subscribe 0330 333 1113 I http://www.amateurphotographer.co.uk I 13 July 2019 21
KIT LIST
▲▲
Lastolite ▲
refl ector
Brilliant for opening up
shadows and creating
catchlights for a flattering
look. Also good for
entertaining kids, kneeling
on and using to create a
breeze through the hair.Old 50mm lens
for freelensing
This type of lens doesn’t
even need to be the
same make as your
camera body as you
won’t actually be
attaching it.Random
objects
These types of objects can be
used to create distortions
and light effects. Objects
can include cut-off
piping, glass rings,
prisms, disco
glasses, etc.Think about the background
Ask yourself about the purpose of the
background in each image you are making. Will
you choose to have it in focus to give a sense of
the environment and surroundings? Or do you
want a shallow depth of fi eld to give creamy
colours and make the couple stand out as the
main subject? There is no right or wrong here,
but intentionality always pays off. I always carry
a wide range of lenses to keep my options open
and fi nd that working on a couple of bodies allows
me to shoot a broad range of compositions in a
short amount of time.Create feeling and mood
Being able to build a rapport and trust quickly with your
couple is something that comes with experience. But
even after 400 weddings there are times when it can
feel a little tricky. Make sure you have a memorised
collection of simple prompts and games that you can
use to help them feel more at ease, and encourage
them to focus on each other rather than the distractions
of wedding-day details. Increase the sense of intimacy
by ensuring that hands are always occupied.Don’t neglect your post-processing
Used with skill, your camera will record the scene with
great accuracy. What it can rarely do though is truthfully
capture the whole feeling of the moment. For me the
editing process is my way of bringing the emotion back.
This is why I never outsource any of my post-processing;
I believe it is best done by the person who took the
image. Your experience of the moment far exceeds
what you see through the viewfi nder, and careful editing
can help recreate how it felt. Keep up to date with
editing techniques and make a habit of frequently
comparing your fi nished products and raw fi les. Try to
shoot with a post-editing process in mind, so that when
you work on it afterwards it will be all part of the plan!