"Sculpted By The Light"© David A. Ziser
Every now and then I'm presented with a situation where the subject, the background, and the lighting come together to produce an outstanding portrait. That's how I feel about this image. Call me old fashioned, but I love this portrait study of the bride. Notice I used the term "portrait study." That means we get to explore the line, shape, and form of the subject sculpted by the beautiful window light. We get to study the composition of the scene - the straight lines of the mantle contrasting with the curved lines of the arched mirror and the chair to the bride's right. We also get to enjoy how the bride's shape and form compliment as resonate with the surrounds. Notice how the texture of her gown seems to repeat itself in the scroll work of the mantle. The image is just a pleasure to view. It's an image full of inner voices that let the viewer study, appreciate, and enjoy the composition presented. Camera specs; Canon 40D fitted with 24-105mm IS lens at 32mm, F 4.0 @ 1/50 second, ISO 640. Enjoy! -David
I really enjoy not only your pictures but your comments on your pictures as well. I have learned so much from your blog. Thank you for your dedication to your `students` :)
ReplyDeleteDavid I truly enjoy reading your blog along with admiring your work. You have a fantastic eye and do outstanding work. But I have to call "BS" on the above image and fancy words.
ReplyDeleteEverytime I look at this image my eyes are drawn to the bright lights above the brides head. Then they go far right past the flowers to the other bright light showing and I end up looking at flowers.
The bride "portrait" is the last thing I "study" and is almost non existent in this photo. Not your best work the overall image drowns the bride.
Thank you for sharing with us your technique and fresh ideas. You are a real inspiration and help for us, the young and inexperienced photographers out there.
ReplyDeleteI learned from you so many things about Lightroom 2. In the same time I got contaminated with taking care of the light in my photos. I still have a long path to go, but I am happy I heard about it and what direction to turn to.
Thank you!
This is an awesome image. I love how it is not completely focused on the bride, but it still works. With the flowers on the mantle and the pattern similar to the brides dress, she is one with here surroundings, which are also beautiful. Were there any light modifiers/strobes/reflectors used in this image?
ReplyDeleteDavid,
ReplyDeleteI hate to sound crass but was your subject a "bride" or a model? Her "presence" on camera is incredible and most people don't seem this comfortable being photographed.
Jeff
I just want to say thank you for sharing your techniques with all of us budding amateur wedding photographers.
ReplyDeleteYour blog is like a ritual for me to following everyday!
thanks again,
David C.
Really beautiful light and a nice profile make htis work for me.
ReplyDeleteDavid,
ReplyDeleteJust wanted to let you know I LOVE this image. I don't care if the subject is a real bride or model, I don't care if your eyes want to dance from light fixture to light fixture the tonalities, textures, ease of pose and the total overall, complete presentation of this image looks "Mastery" - looks timeless to me. It reminds me of the portrait studies painted by the old master's and I imagine this as a fine oil painting 40x60 or larger displayed in some great museum. Wonderful!