putrajaya - Grant Corban Photography Sdn Bhd

Portraiture by the lake: Fuji X-E1 with the XF18-55mm F2.8-4 lens shot at 1/125sec, F4.5, ISO200.

Jay and Shireen’s wedding was held at the Puspanita Hall in Putrajaya. The Christian ceremony was a small and intimate ceremony performed in the foyer atrium of the main hall. The dinner was simply huge. Puspanita hall can seat some serious numbers.

This wedding was shot using the Nikon D3 and the Fuji X-Pro1 and X-E1 cameras. The images below all came from the Fuji X-E1. We like it’s lightness and it seems to be a nicely responsive camera.

Ring shot. Fuji X-E1 with the XF18-55mm F2.8-4 lens shot at 1/125sec, F5.6, ISO200.

A tighter ring shot. Fuji X-E1 with the XF18-55mm F2.8-4 lens shot at 1/125sec, F5.6, ISO200.

The ring cushion. Fuji X-E1 with Leica 50mm attached via adapter. ISO200. Other exif data not recorded.

Fuji X-E1 and XF35mm F1.4 lens shot at 1/125sec, F2.0, ISO200.

Quick enough focusing for the walk in. Fuji X-E1 with the XF18-55mm F2.8-4 lens shot at 1/125sec, F5.0, ISO800.

Another walk in shot. Fuji X-E1 with the XF18-55mm F2.8-4 lens shot at 1/125sec, F4.5, ISO800.

Candids require closer contact: Fuji X-E1 and XF35mm F1.4 lens shot at 1/125sec, F1.8, ISO200.

Ring exchange. An essential photo: Fuji X-E1 and XF35mm F1.4 lens shot at 1/125sec, F1.8, ISO200.

Ring exchange part 2: Fuji X-E1 and XF35mm F1.4 lens shot at 1/125sec, F2.0, ISO200.

Cheeky candid: Fuji X-E1 and XF35mm F1.4 lens shot at 1/160sec, F2.0, ISO200.

Another essential – the kiss shot: Fuji X-E1 and XF35mm F1.4 lens shot at 1/160sec, F2.0, ISO200.

Close up of the flowers: Fuji X-E1 with the XF18-55mm F2.8-4 lens shot at 1/60sec, F4.5, ISO800.

Main Table Decor: Fuji X-E1 and XF35mm F1.4 lens shot at 1/125 sec, F1.4, ISO200.

Candid portrait: Fuji X-E1 and XF35mm F1.4 lens shot at 1/125 sec, F1.6, ISO200.

Family photo: Fuji X-E1 and XF35mm F1.4 lens shot at 1/125 sec, F1.8, ISO200.

Wedding cake: Fuji X-E1 and XF35mm F1.4 lens shot at 1/125 sec, F1.8, ISO200.

Table detail close up: Fuji X-E1 and XF35mm F1.4 lens shot at 1/125 sec, F2.2, ISO200.

Narrow depth of field during the walk in: Fuji X-E1 and XF35mm F1.4 lens shot at 1/125 sec, F1.6, ISO200.

Quick grab portrait: Fuji X-E1 and XF35mm F1.4 lens shot at 1/60 sec, F1.4, ISO200.

Candid of the groom during the speeches: Fuji X-E1 and XF35mm F1.4 lens shot at 1/125 sec, F1.8, ISO200.

Photo ops are every where: Fuji X-E1 and XF35mm F1.4 lens shot at 1/125 sec, F1.4, ISO200.

She was dancing around gaily. Fast focusing nailed it: Fuji X-E1 and XF35mm F1.4 lens shot at 1/125 sec, F1.4, ISO200.

Good night: Fuji X-E1 and XF35mm F1.4 lens shot at 1/80 sec, F1.8, ISO200.

Geoff and Ellie had flown in from Canada so they could celebrate with Ellie’s parents in the town of Taiping where they held a traditional Chinese Tea ceremony and banquet dinner for the family. Geoff’s folks flew down from Canada to enjoy the ceremonies and they were also joined by his brother and sister in law from Japan. Traditional Chinese weddings include giving of tea by the couple to all of their older relations, and receiving tea from their younger relations. It is a great way of getting to meet the family and understanding the relational links. The bride and groom also receive a lot of gifts, both jewelry and cash. This provides a good “kick start” to married life.

The dinner banquet had the traditional cake cutting, champagne popping and table-by-table yumseng. We rounded out the end of the night with a series of family group photos, one of which is shown below. With family group photos the secret is to work quickly, professionally, and be able to banter with the family to get everyone relaxed. And as always – shoot RAW for best results. We used a total of 6 flashes for these photos. Setting up that many lights quickly requires you to know your gear.

Four days later we all headed to Putrajaya where the legal technicalities of getting married in Malaysia were taken care of. Then we headed off to a nice location for a small private ceremony by the lake. I have to admit I was a bit concerned about this part of the day as it was going to be mid-morning, and the heat could have melted all of us…me included! Fortunately the sky was overcast, and a gentle breeze started which kept temperatures moderate. All in all it was very pleasant.

I know a lot of photographers like to see how we shoot a wedding. I have attended a few weddings where you see more of the photographer and video crew than the wedding couple!!!! There were 2 of us covering each of these days. Take note of where we were shooting from. One of us (my shooting buddy for +10 years)Â is way off doing long shots, while I am up “close”. I like to use the professional 70-200 f2.8 lenses for their versatility and reach as well as their quick focusing and sharpness. Do note where I am shooting from. It does mean I have to move around fairly rapidly (walking not running) but ensures I never block the family. Why stop the enjoyment of someone who flew thousands of miles so they could witness the wedding?

After the ceremony we did a quick series of family groups and some portraits before the weather closed in and it started to rain.