Posing into the light for better portraits
Posing into the light for better portraits
This is a simple illustration again of the idea that posing and light(ing) go hand-in-hand. You can't really separate these two aspects when photographing people. When there is a video team at a wedding, I have to accommodate them in not using flash when they are shooting their sequences during the romantic portrait session with the bride and groom. Then I have to rely entirely on just the available light. In this example, they had the bride, Amanda, walk down the jetty twice - a good opportunity for me to shoot some extra images to pad Read more inside...Wedding portrait ideas
Wedding portrait ideas
The part of photographing the wedding day that I enjoy the most, is the romantic portraits. I believe this is where photographers are more able to assert a style. Especially in comparison to photographing the ceremony as an example, where you have to record the proceedings, as they are presented. Sure, the final result would depend on composition and timing - all crucial elements. But there isn't a way for the photographer to really influence the look of the ceremony photos as compared to what is possible in photographing the wedding portraits, and specifically Read more inside...Bounce flash photography and dark ceilings
Bounce flash photography and dark ceilings
With the tutorials here on how to bounce flash, the questions inevitably come up - what if there is nothing to bounce your flash off? What if there are dark ceilings? Well, these limitations do affect how I use flash at events - but I still work according to a few set guidelines that give me the best results with bounce flash. I bounce my flash into the direction that I want to come from, regardless of whether there is a white wall or ceiling. It really is all about the Direction of Light. I also shy away from using any of the Read more inside...One Perfect Moment – wedding photography
One Perfect Moment - wedding photography
I have opinions. This time, wedding photography. Greg Riccardi, one of the top wedding and event videographers in north Jersey, asked me a few questions in this interview - my start in photography, as well as what a bride and groom should look for in wedding photographers. He also asked me about trends I may have noticed in wedding photography. My business name is One Perfect Moment for specific reasons. The name is derived from Henri-Cartier Bresson's ideal of the decisive moment. That slice of time when everything just comes together Read more inside...Wedding photography – Style & Serendipity
Wedding photography - Style & Serendipity
There's this balance I feel I need to maintain in my professional photography, and especially with weddings. The photos I take, need to solidly be within the style that I show on my website - this is what my clients hired me for. On top of that though, there is the urge within as an artist, and as an obligation to my clients, to produce more. To deliver photos with a little extra. Something slightly different. I want to expand what I do, and expand on my style and 'look'. So with every shoot and every wedding, I'm always looking for Read more inside...Lighting styles in wedding photography
Lighting styles in wedding photography
Two interesting questions came up in the Tangents FB group - both posted by Matthew Ciscart, one of the regulars: The first question was whether a client had ever asked for a specific lighting? Such, hard light, soft light, natural, or ocf? The other question was whether any of the photographers had a specific go-to style of using lighting. That one thing they do. My reply to this, relating it to lighting styles in wedding photography, was I haven't had a client ask for any specific lighting. However, I do believe my website shows a Read more inside...Bounce flash and choice of background & backlighting
Bounce flash and choice of background + backlighting
This is where style and technique intersect - the choice of how to use flash (or any other kind of additional lighting) at wedding receptions. Many photographers prefer the crisp look of multiple off-camera flash setups at wedding receptions. While I do think some of the photos look incredible, I am not convinced that the success rate is all that high. Hot spots in the background, and weird cross-shadows will mar many of the photos. My preference has always been for the predictability and flexibility of using on-camera bounce Read more inside...Using grids with flash for a spot of light
Using grids with flash for a spot of light
My preference is for softer, flattering light. When I use off-camera flash, I really try to use a softbox if at all feasible. It's easier to use in that you have leeway in how your subject is posed. For with a smaller, harder light source, you have to be much more specific about posing. A bigger light source is therefore easier to work with when you shoot fast - such as at a wedding. But there are times when you just want to light up a portion of the scene, or want to specifically light your subjects. The photo above is an example. I am Read more inside...Which direction to bounce on-camera flash?
Which direction to bounce on-camera flash?
When photographing any kind of portrait with on-camera bounce flash, my main consideration is that I want flattering light. For example, this photo of the bride dancing with her dad, I want flattering light to illuminate her face. It should be obvious that I decided to bounce the flash towards camera-right, so that the light comes in from that direction. I don't want to light up the side of her head. I want to light up her face. This means that as the couple rotate, I will continually adjust the direction that I bounce my flash into. This Read more inside...- 1
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