Rangefinder Magazine
February 2005

Click Here for printable version of this article.

The Last Word - Diamonds

One of Australia’s most celebrated wedding photographers is Yervant Zanazanian, who owns and operatures an elegant Melbourne studio, catering to discriminating brides around the world.

As a teenager, Yervant went to Venice to study art at the Colegio Rafael di Carminé. With an appreciation of art and films, Yervant has tried to capture what he loves about both mediums in his digital wedding photography. Yervant is a gregarious spirit, and brides and grooms love him, but more importantly, people are able to completely relax in front of his cameras.

Australian weddings often have a long time lapse between the ceremony and the reception, and this is when wedding photographer make many of their pictures. The couple and bridal party will often visit their favorite haunts; eating, drinking, and enjoying each other’s company. This interim time can last up to five hours.

The untitled image shown here is from one such session. In a darkened pub and in a relaxed atmosphere, Yervant spied a shaft of daylight illuminating the bride’s veil, making it sparkle like it was made of little diamonds. Using only existing daylight, he moved around until he had the perfect angle and light so the the beaded veil would glow.

He decided to isolate and subtract from the composition until all that was left were the lips and chin of the bride—the focal point being the bride’s ruby red lips. Yervant made the image with a Canon EOS 1DS and 70–210mm lens. In Photoshop, he increased the saturation, and voilà, perfection!

Join Yervant at the 2005 WPPI Convention for his platform presentation, “Dancing With the Bride and Groom” on Monday, March 21, 9:00–11:00 p.m.