OK you’re probably asking yourself what the heck is differential focus. And what has it got to do with my wedding photography?
Photojournalist photo of one of the bridesmaids and her friends playing between courses of the wedding breakfast.
Differential focus is one technique used by professional wedding photographers to create your high-quality wedding photos. It is a technique that only keeps some parts of the image in sharp focus whilst allowing the rest to go out-of-focus.
This usually means focusing on you and letting the background go soft and out-of-focus. Not only does this create a romantic atmosphere in your photos but you’ll literally pop out from the image!
It will be obvious that you’re the focal point of the image and not competing for the viewers attention with your wedding venue in the background.
Having images completely in focus (or out of focus) is a sure way to spot a beginner or rogue wedding photographer. Their images will look flat and boring. Any one of your guests could have taken this picture. Probably not what you want if you’re looking for a professional wedding photographer.
Differential focus serves two key purposes
It creates the illusion of the 3-D world in your 2-D photographs
Allowing parts of the image to fall out of focus creates a sense of depth in your images. Including both the foreground and background increases the sense of depth.
Sometimes this technique is used to focus on an object in the foreground and allow you to fall out of focus. A great example of this is a image of you behind the wedding car. You’ll be looking at each other, not at the camera, whilst the photographer focuses on the front of the car. This creates a beautifully romantic image of you and makes a real statement about your choice of wedding car.
Just image the Spirit of Ecstasy on top of your Rolls Royce radiator with the white ribbon extending back towards the windscreen. And you’re in the background sharing an intimate moment together. This always creates a beautiful romantic image.
Traditional wedding shot of the bride and groom with the wedding car in focus in the foreground.
It separates you from your environment
It is clear that you are the primary subject of the image. And you’re not having to compete with the background for your viewers attention.
Your wedding photographer may take this technique even further so that only a small part of you is in focus. This is a great way to show off your bridal details to great effect, such as your jewellery or bouquet.
Bridal detail shot of the engagement ring just before it was moved to her right hand.
Contemporary fashion detail shot of the bride's eye lashes
See for yourself
Next time you look at wedding photos see if you notice the images that stand out more used differential focus to create high impact image with a sense of great depth or romantic atmosphere.
Trash The Dress with a reportage style shot of the bride and groom on their Next Day Shoot on Ipswich Waterfront, Suffolk.
If you found this article interesting please leave a comment. Let me know what you’re thinking?
Pat
PS Follow the link, if you would like to know how to create differential focus in photography.
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{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Hugely helpful and important post for any bride!
I think this is becoming a more and more popular style with most our clients!
Thanks for posting!
Chris Barber
Great article but you didn’t mentioned that this technical generally need wide open diaphragms of lens.
@Wayan Yes you’re absolutely right this requires professional lenses shooting wide open at f/2.8. There is a link at the bottom to another article with a more technical description for photographers. Brides don’t care how we do – only that we make them as beautiful as we possibly can on their big day