Sometimes the best results come from unexpected challenges. A seemingly wrong gear choice at a wedding shoot turned into a lesson in creativity, pushing boundaries and proving the value of adapting to your circumstances.
Coming to you from Alex Kilbee with The Photographic Eye, this insightful video recounts a wedding shoot where Kilbee had to rely on a 50mm f/1.8 lens instead of his usual zooms. The wedding venue was dimly lit, designed to mimic a casino with dark interiors and warm-toned artificial lighting. Flash was not an option because it would ruin the atmosphere. The f/1.8 aperture provided just enough light for proper shutter speeds, ensuring subjects weren’t blurry. The challenge of sticking with one lens simplified technical decisions, allowing more focus on composition and interaction with the scene.
Working with the 50mm lens meant getting physically and emotionally closer to the subjects. The limited focal length forced Kilbee into the mix of the event, capturing candid and intimate moments. He reflects on the value of Robert Capa’s advice: if your photos aren’t good enough, you’re not close enough. The confined space of the venue also required Kilbee to crouch and experiment with angles to avoid obstructing the guests’ view, resulting in unique and dynamic perspectives. These challenges pushed him to connect more with the people and the event, which translated into more compelling photos.
Another key takeaway was embracing the existing lighting and color conditions instead of fighting them. The venue’s warm, golden hues, caused by reflective surfaces and artificial light, added character to the images. Kilbee chose not to neutralize the warmth with white balance adjustments or flash, preserving the authentic atmosphere. He emphasizes the importance of questioning conventional rules about white balance and focusing on the emotional impact of your images rather than technical perfection.
The video also touches on how this experience shaped Kilbee’s approach to gear and technique. By removing the distraction of lens choices, he concentrated on storytelling and composition. Constraints can simplify decisions and fuel creativity. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Kilbee.
