For this shot, we explained that we wanted to keep it simple and let the landscape do the talking, so we asked them just to hold hands and look at each other as we went further out to shoot. We kept the shot quite static so we could almost line up the moon with the couple and keep them in the desired location between the trees.
Just focus on each other for a little bit and take in all the amazing vibes we’ve got going on here. We’re just going to get some wider out shots for a quick minute – we’re not running away, promise
Calm
We wanted to give this image a classic Joshua Tree look, so the trees themselves were key to the composition with one either side of the couple to give the image balance, but also using the trees closest to us to give the image that extra depth. Our goal for this image was to show off the impressive landscape of this area, and allow the couple to compliment the setting.
Lower Thirds
We used manual focus for this. We adjusted our frame to get the right amount of landscape, then got the couple into focus before taking a few shots, making sure they were as sharp as possible. The difficulty came with the distance involved and making sure we had a sharp useable shot, that’s why we tried it a few times to make sure everything was dandy.
Manual Focus
Single Point
On 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.
We used the ambient/soft light post-sunset. The light in the desert is super harsh when the sun is out, so we waited until later in the day to grab some shots with the couple to avoid major shadowing and uneven tones.
Natural Light
Sunset
We use our own custom preset for every wedding and session we do. With this shot, we wanted the rich tones of the sky to pop out, as well as having a nice amount of color saturation to the image overall. We used a brush over the sky to help even out the exposure of the shot, plus add in a tad more color to that area. And we also adjusted the blue and magenta saturation sliders within the color mixer. We decided to use Photoshop to magnify the size of the moon to give it more presence within the frame, and this was done by copying and pasting, plus a little bit of free transforming. Lastly, we also cut the moon and pasted it to be completely central above the couple (we’re a little obsessed with symmetry!).
Working with harsh light in the desert with little to no shelter. This was especially tough during the earlier part of the ceremony.
We opted to do the couple portraits when the sun had set behind the mountain, so we had a more even light to work with.
Joshua Tree National Park
Joshua Tree National Park, California
Desert
United States
We’ve always been looking at different ways to show off the landscape with our couples in the mix, and how to create depth to the image so the couple isn’t lost in the mix. Using the foreground and the background together hopefully lets us achieve that.
Where are we going?
Account
need help
This content has been marked as Premium and requires an active subscription in order to access it. We’re so sorry about that. But hey, here’s what you can do:
Get access to everything on the site as well as a ton of perks & benefits.
Well then, let’s get you logged in and hide this annoying thingy-ma-jig.