With all of the progress and development made in both digital photography and post-production technology, wedding photographers today have a wide array of special effects that they are able to use on the wedding pictures that they have taken. These effects extend from getting rid of red eyes to creating a visual display that evokes [...]

With all of the progress and development made in both digital photography and post-production technology, wedding photographers today have a wide array of special effects that they are able to use on the wedding pictures that they have taken. These effects extend from getting rid of red eyes to creating a visual display that evokes the imagination, transporting the viewer into a dream world.

The key to effective post-production is open communication and honesty with your photographer so that they are aware of your motivation and the vision that you have for your wedding photographs.

Here are some post-production ideas, from minor to dramatic, that bridal couples and photographers can use to be inspired:

• Insert a white frame around just part of the picture and leave the framed content in colour, while the area outside of the frame is in black and white or sepia
• Use a great picture of the bride, groom or both of them together and play with different backgrounds to create different scenes (a fairytale fantasy, a children’s play ground, a black night sky or tropical island)
• Add captions, quotes or romantic comments to the photographs
• Place an image of the couple on top of the wedding cake, in a champagne glass, sitting in the clouds. This shot needs forethought and preparation as the bride and groom will need to be in a particular pose for the final effect to be accomplished successfully
• Position the bridal couple in a way that creates the illusion of her calling him or casting a spell on him with her hand outstretched. Add stars, sparkles or flames coming out from her hand to create a spell-like effect and have him react (either by being drawn to her, or under the spell of love)
• Intensify the contrasts for a really striking photograph
• Position the bride in the foreground and the groom in the background, and play around with the perception of where they are. By putting him in front and her far at the back, it looks like she is much smaller, for example. In a similar way, by doing the same with him, she can pretend to be holding him in the palm of her hand
• Use an element from the wedding and write a message on it for the guests’ “Thank You” notes. For example, write a message out of the confetti or use the signage that was at the reception to carry a personalised note for each guest
• A very popular trend at the moment is to highlight only one part of the photograph in colour, while the rest is in black and white. The colour can be applied to the bride’s eyes or bouquet, or the groom’s tie and socks
• Choose a great group photograph and have only the bride or bridal couple in colour while the bridesmaids, maid of honour, best man and groomsmen are all in black and white

Photo Credit: The Photo Forum