Sunday 8 November 2009

Photos from a Faversham wedding

My website: Kent wedding photographers

A selection of images from Candice and Johnathon's wedding, photographed last Saturday at Ospringe Church and Boughton Golf Club. Please check out their wedding gallery.

1/200, f/2.8, ISO 400, 0 EV, 115 mm, 70-200mm f/2.8L IS

An even-toned (mid-grey, 18% reflectance) exposure - the exception at a wedding! No exposure compensation (EC) required.

1/500, f/4, ISO 400, -1 EV, 35 mm, 35mm f/1.4L

1/125, f/2.8, ISO 1600, +5/3, 25 mm, 16-35mm f/2.8L II

This is a situation in which I'd normally employ flash but, since I was under strict instructions to get myself into position for the ceremony with the minimum of fuss, I decided to go without. There was just enough light being reflected on to their faces to allow me to get a good exposure with positive exposure compensation (EC) of almost 2 stops.

1/50, f/2.8, ISO 3200, +2/3 EV, 16 mm, 16-35mm f/2.8L II

Look closely at the exposure setting - this church was dark. This is why it really helps to have fast lenses in your bag and a camera that can provide good results at high ISO. People often claim that they get good results with lower spec cameras at high ISO but this is typically under 'good' lighting conditions. The light in the scene above was in low quantity and of low quality - really murky. You need good kit to deal with this.

1/60, f/2.8, ISO 3200, +1/3 EV, 23 mm, 16-35mm f/2.8L II

1/25, f/2.8, ISO 3200, 0 EV, 30 mm, 16-35mm f/2.8L II

Shooting with a wide-angle lens allows you to use slow shutter speeds and get pin-sharp results (provided that your subject is not moving). These were just piled up in the corner of the church.

1/100, f/2.8, ISO 3200, 0 EV, -2/3 FEC, 31 mm, 16-35mm f/2.8L II

A kiss of flash to brighten things up. Close subjects with dark backgrounds are challenging for the E-TTL II algorithm - negative FEC is required.

1/100, f/4, ISO 640, -2/3 EV, 35 mm, 16-35mm f/2.8L II

'Toad' the pug. This little fella was not camera shy!

1/1250, f/1.4, ISO 250, 0 EV, 35 mm, 35mm f/1.4L

The day started off misty (it was Halloween after all) but the cloud cleared the ground during the ceremony. There was still a little haze to soften the light which, combined with the sun's low position in the sky, gave fabulous lighting conditions. The couple are side-lit in the shot above.

1/250, f/1.8, ISO 200, +2/3, 35 mm, 35mm f/1.4L

And now contre-jour (aka 'into the light' for the less pretentious amongst us!)

1/80, f/8, ISO 1600, +2/3 EV, 16 mm, 16-35mm f/2.8L II

Ospringe Church is a lovely spot. Stopped down to f/8 to keep everyone nice and sharp.

1/500, f/1.2, ISO 200, 0 EV, 85 mm, 85mm f/1.2L II

A nice little candid shot as the couple share a quiet moment.

1/200, f/1.4, ISO 200, -2/3 EV, 85 mm, 85mm f/1.2L II

Off for the bride and groom portrait session.

HDR (+2, 0, -2), f/2, ISO 400, 35 mm, EF16-35mm f/2.8L II USM

I don't often do HDR shots of couples - it's difficult enough keeping myself still between shots (I hand hold rather than setting up a tripod) - but it paid off in this case. We all remained stationary. Because I shot wide there was significant chromatic aberration around the church tower which I reduced in post-production. This is unavoidable with a dark object on a bright background but diminishes as the lens is stopped down.

1/125, f/1.8, ISO 400, +1/3 EV, 85 mm, 85mm f/1.2L II

Plenty of soft reflected light reached them under the lychgate. No flash required.

HDR (+2, 0, -2), f/3.5, ISO 400, 16 mm, 16-35mm f/2.8L II

After the couple departed for the reception I gave myself time to take one final HDR shot. It was so tranquil - a fabulous spot.

1/100, f/2.8, ISO 3200, 0 EV, 35 mm, 16-35mm f/2.8L II

The reception was Halloween-themed and allowed for some unusual shots!

1/100, f/2.8, ISO 3200, 0 EV, 0 FEC, 16 mm, 16-35mm f/2.8L II

The couple's entrance to the wedding breakfast. I generally use flash for this (softened with a Lastolite micro Apollo) to have a predictable light illuminating their faces.

Any comments or queries are welcomed, as ever.

2 comments:

Don Wood said...

super shots I was christened in Ospringe church, nice to see it after all these years. I also have just got into photography so I am learning things from your blog .Thanks .

David said...

Many thanks Don!

All the best,

David