wrolfson
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Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
Behind The Lens
Location
This photo was taken at the wedding of one of my dear friends weddings, moments after their first look.Time
This was taken just before noon, not always an ideal time but made for a fantastic image and a memorable first look. The love this couple felt for each other was inspiring.Lighting
Since it is Mid day there were some challenges with getting the lighting to work. It helped that they had hung white sheets close by, adding some fill light and enhancing the glow on the bride's skin.Equipment
Canon Rebel XSI with 18-55 Tamron 2.8 lens, no need for flash or a tripod with the high levels of lighting and improvised reflectorsInspiration
I always like to capture the first look prior to a wedding. I feel like it gives the couple some alone time to reflect on their journey and to enjoy seeing their loved one all polished up. I chose that spot because it had the perfect setup for hiding the bride until we were ready and the lighting was very complimentary of the bride's attire.Editing
I try hard not to apply too much in terms of post-processing, but with Weddings I usually do a few photos that are more glamour or special. For this photo I added in a blurred vignette, applied a black and white mask and increased the glow from the bride's shoulders. I also applied an effect to smooth the bride's skin.In my camera bag
I carry two cameras (Canon 7D and Rebel XSI) Lenses: 70-300mm 2.8, 50 mm 1.8, ultrawide 10-24mm, 18-55mm , lensbaby composer with tilt shift addon, light meter, color card, mini reflector and spare batteries. For Weddings I also carry pocket wizards and various cables for connections and I bring my studio lighting gear as a back up for difficult indoor shots.Feedback
The use of reflectors or an off camera flash can help you to capture the image you want without having to give up a great location/backdrop. Also try to think about what is the subject/focus of the image, picking an f-stop that highlights/accents what you want the viewer to see and forget the rule of thirds for a few of the shots. I also like to try and shoot from above and below for first looks to add variety to their final images. Also prep the couple ahead of time about their first look. I like to encourage them to have a few minutes to talk, kiss, just enjoy the moment once they have had their first look. This allows me to capture more natural photos and review any photos I might want to retake while in that setting.