Lots of setup for this shot - Nikon D300 Nikkor AF ED 80-200mm f/2.8D lens @ f/4 ISO 200 1/500th strobist: SB-600 off camera @ 1/2 powerMost of the weddings I have been photographing lately have been on the beach at sunset. This one was also on the beach, but in the late morning. Even in May this mean we would feel the Florida sun's near full wrath. I was of course clad in synthetic breathable materials, very breathable. The bride, however, was in a beautiful but no doubt not breathable wedding dress. So I made sure we made for what shade there was to get shots like the above, that both gave cover from the strong sun rays as well as softer light. That shot also took a good amount of time to setup, making sure the hand placement was flattering, the strobe was coming in at the best angle, all while I was quite far away shooting with my Nikkor AF ED 80-200mm f/2.8D lens, at the full 200mm. I wanted a shallow DoF (depth of field) for the shot requiring me to use a large aperture and long focal length.
Braving the sun - Nikon D300 Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 @ f/11 ISO 200 1/500th strobist: SB-600 on light stand to left 1/2 powerThe sky was very blue that morning and the sea, BP oil free still, very green. One is usually always pressed for time when doing the formal shots after the wedding ceremony, all the more so when guests are under threat of melting. The bride, Cathie, and her maid-of-honor were the only two in full wedding attire. I tried to work as fast as I could to get the shots they wanted of the two of them together. We were in direct sunlight for the above shot, no diffuser.
Gulf of Mexico backdrop - Nikon D300 Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 @ f/11 ISO 200 1/640th SB-600 hot shoe mounted in TTL modeIn the end everyone survived, though perhaps a pound or two lighter. The wedding reception was to be at Ft. Desoto Park, where I am sure Cathie was happy to finally be out of wedding dress!