Easily the best bridal portrait I've ever shot

jamesbjenkins · Oct 30, 2012

Hey all,

I'm only posting one image in this thread (I'm about 30% done with this set), and it's for a different reason than usual. I'm always looking for quality feedback from other pros and semipros when I post here, but this time I just want to share a win.

On Saturday, I shot the bridals for my Dec 31st bride. The location was the ranch of some family friends of hers. When I went out there about 10 days ago to scout for the shoot, this image was the one I dreamed of in my head... The bride facing away from the camera, looking out towards the setting sun, giving the strong impression of "I'm waiting for my man." This exact spot was tailor made for the image I wanted, because the sun sets in exactly the right place on the horizon for how the porch is laid out and the ceiling of the porch is white-painted wood so I could bounce my fill flash.

The setup for this shot is a bounced SB-910 set to manual at 1/4 +0.7, with my assistant holding a large rectangular reflector immediately OC right. The only PP was a levels adjustment and a slight vignette. The end result was exactly how I dreamed it in my head. Experiences like this one are why I love this job!

Enjoy!

pixmedic · Oct 30, 2012

I dont know if i count as "semi-pro" as a part time second shooter but...that is a great shot! i felt the same way about the beach wedding pic i posted a few days ago. it came out just how i pictured it. I love that you left the space open to show the whole corner of the porch. i think it works well for this shot. I like the flowers leaning on the post as well. how are the 910's? we had thought about upgrading our 700's a while back, but the 900's had some nasty overheating issues so we didn't. haven't really looked hard at the 910's yet.

jamesbjenkins · Oct 30, 2012

Thanks!

The 910s are a BEAST. I can't speak to their TTL qualities, as I loath TTL. As far as power, reach and durability, they're absolutely everything I need. I usually find myself shooting on manual at 1/4 power, sometimes as much as 1/2. I've never shot them on full power. I've never had the slightest issue with them overheating.

The main reason I upgraded was for the PC sync port that the SB-700 is lacking, so I could attach the PocketWizards to the 910 for my wedding receptions. I haven't had a chance to use that function yet, as my next wedding isn't until Dec 31...

Cheers!

Robin_Usagani · Oct 30, 2012

James, be careful with wider lens man. Shooting that high off the ground really made your subject short and bulkier. I would at least shoot it from the same elevation as her waist. Other than that, I like it.

MLeeK · Oct 30, 2012

I am sorry, I am not feeling this one. I see your vision in it-after reading the explanation. The angle has created way to many distractions in the image.
The porch pole REALLY makes me want it cropped better and it's almost removing the sunset from the feeling part of the image. The angle on the floor and the back of the dress is making it feel more about the dress and train than about her looking anywhere. I tend to want to level it out too.
Perhaps a bit lower angle more to our right with a slight profile of her looking toward that sunset at that porch support would do it?
I WANT to love it. The color, exposure and everything are beautiful. I wish the sky had some sunset color in it, but that is MY vision, not yours! I am hoping to see more of the set!

ronlane · Oct 30, 2012

James, did you use an ND filter or did you expose for the sun? I ask because I am trying to understand how to not have the sun blow out in the picture like this.

jamesbjenkins · Oct 30, 2012

ronlane said:
James, did you use an ND filter or did you expose for the sun? I ask because I am trying to understand how to not have the sun blow out in the picture like this.

No filter at all, Ron.

I used spot metering on her dress just below her shoulders. I intentionally let the sun be overexposed. Unless you're taking multiple exposures and stacking them, or using an HDR program like Photomatix, I don't know of any camera in the world with enough dynamic range capabilities to properly expose for the sun AND the rest of the image in only one exposure. The luminance values would be several stops outside the DR of best commercially available cameras in the world. I'm sure you could ask NASA to borrow one of theirs. :lol:

MLeeK · Oct 30, 2012

jamesbjenkins said:
ronlane said:

James, did you use an ND filter or did you expose for the sun? I ask because I am trying to understand how to not have the sun blow out in the picture like this.

Click to expand...

No filter at all, Ron.

I used spot metering on her dress just below her shoulders. I intentionally let the sun be overexposed. Unless you're taking multiple exposures and stacking them, or using an HDR program like Photomatix, I don't know of any camera in the world with enough dynamic range capabilities to properly expose for the sun AND the rest of the image in only one exposure. The luminance values would be several stops outside the DR of best commercially available cameras in the world. I'm sure you could ask NASA to borrow one of theirs.

Flash.

jamesbjenkins · Oct 30, 2012

MLeeK said:
Flash.

Well yes. Obviously, as noted in the previous posts.

kathyt · Oct 30, 2012

I like the shot, but I would also level it out and I wish we could have a profile of her face looking toward the sunset.

jamesbjenkins · Oct 30, 2012

OK, so the consensus is "shoot level and at waist height". I'll take that into consideration next time.

Thanks for the feedback all. Luckily for me, the client was too busy with her caps lock and exclamation point keys to tell me I had the angle all wrong. :sexywink:

MLeeK · Oct 30, 2012

jamesbjenkins said:
OK, so the consensus is "shoot level and at waist height". I'll take that into consideration next time.

Thanks for the feedback all. Luckily for me, the client was too busy with her caps lock and exclamation point keys to tell me I had the angle all wrong.

Sorry if I offended you. I just don't think this is your best work and it doesn't convey the story you were aiming for and I've seen better composed stuff from you.
I'd hope your bride liked it, it's a very pretty image.

jamesbjenkins · Oct 30, 2012

MLeeK said:
Sorry if I offended you.

Not offended at all. I appreciate the honest feedback. It's really valuable, because I didn't even see the perspective distortion. I was focusing so much on nailing the exposure, and getting the color right in camera that I missed what several of you saw.

I felt like this was some of my best work, but now I realize what I need to fix next time to complete the package.