Dark arts and smiley faces

Everybody shoots portraits, easy to do but so difficult to get good results. All you need is basic equipment, a camera with a standard lens, some light (natural or flash) and of course – a subject. The challenge is to reach into the character of the person and try to present a small slice of that multidimensional quality on a flat picture. Wedding photographers are the experts in this area, although some sceptics would say that their only aim is ‘happy and beautiful’ pictures at weddings but who wants miserable wedding photos, besides a portrait including  these two ethereal aspects are the most endearing and pleasing of pictures (that is why they sell so well!).

I dont do that many weddings because of my commitments at surf contests most weekends but was stoked to do some shots for some dear friends to celebrate their Las Vegas wedding back here in noerth Devon. So,  here’s my little bash at the dark arts of portraiture from Smiffy and Lorna’s wedding reception at the Red Barn. As always if you click on the picture you can view it al little larger.         Canon 5D, Canon 1D mk2, 50mm f1.4, 24mm-70mm f2.8  & Metz 54 MZ-4 flash