Weddings at Rowhill Grange

A selection of images from Caroline and Shaker's wedding, photographed at Rowhill Grange near Swanley on Sunday. Please check out their wedding gallery.

1/100, f/2.8, ISO 800, -1 EV, 35 mm, 35mm f/1.4L

The clear winner of the Ernest Hemmingway look-alike competition at this wedding. Beard, pipe and the window light creating a nice catchlight in his eyes - too good to be true! Negative exposure compensation (EC) was required due to the predominantly dark tones in the shot.

1/640, f/4, ISO 50, -1 EV, -2/3 FEC, 16 mm, 16-35mm f/2.8L II

With the sun low in the sky, and shining directly into my lens, the above exposure settings were a bit of a gamble. I employed negative EC to control highlights. Since the hotel was white, and therefore reflecting a lot of light back, I toned down the fill-flash.

1/500, f/1.4, ISO 200, +2/3 EV, 35 mm, 35mm f/1.4L

The window light behind Caroline was intense but, fortunately, she was also being lit by soft reflected light from a window to the right of the shot above. Hence EC of only +2/3 was required.

1/250, f/1.2, ISO 100, +2/3 EV, 85 mm, 85mm f/1.2L II

1/2500, f/1.4, ISO 50, -1 EV, 0 FEC, 35 mm, 35mm f/1.4L

When the sun is strong, and not softened by cloud, I like to shoot in open shade. It's better to choose low-key, rather than bright, backgrounds to avoid detail being lost in blown-out highlights. In this case, however, Caroline asked for a quick shot with the hotel in the background. I dialled down the ambient exposure by one stop and then used flash to light them.

1/2500, f/1.4, ISO 50, -1 EV, 0 FEC, 35 mm, 35mm f/1.4L

We've done a 180-degree turn relative to the previous shot and are now shooting with a dark background. Much better with no bright distractions.

1/250, f/2.8, ISO 100, -2/3 EV, Did not fire, 200 mm, 70-200mm f/2.8L IS

Having the post-ceremony drinks in the garden allowed me to use the 70-200mm medium telephoto lens - perfect for candids. The couple above have just booked me for their wedding next July!

1/500, f/2.8, ISO 100, -1 EV, 200 mm, 70-200mm f/2.8L IS

Always beneficial to have someone on hand to umpire the proceedings!

1/500, f/1.2, ISO 50, -1 EV, 85 mm, 85mm f/1.2L II

We explored a few locations for the bride and groom portrait session. The rim-lighting on their faces caught my eye here.

1/320, f/1.2, ISO 50, -2/3 EV, 85 mm, 85mm f/1.2L II

I just held on to the highlights in her dress here and should have used a little bit more EC. I over-estimated the impact of the bright area in the background. Imagine what her dress would have looked like if I'd let the camera determine the exposure settings!

1/500, f/2, ISO 50, -1 EV, -1 FEC, 35 mm, 35mm f/1.4L

1/500, f/1.4, ISO 100, -1/3 EV, 35 mm, 35mm f/1.4L

1/200, f/2.8, ISO 100, -2/3 EV, 35 mm, 16-35mm f/2.8L II

1/80, f/1.4, ISO 200, 0 EV, 35 mm, 35mm f/1.4L

1/160, f/1.4, ISO 200, 0 EV, 35 mm, 35mm f/1.4L

It's unusual to have a bride this relaxed in front of the camera. A modelling career beckons!

1/400, f/1.4, ISO 200, -2/3 EV, 35 mm, 35mm f/1.4L

1/160, f/1.4, ISO 200, -2/3 EV, 35 mm, 35mm f/1.4L

1/125, f/2, ISO 200, -2/3 EV, 35 mm, 35mm f/1.4L

1/160, f/2.2, ISO 200, -1 EV, 35 mm, 35mm f/1.4L

1/200, f/2.8, ISO 200, -1 EV, 35 mm, 35mm f/1.4L

Any comments or queries are welcome.

My website: Kent wedding photographers

Weddings in Swanley

A selection of photos from Caroline and Shaker's wedding, photographed yesterday at Rowhill Grange near Swanley, are now online. Please check out their wedding gallery.

I'll publish a selection of images with EXIF data and analysis shortly.

My website: Kent wedding photographer

Wedding photography in Swanley

My website: Wedding Photographers in Kent

I had the pleasure of photographing Caroline and Shaker's wedding this afternoon at Rowhill Grange near Swanley. It might be late September but it felt like mid-summer! The sun was so strong we had to seek out open shade for the photos.

Caroline and Shaker, who hails from Egypt, were very relaxed in front of the camera. In fact, the word 'relaxed' summarises the whole afternoon. After the ceremony and photos, tea & cake was served followed by a recital by Caroline's friends. Very civilised.

Their photos will be online shortly.

Wedding photography Commissioners House Chatham

A selection of images from Jessica and Levin's wedding at the Commissioner's House in Chatham on Friday. Please check out their wedding gallery.

1/500, f/3.5, ISO 200, -2/3 EV, 35 mm, 35mm f/1.4L

The sun was intense so I positioned the chaps in open shade. Negative exposure compensation (EC) took care of all the dark tones in the suits.

1/3200, f/2, ISO 200, -1 EV, 35 mm, 35mm f/1.4L

A bit more negative EC as the dark tones further dominate the frame.

1/500, f/4, ISO 200, 0 EV, 0 FEC, 16 mm, 16-35mm f/2.8L II

This old chestnut - good fun to do provided the ground is dry. I used softened flash to get enough light on to their faces. Positive EC didn't work so well on its own.

HDR (-2, 0, +2), f/5.6, ISO 200, 16 mm, 16-35mm f/2.8L II

HDR is a convenient way of capturing the full dynamic range in images like this . You can process the same RAW file three times and get a good result (the range above is not that great), but combining three separate exposures in Photomatix is just quicker. I ensure that I have a sufficiently fast shutter speed for the -2 stops exposure and then handhold the camera.

1/1250, f/1.4, ISO 400, -2/3 EV, 35 mm, 35mm f/1.4L

I was shooting indoors at a range of apertures (between 1.4 and 4) and settled on ISO 400 to give me a suitable shutter speed with all of them. I obviously could have lowered the ISO setting above, but the image quality at ISO 400 is so good on the 5D Mark II that there's little to be gained. Just unnecessary fiddling with the camera.

1/80, f/3.2, ISO 400, +2 EV, 16 mm, 16-35mm f/2.8L II

The windows were incredibly bright. EC of +2 was required to see detail in the room.

1/125, f/3.5, ISO 400, -2/3 EV, 30 mm, 16-35mm f/2.8L II

Now negative EC to prevent overexposure of their faces and dresses.

1/125, f/2.8, ISO 400, +1 EV, 29 mm, 16-35mm f/2.8L II

1/400, f/3.2, ISO 640, -1/3 EV, 35 mm, 35mm f/1.4L

1/100, f/2.8, ISO 400, -1 EV, 23 mm, 16-35mm f/2.8L II

1/1000, f/1.4, ISO 50, -1 EV, 35 mm, 35mm f/1.4L

Into open shade again for the group shots.

1/800, f/1.4, ISO 50, -1 EV, 35 mm, 35mm f/1.4L

1/800, f/1.4, ISO 50, -1 EV, 35 mm, 35mm f/1.4L

1/800, f/1.2, ISO 50, -2/3 EV, 85 mm, 85mm f/1.2L II

1/400, f/2, ISO 50, 0 EV, 85 mm, 85mm f/1.2L II

1/500, f/2, ISO 50, -1/3 EV, 85 mm, 85mm f/1.2L II

Giving more, with gentle coaxing from the photographer!

1/320, f/1.4, ISO 200, 0 EV, 35 mm, 35mm f/1.4L

1/320, f/2.8, ISO 800, 0 EV, 16 mm, 16-35mm f/2.8L II

1/500, f/1.4, ISO 400, +1/3 EV, 85 mm, 85mm f/1.2L II

1/100, f/2, ISO 800, 0 EV, 85 mm, 85mm f/1.2L II

Comments or queries always welcome.

My website: Wedding Photographers in Kent

Weddings at Commissioners House Chatham

A selection of photos from Jessica and Levin's wedding at the Commissioner's House in Chatham yesterday are now online. Please check out their wedding gallery.

I'll publish a selection of images with EXIF data and analysis very shortly.

My website: Kent wedding photographers

Commissioners House Chatham Wedding Photography

My website: Wedding Photographers in Kent

For further photography-related information check out my tips for photographers.

I had the pleasure of photographing Jessica and Levin's wedding at the Commissioner's House in Chatham yesterday. Their photos will be online shortly.

My website: Kent wedding photographers

Kits Coty Wedding Photography

A selection of images from Michelle and Paul's wedding at Kits Coty brasserie on Sunday. Please check out their wedding gallery.

1/125, f/3.2, ISO 400, -1/3 EV, 35 mm, 35mm f/1.4L

Fabulous light in a room with north-facing windows (as favoured by artists for their studios). Moving back from the window, the light becomes softer still as light is reflected from interior surfaces.

1/800, f/1.4, ISO 400, -1 EV, 35 mm, 35mm f/1.4

Closer to the window the direction of light is more clearly defined by highlights and shadows. Negative exposure compensation (EC) deals with all the dark tones in the background and prevents overexposure of the face and shoulder.

1/250, f/2.8, ISO 200, -1/3 EV, 16 mm, 16-35mm f/2.8L II

It was a bit of a tight squeeze here so I had to shoot with a focal length of 16mm. Notice the significant depth of field with f/2.8 at 16mm.

1/250, f/2.8, ISO 200, -1/3 EV, 35 mm, 16-35mm f/2.8L II

Michelle was very relaxed in front of the camera. Her excitement and sheer joy are clearly evident. It made my job all the easier!

1/1600, f/1.4, ISO 200, -1/3 EV, 35 mm, 35mm f/1.4L

Mummy and daughter just before setting off for the ceremony. Shooting wide allowed me to minimise distractions.

1/320, f/1.4, ISO 400, -1/3 EV, 35 mm, 35mm f/1.4L

Paul was almost as relaxed as Michelle in front of the camera. Very unusual for a groom but most welcome!

1/200, f/2.2, ISO 400, -2/3 EV, 35 mm, 35mm f/1.4L

1/1250, f/1.4, ISO 400, +1 EV, 35 mm, 35mm f/1.4L

With a bright background positive EC was required.

1/100, f/4.5, ISO 320, 0 EV, 16 mm, 16-35mm f/2.8L II

Michelle and her father were a great double act. Shot at 16mm again. In my opinion a wide angle lens is essential for wedding photography.

1/800, f/1.4, ISO 100, -1 EV, 35 mm, 35mm f/1.4L

1/2000, f/1.4, ISO 125, -1 EV, 35 mm, 35mm f/1.4L

Paul stumbled over a few words during the vows but there was a very supportive environment.

1/320, f/2.8, ISO 125, -2/3 EV, 35 mm, 35mm f/1.4L

1/200, f/2, ISO 1000, -1/3 EV, 35 mm, 35mm f/1.4L

This is only a few metres in from the windows - notice how quickly the light levels drop off.

1/400, f/2.5, ISO 50, -5/3 EV, 35 mm, 35mm f/1.4L

Strike a pose! Almost 2 stops of negative EC takes care of this predominantly dark-toned image.

1/160, f/3.5, ISO 50, -1 EV, 35 mm, 35mm f/1.4L

1/640, f/2.8, ISO 200, -2/3 EV, 16 mm, 16-35mm f/2.8L II

1/160, f/2.5, ISO 50, -1 EV, 85 mm, 85mm f/1.2L II

It was an overcast day which is equivalent to having a softbox above your subjects. The light is diffuse but the top-lighting is not very flattering. Taking the shots in open shade, which obviously eliminates top-lighting, is a great solution for this scenario. I found a shady spot under a few trees for the shot above - the light was fantastic.

1/1000, f/1.2, ISO 50, -4/3 EV, 85 mm, 85mm f/1.2L II

1/100, f/1.4, ISO 50, -1 EV, 35 mm, 35mm f/1.4L

1/60, f/2.8, ISO 1600, 0 EV, 0 FEC, 16 mm, 16-35mm f/2.8L II

Spotlights in low ceilings are rarely good news. Obviously they can be used to good effect when shots are 'stage-managed' but for the situation above it's better to wait until couples are not standing underneath one. I also used a kiss of softened flash to light their faces.

Any comments or queries are always welcome.

My website: Kent wedding photographers