- afternoon
- lines
- Waves
- Water
- Veil
- symmetry
- Soft Light
- Simple Pose
- Rule of thirds
- Natural Light
- natural frames
- Natural
- Leading lines
- architecture
- kissing
- holding each other
- full body
- Evening
- Energetic
- double exposure
- cloudy sky
- Cloudy
- city
- Center Framed
- Bright
- Wide
The story behind the image
When we were on our way to take the couple’s portraits, it started to pour down with rain so we made our way to the Chapel to seek some cover.
As the couple was walking towards the chapel, I saw the Brides cape blow with the wind, and in that moment it kind of looked like the same shape as the chapel’s incredibly unique architecture.
I immediately asked them to freeze, and then I quickly took a few photos while my assistant was holding an umbrella over me. As luck would have it, it stopped raining and they were able to relax and cuddle on the bridge a little longer.
The lights inside the Chapels were flickering, so I had to take quite a few shots to get them both on in the photograph.
Directions
Describe how you spoke to your subject(s)
Even though it was raining my couple was incredibly calm and trusted me completely. I asked them to walk towards the chapel to seek cover from the rain, and when the moment was right I asked them to stop and face each other. Because it was raining, we did not plan the photo at all, it happened by accident as they were walking towards the Chapel. In any event, I hardly pose my couples, and I rely on giving them little actions to perform while playing some calm music in the background.
To me, that is what make makes the best images. Unplanned, unposed moments.
What did you say?
Walk toward the chapel. Stop and Face your bride, this looks amazing!
Composition
I made sure I stood in line with my couple as they walked towards the Chapel. The architecture and straight path did all the work for me, and I did not have to straighten it post-production.
The Chapel actually has wings on each side, but because it was raining and I had my 35mm on (at close range as I walked behind them), I could not get the entire Chapel in the shot without missing the moment.
I do however think that the image would not have been the same If I did move backward. I like that the couple is close and more visible and that the Chapel isn’t the only main attraction of the image.
framing
Center Framed
Focusing
Describe how you spoke to your subject(s)
I focused on the bride’s back, her shoulders to be exact. I wanted to make sure I got the dress movement in focus. I used Auto-Focus and took around 5 -10 images because it was unplanned and they were walking/ moving.
Focus Mode
Single Shot Autofocus
Focus POints
Single Point
Focused on
The brides Shoulders/ Dress
Equipment &
Exif
Camera
Lens
Flash
Filter
1/1250 @ f/2 ISO250 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
It was late afternoon, about an hour before sunset. The clouds were behind the sun for most of the day, but it peaked through slightly every now and then. The sun was on the right side of my subjects, but there were no shadows because of the clouds. The cloudy skies made the light even, bright and beautiful all around.
Light Type
Natural Light
Time of day
Afternoon
Weather
Cloudy
Editing Workflow
How did you edit this image?
I edited the image in Lightroom Classic and used Dirty Boots and Messy Hair (DB1) as a base. My style is moody and romantic, and I found that particular preset helps me to achieve that look. I adjusted the temperature quite a bit to add a warmer mood because the image was captured on a cloudy day.
I lowered the exposure and sharpened the image a bit. I then decreased the texture and minimised the red saturation on the Grooms hands as they were quite red from the cold and it was distracting me. I also removed some white flower petals from the water to create a smooth surface. The roof had some rain water stains on them, which I removed using the spot removal tool.
I used the gradient tool to darken the clouds slightly too.
Afterwords, I added a cloud overlay from Atmos in photoshop to create some extra drama in front of the Chapel.
Editing Software
Lightroom Classic and Photoshop
Preset Used
Challenges
The biggest challenge was the rain. I remember asking the couple if we could take photos inside the chapel until the rain stopped.
The Brides dress was completely soaked and very heavy! The groom had to literally twist the dress like a towel to get rid of all the water!
Solutions
We were very lucky to have had a few minutes where it was only drizzling slightly and that is how this particular image came to be.
Luckily, the bride made the dress herself and she did not stress about it at all.
Location
Location Name
Bosjes
Location aDDRESS
R43, Worcester, 6849, South Africa
Loation Type
Church
Country
South Africa
Sometimes the best shots happen by total accident. Like running from the rain, or getting from one location to the next and accidentally seeing something that could potentially be a beautiful image.
Use the weather and background to your advantage. See how the subject can mimic the background and always keep an eye out for corresponding lines.
