We’ve been chatting about technique over on Clubhouse, including thinking about our Focal Length choices. So this shot grabbed my interest for a few reasons. First of all, I think it is always interesting when photographers choose to shoot in a landscape but veer away from the landscape format. As you can see, Brideen and Deci at Simple Tapestry chose to frame this in portrait mode. I also think it’s a different perspective presented when a wide angle lens is not used. Like they say, the choice of an 85mm lens gives us less of the landscape but also draws the couple out of it more than a wider lens might.
In addition, there’s a softness to the cliffs that gives a painterly feel and this has been achieved by the low depth of field afforded by that lens choice. This image has been constructed with great care, then they have allowed the couple to be in their moment and reach an intimate connection with each other. The final je ne sais quoi is that movement at the bottom of her dress and the back of his suit jacket. The wind seems to be gently whipping around them, giving it joyful energy.
Let’s see what Brideen and Deci had to say about this shot below…
Sony A7III | Zeiss Batis 85mm F1.8 | f1.8 | 1/4000 | ISO 100
OWN PRESET
What BRIDEEN AND DECI HAD TO SAY…
“Zoee and Sean are two fantastic Canadians who had their destination wedding in Ireland. As they live far from the ocean, we thought we’d treat them to some amazing Donegal sea cliffs.
When shooting in locations like this, the first thought is to shoot with a wide lens, but we love to get some distance from the couple and shoot on an 85. The compression you get at those focal lengths draws the landscape in closer, giving it an even greater sense of vastness.”