Sigma Canada announces Kevin Pepper as Sigma Pro Photographer

Ontario, Canada – April 11, 2013 – Kevin Pepper, photographer and operator of the Photographers Lounge, is pleased to announce that he has been selected as the newest addition to the Sigma Canada line-up of Canadian professional photographers. Kevin looks forward to joining existing Sigma Canada professional photographers Ethan Meleg, John Marriott, Gary Black, Younes Bounhar, and Crombie McNeill, and will now be using a variety of Sigma lenses for his professional work, as well as his personal portfolio. Photographers following Kevin will be able to read product reviews, watch videos, ask questions, and see his latest Sigma photos on his blog and social media platforms. Kevin’s photos will also be on display in the Sigma Pro Gallery at www.SigmaCanada.ca/Pro-Gallery.

Kevin says, "I am honoured to be accepted into such a prestigious group as the Sigma Pro photographers. I have always been impressed with the quality of Sigma lenses, and now to be able to showcase the quality through my own photography is very exciting." He further goes on to say, "In addition to personally benefiting from the quality of the lenses, students attending workshops will now have the opportunity to try these lenses in real world settings. My goal has always been to make sure my students have access to the latest photography gear in the market; this sponsorship will provide a key component in achieving that goal."

ABOUT GENTEC INTERNATIONAL

Founded in 1990, Gentec International is Canada’s leading consumer accessory products company, supplying a complete range of photo, video, digital, sport optics, home theatre, electronics, wireless, and mobile audio products to the Canadian retail marketplace. Gentec offers a variety of prominent brands, including Sigma, SanDisk, Manfrotto, Gitzo, National Geographic, Kata, Avenger, Optex, Roots, Gary Fong, Black Rapid, Mobifoto, iQ, Sunpak, Energizer, Bushnell, Tasco, and Zeiss. Gentec operates out of a high-cube, state-of-the-art, fully computerized 100,000-square-foot warehouse and distribution centre that offers efficient, seamless service to its customers. With over 90 employees, Gentec covers the needs of its retailers coast to coast using the latest technology systems, streamlined efficiencies, and customer service that is second to none. To learn more, visit www.gentec-intl.com .

For more information about Sigma products, visit www.SigmaCanada.ca.

ABOUT KEVIN PEPPER

Kevin is a professional photographer based in Cambridge, Ontario. His first love is photographing nature, regardless of the season or weather condition; the Ontario landscape is his inspiration.

But you will also see other styles of photography in his portfolio. From street photography to urban exploration of abandoned buildings and architecture, he loves to capture it all with his camera for his corporate clients and his growing personal portfolio.

Kevin also operates the “Photographers Lounge”. The Lounge is a teaching company created in 2011 and is dedicated to teaching amateur photographers through International and Canadian based workshops.

Website: www.photographerslounge.ca
Blog: http://kpepphotography.blogspot.ca

Grow Into Your Photography Gear

After I proof read my next article for PhotoTECH magazine I remembered when I went to media day today at the last airshow... lots of media types there and lots of air show enthusiasts that make the circuit. Most sporting a camera or two.

The "MONEY" hanging around peoples necks was "ASTOUNDING". Canon 5D's and Nikon D4's with battery grips, the big guns with teleconverters attached to give them what I call "peeping Tom" focal length... One guy had a 500mm and the other a 600mm on his camera... he could have had a Toyota Corolla hanging around his neck worth less money.

Don't get me wrong, when you get to a certain proficiency level, the better gear does make a difference. I respect the people that are that good at photography and invested the money in their craft to produce even better quality images.

But what really shakes my head is the people that invest all this money in gear that they do not know how to use.

I am not saying, "Don't invest in better gear." Heck, at the time I was an OLY shooter using an E-30 and E-3 and I was deciding on how to upgrade my gear. But I am at that level. I understand a camera's functions and how to produce a quality photo in a variety of situations. I have been taking photos for over 30 years and honed my craft. A better digital camera has now made me a better photographer. I switched to Nikon, bought two bodies and now have some lenses that could buy me a small used car...

But for those of you starting out, or for the photographers that wants to take things to the next level... my advice... invest in the most important element of taking a better photograph first.... that's the 6 inches between your ears. Before you spend thousands, or even tens of thousands of dollars on gear, learn the basics of photography and master the craft. Then buy a DSLR that you can grow into over a period of a few years... take it slow and upgrade to gear jsut past your proficiency level so you always have gear to grow into. This hobby is a marathon, not a sprint. You will continue to learn and grow with every click of the shutter.

Become a student to the passion or hobby of photography and don't over compensate by investing in the $11,000 lens just yet. You will get there... you just need better skills first.

Thanks for reading,

Kev

Headed to the cottage? What gear should you take?

As the winter makes a turn and we head into spring people are in the middle of planning their holiday vacations. Some will be taking day trips with the kids, others travelling across country and outside the country... but many Canadians head to the cottage...

I too am headed north to the Kawartha's this summer ... beer, sun, swimming, fishing, friends, family and campfires where we make smores, cook hot dogs over an open flame and set marshmallows on fire so we can fling the flaming white chemical infused balls or sugar out onto the lake... The common denominator here though is the camera... capturing all this is what makes this all so special.

So... what gear am I taking north with me this weekend to make sure I capture all this?

1) My DSLR's... I shoot with Nikon and will have my D7000 and D600 with me...
2) My point and shoot... The ever faithful canon powershot always comes in handy.
3) my Sigma 11-22mm wide angle lens to capture those early morning landscape shots of the lake and back lakes on our hikes. Its also a great lens to have on the camera for those times where we are all scattered in the dining room and dining room... the wide angle allows me to capture everyone sitting and enjoying the conversation.
4) my walk around lens... the Sigma 24-70mm f2.8 which is wide enough to take great landscape shots, but has the 70mm to focus in on those closer crop shots when needed.
5) my Sigma 70-200mm f2.8-3.5 telephoto lens that i use to photograph water skiers, boaters and kids jumping into the lake.
6) the 1.4x teleconverter that i slap on when i am hunting down some of the blue herons or loons that are often seen on the lake.
7) My 120-300 f2.8 for my longer telephoto needs..
8) the tripod and shutter release for those night time photo shoots where we go light painting or long exposure landscape photography.
9) my Lee filter sets.... i always carry my polarizers and ND filters with me.
10) external flash and flashlights
11) six memory cards... usually 3, 16gig and 3, 8gig Sandisk extreme compact flash cards.
12) 6batteries and a charger to make sure I never run out of juice.
13) laptop to download images to work on some photos and show everyone the photos of the day in case they ask.
14) Lowepro knapsack to carry it all

If you are going to the cottage this summer I hope you have a great time... chronicle the family vacation and just enjoy the time away with your family...

If you want to come to the cottage with us and participate in one of our workshops up in the Kawartha area of Ontario this summer or fall, check out the details on the Photographer's Lounge. We would love to have you join us.

Kev

Want to come on an exclusive "Costa Rica" Photo Retreat with two Professional Photographers?

Deborah Sandidge and I are hosting a photography retreat in Costa Rica for a week in March of 2014.

Join us at our private villa for exclusive learning opportunities that cover:
~Photography Skills (landscape, seascape, long exposure, nature, night photography, travel and infared photography)
~Editing Skills (CS6, NIK Software, Photomatix)
~Product Introduction sessions (Lenses, accessories, software)

We encourage you to bring your spouse or bring your kids at reduced rates as there is plent for them to do while we are in our photogrpahy and classroom sessions... We have an all-inclusive price for our holiday near the beach... and the best part... We are at our own private resort with our own staff.

Here are some photos from the resort...

The following link has more details... http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Photography-Retreat-to-Costa-Rica.html?soid=1109242058938&aid=m1wyuT-btUQ

We hope to see you there...

Deb and Kev

Sigma Student Scholarship Contest

If you know a student in an accredited Canadian university or college photography program and they shoot with Sigma lenses you should forward this to them for a change to win some money towards their tuition.

The grand prize: $3,000 towards your tuition!
Second Prize finalists, there is a $1,000 Gentec International Photo Gear Package up for grabs!

This scholarship contest illustrates Sigma's decades of technological advancement and innovation in the industry, and our desire to empower and support aspiring student photographers. After nearly 50 years of pioneering new and better ways to capture and portray the ordinary — and extraordinary — Sigma continues to create new avenues of expression with innovative designs and enhancements
for lenses and cameras used in contemporary photography.

As one of the first manufacturers to successfully introduce the interchangeable lens, Sigma's well-earned reputation for originality, innovation and leadership is your guarantee of the world's most advanced line of photographic products.

The contest winners will be selected based on his or her ability to deliver outstanding photographs with the superior caliber of image quality for which the Sigma brand has become known.

Submissions accepted until April 30, 2013

Eligibility

The Contest is open to legal residents of Canada, who are entering into or already enrolled in an accredited full time Photography program with proof of admission, and aspire to obtain a degree or certificate in that program. Must be 16 years or older. Employees of Sigma Canada, Gentec International, its parents, partners, affiliates, dealers or subsidiaries and members of the immediate family and household of each are not eligible. Immediate family members include parents, siblings or any person residing in the same household as employee. 
  

For full contest details, visit the "Rules" section.

† A grand prize and Photo Gear winner awarded in each region (total of 3 grand prizes, and 3 Photo Gear Prizes): Western Region (BC,AB,SK,MB), Central Canada (ON,QU), Eastern Canada ( NS, NB, NL PEI, YU, NVT).The link to the dedicated site is http://scholarship.sigmacanada.ca/

How to photograph horses ~ portraits and action shots

photo courtesy of Patrice Aguilar

Taking a good photo of a horse might sound easy. But there is plenty to consider before you step up and prepare to shoot these large beautiful creatures!

My suggestions are to first think what type of photo you want to achieve?

1~ Do you want to have a beautiful standing portrait?
2~ Are you after catching all the movement?
3~ Are you trying to take a photo with a human interacting with a horse?

My advice would be to browse some amazing galleries on google, flickr or 500px.com. Or just read some horse magazines and take a closer look of the photos!

Before you start snapping plan ahead! If you are after that perfect portrait get your horse brushed up and use a clean halter, a leather one, not a colored training one. Or if you want more natural look on the pasture take the halter off!

My first pointer is that you probably assume that a sunny day is the best time to take the photos but that is not the case! Bright sun creates plenty of shadows and the shine of the coat can be blown out.  So cloudy day is usually better, but remember that you still need some light!

Horse Portraits - Plan your background for a portrait photo. Avoid trees "growing" off the horses back or fences cutting through the body if you can. Plain grass or maybe a barn wall can be a good choice for the background. When you find a perfect spot think about your angle. Do you want a side shot? Do you want to take a photo in front of the horse? You might want to try both!

The tricky part, you need your horse to co-operate! You want him stand still and straight legged with his ears up and alert.

If you are after a portrait your camera should be set in aperture priority and use an f stop around an f/8 to f/11. Think about the perspective. You do not want to be too low or too high. A good rule is to have the camera in the same level as the horses eyes unless you are after a specific angle.

Action Photographs – Again, plan your background and avoid busy backgrounds and fences or horizons that cut through the animal if at all possible... as you see above it is not always possible in a setting like the sea.

 

Stand with the sun at your back and set your camera to shutter priority and to “Continuous focus” and track the running horse, then press the shutter button that is set in burst mode… You could set your shutter speed fast to freeze the action… or, for more visual effects, pan with the running horse so that your horse is in focus but the background and foreground has motion blur.

When photographing a running horse you should remember the rule of thirds and place the horse to the side of the image they are running from. Give the horse room in the frame to move to. It gives a more aesthetically pleasing photo.

I hope this gives you some things to think about the next time you go out to shoot horses. If you want to join us in the South of France this June; we are headed to photograph the Carmague white stallions seaside. You can find information on that workshop here.

How did the photographer take that photo?

 

I have had a few emails asking how I took this photo since it went up on my Canadian Sigma gallery this month so I thought I would write a quick tutorial on how to achive this type of image.

But before I begin I have to give credit where credit is due... Rick Sammon, one of the Canon Explorers of Light, is where I learned how to take this type of image. I invited Rick up to run a seminar and workshop in Canada for my company, The Photographers Lounge. During that seminar I watched him instruct our students how to take this type of image.

Gear Used To Take This Photo 
Photoflex StarFlash® 300watt strobe - you can also use a speedlite as well.
Photoflex medium softbox - A softbox with a recessed front diffusion panel should be used for optimal light. This will allow you to control the light better than you would receive with an umbrella.
Black backdrop and backdrop stand
Nikon D7000
Sigma 24-70 f2.8

Camera Settings
F-stop was f/10
Exposure time was 1/200th of a second
ISO was 200

You need to experiment with subject positioning and the strength of the flash you use to get the shot you are after. But as a starting point... position the subject slightly in front of the soft box and have your model look straight ahead. The softbox is positioned so that it is facing opposite to the direction that the model is looking. Please see the diagram below for an idea of positioning...