All posts filed under: Pentax 645D

PENTAX D FA645 25mm F4 AL[IF] SDM AW Testing

Published by travel67

I talked about the new epic super wide lens by Pentax in a previous blog. It doesn’t come on sale until next month, but happily Pentax sent me a prerelease lens to try out. I’ve been busy this weekend teaching the Photography 101 Workshop, but managed to get out the camera and 25mm lens for the sunset this evening. (Workshop went great, more on this later.) I apologize for the cliche, but the lens is an engineering marvel. Really solidly built, and pleasure to use and hold. You can also use it as a workout device if you’re carrying it around all day. As with the new 55mm lens, the first shots show it to be extremely sharp. This is the shot from today, but more will follow over the next few weeks.

Black Bear

Published by travel67

In times of need, Bear transforms into “Black Bear” a shadowy force that is more bite than bark. Rather than a phone booth, Bear transforms herself in Photoshop, then charges off into the night.

Karate on the Beach

Published by travel67

Building up a larger selection of karate photographs for an assignment I’m working on. James agreed to step out of the dojo for some beach training images. (The above sequence is an example of using a fast shutter speed to freeze motion when shooting without flash. I used a reflector to add some light as I was shooting into the sun.)

High Speed Bear (More Flash Duration Testing)

Published by travel67

Some more flash duration testing this time with Bear as the model. When using natural light you can freeze action by using a fast shutter speed. When using a strobe (and low ambient light) you freeze action with the light from the strobe rather than the shutter. The length of the pulse of light that comes out of the strobe is the flash duration. The shorter the flash duration the cleaner the image as you will get less blur. In these shots I threw a dog biscuit with one hand and pressed the shutter with the other. Bear is quite happy to work for food.

Matsubayashi-ryu Toshimitsu Arakaki Dojo

Published by travel67

I used the 35mm wide angle for images 3 and 4. It allowed me to be right in amongst the action and have a good depth of field even at a large aperture. This was another instance that I would have struggled to shoot wih film. I had to use ISO 1000 and shoot quite a number of frames to get the images.

Always read the instructions

Published by travel67

Photography Workshops in Okinawa

Published by travel67

Starting this month I shall be holding some weekend photography workshops on Okinawa. I’ll be starting off with “Photography 101” courses for beginners, and then later will be offering more advanced classes including studio work and night photography. I’ll be teaching most of the courses, but I also intend to bring in specialists in their particular field from mainland Japan. (Light Painter Trevor Williams is already on board as one of the visiting instructors, see his work in action on Japanese News!) So here’s the info on the first class PHOTOGRAPHY 101 Weekend Workshop April 23 & 24 2011 Who is the course for? The beginner or novice photographer who has a digital SLR and wishes to progress beyond the green fully auto mode. People who want to take better photographs of their friends and family rather than point, shoot and hope for the best. What do I need to bring? Your digital SLR camera, lens, your camera manual, memory card, battery and charger. If you have a digital compact rather than a …

Ursula Veiled

Published by travel67

Another shot from the recent shoot with Ursula. Again the hair light behind the model was able to accentuate the jaw.

Back from the Beach

Published by travel67

Took Bear for a wander along the beach and over the coral as the tide was low. For those who live near the ocean this tide forecast website is really useful.

Ursula on Grace

Published by travel67

A couple of shots of Ursula channeling the spirit of Grace Jones (I am aware that Ms. Jones is not actually dead). It became clear in this shoot why Profoto describe their equipment as light shaping tools. By using a zoom reflector with a grid for the hair light (positioned behind the model) I could shape the light until it created the highlights on the neck and jaw. (Of course you can do this with any lighting brand, Profoto just have the cleverest tagline.)