David's photography blog: Weddings at Rowhill Grange

A selection of images from Caroline and Shaker's wedding, photographed at Rowhill Grange near Swanley on Sunday. Please check out their wedding gallery.

1/100, f/2.8, ISO 800, -1 EV, 35 mm, 35mm f/1.4L

The clear winner of the Ernest Hemmingway look-alike competition at this wedding. Beard, pipe and the window light creating a nice catchlight in his eyes - too good to be true! Negative exposure compensation (EC) was required due to the predominantly dark tones in the shot.

1/640, f/4, ISO 50, -1 EV, -2/3 FEC, 16 mm, 16-35mm f/2.8L II

With the sun low in the sky, and shining directly into my lens, the above exposure settings were a bit of a gamble. I employed negative EC to control highlights. Since the hotel was white, and therefore reflecting a lot of light back, I toned down the fill-flash.

1/500, f/1.4, ISO 200, +2/3 EV, 35 mm, 35mm f/1.4L

The window light behind Caroline was intense but, fortunately, she was also being lit by soft reflected light from a window to the right of the shot above. Hence EC of only +2/3 was required.

1/250, f/1.2, ISO 100, +2/3 EV, 85 mm, 85mm f/1.2L II

1/2500, f/1.4, ISO 50, -1 EV, 0 FEC, 35 mm, 35mm f/1.4L

When the sun is strong, and not softened by cloud, I like to shoot in open shade. It's better to choose low-key, rather than bright, backgrounds to avoid detail being lost in blown-out highlights. In this case, however, Caroline asked for a quick shot with the hotel in the background. I dialled down the ambient exposure by one stop and then used flash to light them.

1/2500, f/1.4, ISO 50, -1 EV, 0 FEC, 35 mm, 35mm f/1.4L

We've done a 180-degree turn relative to the previous shot and are now shooting with a dark background. Much better with no bright distractions.

1/250, f/2.8, ISO 100, -2/3 EV, Did not fire, 200 mm, 70-200mm f/2.8L IS

Having the post-ceremony drinks in the garden allowed me to use the 70-200mm medium telephoto lens - perfect for candids. The couple above have just booked me for their wedding next July!

1/500, f/2.8, ISO 100, -1 EV, 200 mm, 70-200mm f/2.8L IS

Always beneficial to have someone on hand to umpire the proceedings!

1/500, f/1.2, ISO 50, -1 EV, 85 mm, 85mm f/1.2L II

We explored a few locations for the bride and groom portrait session. The rim-lighting on their faces caught my eye here.

1/320, f/1.2, ISO 50, -2/3 EV, 85 mm, 85mm f/1.2L II

I just held on to the highlights in her dress here and should have used a little bit more EC. I over-estimated the impact of the bright area in the background. Imagine what her dress would have looked like if I'd let the camera determine the exposure settings!