Equipment
A great chef with a simple stove can conjure up a far superior meal to the average Joe who has a top of the line Aga oven. Give the great chef access to the Aga, and the food will be truly amazing!
Having the best tools available on the market, gives an extra assurance that, combined with experience, knowledge and flair, the results will be the best they can be. In this section, I outline the some of the equipment I use and why. All you really need to know is that no expense has been spared, in pursuit of the highest quality possible.
Here is a breakdown of some of the key equipment I use on Wedding Shoots. Lenses used are from the L (Luxury) Canon Pro Series.
Cameras & Lenses
Canon 5d Mark 3 & 2
The best SLR for event photography. 22 Megapixels, incredible high ISO performance, superfast autofocus. This equates to great images in all situations, low light, fast moving, these challenging situations are very manageable with this camera
Canon 35mm f/1.4 L
This lens is incredibly sharp. With an aperture of f/1.4, it gathers 4 x more light than an f/2.8 lens…many event photographers exclusively use 24-70mm f/2.8 and 70-200mm f/2.8 lenses. These lenses are high quality, but limited. In low light the difference is marked. In addition, it allows for a much shallower depth of field. This means focus can be much more precise, allowing for much better ‘bokeh’, the blurred out background effect which gives that special look to pictures.
Canon 17-40mm f/4 L
This super wide lens is great in tight spaces, when trying to grab group shots with little space. For environmental shots, it is super sharp, contrasty and very versatile.
Canon 100mm Macro
This specialist lens has two main uses. I often use it for a mere handful of shots on a wedding. Yet those shots are special. It allows extreme close ups, ideal when photographing rings, fine detail in the decor. In addition it is an excellent portrait lens, retaining fine detail.
Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 IS L
This lens has a far reach, image stabilisation and for its focal length, a wide aperture. For natural portraits, times when you cannot get close, this lens is fantastic. Images are tack sharp and have a unique look.
Canon 85mm f/1.2 L
This is my favourite lens. The pictures from it are unbelievable. It’s tough to use, the depth of field is so shallow! This is what allows it to produce truly special images.
Other Accessories
There are many additional products used on shoots, here are a few of the core products used.
Canon 580 EX II Flashes
Top of the range flashes used, powerful when needed, fully adjustable. Also, of camera wireless TTL is used for certain effects
Studio Lighting
As an optional extra in pre-wedding shoots & weddings themselves, I offer the option of a small studio style shoot. With portable battery packs, there is the option for on location shooting.
