70-200 2.8L IS

I used to love this lens, I could shoot all day with it, it would always be on one of my bodies: bridal preparation, ceremony, the shoot, family portraits, candid at receptions…. but it’s getting too heavy and for all other parts of a wedding beside the ceremony there are better prime lenses to use and get better shots. There is just nothing that compares to primes.

Usage: So the only action this baby has been seeing lately is the ceremony…. and even then, I revert to the 85mm whenever I can (when I can get close enough without disturbing the scene too much).

Why would I drop it? too heavy, a bad fit in my shootsac and nowadays it’s only used in church.
Why not drop it? I need an alternative to get closer in on the action. I’ll never want to sell this one and when I do I’ll mis her. Can you really do without?
Replace by: Nothing can replace this baby but I’m thinking of switching it for the 100mm 2.8 IS

24-70 2.8L

First L glass I owned. Yes this lens can do pretty much anything but I don’t like it. It doesn’t pack any punch, it doesn’t bring anything extra to the shot.

Usage: I use it for a close-up of the rings (best macro lens in my arsenal, pretty sad huh), and while it’s on I use it to take some more detail shots of the dress and shoes. During receptions I might pop this one on but I might as well use my 16-35 for those “group of friends having a drink” shots. If there is more space to move around I even use the 50 to mingle during the reception.

Why would I drop it? It’s good at everything but it’s doesn’t shine in any area.
Why not drop it? It’s good at everything but it’s doesn’t shine in any area.
Replace by: A macro, again the 100mm 2.8 IS pops to mind.

16-35 2.8

I bought this lens last year, because I wanted something “wide” and I was hoping to make it a part of my style.

Usage: Very little on the 16-24 range , I use it from time to time on those grand wedding venues where you really want the wide shot. It’s handy when you are in a pinch eg. bride preparing in a small rooms or a tiny city hall office room. The 24-35 range comes in handy during receptions.

Why drop it? wide is not my style and this could be replaced by the 24mm or the 35mm ?
Why not drop it? I love the colors. As stated, it sometimes just comes in handy. If the venue is grand … I’ll really regret not having it with me….

50mm 1.4

I started with the plastic fantastic 1.8. Upgraded to the 1.4. If I got stuck on one focal length. Please let it be 50mm. I easily takes 60% of the shots with this one.

Usage: whenever I can. And when I can’t I find a way to use it anyway!

Why drop it? Never unless I keep eyeballing that 1.2 version.
Why not drop it? I’m starting to see the world through the 50 and I don’t want to be blind again.

85 1.8

The latest addition to my arsenal. During shoots the bulkier 70-200 got replaced by this one.

Usage: Preparation, shoot, candid during receptions.

Why drop it? Nope, eventually it might get replaced by the 1.2 version but I’m too happy with this one for now. Still I have a feeling that 85 as the longest lens doesn’t always get me close enough.
Could the 100mm 2.8 IS be usefull during ceremonies too?
Why not drop it? During eSession or shoot this will always be in my shootsac together with the 50mm and the 16-35 (because I want something wide(r) with me me too.

I start to feel more & more agitated by the zoom lenses. They are bulky and 2.8 is not wide open enough for my style. Primes suit me better, yes you have to switch lenses but that makes you work more. The more you work the better your pictures. When I started in wedding photography, the 24-70 & the 70-200 where all I needed. But now I’m feeling more and more confident during a wedding day and I want my pictures to stand out.

100 2.8L IS

Drop the 70-200 & 24-70 and get the 100mm macro.
I really need a good macro lens. There are cheaper macro’s out there but this can double as a good portrait lens and the IS would help me in a dimly lit church. (but is it long enough to replace the 70-200?)

35L 1.4

Sometimes with the 50mm I have to focus too much on the couple, not always able to frame the emotion around them. (first look, entering church, first dance, etc..) I really like shooting wide open. and without flash. Downside: When I get the 35 I know I’ll probably still want to hold on to the 16-35mm.

So my primary bag would now contain 3 lenses : 35mm 1.4, 50mm 1.4, 85mm 1.8. Yes, I can totally see me using just these on a controlled shoot. But for the “occasion” these two will still come in handy: 100 2.8 IS, 16-35 2.8

What I’d like to hear from you: What’s in your camera bag (wedding related). What are your experiences shooting without the über 70-200. How are your experiences with the 100 2.8, the 35mm and 24 mm?

Oh and god help me, both lenses are in stock!

After the first look and right before we left for city hall I just asked the couple to cross the street with me for a two minute mini-shoot. Used the sun to get me some flare.

After city hall & the church ceremony we moved to Hof Van Nazereth for an awesome party!

Annelies & Emanuel I truly enjoyed being part of your wedding day and to have been witness to all those special & emotional moments. Also a huge thanks to your families for making me feel so at home!

Disclaimer to future clients: I’ll also take a picture that includes your head

The initial plan for a location for Bert & Mel was to use the city of Kortrijk as a backdrop for the shoot but then I discovered this abandoned building just a couple of meters away from where I work. (and before you all ask, it’s here) and they were immediately won by the idea. We had a fun late afternoon shoot and I think Mel & Bert will agree that an eSession is the ideal occasion to get know each other, make you feel more “at ease” with your photographer and get you a couple of hot pictures during the process.

Wirward was yielding the flash on a stick and the sunbounce on this one. And there are also quite a few GF1 shots among these pictures. Can you spot em ?

The people at Keukens Fierens really understood what we wanted and they kinda “knew” what we liked (and what we don’t like …). They adjusted our plans and added their own vision on our interior.

To display albums and to have a daylight feel I wanted lots of soft light and ended up choosing a light fixture by delta light: the Jeti Plano H 260C

After a month of preparations (electricity, gas, plastering, painting, painting and some more painting) they came and installed our kitchen last week and now our new space is finally completed. It turned out 100% how we envisioned it.

And for me it was fun rediscovering my own house with a camera and an ideal opportunity to shoot some interior pictures. Cupcakes by @wenti

(A couple of people already asked about our TV furniture. All the wooden cupboards are custom built by Keuken Fierens but I’m not sure if you can just order those without a Kitchen, only one way to find out)

A couple of months ago Julie & Melissa contacted me if I wanted to be their wedding photographer but unfortunately I was already booked for their special day. A couple of weeks ago they contacted me again because they were in a bit of a tight spot to have their wedding invitations done in time, and boy was I very happy they asked me. They found the perfect location for their shoot and a couple of days after that we found us the the perfect weather.

Meeting them was a blind date but what (sane male) photographer wouldn’t be happy with a cute couple like that! Everybody soon felt relaxed and I quickly found out that those girls have enough passion for 3 … yet with my level of professionalism *kuch* I just focused on taking the pictures

It was a very fun evening and now that their wedding invitations have been sent I’m finally allowed to show you some of the pictures. Julie & Melissa, I had a great time (noticed that?) and I wish you two a super beautiful wedding day with lots of love & fun!

Because I just couldn’t choose between black and white or color … (see, I’m biased already)

Tech Info: shot with the GF1 + 20mm 1.7 in JPG+RAW (dynamic Black & White). (no LR adjustments)

Some of my fav pictures from that day :

Another big thanks to Lieven for accompanying me that day, now we had twice the fun!