Lost Tulips

_DSC1229nx_DxO_Snapseed2SA72dpi, originally uploaded by Donnie Fulks.

A couple of years ago I had visited Longwood Gardens while these tulips were in bloom. The RAW files were lost when my hard drive failed. I try to keep the backups drives current, but in this instance these tulip files were among the few that were lost. I had made some small prints and found the print files much later when upgrading my computer.

For the textured, desaturated version below, I reprocessed the discovered jpeg in Snapseed. I like the old lost look to that. I also wanted to make a SnapArt version (the featured image) as for some unknown reason the software registration code had gone wonky and I had just got that sorted with support. Computers!

Larkspur

_DSC1429nxpspl1cefx(C)72dpi, originally uploaded by Donnie Fulks.

Another from Donna's flower garden.

Wildflower

_DSC1453nxpso1nx72dpi, originally uploaded by Donnie Fulks.

This is a volunteer flower found in last year's cut flower patch. During the time I had rented the D800 for the wedding I just had to grab a few flower shots. Yeah, it seems rather crazy to make a soft image from a 36 megapixel camera, but that's how I processed this one. A number of NIK and OnOne filters were used.

The Coat

_DSC1118nxpsb72dpi, originally uploaded by Donnie Fulks.

If memory serves, the idea of Gayle wearing Ryan's coat came from Ryan. I'm sure the thought was due to the rain starting again.

I opted for a high key look on this one. I hope I didn't push it too far, but thought the look matched the emotion. Even with some Glamor Glow added, the detail in the D800 file is remarkable.

My Grandmother, my grandson: Kieron, the great-great-grandson.

_DSC0931nxpso1nx72dpi, originally uploaded by Donnie Fulks.

I'll give the lovebirds a break for today's post and share this one. I was reminded that weddings are about families too, when I saw my Grandmother holding Kieron. I had to stop and do the math- five generations of Fulks in one spot! Not your every day occurrence. Grandma gave a wonderful blessing before the meal- another of one of the many moment of the joyous day.

Take a Stroll

_DSC1051nxps_Snapseed72dpi, originally uploaded by Donnie Fulks.

I am slowly working through the captured moments. Late in the afternoon, Jo and I were able to break away from the reception with the couple for a few minutes of photo time.

I also included the color version. The B/W version was made quickly in Snapseed. I'm liking the feel of the BW and will probably go back to Silver Efex Pro for a final version.

I would like to thank Jo Habecker for assisting (that's an understatement!) with the photography. I'm looking forward to seeing her images from the wedding.

Life is a Journey

_DSC1035nxpsplnx 72dpi, originally uploaded by Donnie Fulks.

This is one of the first candid shots at the reception site, Eden Try. We had gotten a bit behind schedule wrapping up the formal pictures at the church and only had a few minutes for these pictures and these were the ones the couple had most wanted to get. Ryan and Gayle choose this estate for the reception largely due to the beautiful grounds. I think they will like this one as it includes the estate house.

I like the interaction between the newlyweds, juxtaposed in front of the heart shaped tree. My goal was to do less formal posing by placing the couple in scenarios where I could capture interaction and gesture between them. Naturally, my best laid plans included back lighting from a 3:30pm sun with me low on the ground. A rain shower had just passed while we were en-route to the site and the guests had been flushed into the tent early putting more pressure on the shooting timeline. Despite the very overcast conditions, the highlighting is better than I hoped for. The key is to get the subjects in front of a dark background in order for the back lighting to show. Laying on the wet ground for this shot was out too, as I still had to take part in the wedding party introductions.

We all know there are the occasional bumps, even a jarring rut or two, on the road we call life. Memories of happy times help us hang on until the next smooth part of the path just around the next bend. All the best, Ryan and Gayle.

Gayle

_DSC0852nxpsplnx72dpi, originally uploaded by Donnie Fulks.

One of my goals for the wedding shoot was to capture a beauty shot of the bride. Between the formal family pictures following the ceremony and the reception, we took a few moments to make this one. I asked Gayle to sit on the floor by on of the windows in the sanctuary,  fitted a 85 f1.4 lens on my camera and went up two or three steps on a short ladder I had brought just for this image. Gayle related to me before leaving on their honeymoon how much she enjoyed the day. The happiness of the day is reflected in her smile.  

Welcome to the family Gayle!

IMG_0765, originally uploaded by Donnie Fulks.

I have a guest blogger today- our oldest son, Caleb, shared this image with me. From the wedding Saturday as the newly weds exited the church. Gotta love the iPhone.

Everyone had a fantastic day! With five sons, we have to marry the girls in. Three down, two to go. All the best, Ryan and Gayle!

Yep, you guessed it- you'll be getting a dose of wedding pictures the next few days. I think I managed a few keepers to share. One thing I know now, the wedding photography biz is a lot like work!

Gayle and Ryan

_DSC0435nxpsnx 72dpi, originally uploaded by Donnie Fulks.

Today is the big day! Our third son is tying the knot and Donna and I are gaining a daughter.

I grabbed this picture at the rehearsal diner last evening. Just a quick snap that I liked their interaction in. My wedding gift is to do the photography for these lovebirds.

For the gear-heads, this was captured with the new Nikon D800. I needed to rent an extra body and thought why not give this a whirl. Let me just say that all the hype you read in the press about this camera sure seems true so far. I've only fired off a few hundred frames so far and already I don't want to send it back!