A stunning capture of a special moment Am keeping my fingers crossed on the 5D upgrade.

Jide Alakija: I'm sure the 5D MKII or whatever they call it will be so worth the wait. I really love the 1D MkIII though, so far it's been really good to me.

and mwah for obliging and indulging us!

Err so I guess I cannot comment on the bride and groom huh...oh well but I can say this - for me to be able to see ANY detail at all on that dress given the lighting and all...Jide I don't know what to say but great picture...will you do my wedding? for free ni o, ok ok for like half price and I am sure we shld be able to take care of some of your expense -hopefully you aint high maintenance (ahem I know I know dem Suby have already chastised us for always wanting free but hey a sista got to hustle and try her luck anyhow)

So let me ask you this, based on your reply to E yesterday about situations where the venue, dress, bride and groom are not coming correct and all...would you say you have been challenged with clients like that and would you turn any client down whose wedding you perceive might not make for great images (if the business were not paramount). Do you agfee with the notion that ultimately it still all rests on the photographer to bring out the best(and there has to be something!) of that day even if he is given that little to work with?

Jide Alakija: Ok so let me get this straight, you want me to risk my life, work my arse off whilst you have a great day...why can't you even invite me as a special guest? no you want me to work work work. It's so not fair!! So So not fair.

The angle on this one is KILLER! The kiss is quite powerful too. It does blow me away!

Jide Alakija: Thanks John, glad you like it.

The title is apt as the kiss blew the bride away...with her veil flying in the air.

Jide captured the moment very well. It must be difficult doing this at weddings bcos there is usu a lot of activity. So the photographer has to be alert

I need an older sister for my Xti

Jide Alakija: Thanks Tolu. You get used to the challenges that result during weddings. The hardest thing is dealing with two feisty parents in Nigerian weddings who nudge you off focus because they want their photos taken with every dam guest! Sad thing is that they never ever see these photos at the end of the day.

Hi Mr Jide, I like the overall composition of this image, as per shooting this at 8.0 I am not too down with but that is just my style of shooting. I find my self looking all over the frame, I was more drawn to the floating veil and pillars than the kiss. I would have shot this at a much more wider apperture lets say 2.8 or 4.0, my guess is that you had the 16-35 on the camera.

On the Mark III camera, I have had a chance to test drive this camera. I agree that it is fast but with little bit more work I find that I can do the same with the 5D. I also find that the 5D renders color and skintones sligthly better. This camera was plagued with a lot of focussing issues when it came out and although canon had fixed the issues most most wedding photogs that use it here still dont trust it as much, I expect that when all is said and done Canon will release a "N" version like the Mark 2's. Oh and when it is very hot outside this camera tends to give you problems. In my opinion, it is not worth the prize tag of $4500 and we have seen the prize drop and lots of used Mark III's for as low as $3500, I will gladly get one when the prize gets lower. Wedding photogs are really waiting for a the new 5D. The current 5D is a great camera but it old and needs some new updates like noiseless files at ISO 6400 like the D3, D300 and D700, fast AF system like the 40D, more AF points like the Mark III's, Dual Card system. Rummors say the new 5D could be anounced in coming weeks.

Jide Alakija: F/2.8??? With all that vignetting, softness?? No way! I don't like soft edges. Also F/8 is the Universal aperture, you're sharpest then which for me is what I'm really trying to achieve.

At the end of the day it really down to your preferences, you like what you get with wider apertures and it suites your style.

I find it really hard to believe that you're drawn to the pillars than the kiss because of the aperture, I think that is more to do with composition than anything else, infact with a wider Av, you're gonna get more light from the background which will make is more prominent in the shot.

Re: Camera's I'm sure there are a lot more positive things about the MkIII than that

All I can say is great moment. Like I say always. you have a knack capturing the essence of what's going on. it's never staged but you are always at the right place at the right time I shy away from weddings. it's hard work. I think I would try more of your style and capture the essential moments and not details. nice one

Jide Alakija: Ade, really I urge you to concentrate on what makes you happy, don't try to copy someone else style because you slowly become a competitor to that person and you're at a disadvantage because he/she has the style development engine and you only have the style photocopying engine.

Don't be too hard on yourself, some of us have been shooting for the best part of 4 years now.

My 16-35 II at 4.0 is sharp at the edges and at 2.8 slightly soft and my first Version was not that bad either. But soft edge and vignetting is not always a bad thing as a matter of fact it will work for this shot..at least for me.

There are definately more good things about this camera but it is definately not worth the price tag, I shot a whole wedding with this camera and a 40D, my assessment is that canon can do better for a 4,500 camera. My second shooter had a D3 which I tested too and sorry the Mark IIi(1D) simply fell shot, ISO wise, speed and dynamic range

Stunning pic J, that kiss not only blew me away...but I'm still floating. Gorgeous!

And yes, the kiss would have been more obvious if you had moved to the right a bit.

Thanks a lot 4 d advice. will keep that in mind

Lol ok so I guess that means you'll do it then ;D... Hmmm as far as risking ur life we wld ask that u be real careful as we def might be needing u hanging from beams and chandliers (depending on the venue) in order to get that perfect shot of us and all u know - ehhh u have heard of this one lil contraption called insurance sha so that shld cover any possible risks. So name ur price abeg so we can start negotiations...

Hi! Jide. I have been visiting your galleries from your page of beginning (Nice Web) Your images of Nigeria are spectacular. Fantastic works. I congratulate to you because your work is very inspiring!

I like the framing of this picture alot, but I think for what you are trying to achieve, Dotun's assement is spot on. I barely noticed this kiss tell I read the title of the picture. The pillars and veil have more thunder than the kiss.

Jide Alakija: Thnx Chichi

A PJ camera for a PJer. Sounds about right.

Oh, as for the shot, you nailed the embrace but the kiss is hardly visible.

Move to the right and frame them in the doorway and you also get a better vantage for the kiss.

I just love the way her veil was captured as it flew in the wind!