This is my first time visiting the Magnolia Plantation.  It’s a very nice area, it reminds me a lot of Brookgreen Gardens.  Unlike Brookgreen though we were allowed to go wherever we wanted to do the pictures and spend as much time as well.  I had a lot of fun walking around for an hour or so with the couple and finding places to do shots.  The first time to an area takes a bit of experimenting and exploring around.

We had some pretty strong early afternoon sunlight which can be difficult at the beach or in an open area, but being in a nice area with plenty of trees and shade it’s not really a problem.  In fact the strong sun gives some nice Bokeh from the pinpoints of light reflecting off the trees, you can see this especially on the first image.  You can tell if someone has a really good lens not by looking at what is in focus, but by looking at the quality of the out of focus areas.

I really liked the old fence where the horses were as well, you can see a number of shots from that spot below.  The bamboo was really cool as well, but what I really wanted was evening sun showing through the Bamboo, and I couldn’t really get that, I’ll try again at this couple’s wedding in December. It should be very nice and will be later in the day so things should go even better.  Let me know in the comments if you like the pictures.

Kiss on a bridge, shot with 70-200 f2.8 - Magnolia Plantation Charleston

Kiss in front of a lake, push process black and white - Magnolia Plantation Charleston

Kiss on an old oak tree overlooking the lake - Magnolia Plantation Charleston

Under the gazebo backlit by sunlight - Magnolia Plantation Charleston

Couple sitting in the bamboo, you can see where people carve their names. - Magnolia Plantation Charleston

Couple kissing in front of the horses - Magnolia Plantation Charleston

Another shot by the horses - Magnolia Plantation Charleston

Getting a piggy back ride - Magnolia Plantation Charleston

Looks like they are having fun - Magnolia Plantation Charleston

The sign says that horses may bite - Magnolia Plantation Charleston

Couple laying together on the gravel walkway - Magnolia Plantation Charleston

Last updated by Ryan Smith at January 17, 2012.

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