Romancing with the art of photography

Photography, as a storytelling medium

The search is always for that intimate moment that flies past in the blink of an eye; the moment that’s true to itself; that speaks in, and evokes, emotions. My Studio A team and me, we are always aiming to capture the moments that transport you to that time and the place where it happened. Capturing memories since 2010, in India and across the world, each picture comes with its own story.

With each project, the greatest pleasures come with the challenges that derive the solution to some deep puzzle. The solution always comes from a small set of simple principles, tools, and their application in a surprizing way. These simple solutions explain the beauty and elegance of the moment.

Creative take on the clichéd

A pre-wedding shoot isn’t just a picture; it portrays the backstory and the future of the couple’s journey – right from the fateful first meeting to the spark of a lifelong romance, it captures their extraordinary partnership that’s, in this case, an especially delicious memoir in the city of love, Paris. This particular shot that’s peppered with warmth was composed using the Premium G-Master series mid-range telephoto FE 24-70 mm F2.8 GM lens, paired with the 35 mm full frame ILCE-7RM3 camera with autofocus.

The most delightful fragment of their candid moment comes to life with a creative story setting that I worked on with my team. The story begins with Eiffel Tower as an affectionate primer for the composition. While it sets the tone and mood of Paris right in, it stands the risk of the classic, yet clichéd take on the picture. But the same image stands better chances of being unique when layered with another element that gives it a personal touch. For this shot, the flying birds, in action, did it.

Elements & symbolism

Now, there were three elements, one the Eiffel Tower that was static, far away and an architectural masterpiece. Second, the couple, walking towards the camera. The third layer, the fast moving birds needed tactful handling for a composition that patched up all the three layers in a seamlessly wide perspective, yet without any distortion. Each layer needed to stand out individually while letting the other two elements outshine for a complete story.

I chose to use the SEL2470GM peerless standard zoom lens that covers a 24 mm to 70 mm focal length range because its constant F2.8 performance is ideal for portraits, scenery, and snapshots alike.

Continuity in compositions

Capturing the birds in the frame meant adding an element, which we couldn’t control in terms of their movements. It meant we could simply attract them and keep them interested to be a part of the plan by feeding them, and then promptly getting away, with multiple shots. Executing this shot came with its own challenges. In overcoming it, we put to use the large-aperture SEL2470GM with extremely high precision for spot-on blazing focus. For the shot to be as real as possible, we needed to capture the birds in their rapid flight action. The Direct Drive SSM (DDSSM) system of the lens not only minimized their spurious motions, the lens’ advanced control system and refined algorithms too enhanced autofocus operation speed.

Action-stopping shutter speeds are paramount for such dynamic shots with multiple subject movements. A constant, bright, and fast F2.8 at maximum aperture consistently delivered the speed I needed at any focal length.

Embracing challenges as a professional

For the images to serve as an authentic time capsule, the lens proved to be excellent at fast and sharp outputs with an impressive dynamic range. Add to it the professional lens control features, including a focus mode switch, focus hold button, and zoom lock switch, and the lens does wonders for a wide range of shooting situations.

In fact, when travelling for shoots like these, a zoom lock that improves your portability goes a long way. A zoom lens can sometimes extend under their own weight during transportation, and that can be a nuisance while increasing the chance of accidental damage. The zoom lock switch on the SEL2470GM counteracts this issue with a simple, sure way to lock the zoom mechanism for safe, convenient transportation.

Photography and memory

No snapshot can do justice to the original memory of a particular place, a person, a feeling, a smell, or a taste. However, what it most definitely can do is hold still an intensely beautiful and layered memory in its totality. For some of the biggest moments of our lives, especially marriage for most, it is key for the clicked memory to thread our lives together.

For a wedding photographer, it is crucial to find what the couple finds worth keeping alive, worth possessing, for the rest of their lives. Only a perfect marriage of innovation and creativity can turn raw material into heart-warming photographs that testify their intimacy and speak of their togetherness for ages to come.