David's photography blog

I like the shoot. It is so romantic. Congratulatio...

2012-05-21T12:48:45.093+01:00

I like the shoot. It is so romantic. Congratulation to the photographer for a job well done

Your photography is amazing!! While doing family r...

2012-04-13T00:18:55.849+01:00

Your photography is amazing!! While doing family research we found your site. Our grandfather was confirmed at the Harlip Church in 1901. He also rang the church bells.

Your photography is amazing! Our grandfather was ...

2012-04-13T00:14:25.382+01:00

Your photography is amazing! Our grandfather was confirmed in this church in 1901 and while doing research found your site. Our grandfather rang the churchbells when he was young.

Lovely photos David , thank you Ian (grooms dad )...

2012-04-11T12:26:55.792+01:00

Lovely photos David , thank you
Ian (grooms dad )

Hi David As an avid follower of your blog and an ...

2012-03-21T20:12:34.171Z

Hi David

As an avid follower of your blog and an amateur photography buff, I expect many of your blog followers are photographers, just a word of caution to all those photographers with regard to high street retailers selling grey imports and not disclosing it to the customers, as someone who recently purchased a lovely Canon 70-200 f2.8 is ii, from a UK high street retailer and I stringently specified that I did not want a grey import, still I had Canon UK confirm that the lens they sold me was not intended for the UK market hence no warranty card in the box.

So be careful lads just because a company is flying the canon flag this does not mean they are an authorised Canon distributor, from now on I will be sticking with calumet since all my other L lens came with UK warranty cards. This lens was indeed 100 cheaper still not enough of a saving to warrant a grey import plus I could buy cheaper on the net myself, while I am still trying to resolve the situation with the retailer, just wondering David have you come across other UK high street retailers involver in this class on activity, curious for your opinion, again hope you keep up the blog.

Best Regards
Paul

I might add the lens is a Joy to use just a pity the purchasing experience took the shine off it. And Canon UK say it is still covered only problem would be that in the unlikely event of a repair been needed they may not have some components in stock.

Leeds Castle, has to be the best wedding venue in ...

2012-03-20T03:28:56.886Z

Leeds Castle, has to be the best wedding venue in Kent with all its romance and medieval queens. Great set of photos, specially the ones in black and white.

Absolutely adorable David - Emma has such an infec...

2012-03-07T08:23:03.984Z

Absolutely adorable David - Emma has such an infectious smile - looks like she giggled her way through the day! Well done - gorgeous shots as ever!

Hi Jason, Many thanks for taking the time to post...

2012-02-28T11:23:26.628Z

Hi Jason,

Many thanks for taking the time to post such a charming comment - it's very much appreciated.

All the best,

David

Hi David, You have an amzing blog here, so many l...

2012-02-28T11:19:06.447Z

Hi David,

You have an amzing blog here, so many lovely pictures and the information is just great. I stumbled upon your site because i was looking for example shots taken with the 16-35mm lens that I have just purchased. I'm glad I found you and will coming back.

Hi Lucas, I'm a huge fan of this lens at f/1....

2012-02-28T07:53:50.281Z

Hi Lucas,

I'm a huge fan of this lens at f/1.2 due to the ultra shallow DOF. Clients love the effect this has on images too - much the same way as everyone seems to love B&W. Both are unnatural, in the sense that they represent the world in a way that our eyes and brains are unable to, but also deeply appealing.

Yes, the images are softer (but this can be appealing to many brides) but the area in focus still sharpens up quite nicely. Chromatic aberration is something I keep an eye on (particularly with dark against light areas - branches against overcast skys for example). Focus can also be a challenge. Very occasionally an area of high contrast close to the focus point will lure the AF system or it will just struggle to focus on the point I'm interested in.

To mitigate against all this I don't shoot at just f/1.2. When I can I'll quicky take 4 repeat shots, stopping down to f/2. I'll then critically assess in post-production. If the image at f/1.2 is good though it's often the one I'll put on the blog.

All the best,

David

David, Very interested to see you using the 85mm ...

2012-02-27T17:02:57.195Z

David,
Very interested to see you using the 85mm at F/1.2 regulalry. I have tried that lens (micro-adjusted) a few times with a 5D2 and the lens is at it's optical worst in terms of mushy details at that aperture and really bad CA. Comes to life around F/1.8 and above in my experience.

What's your view on this? I suppose clients viewing on screen or printing A4s wouldn't notice anyway.

Thank you!
Lucas

Westenhanger castle is such an underated location ...

2012-01-20T20:22:39.458Z

Westenhanger castle is such an underated location for a wedding venue. Most people in Kent even does not know such a castle exists.

Absolutely stunning as always David!

2012-01-07T09:52:21.383Z

Absolutely stunning as always David!

All nice moments are captured!!! Nice photography!...

2012-01-05T07:25:22.894Z

All nice moments are captured!!! Nice photography!!

Great photos David

2011-12-20T20:14:54.801Z

Great photos David

Hi Paul. Many thanks for your comment. I've j...

2011-11-24T08:25:20.052Z

Hi Paul.

Many thanks for your comment. I've just looked back through my Lightroom catalogues and I think the last time I used the 24-70 f/2.8L at a wedding was Nov 2008. I sold it shortly afterwards.

I found that with a 16-35 f/2.8L, 35 f/1.4L and 85 f/1.2L in my bag the 24-70 f/2.8L had become redundant.

I hadn't seen the YouTube video - a useful note of caution for the beginner!

All the best,

David

Hi David as an avid reader of your blog I see that...

2011-11-23T19:37:41.664Z

Hi David as an avid reader of your blog I see that the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 L USM is no longer features in your kit bad on regular shoots anymore, may I ask just when might you find yourself reaching for it or has it found a new home as a rather expensive paper weight ?

Also some interesting reference material for the next time someone asks you about the prospect of them entering the wedding photography business, or maybe you have already seen this youtube video !

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKUjy1omn7Y&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL

Besr regarda
Paul

There's a great mix of posed and natural shots...

2011-11-21T12:28:10.802Z

There's a great mix of posed and natural shots here. Which do you enjoy shooting more, out of interest?

Really awesome photo shoot...!!! It looks like a v...

2011-11-19T16:30:40.621Z

Really awesome photo shoot...!!!
It looks like a visual treat....!!!!!!!

Wow, looks like some lovely snowy wedding photogra...

2011-11-16T14:25:35.727Z

Wow, looks like some lovely snowy wedding photographs from the sample. Great job.

Thanks for the lovely comment - really appreciated...

2011-10-31T06:59:30.388Z

Thanks for the lovely comment - really appreciated!

I'm going there myself. This is probably the b...

2011-10-30T22:36:30.441Z

I'm going there myself. This is probably the best I've seen so far. Good Job!

Thanks Iain.

2011-09-08T07:17:14.698+01:00

Thanks Iain.

lovely images David

2011-09-07T22:55:24.030+01:00

lovely images David

Hi Ronnie, Many thanks for your lovely feedback. ...

2011-08-10T16:35:18.748+01:00

Hi Ronnie,

Many thanks for your lovely feedback. With regards to your questions:

1. 99% of the time I use flash in E-TTL II mode. The only exception is if I'm firing flash remotely which is directed towards the camera - then I set it to manual.
2. I use the camera in aperture priority mode BUT I exposure compensate to correct for any problems that can arise due to the camera metering reflected light.
3. I use flash in <5% of shots. It's only if the natural light is of poor quality or there really isn't enough.
4a. I frequently shoot at ISO 3200.
4b. I like to bounce flash but if a room has high ceilings or dark walls I'll fire flash forwards and soften with a Lastolite micro Apollo.

Hope this all makes sense!

Yours,

David