Liverpool Street ...

Since getting the Fuji X100 I have been trying to shoot with it as much as possible and it has become my daily carry camera.

I have talked about trying street photography some a while, have tried it before but with a DSLR it’s not ideal as they attract too much attention or cause people to close down/walk away.

So to give the X100 a good run out I met up with Mark and headed in to Liverpool to shoot some street.  The weather was bad with dull overcast sky’s which meant giving the X100 a run at high ISO values (1600-6400).  You can see Marks post on his blog on the link below.

http://markboadey.com/street-photography-with-the-fujifilm-x100/

Most of the images are black & white apart from the odd few that are stronger in colour. And some of them are detail/architecture shots, just a few.

Before we get in to the images I want to say I can see me shooting more Street in the coming months/years, its freeing being able to relax my own strict rules I put on myself… Shooting street can be either meticulous, shoot from hip or a set up portrait and I like having that choice and being able to shoot a bit looser.  Now don’t get me wrong I am not talking eff it and spray and pray this stuff but just relaxing a little, framing does not have to be perfect at all times.. I mean it can’t be if shooting from the hip, I don’t have to shoot manual exposure.. Everything does not have to be perfect….Ha .. That’s such a stupid goal or pressure to set yourself!  I have not shot a perfect Image ever.. expect I never will, I actually don’t think a perfect photograph exists.  After all this is all subjective right?

Ok enough of that before I start to ramble…Here are some images from the day, exported 28 (not all shown) from the 170 I shot (battery life on the X100 sucks…. And really sucks in the cold).  I’m still waiting on my 2 spares to arrive, will most likely order another.

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This is Ian from Ship in a Bottle (http://www.theshipinabottle.co.uk/ ). It’s a great shop that sells all kinds of world beers/ales.  I bought me and Mark some to try one of which was a local brew I had not tried, they went down nicely.  Whilst talking to Ian I made a portrait of him, this is just available light with the Fuji X100.  

This guy spotted me, did not look happy.. I moved on.

Mark was making an image of a boat spotter so I figured would make an image of him making an image. Kind of.

Museum of Liverpool.. really must call in to this place and the one in Manchester soon.

I took a photograph of this guy and his wife with his 60D, I may of changed a few settings on his camera as it was set on Landscape Auto.. I set it to manual to dial in exposure and fill flash.. Forgot to set it back, hope he spots it.   A short while after he came over to ask about the Fuji X100, nice fellow.

Mark taking a photo for some tourists on their phone, we even spotted someone walking around using an IPAD as a camera… any camera works.. but you’re a walking mug me target doing that.

Nick Nolte?..   This guy stopped us to talk about the X100. Turns out he’s a big film shooter with MF Leica.

Ok ok it’s not street… I have a weakness for sky shots/sunsets.  Still prefer having a person in the shot lit though.

One of the weakest of the set, yet I have still put it in the post. I don't quite know why.

Making Ice Angels.. They make their own ice for it to remove air bubbles.

She does not look happy…

I used a small LED light that was attached to the market stall for this shot, noticed people passing through the light and figured it would be better than no light at all.. its was getting dark!

I really enjoyed walking around light on gear.  I am heading out again this weekend.  More posts to come and my thoughts about the X100. 

Rick

Fuji X100 - A little more than a little camera...

I was going to headline this post with an image of the Fuji X100 but then figured that’s pointless, I shoot portraits so instead we have a portrait made with the Fuji X100.  This is my Grandmar, she’s 99 years old, loosing sight, has been in hospital for 8 weeks and can still crack a winning smile! Love you Gran.  Also can’t wait to shoot her 100th Birthday in January.. with the X100.

Now this is not going to be a review, I have only had the camera what 2 days.. I may come back and review it/give my thoughts later. 

I have had this camera on my list for a while.. Actually I had the Fuji X Pro-1 on my list but that thing is £1200 with a 35 F1.4 lens.. that’s 5D2 with grip money, anyway I have always liked the X100 after shooting with a few but it went on the Not A Priority list.  It seems some of my comments about the camera were heard and I received a Fuji X100 for Christmas.. told the family no it’s to expensive! .. Thankfully (kinda) they ignored me.

Took the camera to work today, shot it on my lunch and around the office and in doing so noticed something that has nothing to do with image quality, mega pixels or any of that technical stuff! I’t got people talking and about it..

“That looks great, what a cool camera”

                “That’s an nice old camera” – It’s new, digital.. “Really, looks retro”

                        “Is that a film camera?”

People loved it wanted to pick it up and shoot with it.. people who were not photographers, don’t care about gear or brand wars, they simply liked how it looked and wanted to try it.  Best of all it broke down walls and had people letting me photograph them.  I 100% guarantee you if it was my 5D2 they would of shut down, turned away, been intimidated.. no shot, game over.  The X100 is quiet and quick in operation, I like its little quirks, many have complained about it or don’t get it.. I think they are talking rubbish.

Love my DSLR’s (60D and 5D2), really love that 5D and prime lens but it’s too bulky to carry around day to day. 

I find it frustrating shooting 2 different DSLR’S, 2 different formats… I am adding a second 5D2 to the DSLR kit for that reason (that and I like wide).. But oddly all that does not bother me with the X100, I mean its very different to the 5D.. totally chalk and cheese but it’s the only camera that makes me shoot with my tongue sticking out the corner of my mouth a little, Remember I said I like its quirks?  It makes you work for it, it’s has an attitude and soul that if you let it will own you and I love it.

Also I love the fact it’s a fixed lens (23mm, 35mm Equiv.) and fast F2.  It means you have to move, just how I like it.. I only shoot prime lens.

This camera wont replace the DSLR’s, fact is it can’t but it will allow me to shoot allot of stuff I wont be able to with the DSLR simply because I will carry it with me, the DSLR gets taken to the studio, location and on paid jobs, lives in the main bag, it’s big, heavy, a commitment to take out.  In fact I can see myself running the X100 on jobs along side the 5D2 sometimes. The 60D will be given video duties.

Just want to make it clear I still firmly believe its not about the gear, use what you have, get to know it well!, I know my DSLR’s & lens . I need to will get to know the X100.  I probably wont read the manual (shock!) I prefer just grabbing at dials and figuring it out these days, that and watching online tutorials like this set by my good friend Mark Boadey .

Marks X100 tutorials Playlist

I will be back with more in the near future. For now I will leave you with some images from today.

Thanks

Rick

Location Shoot: Sarah Mansfield…Castlefield Manchester

This shoot is from back in July 2012.

I first met Sarah at an event at a local Studio I ended up teaching on (was planning to just shoot but ended up taking one group)  and instantly realised she had a great personality for modelling and in general.  A shoot was arranged for the following Monday in Castlefield, Manchester UK.

Castlefield is a well known part of Manchester and hold great potential for location work, I must revisit it.

With travelling in by Train I decided to travel light (for me) along side my good friend Mark Boadey, we had arranged a joint shoot.   Having not visited Castlefield for a number of years I was looking forward to seeing what I could find.

This shoot was the one I made my mind up to finally go Full Frame.  I borrowed a 5D2 from a good friend Kevin Pack and never looked back.. anyway.

The images shown below are some of my favourites from the shoot.

The first frame was a simple head shot, I start with head shots quite often to warm up to the shoot.. how ever getting up close for a head shot might not suite all subjects as a starting point. This image was taken using great open shade with a bright sunny blue sky, I love open shade almost as much as I like direct sun/hardlight… almost

#1  Canon 5D2, Canon 85 F1.8 , Natural Light – 1/250th sec, F2.8 ISO125

The next frame was a full length shot, whilst not over all a favourite.. it could of been framed tighter! I still like it because of Sarah's expression and reaction to what ever I said (can’t remember), I also like how the top echos the shape of the arms in the pose.

#2 – Canon 5D2, Canon 85 F1.8 – Natural Light - 1/320sec, F1.8, ISO125

Next was a few head and shoulder shots, I love the eye contact and the background works well with Sarah’s hair colour and of course the smile in the second one.

#3 – Canon 5D2, Canon 85 F1.8, – Natural Light - 1/160sec, F4, ISO 400

#4 - Canon 5D2, Canon 85 F1.8, – Natural Light - 1/160sec, F4, ISO 400

Now its time for something more dramatic and wide angle, I love my 35 F2 lens but so far had only use it on a APS-C DSLR.. now on the 5D2 it was a real wide angle… play time.

The rail bridge that travel over the Canal hides some great locations and bridge structures, the next series of images were made around that area.

#5  - Canon 5D2, Canon 35 F2 – Natural Light & Flash – 1/200th sec, F11, ISO100, Flash 1/4 Power ish.  Thanks to Mark Boadey VAL duties.  1:1 crop in post.


#6 - Canon 5D2, Canon 35 F2 – Natural Light & Flash – 1/200th sec, F11, ISO100, Flash 1/4 Power ish – Some of the shadow shapes in this are created by shooting through a bridge barrier.

#7 Canon 5D2, Canon 35 F2 – Natural Light & Flash – 1/200th sec, F11, ISO100, Flash 1/4 Power ish

#8 Canon 5D2, Canon 35 F2 – Natural Light & Flash – 1/80h sec, F5, ISO100

Time for something lighter and warmer.

#9 - Canon 5D2, Canon 50 F1.8 II – Natural Light & Flash – 1/200th sec, F3.5, ISO400, Flash 1/8th Power ish with CTO Gel.  Just a small tree and a man made sun.

Now a little more dramatic with Grids.  Love these things.

#10 - Canon 5D2, Canon 50 F1.8 II – Natural Light & Mostly Flash – 1/200th sec, F8, ISO200 – Flash with 1/4 Grid at 1/2 Power ish. 1:! crop in post

#11 - Canon 5D2, Canon 35 F2 – a Natural Little & Flash – 1/200th sec, F8, ISO100, Flash 1/2Power ish with 1/4 grid.  - The grid keeps the flash off the wall.

You can see a video of my edit of this image here

#12 - Canon 5D2, Canon 50 F1.8 II – Natural Light – 1/400thsec, F5.6, ISO640 – A Bit of fun during last light. Never understood people who try to get rid of shadows in any photograph, they create shape/ depth.

#13 - Canon 5D2, Canon 50 F1.8 II, – Natural Light - 1/640thsec, F1.8, ISO640

#14 - Canon 5D2, Canon 50 F1.8 II, – Natural Light - 1/500th sec, F1.8, ISO640

Always keep your camera ready incase your Model decides to go climbing.
 

We wrapped the day off with some good food and a few drinks.



Thank you Sarah for an enjoyable shoot, look forward to working with you again.

Rick

#HrdLight–Sevensin…Steam Punk

Another frame for my #HrdLight project.  Taken at a local studio.

2 Light used in this.  Key light is a Bowens studio head with a 30 Degree Grid boomed over head (love that position) and the background light had a bare reflector and red gel.

Jess (Sevensin) was great to work with and really suited this type of light, I asked Jess for a strong symmetrical pose.. hands on  hips (use this allot) to create shapes/symmetry in the frame.

A larger version of this image can been seen in the Gallery for this project.

Really enjoyed this shoot and will be looking in to Steam Punk some more in 2013.

Rick