I love using the local architectural details and landscape to tell a story, especially the beautiful Chicago skyline. It’s a work of art on it’s own!

The post Preet & Aditya | Engagement appeared first on Rahul Rana Photography.

The post Ankita | Senior Fashion Portraits appeared first on Rahul Rana Photography.

The post Cheryl & Rick | Engagement appeared first on Rahul Rana Photography.

Venue: The Palms Town & Country Club, Gurgaon, India

The post Chhavi & Saurabh | Wedding appeared first on Rahul Rana Photography.

We received a lot of varied responses ranging from “it reminds me of my sanctuary” and “peaceful/tranquility” to “We’re slowly rowing our lives off the edge of this planet unless there is an intervention and we change our destructive ways”. The great thing about art is it can be interpreted in many ways and none of the opinions are wrong. An image can say many different things to many people.

There are quite a few things to notice that help us analyze a photograph. Have a look at the shapes in the photograph and the lines. There is a big dark area at the top, which could signify the unknown or the edge. I take it to mean the fisherman has blocked out the outside world or his day-to-day life. The line of the boat is parallel to the strong line separating the dark area from the water and he’s looking in the direction of the darkness perhaps because even though he is trying to block out the world, he still has one eye on it/still thinking about it, but he’s keeping it at a safe distance from him, not getting closer or further away.

Take a look at the lighting, where is it coming from? In this case, it’s clearly coming from the left of the frame. The fisherman’s back is lit, but his front is shroud in darkness. You can’t see who the person is nor can you see the gender. It could be male/female, you, me or someone you know. This person signifies any man (or woman), all of us.

The reflection in the water can also have meaning. In this case, you can’t really see the reflection of the fishing rod, so if you block out the fisherman with your hand and just look at the reflection, it looks like he’s sitting at a desk, perhaps his boring day job that he’s come to get away from. He can’t leave it far behind though, it always stays with him.

The water is calm, there’s no colour (except black/white) noise, no noticeable movement blur, no other objects, people in the frame, which gives the whole image an air of peacefulness and calmness.

These are just some of the ways to read a photograph, other things to take into consideration are the composition, where is the subject placed in the frame? What is the main subject? For me, it was the fisherman, but someone else may look at the dark space above as the main subject. What does the negative space (empty area around the subject) signify? What role do colour, contrast and texture play?

I believe photographs should tell a story, either on its own or in a series. Hopefully this helps get you started into looking at photographs in a different light and lets you find your story!

The post How do you analyze a photograph? appeared first on Rahul Rana Photography.

This was one of those weddings when everything was just right – the weather, the lighting, the atmosphere, and of course, the couple…their smiles speak for themselves It just can’t get any better than sunny California!

Hair and make up by Claire Young.
Indian wedding photography coverage by Rahul Rana Photography.

The post Sangeeta & Shailu | Wedding appeared first on Rahul Rana Photography.

The newly engaged couple wanted their engagement photos to be traditional but with a touch of modern flair. The Trump Hotel provided just the right backdrop to bring out the vintage yet edgy look that Anuradha and Chetan were looking for!

The post Anuradha & Chetan | Engagement appeared first on Rahul Rana Photography.

A Graha Shanti is a traditional Hindu ceremony, usually held the day of or the day before the wedding, in which the priest performs prayers to remove all obstacles and to provide the couple-to-be with prosperity and happiness. Typically, the bride’s family holds a graha shanti for the bride while the groom’s family does the same for the groom.

Makeup by Leena Bajaj (Singar Studio)
Decor by Dhoom Decorations
Catering by Curry in a Hurry
Indian Wedding Photography by Rahul Rana Photography

The post Sheetal & Justin | Graha Shanti appeared first on Rahul Rana Photography.

During the Pithi, a paste made of chickpea flour, turmeric and rose water is rubbed on the bride’s skin as a cleansing and beautification process.

Makeup by Leena Bajaj (Singar Studio)
Decor by Dhoom Decorations
Catering by Curry in a Hurry
Indian Wedding Photography by Rahul Rana Photography

The post Sheetal & Justin | Pithi appeared first on Rahul Rana Photography.

The mehndi ceremony is a fun-filled celebration with dancing and singing. It is one of many Hindu wedding rituals, typically held the night before the wedding to allow the rich colors of the mendhi, or henna, as it is often called, to develop. Mendhi is applied to the bride’s hands and feet in very intricate and beautiful designs.

Makeup by Leena Bajaj (Singar Studio)
Decor by Dhoom Decorations
Videography by 1 Cinema Productions
Catering by Curry in a Hurry
Indian Wedding Photography by Rahul Rana Photography

The post Sheetal & Justin | Mehndi appeared first on Rahul Rana Photography.