Footage from our latest Fashion Photography course in London.
Archive for the 'Photo Equipment' Category
06
Jul
Canon EOS 5D Mark ll
With all the rage of behind-the-scenes shoots these days, the Canon 5D Mark II with HD video is in high demand. With pro shooters already using the Canon 1Ds III, it’s easy to see why – you can share the lens, they have the same sensor and the 5D Mark II doubles up as a more-than-competent backup camera.
“Canon’s update to the wildly popular full frame EOS 5D is here, and it’s better than ever. The EOS 5D Mark II has a stunning 21.1-megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor with DIGIC 4 Image Processor, a vast ISO Range of 100-6400 (expandable to ISO L: 50, H1: 12800 and H2: 25600), plus EOS technologies like Auto Lighting Optimizer and Peripheral Illumination Correction. It supports Live View shooting, Live View HD videos, and more. It can shoot up to 3.9 fps, has 9 AF points plus 6 AF assist points, a new 98% coverage viewfinder, a 3.0-inch Clear View LCD (920,000 dots/VGA) and a rugged build. Full-frame shooters rejoice!”
Canon USA
It’s available to purchase here.
And here are two amazing videos, shot using this camera, handling colour and light effortlessly.
Join the forum discussion on this post - (1) Posts
How cool is this? The well-loved Leica M8 now comes in a Special Edition white leather finish. Only 275 will be made and “the special paint finish is particularly resistant to wear and is characterised by its dirt-repelling surface. This finish provides the pure white camera with long-term protection against unsightly marks.” Which is handy when everyone wants to touch your new beloved camera…
Image via Tush Magazine.
Join the forum discussion on this post - (1) Posts
Olympus has finally released their eagerly anticipated PEN camera. Originally launched in 1959, the new Pen E-P1 doesn’t have a mirror box and is, therefore, as small as a compact camera but delivers SLR quality; it’s so good, it was even launched by David Bailey. With interchangeable lenses and HD film-making ability, what are you waiting for? Available to purchase here.
A great David Bailey book is available in the Focus Hub Shop.
Join the forum discussion on this post - (1) Posts
This young American photographer is a fine example of mixing art and fashion photography. Ryan McGinley started by documenting his friends, shooting on 35mm film using Yashica T4s and Leica R8s (both now classic cameras) and has now moved into the fashion editorial arena. One example of how his art concepts have transpired into editorials are shown below with his personal work reflected into images of Agyness Deyn freefalling from Manhattan buildings, featured in POP magazine AW 08.
Further to my post about the Gucci Flora ad by Chris Cunningham, video director, I would like to tell you about my experience with him. I shot this image of Chris in 1998 – it was when he had just shot the Madonna ‘Frozen’ video (below) and was seriously smokin’ in the industry. This photo was originally for i-D magazine, but has subsequently been published in Surface, UK Vogue, and to this day, 11 years later, Chris continues to request it as a publicity shot. Recently, I’ve been talking to Chris about him using it as his official photo, as this image is the only one of himself he’s been really happy with.
It was a typically grey London morning when myself, my assistant (now my wife) and some equipment (my trusted Hasselblad 503 and Profoto 7B) turned up to shoot Chris at Black Dog Films, not knowing what to expect. Very charmingly, Chris came out to meet us on the street and took us inside. We had to set up in a backroom with just a plain, white wall as a backdrop. Not the most ideal circumstances for a brilliant portrait shoot, but nonetheless I persevered. The result you see here was all in camera, composed and framed there and then. A completely captured moment.
We spent the rest of the day hanging out with Chris, shooting pool in the offices and watching MTV. By the end of the day, he even showed us his latest video at the time, Aphex Twin’s ‘Windowlicker’, before its official release.
The message of this story? Despite the seemingly limited circumstances, never underestimate opportunities and always make the most of every chance. You never know where today’s ‘quick shoot’ may take you in the future and who you may meet along the way.
Madonna’s ‘Frozen’ video, from the ‘Ray of Light’ album, which you can buy here.
The Contax G2, is a perfect accessory for the on-the-go photographer. Easy to use, light and compact, with an accurate meter and delivering superb quality due to its inter-changeable Carl Zeiss lenses; which are comparable to pro lenses. So comparable, that they are actually used professionally, as evidenced by the images of Jurgen Teller and his fashion shoot for W Magazine, featuring Lara Stone (below).
Lara Stone for W Magazine July 07. Photographed by Jurgen Teller, using a Contax G2
Image of Jurgen via Proza.
I have one of these and have always loved its versatility and image quality. They are unavailable to purchase new, but you can quite readily pick one up on Ebay for around £550, including a few lenses.
