Check out our {wedding portfolio}

Check out our latest {Engagement session with Heather and Jack}

Let me lay down a little back-story. Recently we decided to shoot exclusively using primes. For a number of reasons really, but mainly due to shooting almost exclusively with natural light, and of course a primes lens’ super wide aperture means that, with the correct camera/lens combination, you can shoot virtually in the dark.

So, we sold all the old gear, and Sigma brought out their new ‘Art’ range of prime lenses. To be honest, I didn’t like the styling, and design, so had just passed over the news with a little blissful ignorance. After deciding to use 24mm, 35mm, 50mm and 85mm focal lengths, I looked at Sigmas range a bit closer (I should say at this point, I personally, much prefer Sigmas range of lenses/build quality over Canons – but shoot 5D mkii’s).

Long story short, I thought I’d test out the new 35mm 1.4… I found it for a decent price, and it arrived pretty quickly (I used http://www.procamerashop.co.uk/ ).

I don’t like the lens cap. It reminds me of the 70′s (not that I was alive then). But that really is the worst I can say about this lens. Its build quality is amazing. It feels like its actually helping you create art. Its  robust,  like it could survive a hefty collision with a brick wall.

With that said I’ll let sigma tell you all the rest of the techy stuff – here. I’m not so interested in that stuff, more so in how it feels.

And it feels great. I was worried about the hassle of micro-adjusting the lens before using it, but there was no need. It just worked (on two different bodies). The auto-focus nailed every shot, even when I messed up. Its almost cocky – its that confident that it will claw the focus out of you, and make up for your mistakes. And bare in mind that I’m shooting at f1.4….

These images where taken on two separate days ( -2°C and -6.5°C), with the lens mounted on a Canon 5d mkii. Capturing both details and portraits was a breeze, and reacting to movement was easy, the AF system responds super fast. And its like an electric car – no AF noise whatsoever.

Colour reproduction is awesome. I actually mute colour in Post, so if you’re a high contrast, high saturation type of photographer, you’ll love this lens! The depth of field and detail is spot on, images are sharp even though the lens is wide open at f1.4… Although this brings me to the only downside to this lens. Its minimum focus distance is about 30cm/1ft… but lets be honest, its not a macro lens so this really isn’t a problem for most applications.

I love that this lens grabs focus so quickly, and reacts at lightening speed. I managed to grab this one of my Dad-in-Law taking a group shot of us on his phone. A slower lens would have hunted for focus and missed this image altogether.

Just to reiterate the 35mm’s sharpness again, it captures intricately detailed subjects with honesty – in the image above the fine details found on the fir is sharp from edge to edge, and this is a real bonus. I have alot of lenses that trail off in terms of focus and brightness (vignette) toward the edges, but Sigma have done a great job in dealing with that.

I do hate to use now-cliched words, but the bokeh that this lens produces, is frankly, quite nice. In this scene, the light was limited to a few candles and a big fire, but the AF didn’t suffer any. The sigma in combination with the 5D mkii had no problem at all in getting sharp focus in low light conditions. Brilliant.

And last, but not least, I though I should include a ‘proper’ portrait – I actually went and did this next image half-way through writing this… but I’ll leave you to decide on it…

At the same time its so important to get it right. Casting directors will throw your shot in the recycling straight away if its been airbrushed in post-processing (Photoshop), but it needs a feel of real quality to impress.

Thats where I come in. Check these out:

Prices start from £39 (20 min deal) if your agency/management are part of the special deal – you will have been notified of this deal already, but speak to them/me to check if you’re not sure!

Shoot Options:

1 hour, on location, 1 clothing change: £120

1.5-2 hours, on location, 2-3 clothing changes : £150

With so many people asking what’s in my bag at a wedding, I thought I’d draw all the stuff and let you know!

From a recent wedding at Gisborough Hall

Family Photos

In all of the excitement of a wedding, it can be surprisingly difficult to get time alone with your immediate family. Of course, the wedding itself is about starting your own family, but as the bride or groom it can also be very nice to make sure you share a few moments with the family you grew up with. Set aside a few minutes to have photographs taken with just you and your parents and/or siblings, and you’ll be sure to cherish them in later years.

Ring Arrangements

Another lovely choice for wedding photos that not all couples think of is to have a few artistic shots of the wedding and engagement rings. Whether you have an exquisite 77 Diamonds engagement ring to show off, or you want to focus on the two wedding bands, many wedding photographers have experience taking creative and beautiful pictures that emphasize the rings. For example, some photos might include the rings arranged on the table in front of the wedding cake, or at the bottom of a glass of champagne. These can be fun photos to include in your wedding album.

Bridesmaids & Groomsmen

Naturally, your wedding photography sessions will include the wedding parties in a number of photos. However, you may also want to talk to your photographer about emphasizing the bridesmaids and groomsmen in specific ways. Most brides and grooms will want a few photos with their bridesmaids and groomsmen respectively – but it can also be fun to switch things around. Have a few photos taken with just the bride and the groomsmen, and just the groom and the bridesmaids. You and your spouse will only become closer with each other’s friends as the years go by, which will make these very fun wedding photos to look back on.