If there’s one thing I really enjoy capturing, it’s irony, or mirroring; where something in the mid or background offers support for the story occurring foreground. The background you see is a painting that hangs at The Vineyard, a five star wedding venue and hotel near Newbury. It depicts the ‘Judgement of Paris’ where French and Californian wines were pitted against each other at a wine tasting occasion in the French capital. The picture depicts the surprise, perhaps horror felt by the tasters as it transpires the American wines are preferred by the experts’ palates above the expected French winners. Happening foreground, a Chinese tea ceremony where close family (in this case the bride’s parents) are served tea as a mark of respect by their daughter and new son in law. Okay, so they’re not tasting wines and the experience is all the more pleasant for the joy of the day, but I do like the mirrored drinking element in this composition. Simple mirroring, but I believe it draws the eye.
BERKSHIRE WEDDING VENUE: The Vineyard at Stockcross
SHOOTING DATA: Canon 5DMk3, EF24mm, F1.4, 1/100, ISO 1250
I simply love this image Neale – it took me a minute to realise that the background was a painting – I did wonder why some guests were drinking tea and others wine – doh!!