It’s Lensel
Some say it’s just an email.
Other’s call it a wedding photographers secret weapon.
Here’s what is on today:
BTS in Greece with Norman & Blake plus three lessons
Dealing with multiple creative teams
Nikon’s new camera
Let’s go⬇
NEWS
Happening this Week
Drone Attack. You’ve all been kinda scared this could happen. Now there’s real footage of it actually happening… the birds are coming for our drones.
The cleaning lens hack you will be frustrated that you didn’t think of until NOW. See it action here.
Nikon goes small. Overnight Nikon announced it’s latest camera - the Nikon Z5iiC. Designed to be the smallest, cheapest full frame out there. No viewfinder, but you might like that. Check out a first review and reaction here. PS, it’s almost retro vibes are quite nice.
Vendor meal truth. The nicer the venue, the worse the meal? Is this the truth of vendor meals at different weddings? Dive into this revealing discussion.
Best selling lenses. It’s true, the newer brand lenses from the likes of Viltrox and TT Artisan are catching up - they are actually getting good. Further evidenced by this new list of the best selling lenses on Amazon’s best selling lenses where they are sneaking up the list. See the best selling lenses here. Yes the nifty fifty is still king. Who knew.
Adobe buys Topaz Labs. The deal has officially gone through. Topaz Labs is upscaling tech for photos and videos so expect Adobe upgrades soon-ish?
Pic-Time x Lensel. We’ve teamed up with Pic-Time and put together a very nice Pic-Time deal, along with a few Lensel goodies thrown in. See the deal and try out Pic-Time’s news features here.
FEATURED
⚫️ Rare Norman & Blake BTS: 3 Lessons from a Wedding in Amanzoe
Images: normanandblake
We love a mysterious wedding photographer.
And in an age where everyone is loudly posting, promoting and marketing. It’s refreshing to see the few silent killers, quietly doing their own thing and absolutely winning.
Norman & Blake are example numero uno. You’ve seen their work everywhere, but you haven’t heard that much from them. Today we get a little insight.
Until now. Shannen Norman and Emily Blake let us into their world for a five event, three day wedding at Amanzoe in Greece. Talking through the how and why of their perspective on the wedding.
There's a link to the full wedding feature at the end of this… but for now: 3 lessons we pulled out.
Images: normanandblake
LOUD, SLOW AND THAT’S THE POINT
Norman & Blake shoot a lot of film. Enough that their assistant's main job on the day is loading it. BUT the most interesting thing they said wasn't about how film looks…
It was about how the slow, loud camera makes people act.
Commenting on the above photo they said “because the camera is slow and loud, it forces people to slow down and give their all when they use it.”
And it shows. You can see the intensity, slowness and concentration. The couple rising to the occasion. A slow, loud shutter tells the couple this one matters.
We normally think of gear in terms of the colours, autofocus etc etc. But here Norman & Blake are also picking their gear for how it makes people behave.
Think about that one a minute.
BRING BACK BLUE HOUR
In their own words, Norman & Blake are ‘kinda obsessed with blue hour’ and we are like YEAH… Potentially one of the most romantic, atmospheric lights a photographer could shoot in.
And we feel it’s lacking right now. out there in the wedding world. So here’s our vote to bring it back. Take your couple out in that magic blue hour light and make it happen.
In the image above N&B mention their intentional use of flash on the Contax G2 as they knew they would be able to light up the brides face, while keeping that magic blue/purple sky.
FIGHT FOR THE LIGHT
As we all do, Norman & Blake do a good scout before the wedding day starts. (You’ll find SO many of their comments so refreshingly normal)… But at Amanzoe, the scout didn’t quite go to plan. In the most obvious spots for the photos, it just wasn’t working for them.
In their words “it would be fine, but it wasn’t really singing.”
A lot of wedding photographers might just ACCEPT fine. But hear it from the top. Sometimes you have to FIGHT for the light.
Talk with the planner, the couple and make something better happen. Even when it’s a little inconvenient or awkward to do so.
At Amazoe, Norman & Blake had to clear the common passage ways in the hotel to get access to that good light - and “thankfully everyone was up for making it happen and it felt like it really paid off.”
So if light isn’t singing. Go fight to find somewhere better.
This whole wedding is captured so beautiful. Dive in and read the full feature - from the photographer’s POV here….
LENSEL PRO
⚫️ The Membership for Wedding Photographers
Our Lensel PRO membership has grown into the most incredible community of wedding photographers and we want YOU in.
The membership is the place where photographers come to learn, connect and get support - navigating this wild industry together.
You’ll get INCREDIBLE VALUE AND SUPPORT:
20+ Workshop replays waiting for you to dive into (Jose Villa, Bushwhacked and many more
New Workshops every month (La Dichosa and KT Merry coming up)
Super active Whatsapp group for quick questions and discussions
Weekly zoom calls to connect
Access to the full Lensel newsletter
So come join almost 400 wedding photographers inside Lensel PRO today.
It’s not some lame course, it’s MUCH better.
INSPO TO KEEP YOU FRESH
⬇️ You can REALLY tell when a couple is comfortable on a photoshoot. And in this ‘era’ of editorial posing that comfort often gets over-ridden. Let’s bring back that comfy feeling - even if we are posing them hard!
⬇️ Sometimes all you really need is some pretty back light and a little added wind for the drama.
⬇️ The definition of shooting to a vibe. Channeling the feeling and aesthetic of a location and rolling with it. + the VERY consistent skin tones here. Help us find the photographer???
⬇️ Want to post more landscapes, but you didn’t TAKE more landscapes?? Don’t for get they DIPTYCH is still a hot way to curate and show off your images.
That’s it! See you next week on Lensel,
