How did I shoot this image : Tutorial-01

Photographing the bride at Sunset

General : I focused on my photography and my website for the last few years. Its time for me to reactivate my blog and share my experience and knowledge that I have accumulated during the last 6 years in my tryst with the camera.
I will share how most of the pictures that you click would become out of the box and new visual experience for the viewer. This is not going to be a amateur level tutorials. the tips and techniques that I share are meant for people who know their equipment well and are conversant with the basics of photography.

Introduction: This picture was shot at a Destination Wedding in Jim Corbett.  The Bride is seen taking Mehendi adornment on her hands and feet a day before the wedding ceremony. The Bride Medha, appreciates the beautiful designs made by the young talented Mehendi Artist. Shot during the evening, close to sunset. The soft sunlight falls on her face and creates a dramatic picture.

What's Special : 
Well, for the photographer, the luminance of the sun is such that everything else will become back, if you expose for the sun. If you expose for the light on the face, the sun light will get blown up and all the back ground will be lighted up. It will look like a shot from a mobile phone.

How did I shoot this image :
Camera : Canon 5D Mark-III
Lens : Canon EF 24-70mm, f/2.8L, II USM
Flash : 600 EX-RT
Remote Trigger : ST-E3-RT
Light Modifier : Magmod

- We will try to blend the artificial light from the flash with the natural light.
- Position the flash on a stand in front of the bride. Which means the flash is on the left of the frame. Position it high enough so that it falls directly on the bride and does not fall on the mehendi artist, else she would cast a shadow on the bride.

- Expose the composition for the trees behind the bride and then go 1 stop darker.

- Set the flash at Manual mode to an appropriate setting.
-Fire

 Note : A few hit and trial with the flash power setting would get you the desired results.

EXIF :
Focal length  : 63mm
Shutter speed : 1/200 Sec
Aperture : f/4.5
ISO : 100

Always remember that my exif is good only for the lighting conditions at my location and at that very moment. For you it would be different. So never try to copy the exif.

Hope this article gives you some insight into how I made this image. Let me know if you have questions in your mind. 

You may check out my work here : http://www.soumennath.com/
Facebook Page : https://www.facebook.com/soumen.nath.photography/
Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/soumennathphotography/