Tangents

favorite image from the weekend

September 28, 2010

favorite wedding image of the weekend

Walking back to the reception venue from where we were photographing the bridal party, I saw this patch of grass. I knew it would make a great location for the couple with the setting sun in the background. Shooting into the sun though, I was nearly blinded by the bright light and sweat stinging my eyes – so I shot several continuous sequences while moving in the grass. This was to make sure I get at least a few clear images when I finally choose a selection of photographs for the couple.

I used the Nikon D3 and the outstanding Nikon 14-24mm f2.8 AF-S. (B&H)
This lens is incredible, not just for its extraordinary edge-to-edge sharpness, but also for how well it controls flare … especially considering it is an ultra-wide zoom.

Camera settings: 1/400 @ f7.1 @ 500 ISO … just available light.
I had the lens set to 15mm, but cropped the images in post-processing it.

I then added a few layers of effects, blended at different opacities, to punch up the warm summery glow a bit more. It was a blend of Nik Color Efex 3 (Glamor Glow), and two filters from the Totally Rad Actions set (Technicolor Dream World; and Get Faded Summer).

I envisaged this more of a panoramic image. You can see the final intended crop by clicking on the image above.

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12 Comments »

Nice one. I much prefer the pano crop version.

I’ve got a question on how you determine your preferred exposure. Do you first frame the shot and, based on experience, guess the amount of (what the meter would see as) overexposure…knowing you need to do this in order to expose for the subjects correctly…or do you first take a close up meter reading off of the subject(s) to determine exposure and then move back out to frame the shot with the sun in the frame? Whew…sorry for the run on sentence there! Thanks!!

Comment by AlanB — September 28, 2010 @ 8:35 pm
I was curious about the same thing Alan asked about metering. I would like to learn more about shooting high-key images like you have here.

Thanks!

Comment by Jordan M. — September 28, 2010 @ 10:03 pm
Metering was simple – I pointed the camera to the ground in the direction I was going to shoot in. A few test shots then, and checking the camera’s preview confirmed I was good on the exposure.

Since I’m shooting in manual, the sun and bright sky then has no influence on the exposure.

Neil vN

Comment by Neil vN — September 28, 2010 @ 11:07 pm
Very nice image Neil, especially the pano version.
Am intrigued by the amount of different post-processing steps…. will have to have a look at these.
I would never have guessed that it is taken at 15mm – amazing.
Best, P:)

Comment by Pasquier — September 28, 2010 @ 11:35 pm
Pasquier .. you have to keep in mind that the image at the top is a crop of the 15mm image. But just for comparison, here is the unedited full-frame image directly out of the RAW converter.

Neil vN

Comment by Neil vN — September 28, 2010 @ 11:45 pm
love the sun set in the back..forground place key role..nice image!!!

Comment by Neil Patel — September 28, 2010 @ 11:56 pm
I really don’t know what are you made from, you always make to seem all so simple…
I think only a long experience will make fabulous photos.
At least ISO 500 shooting into the sun… not in my mind.
Thanks for inspiration, advices and answers.

Comment by Dragos — September 29, 2010 @ 3:57 am
Very nice!

I luv these shots – I took a similiar one a few weeks ago:
http://magnusbogucki.com/blog/Hochzeitsfotos/stans-wedding01.jpg

Comment by Magnus — September 29, 2010 @ 4:53 am
Beautiful shot, Neil. I definitely like the way you decided to crop. The building is a distraction and takes away from the “feel” of the image. I assuming your shot angle was down low (maybe waist level) shooting up ? To capture that grass in the foreground.

Comment by M. Clay — September 29, 2010 @ 10:24 am
If you don’t mind my asking, why did you shoot at ISO 500? Was it generally darker than the image would seem to indicate (because we’re looking into the sun)?

Comment by forkboy1965 — September 29, 2010 @ 10:32 am
forkboy .. that is where the spinning roulette wheel stopped.

I didn’t increase the exposure in post-production. So the exposure is spot on. 500 ISO is good. It’s not a high ISO, especially on the D3. It’s just what I used with as much validity as the 1/400 shutter speed and f7.1 aperture.

Neil vN

Comment by Neil vN — September 29, 2010 @ 12:54 pm
Love it, as usual. I think I would have stopped down even futher, beyond f/16 and even to f/22 if possible… I find that this creates the “star” effect with the sun.

Either way, lovely work.
-Dave

Comment by David E. — September 29, 2010 @ 2:27 pm