What a strange year. I had less work in 2020 and it was without a doubt my less creative year. It was supposed to be a special one for me, with lots of changes business-wise. A transition in my activity towards more video work and exploring new grounds in my photography. Nothing of what I planned this year actually happened, and that’s ok because oddly, I learned so much this year. I met a lot of amazingly talented people this year and I took some time to explore all the other things in my life I left on the side because I was too busy working.
So things got delayed, it’s life, shit happens, let's hope next year will be better…
The following images are from one of the last photoshoots I did this year and an example of why it is important for me to test things over and over again. These were made a while back while I was discovering the Canon EOS R5. We played with fabrics again, tried a thing or 2, and most importantly we had a lot of fun that day.
The goal of this session apart from this new camera I was using for the first time, was to try new ways of achieving images with flying fabrics and huge dresses with a limited crew. When I say limited, I mean me and one assistant.
Usually, I need at least 2 other persons to manipulate these fabrics if not three. You probably saw the first attempts in previous videos and this is another one of them.
Perfection comes with repetition and although you will never reach perfection, you will become more efficient with time and reduce your chances of failure.
For this photograph, I hid light in the other room on the right to fake the sun coming from the window.
CANON EOS R5 & EF 24-70mm F2.8II L (+ Adapter) 2X Broncolor Siros L 800ws 24mm - 1/200sec at f/2.8 ISO 160
For this next one, I hid the main light in another room you cannot see on the left side of the frame taking advantage of that window. My 2nd light was on the opposite side filling up the shadows.
CANON EOS R5 & RF 50mm f1.2 L USM 2X Broncolor Siros L 800ws 1/160sec at f/2.8 ISO 50
This one was fun to do… I’ve been placing my models on a stool or a small ladder a few times recently. Just to gain a bit of height and to add that surreal feeling to the image. What we did with the white fabric is the base of future bigger productions, I really cannot wait to create these pictures!
CANON EOS R5 & EF 16-35mm F2.8II L (+ Adapter) 2X Broncolor Siros L 800ws 16mm - 1/160sec at f/2.8 ISO 50
I needed to try these ideas multiple times to experience the randomness of the whole process and see if I can gain any more control for future iterations. Basically, these sessions for me are almost like a creative lab and real-world rehearsals. This helps me be more confident for future demanding jobs. To know that I have a few tricks up my sleeves, that I have made a few times in the past helps me psychologically.
CANON EOS R5 & EF 24-70mm F2.8II L (+ Adapter) Broncolor Siros L 800ws 24mm - 1/160sec at f/2.8 ISO 100
A few days later we met with Tiare again because these experimenting sessions are not reserved for my photography. I said it earlier, I was supposed to produce a couple of videos this year, but before that, I wanted to test different tools, different techniques, and ideas. I am still looking for the best compact hybrid video camera and lenses for my work.
Other videos are available on my 2nd channel, be sure to check them out! So far, I used the 1dx3, The EOS R5, and the Fujifilm GFX100… We’ll see next year what I will actually use. Let’s hope 2021 will help us forget 2020 quickly. I want to wish all of you who have been supporting me and my work so far a joyous Holiday season and a happy and peaceful New Year. Please take care of yourself and your loved ones, stay safe. And if you have to remember one thing and only one thing… Love is the key! See y’all next year.