Sometimes all of the factors needed to make a great photo come together and you end up with a portrait like the one above. We have received rave reviews for this particular image and as I look at it again, I realize that circumstances beyond a wedding photographer's control will often aid in making a great shot. Sure, most photographers will tell you that they plan every great shot and controlled all of the factors. The truth is we all are looking for that perfect moment and it doesn't always occur without some luck.
For this particular image we had a bride with an attractive profile, nice subtle flower colors and of course the beautiful veil. Probably the most important factor present in this photo is that it was raining outside. You can see some evidence of this in the window and also how it adds to the beauty of this photo taken in a 3rd floor window at San Francisco City Hall. My first instinct when making this image was to use some reflective light to bring out the detail in the dress and flowers.
However, I ended up just bouncing my flash against the opposite wall on a very low setting to add the small highlights you see in this image. This made it more of a silhouette and added to the drama of the image. Sometimes the best San Francisco city hall wedding images are created by the circumstances present and all we can do is enhance them. I think in this case, we did a nice job enhancing what was already a great image.
To silhouette or not, that is the question. The answer is simple. Do not overdo it. Just like every photographic technique, it is good to work with it, but don't let it dominate your shoot. I figure each San Francisco city hall wedding is good for maybe one or two Silhouettes. Of course, a lot depends upon the circumstances present that day. Is the light proper? Is there a good location? These are the types of questions I ask myself while looking for this shot. Some of my most impactful wedding images have been silhouettes, so I continue to pursue them. Back light is essential and the photo will not turn out correctly if there is too much front light. So it is definitely a delicate balance. If you love these types of photos, feel free to ask us to do more. Please check out our city hall pricing page for more information about packages for your wedding.
