This Image of the Week was created during the early part of the day, which I really enjoy, the ‘getting ready’. It was Poppy and Boz‘ wedding day, and here is Poppy checking her make-up as her mum Cherry looks on in the background. I like this time together, as it gives everyone time to settle in, and get used to being in the presence of a photographer, all of us anticipating the excitement to come. Nothing is set up or directed, it’s pure documentary photography.
It was shot on a lens I’m growing to love, my 50mm f1.4 prime. The exposure was 60th at 1.4, the ISO was as low as I dared at 250. I like the lens because I can shoot in low light levels, and when the aperture is wide open, as it is here, anything behind the point of focus goes beautifully and extremely out of focus. This gives the image great depth, and Cherry looks quite ethereal, which gives the image a lovely softness, and hints at the story unfolding – mother proudly watching her daughter prepare for her wedding.
The photo has a strong triangular composition, with a strong line falling from the apex (Cherry’s head) down along her arm and through Poppy’s eyes to her hands. Your gaze then tracks back along the base of the triangle and up again. It was composed in camera, and converted to black and white in Photoshop.
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