8th wedding for 2007

[cwphoto]

Bride in mirror.

Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II & EF 135mm f/2 L USM. 1/50s @ f/2.8, ISO 400:

[cwphoto]

Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II & EF 85mm f/1.2 L II USM. 1/160s @ f/2, ISO 400:

[cwphoto]

Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II & EF 85mm f/1.2 L II USM. 1/125s @ f/2, ISO 400:

[cwphoto]

Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II & EF 135mm f/2 L USM. 1/125s @ f/2.2, ISO 400:

[cwphoto]

Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II & EF 85mm f/1.2 L II USM. 1/160s @ f/2, ISO 400:

[cwphoto]

Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II & EF 85mm f/1.2 L II USM. 1/125s @ f/2, ISO 100:

[cwphoto]

Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II & EF 14mm f/2.8 L USM. 1/320s @ f/2.8, ISO 100:

[cwphoto]

Canon EOS-1D Mark II N & EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM @ 200mm. 1/250s @ f/4, ISO 200:

[cwphoto]

Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II & EF 135mm f/2 L USM. 1/1,250s @ f/3.5, ISO 100:

[coldrain]

Yikes.... did your 14mm f2.8 L find its way home again?

Beautiful bride again... lovely shot at the window!

[cwphoto]

Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II & EF 24-70mm f/2.8 L USM @ 70mm. 1/100s @ f/2.8, ISO 100:

[cwphoto]

Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II & EF 35mm f/1.4 L USM. 1/1,000s @ f/2.5, ISO 400:

[cwphoto]

Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II & EF 135mm f/2 L USM. 1/200s @ f/2, ISO 100:

[cwphoto]

Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II & EF 135mm f/2 L USM. 1/200s @ f/2, ISO 400:

[cwphoto]

Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II & EF 135mm f/2 L USM. 1/125s @ f/2.8, ISO 400:

[cwphoto]

Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II & EF 135mm f/2 L USM. 1/100s @ f/2, ISO 800:

[cwphoto]

Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II & EF 85mm f/1.2 L II USM. 1/160s @ f/2, ISO 800:

[RichNY]

Another great job. I think this is one of the best wedding series I've seen you post. It's also nice to see that your work is getting noticed on the big Island and you are starting to book better looking brides ;)

[cwphoto]

Yikes.... did your 14mm f2.8 L find its way home again?

Beautiful bride again... lovely shot at the window!

Thanks Cold. :)

Unfortunately not. :( Courtesy of CPS (same with the 1Ds).

[Dawoofo]

Outstanding delivery as usual, but I agree this one is even a notch above all the previous ones. :) Favorite is the one with the kissing shadows.

[cwphoto]

Outstanding delivery as usual, but I agree this one is even a notch above all the previous ones. :) Favorite is the one with the kissing shadows.

Thanks Dawoofo - I'm really trying to push a few boundaries lately - some of it works, some of it doesn't but hey that's what's good about digital!

Now just need to learn how to clone out that tap on the shadows shot...:o

[JMWallace]

Thanks again for some more to add to my "stolen favorites to copy at my weddings" file:D :D.

One big thing that makes me jealous is the venues you get to shoot. It really does lend it self to creative license.

Around here, we get stuck in drab, dreary, dimly lit, gothic churches with horrible tungsten lighting. It can make for a real challenge. We don't see many back yard/home/outside ceremonies.

So are they the "norm" down under or is it the more of the market you have placed yourself in?

At any rate, the stuff you produce with what I DREAM of being able to do someday!!

One of these days, I would like you to bring a videographer with you. I am curious about how often your change you lenses. I would be interested in seeing your process throughout a day. Do you generally just carry the one MK2n or do you have 2 or 3 around your neck at all times with different lenses on them and a bunch of belt pouches your pulling and dropping lenses into?

Maybe you could make a little $$ with an instructional video...our you could just pop something up on utube :p.

[cwphoto]

Thanks again for some more to add to my "stolen favorites to copy at my weddings" file:D :D.

One big thing that makes me jealous is the venues you get to shoot. I really does lend it self to creative license.

Around here, we get stuck in drab, dreary, dimly lit, gothic churches with horrible tungsten lighting. It can make for a real challenge. We don't see many back yard/home/outside ceremonies.

So are they the "norm" down under or is it the more of the market you have placed yourself in?

At any rate, the stuff you produce with what I DREAM of being able to do someday!!

One of these days I would like you to bring a videographer with you. I am curious about how often your change you lenses. I would be interested in seeing your process through out a day. Do you generally just carry the one MK2n or do you have 2 or 3 around your neck at all times with different lenses on them and a bunch of belt pouches your pulling and dropping lenses into?

Maybe you could make a little $$ with an instructional video...our you could just pop something up on utube :p.

Thanks JM.

I think I'm fortunate that my market has these sorts of weddings. And this particular venue: http://www.milton-park.com.au/MP_Flash_2.html I have now visited a few times - so now I am getting referrals from people who have seen what I do here, so it goes around in a circle.

I normally carry just one body - the Mark II N. For this wedding I had a 1Ds Mark II for some reason (think I had borrowed it the day before from CPS to do interiors with the 14mm) so I used that for most of the shots so that I could get re-acquainted with FF for weddings - which I prefer the look (even if it takes getting a bit used to the different look from the lenses).

I change lenses quite a bit I guess. I keep them all in a Lowe-Pro Rolling Compu-Trekker Plus AW so they are never far away.

It was handy having two bodies at times - particularly during the service as it meant I didn't have to dart back into my bag much.

I know what you can do: book a wedding for us both around the same time as the US F1 GP and I'll be your second shooter! :D

[GaryS]

I know what you can do: book a wedding for us both around the same time as the US F1 GP and I'll be your second shooter! :D

Thats going to be tricky.... First practice is going on as I type this. And it sounds like this will be the last one (at least the last at Indy). Bernie and Tony are not getting along anymore.

[cwphoto]

Thats going to be tricky.... First practice is going on as I type this. And it sounds like this will be the last one (at least the last at Indy). Bernie and Tony are not getting along anymore.

Bugger, IMS is a great venue for F1.

Where to now? Back to the car park of Caesar's Palace in LV? :rolleyes:

[24Peter]

Hey Christian -
I'm taking a longer look at your photos here. You obviously have a high level of talent and much experience and most of these bear that out. And I thought maybe you'd appreciate some specific feedback.

#1 - Mirror shots are always nice. I could probably go for a little less empty space at the top of the photo. Also, the verticle horizon seems just a bit off. Wish her face was in the light or perhaps looking at her own relfection (you probably have one of those too.)

#2 - beautiful expression. Again, not sure about the composition. What's hanging to the left of your bride? Do we need to see that? (maybe you wanted the bouquet on the bed.) An overall tighter framing might work better for me. Then the hot spot on the hip. I'm sure you did the best you could with that but I wish that light were on her face. (ie, her face were the brightest thing in the image.)

#3 - see comments above.

#4 - one of the best of bunch for me. She seems quite relaxed with you. But it looks dark on my monitor. Maybe punch it up a bit?

#5 - Bride on Bed - another lovely shot, though she seems to be in the shadows compared to the flowers. I would have switched places.

#6 - Another really nice shot but I'm finding the right foreground to be distracting and again feel like there's too much empty space above your subject. A tighter crop perhaps.

#7 - Wide angle - this would probably make a nice print but for me too much information. I assume you have some close-ups of them taking their vows. Also - tough lighting conditions - you lost all your detail in the left foreground of the pic.

#8 - Happy Bride - another nice one (too bad about the squint but obviously you can't control that.)

#9 - nice candid moment (shadows from tree branches made your life tough I'm sure though.)

#10 - well done. Would also love to see a low angle close up shot of the couple's faces - maybe taken from right next to the flowers at table level.

#11 - backlit shots are always tough but you did a really nice job here. I'm guessing you picked your vantage point to avoid flare. Would you ever consider using some fill flash here?

#12 - Bride looking over grooms shoulder - probably nicest shot of the bunch - but again for me, bit too much headroom. I also desparately want to see a close up of the same shot. 70-200 2.8 might have given you that option?

#13 - Reflections - ummm - tough choice here: do I go for the full arch or full reflection? For me, the cut off reflection is a bit distracting. I might have tried to go tighter and get just the couple and their full reflection without the archway.

#14 - Shadows - Wow! what an eye. But again, what's with your horizons? Maybe it's me but the image seems to tilt towards the right. Also maybe a tighter crop of just the couple and their shadow?

#15 - 16 - nice ones.

I don't mean to demean what you've done. The fact is, your photos are consistently quite good. I'm sure I couldn't do 1/10th as good as job as you have here. And I realize it's also easy to give criticism in hindsight after the photos are done v. being in the moment trying to deal with all that's going on and still get "the shot." I just thought you might appreciate more input than my usual "good ones Christian!" (Oh boy - can't wait 'til I post my next set of pics... :eek:)

[adam75south]

you are king of the natural light christian.

there are a few where i would have rather had some flash added. mainly the one where she's looking in the mirror. and i love mirror shots too. and still a very nice shot.

i love the shadows shot.

the first toast shot is almost too good. you cut the grooms foot off, but i'm sure you already know that.

another very solid set. your posts always inspire me.

btw, i know you said you don't have photoshop...so if you ever need any clones done feel free to send them my way. everything i see in these pictures that could use cloning can be done withing 15 seconds of opening the image. especially the one you were talking about in the shadows shot. this was done with my favorite clone tool...the patch tool.

[D Thompson]

Now just need to learn how to clone out that tap on the shadows shot...:o

That should be easy given the location of it. I'll give it a shot if you want.

As always - great shots. My favorite is #2 (Bride standing by bed).

[JMWallace]

I know what you can do: book a wedding for us both around the same time as the US F1 GP and I'll be your second shooter! :D

...are you sure you want to make an offer like that??

Well, as has already been stated Indy is out of the question for this year. BUT, I'll keep an eye on their calendar for next year!

Here is something locally exciting though. The Detoit Grand Prix is back on for this year thanks to Roger Penske. Link to site ----> http://www.detroitgp.com/. American Le Mans on 9/1 and Indy car on 9/2.

Just so happens I have a wedding scheduled for Aug 25 and Sept 15. My first TWO official solo's!! Can you possibly set something up on THAT short of notice??

[aparmley]

Unlike Pete all I can say is . . . very good very good well done! My two favorite are the reflections and shadow photos.

[michaelb]

Class A work, all of these are just fabulous and I generally have no interest in wedding photos!!!!

The kissing shadows tops them all for me, though; this is simply amazing.

You must be changing lenses constantly!

[Nickcanada]

I've often wondered about your camera tilts. You obviously have a keen eye for exposure and sharpness etc.

I'm going to try and guess why you do it (assuming it's on purpose) but I do think tilting the camera can be a good method for getting that "candid" look that everyone is crazy about. Getting a shot perfect as far as composition is going to make people think "posed".

So I don't know why you do it, but I like it because it gives me the sense that I am peeking in on a special moment. I think that is the strength of your wedding work.

[RichNY]

I've often wondered about your camera tilts. You obviously have a keen eye for exposure and sharpness etc.

I'm going to try and guess why you do it (assuming it's on purpose) but I do think tilting the camera can be a good method for getting that "candid" look that everyone is crazy about. Getting a shot perfect as far as composition is going to make people think "posed".

So I don't know why you do it, but I like it because it gives me the sense that I am peeking in on a special moment. I think that is the strength of your wedding work.

If you look carefully he always shoots a lot more tilts after the cocktail hour ;)

[cwphoto]

If you look carefully he always shoots a lot more tilts after the cocktail hour ;)

My cover is blown. :o

[cwphoto]

Hey Christian -
I'm taking a longer look at your photos here. You obviously have a high level of talent and much experience and most of these bear that out. And I thought maybe you'd appreciate some specific feedback.

#1 - Mirror shots are always nice. I could probably go for a little less empty space at the top of the photo. Also, the verticle horizon seems just a bit off. Wish her face was in the light or perhaps looking at her own relfection (you probably have one of those too.)

#2 - beautiful expression. Again, not sure about the composition. What's hanging to the left of your bride? Do we need to see that? (maybe you wanted the bouquet on the bed.) An overall tighter framing might work better for me. Then the hot spot on the hip. I'm sure you did the best you could with that but I wish that light were on her face. (ie, her face were the brightest thing in the image.)

#3 - see comments above.

#4 - one of the best of bunch for me. She seems quite relaxed with you. But it looks dark on my monitor. Maybe punch it up a bit?

#5 - Bride on Bed - another lovely shot, though she seems to be in the shadows compared to the flowers. I would have switched places.

#6 - Another really nice shot but I'm finding the right foreground to be distracting and again feel like there's too much empty space above your subject. A tighter crop perhaps.

#7 - Wide angle - this would probably make a nice print but for me too much information. I assume you have some close-ups of them taking their vows. Also - tough lighting conditions - you lost all your detail in the left foreground of the pic.

#8 - Happy Bride - another nice one (too bad about the squint but obviously you can't control that.)

#9 - nice candid moment (shadows from tree branches made your life tough I'm sure though.)

#10 - well done. Would also love to see a low angle close up shot of the couple's faces - maybe taken from right next to the flowers at table level.

#11 - backlit shots are always tough but you did a really nice job here. I'm guessing you picked your vantage point to avoid flare. Would you ever consider using some fill flash here?

#12 - Bride looking over grooms shoulder - probably nicest shot of the bunch - but again for me, bit too much headroom. I also desparately want to see a close up of the same shot. 70-200 2.8 might have given you that option?

#13 - Reflections - ummm - tough choice here: do I go for the full arch or full reflection? For me, the cut off reflection is a bit distracting. I might have tried to go tighter and get just the couple and their full reflection without the archway.

#14 - Shadows - Wow! what an eye. But again, what's with your horizons? Maybe it's me but the image seems to tilt towards the right. Also maybe a tighter crop of just the couple and their shadow?

#15 - 16 - nice ones.

I don't mean to demean what you've done. The fact is, your photos are consistently quite good. I'm sure I couldn't do 1/10th as good as job as you have here. And I realize it's also easy to give criticism in hindsight after the photos are done v. being in the moment trying to deal with all that's going on and still get "the shot." I just thought you might appreciate more input than my usual "good ones Christian!" (Oh boy - can't wait 'til I post my next set of pics... :eek:)

Thanks for the detailed feed-back Pete - really appreciate it.

A lot of what you said makes sense, particularly some of the tilts (a tough habit to break) and my framing/cropping. As I know you will appreciate, there are many compromises with wedding photography as you try and balance time, environment, lighting, posing, and personality - so while there is certainly room for improvement in every shot, sometimes you make compromises on the fly - well that's my excuse anyway!

Plus I am getting sloppy with my old age!

[Honest Gaza]

Just beautiful CW.

The very first shot (in the mirror) is my favourite, followed very closely by the shadows shot (minus the tap as you previoulsy noted).

[zmikers]

You certainly had a lovely subject to work with, but regardless, great work as usual. I agree, the mirror and shadow shots are my favorite too. I also like the one of the B&G where just the bride is looking back.:D

[forno]

I dont mind some tilts as you may see in a few of my recent shots

Mate once again cracking work, you and the bride connected in the first few to make some absolute crackers:D

She is hawt too:p

[black_z]

Awesome shots!! :)

The popular favorites are also mine!

[cwphoto]

Hey Christian -
#12 - Bride looking over grooms shoulder - probably nicest shot of the bunch - but again for me, bit too much headroom. I also desparately want to see a close up of the same shot. 70-200 2.8 might have given you that option?

Pete - I just wanted to revisit this one. Upon looking through quite a few more samples you have hit on something.

I was using the 1Ds Mark II for most of the day and the focus points don't reach as far into the sides of the frame as the 1D Mark II N - hence I consistently found I have more 'space' at frame's edge than normal.

Thanks for pointing it out and something I need to keep in mind when using a FF camera (I wonder if the 5D is the same?). :)

[Vich]

Thanks CW, quite an inspiration. Beautiful bride and setting. Love the 14mm work (lost lens? missed that story, sorry to hear it).

Just one Bride Beautiful shot after another.

[24Peter]

I was using the 1Ds Mark II for most of the day and the focus points don't reach as far into the sides of the frame as the 1D Mark II N - hence I consistently found I have more 'space' at frame's edge than normal.

Thanks for pointing it out and something I need to keep in mind when using a FF camera (I wonder if the 5D is the same?). :)

Well funny you should mention that: when I shot with the 5D I had the same problem. Say what you will about the XT but it's external most focus points reach almost the edge of the frame - very handy for nice portrait style compositions. On the 5D, they ain't no focus points out there so I constantly ran into the problem you describe. With the 5D I found I needed to lock focus and recompose nearly every shot. Certainly different than the way I've been shooting so I can see why using two different cameras you might have this issue.

I really want to emphasize again, overall these are great photos Christian. I was serious when I said I probably couldn't do 1/10th as good a job. And b/c you're so good I figured some specific feedback might be welcomed. :)