A selection of images from Claire and Dominic's wedding on Saturday at Leeds Castle with EXIF data and shot analysis. To see a larger selection please check out their wedding gallery.
HDE (-2, 0, +2), f/4, ISO 400, 35 mm, 16-35mm f/2.8L II
The weather was diabolical when I arrived at the castle but, fortunately, it stopped raining shortly afterwards - it was still very windy though. To capture the detail in the sky and the bright highlights from the reflected sunlight on the castle I decided to go for a high dynamic range (HDR) shot. 3 exposures, handheld, and then combined in Photomatix Pro.
1/60, f/2.8, ISO 1600, +1 EV, 35 mm, 16-35mm f/2.8L II
I was pleased to see such a big window in the room and the make-up chair facing it. There's even plenty of space to get in behind the table. This has been set-up with the photographer in mind - a real rarity! Positive exposure compensation (EC) corrected for the bright backlighting.
1/125, f/1.4, ISO 400, 0 EV, 35 mm, 35mm f/1.4L
I asked Claire to strike a pose in her curlers, dressing gown and stilletos! Notice the coolness of the daylight and warmth of the tungsten lights.
1/200, f/1.2, ISO 500, -1/3 EV, 85 mm, 85mm f/1.2L II
The wonderfully soft, out-of-focus background (known as bokeh) produced by shooting at f/1.2 is very useful in minimising distractions. Very accurate focusing technique is required for these shots - the lens is unforgiving at this aperture.
1/160, f/2, ISO 320, -2/3 EV, 85 mm, 85mm f/1.2L II
I've heard the preparation mirror shot being described as 'cliched' by other wedding photographers. But it's not cliched for your clients, who don't spend all day looking at wedding photos!
1/160, f/1.4, ISO 200, -2/3 EV, 35 mm, 35mm f/1.4L
Negative exposure compensation corrects for the dark background.
1/250, f/1.4, ISO 200, -4/3 EV, 35 mm, 35mm f/1.4L
As soon as I saw the beautiful Arabella in her lovely fluffy white coat I knew the shot I wanted - and I got the opportunity to do it too! Look at the lovely catchlight in her eyes from the window behind me. Negative EC prevented her from being overexposed.
1/400, f/2, ISO 200, -2/3 EV, 35 mm, 35mm f/1.4L
1/80, f/1.4, ISO 1600, -2/3 EV, 35 mm, 35mm f/1.4L
Milo demonstrated his Michael Jackson-styled moves for me. A natural entertainer!
1/160, f/1.4, ISO 400, -1/3, 35 mm, 35mm f/1.4L
Back upstairs for a few more shots of Claire. I asked her to stand in a pool of soft window light.
1/80, f/2.8, ISO 1600, 0 EV, -2/3 FEC, 16 mm, 16-35mm f/2.8L II
The light in the ceremony room was not great so I decided to add some softened flash. Shooting at wide aperture, high ISO and dialling down with FEC means that people don't even notice the 'kiss of flash' that you add, but it means that you get good light on their faces.
1/80, f/2.8, ISO 1600, 0 EV, -1 FEC, 16 mm, 16-35mm f/2.8L II
I decided not to gel my flash. I do sometimes correct its colour temperature to match the ambient light but I liked the warm, cosy feel that I was getting. There are no rules!
1/125, f/2.8, ISO 2500, 0 EV, -2/3 FEC, 29 mm, 16-35mm f/2.8L II
Always nice to make the signing of the register a bit more fun.
1/40, f/2.8, ISO 2500, 0 EV, 35 mm, 16-35mm f/2.8L II
A wonderfully witty song about Claire and Dominic was performed after the ceremony. Have a good look at the faces in the audience.
1/100, f/1.4, ISO 3200, -2/3 EV, 85 mm, 85mm f/1.2L II
Milo again. I saw him take up a good sniping position and occasionally peek over the table. I was waiting for him. Look closely at the exposure settings - it was dark!
1/100, f/1.4, ISO 3200, 0 EV, 85 mm, 85mm f/1.2L II
When shooting candids I generally do a quick sweep of the room to identify areas of reasonable light and then try and spot the more animated guests. Ideally I try and match the two and then take up a good position to watch and wait. Good candids do not come about by randomly shooting guests!
1/30, f/4, ISO 3200, +2/3 EV, 16 mm, 16-35mm f/2.8L II
I was with Claire and Dominic for only 4 hours so there was no point in setting up all my Speedlites to light the group shot of everyone. I just went with the ambient light. I deliberately overexposed to reduce digital noise in the shadow areas - this technique is often termed 'exposing to the right'. The slight overexposure is easily adjusted in post-processing.
1/40, f/2.8, ISO 3200, 0 EV, -2/3 FEC, 16 mm, 16-35mm f/2.8L II
It seemed a pity not to get a few shots of Claire and Dominic with the exterior of the castle so we braved the elements for a few minutes. It was still a bit gusty - check out the dress.
1/60, f/1.4, ISO 1600, 0 EV, -2/3 FEC, 35 mm, 35mm f/1.4L
The flash was softened with a Lastolite micro Apollo and mounted on a Custom Digital Pro-M Bracket. Really handy for these close-in portraits.
1/50, f/2.8, ISO 2500, 0 EV, 0 FEC, 16 mm, 16-35mm f/2.8L II
The E-TTL II algorithm has no problems balancing ambient and flash light when the background is lit.
1/60, f/1.4, ISO 1600, 0 EV, 0 FEC, 35 mm, 35mm f/1.4L
The flash is obviously off-camera for the shot above. I'm holding a Speedlite in my left hand (set to 105mm) and triggering it with an ST-E2 on camera.
1/100, f/1.6, ISO 1600, 0 EV, 0 FEC, 35 mm, 35mm f/1.4L
The Speedlite is still in my left hand for this shot, now with a StoFen Omnibounce attached.
1/125, f/1.2, ISO 3200, +1/3 EV, 85 mm, 85mm f/1.2L II
Light levels in the banqueting hall were low. No problem for a 5D Mark II paired with the 85mm f/1.2L lens though.
1/100, f/1.2, ISO 3200, 0 EV, 85 mm, EF85mm f/1.2L II USM
1/40, f/2.5, ISO 2000, -2 EV, 35 mm, 35mm f/1.4L
I couldn't resist taking a few shots of Leeds Castle as I wandered off into the night. Notice the strong negative EC.
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