Catching The Vibe At Good Vibes

The day started with heavy clouds and little open sky, so there was no clear light. As the afternoon went on, the clouds began to thin out. I noticed a narrow beam of light enter the winery and land on a couple sitting with their backs against the red brick wall. The contrast between the soft indoor light and that focused beam immediately caught my attention.

Since I had photographed here before, I knew how the light moved through the space. This helped me spot the brief moment of light worth capturing. When you’re familiar with a place, small changes become more noticeable.

Sometimes I know the people I photograph, but other times I don’t and need to earn their trust. This time, I knew the winery’s owner, which helped. I spoke to her first, and she welcomed me in. That invitation was important because it gave me a clear reason to be there and allowed me to explain why I had come.

Once inside, I was able to be clear about my purpose. I told them the light had caught my eye and that I wanted to photograph the interaction at the table. Being straightforward and calm usually works better than giving long explanations. People respond well to quiet confidence that does not feel pushy.

There were three people at the table, but the couple shared the strongest connection. I chose not to include the third person, focusing instead on the couple. When I photograph groups, I prefer to keep the story clear rather than try to be fair to everyone. The story determines what goes in the frame.

I included the third person’s hands holding a wine glass in the lower left corner of the frame. These hands anchor the edge of the photo and add a foreground layer for depth. Including just part of someone shows they are there without drawing too much attention.

I took the photo with a Nikon Z50 II and a 12–28mm lens. I spot-focused and metered on the man, then underexposed by half a stop to prevent bright highlights from blowing out. When the light is strong and directional, protecting highlights is more important than brightening shadows. Shadows can help set the mood as long as the highlights are preserved.

The brick wall behind them absorbed extra light and kept the focus on their faces, hands, and gestures. It added texture without being distracting. When I see dramatic lighting, I look for backgrounds that help control it.

After I figured out access, composition, and exposure, I was able to concentrate on observing. I watched how the couple leaned in and how their conversation developed. The light didn’t last long, so I worked deliberately without rushing. When you make technical choices early, taking the photo becomes about paying attention rather than interrupting the moment.

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