As a photographer, there are certain times when you might want to use a relatively slow shutter speed in order to increase exposure time. An example of such an occasion is when photographing a scene containing moving water and you want the movement of the water to be captured as a milky mist for dramatic effect.

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An interesting question recently came up in a forum regarding one of my HDR composite Buttermere landscape images,

Why choose HDR?

High Dynamic Range (HDR) imaging techniques aren’t new. They’ve actually been around since the 1930s, but have only really become accessible in mainstream digital photography relatively recently with the release of HDR software aimed at the amateur and professional market.

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I took part in a poll recently that asked a very similar question to this post’s title, but it was asking whether or not I captured images or created them.

At first, my response was very clear; I was someone who captures images whether they’re portraits of people, animals, wedding shots, macro shots of plant life. My logic was that you couldn’t create images without there being something - already created - to capture. Taking photos at a wedding you’ve got to create sounds like a lot of hard work!

More recently, as I’ve spent more time and effort in post processing, I’ve felt like the balance has shifted somewhat over to the creation side of the equation as my final images are far from where they begin.

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Based in Bristol, UK, Damien Lovegrove originally trained as a BBC cameraman and lighting director. He took the world of wedding photography by storm with his own unique style of photography back in 2000 and has since become one of the biggest names in wedding and portrait photography.

Alongside a range of exclusive photography services, Damien also lectures; offering workshops, seminars and even mentoring. As well as face-to-face sessions, Damien’s teachings are available in two tutorial style DVDs; Using Natural Light on Location and Using Flash on Location.

In his DVD, Using Natural Light on Location, Damien talks through a number of portrait sessions with a variety of male and female models in various locations. As the title of the DVD suggests, the sessions use natural light only and Damien, very openly, provides plenty of insight into his methodology and techniques as he goes along.

From choosing suitable locations to posing, lens choice to exposure settings. The viewer is provided with a rare opportunity to not only watch over the shoulder as shots are being composed, but also get to find out the thought that goes into each one.

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The weekend just gone was the first opportunity I’ve had to shoot a wedding with my new digital SLR gear and boy was it a lot of fun! I didn’t have the responsibility of being the couple’s main photographer. Instead, that role was filled by a couple who were friends of the couple getting married. However, since they were only asked to cover the formal shots in and around the ceremony I more or less fell into the role of reception photographer.

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