Italian Wedding Photographer Jules

Castello di Vincigliata and San Martino a Mensola

2012-05-12T14:21:00Z

Here are a few images from this wedding. The day started with preparations in a hotel in the center of Florence, there were a few apprehensions about the weather but with preparations keeping everyone busy we just got on with things. From Florence we moved to the church of San Martino a Mensola for the wedding itself and then we proceeded up the hill to Castello di Vincigliata.

Thank you so much again Jules for capturing our day so perfectly. It’s so wonderful to have these as memories of such a brilliant day!

Canon 5D Mark II vs 5D Mark III ISO Noise Comparison

2012-04-21T10:50:29Z

Italian Wedding Photographer Jules

An ISO noise performance comparison for the Canon 5D Mark II and the new Canon 5D Mark III. The images were captured in RAW format with all in camera noise reduction turned off. Seeing as there is currently very little support for the RAW files created by the Canon 5D Mark III both its and the 5D Mark II files were converted to DNG format using Adobe Digital Negative Converter version 6.7.0.319 beta. The DNG files were then opened in Adobe Camera RAW 5.0 and converted into JPEGs, once again all sharpening and noise reduction was turned off.

The images were taken in AV mode with identical settings on both cameras, the white balance was manually set the same on both cameras. The exposure compensation value was also at zero on both cameras.

Besides the apparent improvements in noise reduction the images from the Canon 5D Mark III are more saturated, contrasty, slightly warmer and there is a difference in exposure values between the two although I can’t make any judgements as I have only tested one 5D Mark III. However the image from the 5D Mark II is actually a more accurate representation of the scene in terms of color temperature and color reproduction. One might say that the 5D Mark III image is more pleasing to look at but it is a less accurate reproduction of the scene, the color is too contrasty and saturated.

I think that the 5D Mark III has a stronger in camera anti-aliasing filter which helps with moiré and banding but in my opinion causes the images to be softer/smoother. This can be recovered with some sharpening in post processing.

Looking at the images in a very non technical way for me the images from the 5D Mark III are cleaner but lack some of the character of the 5D Mark II. I might change my opinion about this later when I have photographed more people and real life scenes but even though the Mark III files are improved in noise, color, saturation etc they just seem to be less alive. I know this is a very strange thing to say seeing as how can a photo be alive…. but this is the reason that I changed from Nikon as I just preferred the character of the image from Canon and I always assumed that this was because Nikon seemed to use a stronger anti-aliasing filter which gave reduced iso noise but led to a loss of detail.

Here are samples of the test images taken at ISO 3200, you can click on them to open them in a lightbox and then click the expand icon on the top right of the lightbox, they are not full size but are maximum quality jpegs at 2400 pixels.

First we have the Canon 5D Mark II at 3200 ISO.

Followed by the Canon 5D Mark III at 3200 ISO.

Here we have 100% crops from the test images of both cameras showing ISO performance at ISO 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12600 and 25600. Canon 5D Mark II on the left and Canon 5D Mark III on the right.

Rome, Sant’ Anna in Vaticano

2012-04-16T16:06:16Z

Italian Wedding Photographer Jules

This wedding in Rome took place at the church of Sant’ Anna in Vaticano which is also sometimes called Sant’ Anna dei Palafrenieri. After the ceremony we left the church and the weather suddenly changed and the sun came out, which seeing as it had rained all morning was a welcome sight. We then had an hour to do a very quick tour of a few sites to grab some photos.

Siberian Husky in the Tuscan Snow

2012-02-07T18:39:00Z

Italian Wedding Photographer JulesWith the Siberian cold snap reaching Italy we got quite a lot of snow by Tuscan standards. The temperatures are constantly under zero and the strong winds are making it feel worse. Whilst the cold makes you think twice about going outside I had to photograph my dog in the snow as he loves it!

Autumn wedding in Tuscany

2012-01-19T18:01:11Z

Italian Wedding Photographer Jules

A simple sequence of images taken over about 5-10 mins, it was entering autumn for this Tuscan wedding and so the light disappears quickly when the sun starts to set.

Indian Moments, a glimpse of Rajasthan

2011-12-20T22:42:26Z

Italian Wedding Photographer Jules

When I am not photographing weddings in Italy or abroad I like to try and travel and photograph different cultures and explore new places. I recently returned from a research trip to Rajasthan which is in the north east India, the purpose of the trip was to was to see about the logistics of taking a group of photographers to India on a photography tour where people passionate about photography get to meet and other photographers and learn from each other.

If you would be interested in such a photo tour in India please drop me an email.

To see more of my images from this trip please visit www.leicamoments.com.

Celebrity shoes at Il Borro wedding

2011-12-20T18:18:22Z

Italian Wedding Photographer Jules

The last wedding at Il Borro that I had the pleasure of photographing was of Asian superstar Karen Mok, if you wish to see some of the photos then you can look at the other article.

I just wanted to share 2 details from the event. The tables were set with very unique centerpieces… as the wedding was held at Il Borro which is owned by the Ferragamo family it was very fitting to see some of the shoe collection had been taken from the Ferragamo museum and each table had a pair of shoes worn by a special celebrity and most of them I guess you could say were worn by icons of film, music and fashion such as Marilyn Monroe, Rita Hayworth, Sophia Loren, Ava Gardner and Madonna to name a few.

When I first arrived the tables were still being set up and it wasn’t clear how the shoes were going to be displayed, seeing as they are museum pieces of considerable value I was quite surprised to see them just placed on each table.

Later on in the day when I finally saw the finished room before the dinner it all became clear! Considering where we were and the bride’s involvement in the entertainment world it was a very suitable design element.

Karen Mok official wedding photos

2011-12-06T22:38:47Z

Italian Wedding Photographer Jules

On 1st October 2011 I was honored to be back at Il Borro, the Ferragamo estate, to photograph the wedding of award winning singer and actress Karen Mok. The Hong Kong based singer/actress, who won the Best Mandarin female performer award again this year and has a long string of successful albums and movies under her belt, such as Around the World in 80 Days, Black Mask with Jet Lee and the The Vampire Effect playing Jackie Chan’s drunken bride no less, has tied the knot with German first love Johannes.

It was great to work with Louise Ferragamo (madebymade.it) again after our last event together at Il Borro, and true to style the whole affair was impeccably orchestrated.

Due to the high profile nature of the wedding and for privacy reasons the photos published here only show certain moments of the wedding.

Il Borro. The quiet private village in Tuscany where Karen Mok’s wedding was celebrated. Karen fell in love with Il Borro in 1995 and she chose to get married at the picturesque church in the medieval village of the estate.

These dolls rode on the front of the buggy that transported the bride to the church.

Il Borro church is ideal for an intimate wedding.

Karen Mok’s customised lace wedding gown was designed by Hong Kong designer Johanna Ho. Ferragamo custom-made a one of the kind pair of shoes for her and she was wearing De Beers jewellery. Karen chose a pink colour scheme for her wedding in order to create a romantic atmosphere.

Just one of countless happy moments between Karen and Johannes.

Karen Mok signs the wedding register and we prepare to exit the church.

In Italy to celebrate being just married the guests shower you with rice as it is Italian tradition that brings good luck.

The wedding car was secretly decorated during the wedding ceremony so that it was ready for their departure.

Here we can see the happy couple driving down the driveway as they return to the main villa of Il Borro.

After a beautiful wedding reception we headed outside onto the terrace for cake and champagne.

After the wedding cake the party got started with music and dancing.

Karen dances the night away!

Cypress trees, rolling hills, a tuscan wedding

2011-10-31T08:02:54Z

Italian Wedding Photographer Jules

Of all the places I go photographing weddings in Tuscany has to be one my preferred destinations, yes I am biased because it is always nice to work close to home if you can, but I really do enjoy working in central Italy especially in Tuscany and Umbria. Here are a handful of images, if you want to see more you can here.

Jules captured our wedding day better than any other photographer could. He is a master of beautiful photography and we will cherish these memories for the rest of our lives. He was a pleasure to work with, made us feel completely at ease, and let many beautiful moments exist during those few hours which we will remember forever. Thank you for being part of our wedding day, Jules, and any couple which has their wedding day captured by you, will have gorgeous memories for a lifetime.

A wedding in Asolo

2011-10-31T07:25:13Z

Italian Wedding Photographer Jules

Asolo is a beautiful hill top town located in the province of Treviso not far from Venice. This was my second visit and I was looking forward to it as the previous time I had a lot of fun. Here are just a few photos, if you want to see many more you can by viewing another page where the rest of the images from this wedding in Asolo are located.

I can’t express enough how happy I am with your photos. They are truly gorgeous and captured the feeling of our day perfectly! Thank you SO SO much!!!!!! It was wonderful for me to work with you and the results show your professionalism and artistry. They are too beautiful! Thanks again.