My blog, although I don’t see myself as a blogger but as a Photographer I will try to blog some interesting material during the weeks.
Expect at least 2 updates a week.

Sony 70-400 G SSM II

I’m in love with the image quality that the A99 gives me in the studio, on the street and…. well about always.
But how does it perform with sports?
During my first test with sports I was less then impressed with the A99, but found out that this was a know problem and 100% the fault of an error on my side, I left the E-shutter active which results in bad images with high shutter speeds, so when I got the chance to go out this weekend for a little less than an hour to shoot some Motocross I was determined to not make that mistake again. Sony send the their newest 70-400 G SSM II lens to test so I was also curious how this lens would perform.

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Let me start by saying that I don’t really like these kind of lenses, now don’t get me wrong they can be great but I always want something faster, on the Canon I used the Sigma 120-300 f2.8 for which I would kill on the Sony mount (please Sigma), the main disadvantage from the 70-400 (kind of lenses) is the maximum apertures which, also with this lens, is F4 – F5.6 which for sports is not ideal if you want ultimate speed, but hey we have to work with it, so let’s go.

 

The first thing you will notice from the lens is it’s weight, this is a very well build lens, it’s heavy, but not too heavy, it’s white (even the sun hood) and it just feels all very solid and smooth. The lens looks great on the A99 but that’s another story.

 

So how does it perform….

Rutten MotoCross 20130616--520

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BTS during the UK tour Legoland

The last week you have seen some of the images I shot during the workshops in the UK, today I want to share some of the Behind The Scenes shot I got from one of the attendees Chris Rowe, he posted some on facebook and I immediately asked him to send them to me for my personal use on the blog, luckily he agreed so today I can give you a small behind the scenes peek at the workshop in Legoland.

 

But first of all I would like to thank some people.
First of all the guys from the Flash Centre who made everything possible and were absolutely AWESOME during the workshops (and after/before), over a short period of time they have become almost my “other” family from the UK, they ROCK.

 

But also of course our crazily creative model/stylist/MUA Nadine who travelled with us during this trip.

 

And of course Annewiek for filming the setups and being my assistant/manager/shoulder to cry on etc.

 

But most of ALL…. and I mean most of all the attendees of the workshops, you guys make it 100% enjoyable and create a great mood to work in, you guys are the reason I come over and you ROCK, thank you all so very much.
And now….. the images.
Again with many thanks to Chris Rowe.

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Workshops Austria July 14-18

On July 14-18 I will be teaching workshops in Austria.
I’ve also done this show last year and can already tell you that this will be one of the highlights of the year, amazing locations, stunning models and LOADS of inspiration 😀
Workshops 19 Juli 2012 C60 - 0378
See www.photoconvention.eu for bookings.
Also this year there is an amazing line up with names like Gerry Frank, Ondro Ovensy, Jamari Lior, Krolop and Gerst, Robert Pichler, Juri Tscharyiski, Calvin Hollywood…. etc.

 

For me these workshops are always a special occasion to go completely into overdrive mode because let’s be honest with amazing locations like castle and the ability to to 100% what you want with a small group of students is always a guarantee for portfolio material not only for the students but also for me 😀 I will be discussing and showing the following items (and much more).

 

Q&A, Metering for ambiant and strobes, Metering reflective and incident, Working with smoke, Going from ok to WOW, finding the right angles and views, Coaching the models, Adding motion to the shots, Posing that works, High contrast vs REALLY high contrast, Working with vintage lenses on modern DSLRs for that amazing look, Photoshop tips and tricks, Lightroom workflow, working tethered, One light setups that rock and much much more…. these days will get you so motivated and inspired you only want to go out and shoot yourself.

 

And the intro video:

Some of the images from last year (and this year will be a lot better :D)

Workshops 18 Juli 2012 C60 - 0266

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Studley castle with Nadine

Now when someone tells me I can teach a workshop at a real castle I’m jumping up and down from joy because I know that there will be some amazing images, especially when your model is the always amazing Nadine. Today some images from the Studley castle workshop in the UK.

 

Studley Mei 22-2254-Edit

 

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