And into the woods we go…
The final instalment of our first 3 parter post. To find more information about the shoot check out part one of the blog.
After we had shot in the Elveden Churchyard and amoungst the out buildings of the Elveden Estate we headed into the pine forests as the sun was setting. The final image of part 2 shows me using my 70-200 2.8 straight into the sun and achieving some wonderfully warm images and some cool sun flares. The focusing was a nightmare as there was so little contrast its was searching all over the place without locking on. So I had to go manual whilst looking into the sun (not recommended, instant head ache!)
I visited this location 24 hours earlier so I knew where the sun would be setting and at what time. This allowed me to get the models ready and in place without rushing around. Getting my Elinchrom Quadra set up ready for the finale shot!
The above image wasn’t going to make it into the blog post until I saw the coolest lens flare. Check out the upside down profile of Peter on the tree on the left of the picture. No idea how that happened but I love it!
The image below was of Lindsey. She had her back to the sun. This gave her hair a beautiful rim light that separates her from the background.
Out with the hardware now. The Elinchrom Quadra lighting gear is perfect for this kind of location shooting. I’m using it more and more these days as it offers almost complete lighting control and it’s very portable. I was trying different crops, compositions and shutter speeds. These next few images are some of my favourites.
Peter actually volunteered shinning up the tree before I asked him to, good on ya Peter 🙂
I think the models were questioning my sanity as I was laying on the floor in the nettles. It gave me this dynamic low point of view that gives some foreground shapes and perspective lines in the tress stretching into the darkening night sky (see above right image). I then started running back into the dark forest to get the below shot. What makes working with off camera flash units like the Quadra is that once you have the right exposure (in manual mode), you have the time to concentrate on the creativity, framing and composition. 
I hope you have enjoyed this mini 3 part blog. I really had an amazing day learning more about OCF and pushing myself to the next level. I hope to bring this kind of work to my future clients as part of their wedding day, corporate imagery or family portrait. I have a few more shoots lined up for December that will be using off camera flash. If you fancy helping out on any of these and want to come along drop us a line. I’ll also be using my NEW lighting gear… All will be reviled in my next post 🙂
Finally, I’d like to thanks the models for offering their services for the shoot. Laura from Love Miss Daisy for the styling and wardrobe.
Be sure to check out the other related posts: Part 1 : Part 2
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4 Comments
Just wanted to let you know that i’ve just come across your website/blog by accident and am absolutely loving these pics!!!! wicked!! esp love the one of the couple walking up the lane, almost silouhette, so warm and romantic!! stunning perfect wedding shot!!!
Would love to see more of what you do, am always trying to do new things with the sun etc but when it comes to it on the actual wedding day…. you know as well as me, just doesn’t seem enough time to get too adventurous!!!
So cool, well done! xxx
Great imaginative shoot with a real fairytale style. Love the use of the Quadra to spotlight the subjects so effectively. Hope your retina has recovered from burning out mate!!!
@Emma – Thanks for the comment. The backlit pics came about from to a recee of the location the day before. It all about the planning, I got the couple here 20 mins early so I had time to get the shot I was after. Thanks again 🙂
@CliffB – Had a headache for 24 hours afterwards! But it was worth it. The Quadra rocks! You got to get one 🙂