New Nikon D800

I have been working in the studio for a few years with the Nikon D3x and loving it. It wasn't just a matter of having 24mp which was a big improvement over previous Nikon but also a greater range of tones. I found it very hard at first not to crop too tight when taking the shot and taking advantage of all that extra detail and luxury of trying different crops in post processing. Quite apart from finding images within images which went right against those that say you have to get it right first time. I loved the D3x so much that it was even my travel camera.

So then we heard the rumours of the D800 with 36mp and thought that the speed and low light characteristics would be at least as bad as the D3x. It was a bit of a shock to find out that at least the low light shooting would be slightly better than the D700. I promptly sold my D700 and ordered a D800.

When the D800 arrived it was with trepidation that I shot it against the D3x. It was difficult to see the difference but it had the edge on the D3x with quality and detail plus of course it's small and lighter and has everything else the D3x was lacking, apart from shutter speed. I don't shoot sports so the shutter speed is of no great interest. 4 fps is quite fast enough.

The upshot of all that is that I ordered a second D800 and sold the D3x.

Studio lighting training at Cre8-Image Studio

Following a number of requests for studio lighting training I started one on one semi-bespoke training classes. The feedback has been good and I have always enjoyed being the trainer so it's proving to be a great addition to the use of the studio. I plan to include some feedback from these sessions on my website.

Peppa and my new Follow Spot

I have for some time been interested in getting a follow spot and while at Focus on Imaging I saw one that might be great and bought it. It was a bit of a risk as I was really not sure what the results would look like. Like my other modifiers it bolts onto the front of my Bowens lights but gives a very hard circle of light that can be focused and via an attachment, varied in size. One thing that I did find is that it gets really hot and needs gloves for any adjustments.

Anyway, up comes my next shoot for an agency I often work with and a new face in the form of the lovely Peppa. Here she is shot with my favourite softbox.

 And now here are a couple of images from the same shoot using the Follow Spot. Personally I love it. First shot from the same angle as the spot and then getting all the angles in. There is a slight diffraction of light and colour on the edge of the spot light which can be softened with a focus adjustment on the Follow Spot. This was my first use of the spot so lots to come.

Bangkok rooftop shoot

I spend too much of my time in the studio and don't get out enough so I make a point of not using a studio when we are in Thailand and fortunately our apartment has a reasonably accessible rooftop with a variety of different lighting situation in terms of no cover, partial cover and walls facing in several directions. No bad but on the other hand we are travelling relatively light to I only have my D3x, 14-24 and 24-70, flash kit and small reflector but no scrim for bring sunlight. The other thing is that it's hot and I can feel a bit uncomfortable being near the edge of the building 30 floors up.

We shot with our model Mara Bee over a two day period. I was pleased that the first day was a slightly cloudy no sun day but plenty of light and the second day was good sun. Over-all that gave us plenty of choice.

The light on the first day gave a nice light for portraits even though 70mm is not ideal for a portrait.

This is my favourite image from the first day.

Day two, sun and more heat and we retreated inside for some softer light for another beauty shot.

In the open but the sun has gone in for a moment.

My favourite shot from the second day.

The end of the day and the light is getting very nice.

An enjoyable two days shooting under not so ideal conditions but generally quite pleased. Thanks Bee.
More on my web site soon - http://www.markfiddian.com/

Paint the model.

Shoot with Colleen

Its, just after Christmas and I really fancy a fun shoot with a experienced, fun and expressive model with a great look. I'd been meaning to shoot with Colleen for ages but she's not based so close to me in Cambridge and I just hadn't got round to organising it. Anyway, finally got it all sorted with Colleen and picked her up from the station and right away knew it would be a great shoot. I didn't organise a stylist or a MUA as I wanted to keep it simple, avoid set pieces and go with the flow. This turned out to be a good decision as Colleen confessed to liking to work that way too.

I guess we who love photography firstly want to create images which we love ourselves. Images that we never tire of. But we also want to create images that have an impact on others who will view it. Images that make people stop, think and wonder. It's not always easy and it can always be better or just different, but that's the beauty of what we do. There is no limit.

 

Simple but love this.

I'd got a role of polythene hanging around in the studio and wanting a change thought we'd give it a go.

and finally i do like working with black on black with high key lighting. :)

Just a great day with Colleen in the studio.

New shoot with Farrah

Had a great shoot with Farrah who has a most interesting look. Very serious but the more we shot the more it worked for me and it became more of a character shoot. Love these images.