The “Other” Black & White

Anticipated. Cherished. Timeless. Your wedding day. For nearly every bride it is the moment in which perfection meets bliss. Wedding Photography preserves the memories and offers a sentimental glimpse of the bride's most heartfelt journey.

Over the years, wedding photographers have graduated to a more stylized expressive technique, incorporating cutting-edge, ultra-chic snapshots with a unique design form and artistic flair. In fact, the wedding images are actually compiled to present more than just a catalog of wedding pictures; wedding albums now tend to convey the “total experience” of the bride and groom â€" their personal experience. From the “behind the scenes” pre-ceremony stages to the final dance of the evening, successful photographers capture each segment of this fantastical celebration. Digital photography has virtually replaced film, offering the unlimited ability to transform the wedding images in order to propel the actualities of the day to new, more amazing artistic heights.
Color wedding images are often blended with black and white or sepia tones to further create a unique appearance; however, the line of creativity doesn't stop there. So, what is this “other” black and white? It is infrared photography, a separate and distinct method of shooting photographs. Although in existence for seventy years, infrared photography is making a comeback into the world of wedding photography. This rare and favorably stylized art form offers an additional option for highlighting those extraordinary moments.

At first glimpse, infrared wedding photography looks similar to traditional black and white wedding photography. Upon closer inspection, though, infrared's unusual tonality is recognized and often appreciated. Objects that are normally bright in visible light (such as sky) appear dark, and objects that are typically dark (such as green and brown foliage) acquire a luminous glow. Infrared is almost a reversal of the image's “normal” tones. The effects of this distinctive art produce radiant, shining greenery, darkened sky settings, and soft, delicate shadows. Infrared wedding images can be described as ethereal, dreamlike, maybe even a bit surreal. These effects gently compliment the romantic mood of the wedding photographs. An outdoor nature scene, shot in infrared, gives off a winterland fantasy feel, complete with “snow-draped” trees and fluffy white greenery. Similarly, an infrared wedding portrait produces elegant, fine skin tones and curious, almost translucent eye color adaptations. Unique. Artistic. Imaginative.

Because infrared Wedding photography requires extreme technical know-how and can be extremely difficult to shoot â€" even under the best conditions, there are few photographers who have mastered this art form. One skilled photographer who excels in the area of infrared photography is Jeff Kolodny. You can check out his website at www.jeffkolodny.com With twenty-five years in business as a professional wedding photographer and award-winning recognitions, Jeff is able to offer the bride versatility. He will custom-shoot each event and then create a stylized album, designed to her liking, often incorporating infrared images into the mix. Jeff Kolodny Photography is based in South Florida. He can be reached at (561) 965-9582 or you can visit his website at www.jeffkolodny.com If you would like to see samples of his latest wedding photography feel free to visit his blog at www.jeffkolodnyphotography.com