a simple way to photograph bride and groom's details

...during wedding prep.

the best time to photograph the bride and groom's details (bouquet, rings, shoes, jewelry, garter, cuff links, watches, earrings etc..) is during wedding prep, this is when the bride is getting her makeup done or the groom is dressing.

my favorite and easiest way to do it is to use window light, remember at weddings keep lighting as simple as possible because of the time constraints i.e. use as much as the available light sources as possible.

using window light

1. look for non competing-creative textures, reflections, and compositions
2. mount the detail  within 4 feet from the window
3. turn off the room lights to avoid mixed lighting
4. mount the detail at the height of the window
5. light the detail at 45 degree or 90 degree depending on taste
6. if the window light is too harsh you can purchase white nylon ripstop and use thumbtacks to quickly put it over the window as a diffusion panel.
7. custom white balance you camera
8. use any white surface to bounce light on the shadow side of the detail.

no window light?

bounce your flash off the white side of your reflector or a wall

not possible during prep

do it during the reception. bounce your flash off a reflector



keep kewl!