Silhouette shots are VERY rare for me -- Nikon D80 Nikkor AF ED 80-200mm f/2.8D @ f/6.3 ISO 200 1/1250thOne reason I think I have come to like Pass-A-Grille Beach at the tip of St. Petersburg so much is because I had never been there before in my previous Florida life. It is still very new to me. I like that it is at the tip of the Pinellas County peninsula too. The end of the line, not built up, not crowded, somewhat forgotten. It stands in opposition to the horror of Clearwater Beach.
Such was the scene for the last beach wedding of the year for me to photograph. Jennifer and John were a jovial couple, not ones to stare deep into the camera, but rather engage in playfulness as I, seemingly unaware to them, photographed them from various distances, such as the above silhouette shot. This type of image is a staple of sunset photography (because it is dead easy to make). Perhaps this is why I have basically never made a professional silhouette shot before this one as I try for very complex dual-strobe light sunset shots offering clients a uniquely creative image.
Nikon D300 Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 @ f/6.3 ISO 200 1/100th Strobist: SB-800 on light stand to left & SB-600 on tripod to rightThe above shot is more my own "typical" sunset beach wedding shot. A two-strobe setup showing the vivid colors provided by west coast Florida sunsets. I suggested to John and Jennifer they do "the dip" and this was the result! This attempt provided the best smiles of the evening. For the record, Jennifer was never in any real danger of falling into the water.
Nikon D300 Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 @ f/6.3 ISO 200 1/100th Strobist: SB-800 on light stand to left SB-600 on tripod to rightAfter "the dip" I suggested Jennifer have some of her own solo camera time. I believe John was doing something behind me to keep Jennifer laughing. I asked her to hold out her flowing dress, which made for a rather princess-like shot I would say.
Nikon D80 Nikkor AF ED 80-200mm f/2.8D @ f/6.3 ISO 200 1/200th Strobist: SB-800 to left SB-600 to rightI am a big fan of the couple looking out to the Sea shot. No doubt this is because I, myself, was born looking out to the Sea by instinct. Therefore, it is only natural that I produce photographs that I would want of myself. Maybe this is what every photographer does? And since we all like different things, this creates different styles among photographers despite the fact we all use very similar photography equipment and shoot at similar locations. My purpose with the above shot for John & Jennifer is for them to look upon this photograph in 2030 and try and remember what they were thinking at, to try to remember what they say that evening looking upon the horizon.