
Where are we going?
Account
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