Ready for Love
The carriage of the beautiful bride arrives, as she prepares to step out and onwards to a new and bright future.
The carriage of the beautiful bride arrives, as she prepares to step out and onwards to a new and bright future.
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Dec, 2014Views
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Awards
Chatter Award
Legendary Award
Featured
Featured
People's Choice in Best B&W Wedding Image! Photo Challenge
Curator's Choice
Peer Award
Absolute Masterpiece
Superb Composition
Top Choice
Outstanding Creativity
Magnificent Capture
All Star
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Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
Behind The Lens
Location
This photo was taken as the bride arrived in her limousine, at Tewin Bury Farm, Welwyn, on October 3rd 2014. The location is beautiful and the wedding venue has a lovely country feel to it, despite being little over sixty minutes from a busy London city.Time
Well, it's a funny story. The poor, but beautiful, bride was scheduled to arrive at 13:30pm, but was held up in severe traffic. It was already 13:45 and she still hadn't arrived. I wondered how long would she be, only worried that the stern registry officer was about to explode. She had called me over twice already, and with a deep and resolved voice said "one photo.' Yes. One photo. That was enough pressure to get the heart beating out of my chest. This was my first wedding in the UK, having only been back from a five year migration, and the first time I was shooting a wedding alone. What ever happened, I knew that I had to keep calm, take a deep breath, and get the shot I wanted. I was resolved to making both bride and groom happy, and I was determined to stay until I knew they would be. The bride's limousine arrived at 13:50hrs, 20 mins late. I ran to the car, but was not alone. Event organisers, the registry officials, bridesmaids, and family were all there of course. The registry officer was still vocalising her concern about the late time. Chaos wouldn't be an understatement. I took a deep breath and took control. The bride was about to get out of the car when I used my presence to clear everyone away for just a minute. I looked at the bride, she looked beautiful. I made eye contact and told her to relax for a moment. I took shots, six shots to be exact. The first shot was taken with the door closed and through the glass, the second and third while standing adjacent to the front passenger door, and the the last three before moving around to just behind the should of the bride. The featured image was the the sixth.Lighting
It was a beautiful sunny day, surprising for October. The sky was clear and the sun was harsh, so i knew as the bride came out of the car I would have to adjust my settings quickly. The photo was taken with natural light, which allowed me to get a beautiful graduation to reveal the bride. I bumped my ISO up to 400, 1/640 seconds at f1.8. I wanted a soft look so i set the aperture wide open and focused on her eyes.Equipment
I was handholding my Nikon D800, mounted with a 50mm f1.8 prime lens, carried with my black rapid curve strap with no flash needed.Inspiration
I love images of the bride arriving in the car/ carriage, and have seen such a beautiful variety over the years of the bride sat in the car images. I spend every night relaxing on my iPad or phone, looking at photographers work and getting inspiration. This particular photo didn't have the luxury of time and planning, I was fortunate to be a part of their wedding day and blessed to have had just enough time to get the shot I needed at that moment.Editing
I processed the wedding entirely in Lightroom. I like to take my time when working the files, and I always insist that I sleep on it and rework them again in the morning, because I understand that I get over excited when I think I have a strong image and get easily tempted to share it early. So I have to force myself to heel the emotion and excitement, and be patient. With this image in particular, I added extra shadow because I liked the shadows, wanting to play on the story of the bride getting ready to get out of the car and take her first step towards the isle.In my camera bag
Luck is when an opportunity comes along, and you are prepared for it. I am always prepared and make sure I have a viable 'Plan B,' and sometimes a 'plan C.' I carry a satchel, with a Tamron 90mm 1:2.8 macro, a Nikon 50mm 1.4 prime (i upgraded from the 1.8 because i LOVE this lens), and a Tamron 70-200mm 2.8 Di VC USD. Lighting is vital, so i carry Cactus V6 transceivers to use with a collection of speedliits, even if i do set up my Elinchrom strobes in a venue. Incase something happens, I carry a lens cleaning kit, a bottle of water and the most important thing at a wedding... business cards. I always run out at a wedding, I need bigger pockets!Feedback
Focus. Take your time, relax, be confident and always engage the bride by way of making her feel good. Even if it just a pleasant tone. The bride will almost always be nervous and have a lot to deal with, as mentioned above, so the last thing she needs is a grumpy or panicking photographer. Be calm, be polite, tell her she looks wonderful, and get the shot you need. Because if you chimp at your photos and are happy, chances are both bride and groom will be happy too.
