Category Archives: Studio

Photo-Technique, Studio, Training

The Fujifilm X-T4 – Commendation & (Mild) Criticism

The Fujifilm X-T4 – A Lot of Praise but One Big Niggle.

I’ve been shooting with Fujifilm X-Series cameras since 2017 when I bought my first Fujifilm X-T2. I was immediately smitten.  I’d been a Nikon user all my photographic life, completely loyal to the products of the Japanese giant.  I’d begun in the ‘80’s with the FM2, and progressed through the Nikon D2x to the D750.  I thought it would ever be so.  But when I made my first few images with the Fuji X-T2 I was quickly convinced.  It was the photographic equivalent of a Damascus road conversion.  Since then I’ve been shooting (professionally and for fun) with the X-T2, X-T30 and X-T3.  Everyone of them has been great.  But when the X-T2 began to wobble a bit, I decided it was time for a change.  I kept the X-T3, sold the X-T2 and X-T30 and with the equity, invested in the new X-T4.

The Fujifilm X-T4, with leather half-case.

So, what’s special about the X-T4?  It’s just a little chunkier than its predecessors, and I’ve encased mine in a leather half-case, more for appearance than practicality, but it’s still an easy camera to hold, much more ‘grippable’ than the X-T2, and that’s important when you are clamouring in and out of vehicles.

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Cars and Vehicles, Photo-Technique, Studio, Training

White on White

White Car on White Background?

Like a black cat cowering in a coal bunker, photographing a white car on a white background presents certain difficulties. But then that’s why, when prestige car dealers need photography for their website, they use specialists like me!

This beautiful new BMW 116d sports the new design of the latest One Series, and cuts a dashing figure against its white background…

Fujifilm X-T3 with Circular Polariser F=50mm, f/5.6, at 1/30th Second on ISO3200

The key of course, is to slightly underexpose the white car, and overexpose the background by at least two stops. So, ideally the camera should be on a tripod, and the shot bracketed, and later combined in Photoshop. Best practice too is to use a light meter to get the correct exposure on the car.

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Studio

Graduations

Graduating 2020?

Missed your Graduation Ceremony this year because of Covid-19?

Don’t Miss Your Graduation Photos!

We are offering specialist Graduation Packages at fantastic prices to make sure you don’t miss out on having a formal record of this momentous day in your life.  Either at our new ‘Studio-Pod’ at Ballygowan, (from Friday 12th June) or in the comfort of your own home. (Covid Legislation permitting – £20 extra)

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Our graduation package includes:

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Black & White, Child Portraiture, Studio

Baby Molly

Baby Molly

Baby Molly visited the new ‘Studio-Pod’ at Ballygowan (aka ‘Man-Cave for retired photographers! LOL) for the first visit of her ‘Baby’s First Year’ photoshoots.  What a lovely subject she was.  To maintaining social distancing and good practice, her mummy had to do all the hard work, moving props, and posing her – but it was fine, and we got the studio visit over in around 20 minutes.

Molly

 

In the studio I used the Fujifilm X-T3 camera, fitted with a Fujinon XF 16-55mm f/2.8 R, LM, Wr lens.  Before the visit the fabrics and floor were washed and sterilised, hand sanitiser, masks and gloves were made available, and afterwards all fabrics went straight into the washing machine.  As we all say – “When you pod – Pod safely!‘

The new normal!

Lockdown Logs, Studio

The Lockdown Logs #52

The Lockdown Logs

Dateline: May 22nd 2020

I’m still working out the best settings for lighting in the socially isolated Studio-Pod.  Here’s what it looks like at the minute:-

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I’m sitting behind the desk, looking at the pencil-mug in the light tent, through the Fujifilm ‘Cam Remote’ App on the iPhone.  Here’s what I’m seeing (Although obviously, I’ve processed the image)…

Pencil Mug UP
Fujifilm X-T2, with Nikon 50mm lens, manual focus with focus peaking.  F=50mm, f/8 @ 1/125th sec on ISO160.

 

 

 

Lockdown Logs, Studio

The Lockdown Logs #43

The Lockdown Logs

Dateline: May 14th 2020

Some exciting news for the Lockdown Log today!  My new Studio-Pod is finally finished!  The pod had been ordered back in January when I was first considering the long-term future of the studio at Dundonald  and before we even had heard the word ‘Lockdown’ mentioned!  My original plan was to close the studio around the end of July, when all the outstanding vouchers were finally redeemed.  That would give me time to formulate a plan and get organised.  So work was to begin on the Pod around March, with installation before the end of that month.

Then came the virus and the Lockdown and everything changed.

But this week some of the construction industry went bak to work, and among them the firm who had already pre-fabricated the Studio-Pod, and it was erected on site in two long days…  Here it is!

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First images of my newly built Studio Pod at Ballygowan!  Just wait until the restrictions are lifted, and I’ll welcome pets, babies, passport photos etc etc.  It’s not a full sized studio by any means, not even big enough for a decent family group, but it will serve its purposes very well.  It’s all fully insulated, with heating and air-conditioning built in, double glazed and wired.

Inside…

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It’s wood lined and comfortable, and waiting for the lights and chairs etc.

So – some really good news in the midst of the gloom.

Photo-Technique, Still Life, Studio, Training

That Dead Leaf Again…

So, day three of playing with a dead leaf.

(Even a cat wouldn’t play with a leaf as long as this). Today I set up the light tent, and put the leaf in it. I lit the tent with a Rotolight Neo, and used the Fujifilm X-T30. I had three objectives:
  1. To see the effect when I used the LensBaby lens,
  2. To create shadows by bringing the Rotolight down from the top of the tent tone side of the tent. (Left, so I could hold it by hand, and use the camera in my right hand)
  3. To mount the Rotolight on the camera hotshoe.

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