New filters

Okay, so first post in a year. Ffs…

Haven’t touched a camera since October last year, been caught up in music. But now I’ve decided to get a totally new set of filters. I’m going back to round filters and have bought the Kase Revolution Professional ND Kit. Not sure if I’ll like them or not, but from all the Youtube videos where people test and review them, so we’ll see. I might miss the graduated NDs or not, we’ll see.

Will probably write a post later down the line when I’ve tried out these filters for a while.

Some things about shooting with models.

Okay, I haven’t shot with anyone for a couple of years now, due to the Covid 19 pandemic.

And who knows how it will be in the future due to the biggest douche in the universe (Putin that is) invading Ukraine and directly affecting the lives of millions of people and even more indirectly (btw, I moved from Donald Trump being biggest douche, to his (though unconfirmed) gay lover, Vladimir Putin to the first place).
And who knows if he stops with Ukraine or will try and take back more of what was the former Soviet Union.

But anyhow, here are a few thoughts I wrote down actually before the pandemic, but for some reason never posted.

I nearly always shoot alone with my models. I do not only shoot nudes with them, but I do shoot a fair amount of nudes. And models are in a delicate situation, especially if being nude. And as a photographer you have to think about that.
I mean, as a decent human being, you don’t really have to think that much about it, but I guess some people have to think more about it than others. So here are a few things for photographers to generally think about when working with models.

• First, models are human beings. Be nice to them, be polite and be friendly. Don’t try to boss them around just because you’re most likely paying them. Show them respect. I’ve heard about photographers being total dicks on shoots and that’s not cool.

• Second, don’t touch your models! This goes without saying, and again, show them respect. If you’ve shot together before and have got to know each other, I mean a hug when saying “hi” and/or “bye” can very well be fine, depending on the person since not everyone likes to hug. I’m basically not much of hugger myself I guess, but I’m fine with it. A “high five” for nailing a shot might not be very weird at all. Otherwise, don’t touch!
  Sure, I mean, I’ve helped models climb up or down things a few times, but always ask or wait to be asked for assistance. And if it might be that you are helping a model to get up in a tree or whatever, maybe tell them where you’re gonna put your hands while helping them and check once more if that’s okay.
  If it’s about getting some hair away from their face or adjusting clothes, move a limb a bit or whatever, don’t just do it, always ask before. It might be fine, but absolutely don’t take it for granted.

• Third. Okay, maybe you’re doing a nude shoot and your model is going to be naked in front of your camera and if it’s a professional art nude model for example, she’s probably more than fine with being naked since it’s part of her job (I’m just assuming this). But between changing poses or whatever, try and give your model as much space as possible. I mean, you might be shooting in a small room or wherever it is, just try and stay clear a little. I know that can be hard sometimes, since I myself like to chat with my models during and in between taking the shots, but still give them some room to breath or leave the room for a minute or something. I’m not a pro myself, but I always try and act like one and so should you. If you can’t leave the room while taking a break for a minute, don’t be creepy and stare at them and instead give them some privacy even if there’s not much. If you can, offer to give them their clothes or whatever if you’re having a little break, either for if it’s chilly or just so that they can cover up for a minute while having a drink of water or looking for the next spot to shoot at. Some models seem like they don’t care about that, but everyone is different, and just because one model was fine with being naked in between the shots, next one maybe isn’t.

• Fourth, don’t push anyone’s limits. If it’s the first time shooting with a model, hopefully you’ve had some type of interaction on a place like PurplePort, Model Mayhem or just through Facebook or email, prior to the shoot. And hopefully you have some plan or at least thought of what you’re going to shoot. And if you want to shoot nudes, you should let the model know that before. Don’t just surprise your model at the location. I mean, you might get a kickass idea triggered by a cool or beautiful location and of course, if it’s a pro art nude model, she might not mind it at all especially if you’re already shooting nudes, but don’t try and push anyone if they don’t normally do nudes. Save the idea for another time and talk about it with your model or just save it for another model who is an art nude model for example and who’s fine with shooting nude. Not every model is, and don’t try to convince them to do things they don’t want to.

• Fifth, if you’re going on location for example, bring something to eat or at least drink for yourself and your model, or at least check with your model if she has something with her. Some models do not like to eat anything on a shoot, others do. And water is always needed, especially on warm summer days, so just keep those things in mind.

• Sixth, don’t touch your models.

Okay, I might have left things out, but these are some things I came to think of. And be aware, everyone is different. While I’ve met models who have given me a hug the first time we met, not everyone is like that. Again, models are regular people and I haven’t met anyone yet who hasn’t been a nice person. You click better with some people, just as in normal life and some you have maybe things in common and some less. Just be a decent human yourself and things will most likely be just fine.

Copenhagen for the first time in 2 years.

So, I took the day off work, needed to do something else and get away for a day.

Also first time testing out my new Fujifilm X-T4 and also my new Samyang 8mm f/2.8 fisheye lens and while I didn’t really get any great shots, it was fun trying them both out.

I’ve never had a fisheye lens before and that thing needs to get used to shooting with, but damn it was a fun thing and well worth its rather low price. I put it on f/11 and ∞ and everything is in focus and I’m impressed of how sharp it actually is. But like I just said, it needs some adjusting and to get used to shooting with it since it’s very easy to get caught in the frame since it’s so wide.

And this was also the first time actually out shooting with the X-T4 which performed flawlessly as expected.

Here are some shots.

Fujifilm X-T4 + Fujinon XF 16mm f/1.4 R WR
Took a shot a few years ago pretty much exactly at the same spot with my then Canon 5D mkIII.

Fujifilm X-T4 + Fujinon XF 16mm f/1.4 R WR

Fujifilm X-T4 + Fujinon XF 16mm f/1.4 R WR

Fujifilm X-T4 + Fujinon XF 16mm f/1.4 R WR

Fujifilm X-T4 + Fujinon XF 16mm f/1.4 R WR

Fujifilm X-T4 + Fujinon XF 16mm f/1.4 R WR

Fujifilm X-T4 + Samyang 8mm f/2.8 UMC Fisheye II

Fujifilm X-T4 + Samyang 8mm f/2.8 UMC Fisheye II

Fujifilm X-T4 + Samyang 8mm f/2.8 UMC Fisheye II

Okay, I bought the Fujifilm X-T4...

And I received it today.

I got it with the battery grip, since I normally shoot a lot of portraits and I refuse to hold the camera in a stupid way, when I can hold it in a great and ergonomic way. I don’t care that it gets bigger and a bit heavier, it’s a much better grip than without it + obviously the battery time x 3. It is a bit bigger and more hefty than the X-T2 with battery grip, which is only positive.

I bought Fujifilm’s twin battery charger, but it was back ordered, so have to wait for it, but it really takes forever to charge all three batteries in the camera, so I hope the wait won’t be too long. For landscape work I am gonna order an L-bracket from Really Right Stuff for it, and a cage from Small since I’m gonna start filming as well.

Don’t know if I’ll review it after using it for a while, don’t think I will be adding that much, since there are already lots of reviews online. We’ll see. Hopefully I can get out soon to test it, maybe in the weekend.

So... I've more or less retired my F-stop Loka

Pretty much at least.

I received my F-stop Tilopa toady. I have to say that F-stop definitely have upped their game since I last ordered from them, which is quite a while ago now.
Ordered on the 26th and received it today on the 31st, and that is including the weekend.

Anyhow, eventually I will review it as I’ve done with my other F-stop backpacks, but will have to use it for a while first.

So... I might start shooting some again

I might finally have started to think about getting out of this photography hiatus. Been going on for 2 years now, so it might be time.

I have some plans for next year if travelling will become easier. I might actually go to Scotland for a landscape photography trip. It’s been nearly 16 years now since I visited this magical place and have wanted to return many times.
I might also take a trip to London and shoot with some models, I have missed that and hopefully some will be touring next year, so I might have a chance of shooting a couple around here as well.

I will soon start to hike around here with camera and some hiking/camping gear since I need to get in better shape if I get to Scotland. I have no plans on doing any multi day hikes, more like day hikes, but we’ll see. I will have to buy some type of shelter for over night stay in the outdoors, since I don’t have that. I have most other things that I need.

I’ve been using F-stop’s Loka backpack for a few years. It is an amazing backpack, though at 37 litres it is a bit too small if you want to bring food, something to cook it on, extra layers of clothes and things like that, so I’ve ordered the 50 litre Tilopa from F-stop (of course), which I think will be perfect, even for staying out for a night or two. The last time I was in the U.K. I went on a trip from London to Cardiff in Wales, up to York and back to London again. I stayed at hotels but had clean clothes, MacBook Pro with hard drives, chargers for cameras, phone, computer and all of that. I left my suitcase at my hotel in London and only brought the Loka with me on that round trip, and while it worked, it was a bit small. I think that I will bring around the same amount of things on day hikes (not the same things though), but it will have a bit more room to breath, than in the Loka.

The backpack is set to arrive on Monday I believe and then I’ll probably write a review after using it for a few months.

I might also actually buy a new camera in a month or two (probably two). I don’t really feel like I need to “upgrade” my Fujifilm X-T2 for stills, but I want to start filming, a thought that has grown on me for quite a while. Since I do music, I want to shoot videos and make music for those videos as well, so I might buy the Fujifilm X-T4, I’ll come back to that later on.

Sadness

It’s not fair when someone gets taken away so early.

RIP Stephanie, you will be missed…

Covid-19 report a year later, nearly...

Alright, it still hasn’t got to me, but some people at the company I work for has got it and one person know, well, knew died from it, which is sad.

Still no lockdowns here in Sweden, but I guess there should be. I work full time as usual.

On the photography front there’s not much new stuff, since well, Covid-19.
I’ve done a shoot, promo photos for a metal album release. I might post a few later on, but nothing else.
I still have photos to finish from my last 4 day model shoot with Ayla and Nicole which have lots of great shots, but every time I start working on them I get some done and then I can’t be bothered, since Photoshop work is so damn boring. I will finish them some time this year though. Probably.

Otherwise it’s music that is taking up most of my spare time, though I’ve kinda quit one of the two bands I played in, and the other is put in a bit of hiatus but will continue if or when things might get better regarding Covid-19.
Otherwise I’ve been updating my home studio during the last year with a lot of hardware synths. I’m pretty much done, but it’s taken a year since analog synths cost a lot of money. My plan is to write and record an album of some type of dark electronic music, which might seem weird since extreme metal is my main thing. But there can be similarities in the message and this is the main route I want to take when it comes to making my own music, which I’m still experimenting on and will see what it’ll end up in.

Covid-19 hasn't got me yet...

These are interesting times…

This “pandemic” sucks ass. I don’t know anyone who’s got it or heard of anyone having or had it in my area. It will probably spread here as well. But people have surely gone full retard in many places in the world when it comes to handling this, like hoarding toilet paper for example.
I’ve heard of people hoarding toilet paper, canned food and things like that, literally like crazy and then suddenly thinking “wait a minute, maybe I don’t need to all of that and to be a selfish asshole?” and trying to exchange it back at the stores again and get their money back with no luck. Haha, fuck those people! Lol

Myself I still work full time and in a way it would be nice to isolate myself for a while and have some spare time to do things I want to (maybe finish the photos from my last shoot), but I can’t. So far, at the company I work for it’s business as usual.

Talking about shooting. I haven’t touched a camera since August last year and I haven’t really wanted to either and for the last shoots, I have been having to post pone them for work reasons. I do feel a little tempted to shoot, but I’m still mostly focused on doing music when I’m not working.

But then again, it’s not the right time to shoot with models, since there are no models around here and travels are limited. I was having plans on going to London in May, which I post poned for several reasons and right now it’s not even really possible. I was thinking of going there in August instead, since that’s when I have my main vacation, but we’ll have to see how this whole pandemic thing evolves, but most likely I’ll have to wait until next year. We’ll see.

It's going slow...

I’m still editing my last shoot from August that I had with two of my ever favourite models, the lovely Ayla Rose and Nicole Rayner from the U.K.

They were here for about 4 days and we had a lot of fun, but I haven’t finished editing and I’ve been taking it easy, but will hopefully soon find enough time to sit down for a couple of days and finish it.

But it’ll be good when it’s done, there are quite a few cool shots in there.

Still alive...

I’m having vacation from my job and soon halfway into it. I mean, wtf? Where does time go?

I’ve been keeping away from photography for months, though I did two shoots in June and I have just started editing the shots, but will probably have some of them here maybe beginning of next week.

I also have two shoots (and probably some shots too from a meet up I’m gonna have with one of my models that I haven’t met for about 2 years now) in August which hopefully be fun. I mean, both are brilliant models, but you never know with the weather, and the weather can fuck you over pretty bad and ruin a lot.

But we’ll see, I’m looking forward to it though.

Still "that time of year"...

Haven’t touched a camera since September. How does that feel? Pretty good actually. Haven’t done anything photography related for months and it’s pretty sweet. Just been doing music, which is nice. Do I miss photography? Not really. Am I quitting photography? No, just having a break. Trying to distance myself from the whole “photography community” since it’s so boring.

I’ve expressed it before and I’m so fucking fed up with gear talk. Actual photos are still interesting, but the constant gear talk and pixel peeping and all that, please kill me…

Oh, I saw yesterday that Adobe has done this new update with detail enhancement which supposedly will benefit Fujifilm for example. Cool, I haven’t updated anything for months. Haven’t opened Lightroom/Photoshop for months and probably can’t be bothered now either...

But sure, I have booked a few new model shoots for this year, and more will come, so again, I am not quitting photography, the big question is if I can use my gear, it’s a couple of years old now, so obsolete and probably unusable…

It's that time of year again...

So it’s winter again. And in the south of Sweden that means 5 months of grey skies, cold rain, the occasional snow and slush, and wind. The ever present wind. Fuck you wind.

It doesn’t make me want to pick up a camera and go out shooting and I actually haven’t touched a camera since September, and probably won’t for another few months. I’ve been focusing on music instead.
Though I’ve seen casting calls for a few interesting models visiting Copenhagen, Denmark, but since I don’t have studio to shoot at (well, I don’t really like studios in general anyways) I’ve had to pass. I still have two shoots to edit, I just haven’t had the time or well, the inspiration to do it, but I have to do it soon.

Anyways, I probably won’t pick up a camera for a few months, but hopefully one of my favourite models will come and visit and shoot with me towards the spring and then it’ll be time to pick it up again. Until then, not much is gonna happen here, well until I’ve edited those shoots at least.

I'm bored to death with gear heads.

Here we go again... 

So Nikon is entering the FF mirrorless arena with their Z6 and Z7. Who cares? A lot of Nikon shooters, I guess. And good for them. I'm just tired of all people who'll sell all their gear, be it what ever brand, just to get the newest. I've changed system twice myself. I had Minolta back in the 90's, moved to Canon in 2003 and in 2014 to Fujifilm (though kept my 5D MkIII for a while "just in case"). So one thing is if you want to change from DSLR to mirrorless for example, but going from Nikon to Sony to Fujifilm to Nikon again or any other path. Either read up on what system you're actually buying into, think about what you're shooting and what your needs are, don't be the first to jump on the train for something just because it's new or simply make your mind up and start shooting instead. 

Sure, if your camera's image quality sucks, get something newer, but no modern camera's image quality sucks, so most likely you've just got GAS. 

I still haven't bought the Fujifilm X-H1 for example. I use my money to hire models to actually shoot for example. But sure, I can see myself getting the X-H1 since I've been meaning to get into video for quite a while, but it will probably be its successor instead. Maybe. 

Is my X-T2 the best camera ever? Definitely not, but it's still pretty damn good, especially for what I shoot. Do I need 45 megapixels? Nope. Do I need FF? Nope. Though FF is better for higher ISO and also dynamic range so of course, that is a good thing. I could get even shallower DOF with FF, sure, but I don't really need any shallower DOF than I already have. Would I like an even better autofocus? Sure. Would a better Eye/Face detection be great? Sure, that could be cool. Do I need it? Nope. Would I switch to Sony to get FF, better autofocus and Eye/Face detection? Never. Sony is killing it right now and they've got cameras that delivers great image quality. Do I want one? Nope. Nothing about them gives me a bit of the good old GAS, I'm totally indifferent. 

One of the greatest things with the Fujifilm X-T2 for example, is that there are direct dials for ISO, shutter speed and exposure compensation and then you have an actual aperture ring on the lenses. I think the actual handling of the camera is second to none. I will never go back to anything else if I'm not forced to it at some point. And then we have the lenses. They are pretty damn good as well, probably some of the best lens lineups there are today, and they're also not extremely expensive (with an exception of the XF 200mm f/2). Would I'd like Fujifilm to make some things better, I sure do. Is it better in the X-H1, maybe a couple of things. Are things gonna be better in the upcoming X-T3, maybe but I can't say that I'm that interested in the rumours. I'll see when it's actually released, but I have no plans in getting one.  The camera that I'd really like to get is the Fujifilm GSX50s or what comes next in line.
THAT would actually be a nice upgrade that would positively enhance and affect my own photography. Will I ever do it? Probably not, the system is just too expensive.

Okay, back to what I meant this post to be about. Gear heads.
We have the ones that buy whatever is the newest thing, what's "in" and what's the "best" to have at the moment. And we have the ones that are trying to justify their own (bad?) choices and what they've put their money into, and like to bitch about every other brand. And I'm so fucking tired of it. 

People bitch a lot about the fact that the Nikon Z6 and Z7 only have one card slot. Is it a deal breaker? For some people maybe. I always shoot with dual cards in backup mode. I'm not a pro, and do not want to be a pro either, but since I book models, and put some money into that and since it would suck if the card fails and you lose the time and money put into it. Would most "pro" photographers like to use double cards, I guess probably most, but people bitching about that you can't do pro work with a single card is just retarded. 

Ah, I can't be bothered writing any more... but Matt Granger has some good things to say about the "single card problem" and some other things as well in this video. 
Check it out.

Euston, we have a problem...

So I have a limit of how much cash I can withdraw while being abroad. Thank you Swedbank, good to know....

Had a bad morning yesterday, didn't feel well and when I left my hotel to go and withdraw money for my last model shoots, and for a deposit for yesterday's studio, the ATM told me I had reached my daily limit. 

So had to go back back to my hotel, messaging the studio and Elle, my first model that I'd be late, I first got on the internet bank, nothing weird and then on the phone. Awesome, number 76 in the phone cue, about 30 minutes of waiting time. That's great, while being on your mobile phone, abroad....

And in the end, my bank could do absolutely nothing. There's a limit of how much cash that can be withdrawn during a 14 day period and they couldn't do anything about it. I had exceeded the limit. Sure, it's been very expensive paying for models and so on, so that wasn't weird, but the limit, I was not aware of. And it fucked up my day. But, found a way to get around it, but I ended up being 1,5 hour late for my shoot, and missed out on some shooting time. 

But in the end, it went pretty well and I had two great shoots with both Elle and Jezebelle at the Belt Craft Studios. 

And to finish off this trip, I had my 10th and final shoot today, an awesome one with the beautiful Ayla, at The Hacienda (second time there). 

So tomorrow is my final full day in London, before heading back to Sweden on Saturday. I really like London and it's never fun to leave, but it is the knowledge that it will take a while to be able to see most of the awesome models that I've shot with, and that makes me a bit sad, since they are all some really nice people that I've really enjoyed working and spending time with. 

...but it has turned out better

After a rocky start when it comes to the weather it has turned around. 

I've been to Cardiff, Wales, where the weather looked really bad at the beginning but turned out pretty nice. I started to shoot with Stephanie in my hotel room which was pretty huge (got upgraded for some reason) and after that she took me to a couple of awesome places.

Sgwd Henrhyd (iPhone shot)

The Sgwd Henhryd (highest waterfall in South Wales, 27 meters high) which was awesome but for the day raging wild with mist spraying all over the place. And while we took a bunch of nudes here (which will eventually be posted), it was too dangerous to do what's usually can be done here. 

After that, Stephanie took me to another awesome location called Nash Point. We had to time it with the tide, because it can only be reached at low tide. And while shooting there, it has to be monitored so the tide won't catch you off guard since that could mean loss of equipment and even life from the truly raging see. We took many shots, mostly nudes there and they will be posted in the future when I'm back in Sweden and have had the time to post process them. 

I had a full and awesome day with Stephanie who's so nice and awesome, and which I hope I can shoot with again in a not so far future. 

After my second night in Cardiff it was time to catch the train towards York. But first I stopped by in Newport to shoot with Angharada. We had a great time, shooting in her own place, not as grandeur as the locations I had been to the day before, but we got some really nice shots and she was awesome. 

Nash Point

After my shoot with Angharada I got on the train for York. What a nice little city that is. After my first night I had a full day of shooting with the little bundle of joy that is Nicole. It was my second time shooting with her and she's just awesome and funny and I had a great day, first shooting nudes at Nicole's Photography Palace (which is her flat) and then going for a walk through York, shooting some casual fashion (kind of) and portraits here and there. We did a bit of guerrilla style shooting, since Nicole decided to get naked in the museum park and we caught a few shots there in between looking out for people. Hilarious. We shall after this be known as "Team Guerrilla". Can't wait to shoot with her again. 

So after a second night here, I'm going to get ready to check out, have a little stroll around York and then catch the train back to London for a full week of shooting. Good times. 

Not the best weather so far...

• In London - check
• Coughing lungs out - check
• Fucked up weather - check
• Having to cancel shoot - check

So far not so good. Had a shoot with Sara yesterday. Wasn't too good (not her fault) since it was absolutely freezing. And I normally don't get cold that easily myself, but I am not well yet so that didn't help, and I didn't want to torture Sara either. 

So after shooting for little while in the cold, I felt kinda unmotivated and I was ready to give up. So we stopped by for a couple of hot drinks at Costa, and Sara suddenly had an idea. So thanks to that and to the friend that Sara is staying with, we had a place to shoot a little bit more inside. 

At the same time Roswell, my model for today messaged me about her fear that today's weather was getting worse than it looked like before. And our plan wouldn't work in even colder, windier and definitely rainier conditions. So we decided to cancel today. I'm not happy about it, since I really like shooting with her and was looking forward to it, but at the same time our plan wouldn't have worked and it would be a waste of time for us both. So, I'm looking forward until her upcoming visit to Denmark/Sweden in a few months . We'll make something epic out of that instead. :) 
 

Something is happening here

Finally, something photography related is happening here. 

I'm sitting at the Clarion Hotel at Copenhagen Airport waiting for tomorrow morning when I'm going back to the U.K. for a 14 day, 11 model tour, from London to Derby, Cardiff, York and back to London again. 

Hopefully it'll be great. It will be very very expensive and on top of that, I've been battling a cold for a couple of days, hopefully it'll get better soon. 

More updates will come soon.

Fujifilm X-H1

I guess I should make a post about the new Fujifilm X-H1. 

Have I bought one? Nope. Will I buy one? Probably yes since I am getting into video as well. But since I have this upcoming trip to London which will be a pretty expensive one, I will have to wait until June or something like that before getting the X-H1. 

It seems pretty awesome, the IBIS seems pretty good in it even if Fujifilm said that it wasn't possible to do because of the size of the X-mount and things like that, but okay, if it works it works. I'm not so sure about the removing of the exposure compensation dial, since I like that for photography, but it might be okay. A bit bigger grip is welcome though and of course the internal F-log. I've been thinking of getting an external recorder for the X-T2, but since they are pretty expensive (about 2/3 of an X-H1) I've been hesitating after hearing more about the X-H1 and now when it's not rumours anymore I'll pass on the recorder and put down some extra money and get a whole camera instead. 

I think it'll be good and I'll get back to that in a few months. 

Still nothing happening around here

Nope, not a single thing. And at the moment, I am on a sick leave from work since I have busted my knee and am walking with crutches. But hopefully only until later next week. 

Anyways, I'm pretty done with model booking for my upcoming London trip and awaiting my last confirmation. It'll be a busy (and expensive) trip, but hopefully worth it.