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, 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 intense sun gives some nice Bokeh from the pinpoints of light reflecting off the trees, you can see this, especially in 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 especially liked the old fence where the horses were as well. You can see several shots from that spot below. The bamboo was really cool as well, but what I wanted was the evening sun showing through the Bamboo, and I couldn’t 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](https://www.ryansmithphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/wpid1649-kiss-on-a-bridge-shot-with-70-200-f2-8-magnolia-plantation-charleston-120109-jpg.jpg)
![Kiss in front of a lake, push process black and white - Magnolia Plantation Charleston](https://www.ryansmithphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/wpid1626-kiss-in-front-of-a-lake-push-process-black-and-white-magnolia-plantation-charleston-120109-jpg.jpg)
![Kiss on an old oak tree overlooking the lake - Magnolia Plantation Charleston](https://www.ryansmithphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/wpid1628-kiss-on-an-old-oak-tree-overlooking-the-lake-magnolia-plantation-charleston-120109-jpg.jpg)
![Under the gazebo backlit by sunlight - Magnolia Plantation Charleston](https://www.ryansmithphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/wpid1630-under-the-gazebo-backlit-by-sunlight-magnolia-plantation-charleston-120109-jpg.jpg)
![Couple sitting in the bamboo, you can see where people carve their names. - Magnolia Plantation Charleston](https://www.ryansmithphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/wpid1632-couple-sitting-in-the-bamboo-you-can-see-where-people-carve-their-names-magnolia-plantation-charleston-120109-jpg.jpg)
![Couple kissing in front of the horses - Magnolia Plantation Charleston](https://www.ryansmithphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/wpid1636-couple-kissing-in-front-of-the-horses-magnolia-plantation-charleston-120109-jpg.jpg)
![Another shot by the horses - Magnolia Plantation Charleston](https://www.ryansmithphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/wpid1638-another-shot-by-the-horses-magnolia-plantation-charleston-120109-jpg.jpg)
![Getting a piggy back ride - Magnolia Plantation Charleston](https://www.ryansmithphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/wpid1640-getting-a-piggy-back-ride-magnolia-plantation-charleston-120109-jpg.jpg)
![Looks like they are having fun - Magnolia Plantation Charleston](https://www.ryansmithphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/wpid1642-looks-like-they-are-having-fun-magnolia-plantation-charleston-120109-jpg.jpg)
![The sign says that horses may bite - Magnolia Plantation Charleston](https://www.ryansmithphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/wpid1644-the-sign-says-that-horses-may-bite-magnolia-plantation-charleston-120109-jpg.jpg)
![Couple laying together on the gravel walkway - Magnolia Plantation Charleston](https://www.ryansmithphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/wpid1646-couple-laying-together-on-the-gravel-walkway-magnolia-plantation-charleston-120109-jpg.jpg)
Ahhh, can't wait for the wedding!
Ahhh, can't wait for the wedding!
sooooooooooooooooooo pretty! :)
Great shots….
Great shots….
Thanks Ryan. The pictures are great!
Thanks Ryan. The pictures are great!
beautiful beautiful beautiful! love them all. :)
beautiful beautiful beautiful! love them all. :)
Beautiful people make taking great shots easy! :o) Can't wait till December!
Beautiful people make taking great shots easy! :o) Can't wait till December!