Details, details .....

I was talking to somebody this morning who had very bravely helped shoot his friend's wedding, and who was asking for some tips on how things might be improved upon before the next wine-fuelled dinner party where yet another friend may well ask for his assistance. On the one hand, it's great to help our mates when they can't splash out on a pro, but on the other hand it's a huge responsibility. My friend had done a tremendous job gathering all the necessary personalities for some really good group photographs, and had certainly covered the guests too, but one piece of advice I'd add is to try and grab some photos of the details which make every wedding special. A great deal is often spent on gowns, shoes, rings, food, flowers and decorations, and pictures of these are a great way of creating memories of the day.

As a professional, it's a given that we take these shots, but objects such as rings can be a daunting prospect for any amateur photographer who has agreed to help out. It doesn't have to be an ordeal though. Keep things simple, look for a suitable background and some good diffuse natural light. Windows and doorways are great for this, and you don't even need a macro lens for the smaller items. To make the point, all the shots below took seconds to set up and the rings were taken with a mid-range zoom lens, onto which a Hoya +4 diopter was attached, rather like a lens filter. This will give you enough magnification to get really close. Backgrounds include bathroom tiles, neck-ties, and anything which will work well against the object in question. The tiara was simply placed on a kitchen worktop. A glass coffee table, and then a handy garden trellis took care of the shoes.

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