My work with gorgeous miss Anitasha Smith ll Fresh face winner of Top Model SA
Good morning everyone,
I recently worked with the ever so gorgeous miss Anitasha Smith. She recently won Miss Fresh Face at Top Model SA. So I thought it was only a fitting time to do a update shoot. We focused on doing some swimwear shots, which we shot using both natural light and Artificial flash.
I really enjoyed it all, and the shots really worked well. I don't often shoot without flash, but I did a whole bunch natural light this time around.
We shot using my Canon 5d mk iii, and the Canon 135mm f2. We also used the Canon 50mm f1.4 for a bunch of the shots. The flash we used was the menik fn 600, with a 120cm octobox. Natural light we used a big reflector to both reflect light and soften light using it as a scrim.
We will have a behind the scenes video up soon too. For now please enjoy some of the shots. If you want to check out more from her or us please follow all the social media links below.
Anitasha Smith
OPTICAL NOISE PHOTOGRAPHY
Have a great day everyone!
Time for something new!!! Youtube channel coming soon :D
SO we have been thinking about doing this for a while now. VIDEOS!
Iv had some people ask how we do certain shots and what gear we use. So we want to make a small youtube channel for this.
It will be everything photography. Behind the scenes from some photo shoots, tutorials on lighting and camera tricks, tutorials on retouching, and then maybe some gear reviews showcasing what we use and how we utilize it all. If you guys want we might do interviews with some local photographers too.
We are all quite excited about it. If you want to get involved please get in touch with us on social media. Join in on shoots, assist and learn a little.
Below is the intro for the videos coming soon, and also a lil teaser for you now. It was edited by Karla Alberts, who does most of my behind the scenes work. Please check her out too online
Please enjoy!
Social media links:
Optical Noise Photography
instagram and titter @opticalnoise
Karla alberts
instagram @karlaq777
See you all soon!
Rob
Durban We coming down for a lil visit. :D
Hey all.
It's been a while I know. Got a little preoccupied with working that I didn't take a moment to tell you all about it. As usual we are always busy trying to create and grow as artists, while maintaining life and paying the bills. So here we are.
Back to the topic at hand. We will be down in sunny, warm (well we hope) Durban. With JHB having such miserable weather it will be great to see some sun and waves.
You can catch me shooting at Sneaker Exchange Durban on Saturday most of the day, I'll be working along with Man Of Action Concepts to capture some stills and video of the event. It's always a great event. The best of sneaker heads, music, and the culture we all love. Please do come check it out and have some fun with us.
If you looking for tickets you can pick them up at Computicket online.
Sunday I will be around town doing a few Photoshoots with models and dancers, as well as some off time on the beach with my people. If you looking to work with me give me a shout via E-mail and let's plan something.
Going to be a awesome feeling to get out of JHB for 2 days, its been a year and a half since I've been away. So let's make it great.
Here's a few shots I took of the last sneaker exchange which was in Durban.
Enjoy. I hope to see you all there. Links to some pages you should check out below.
@sxc_za on instagram
Optical Noise Photography Facebook
@opticalnoise on instagram
Man Of Action Concepts Facebook
@manofactionconcepts on instagram
@playenergydrink
My shoot with the talented miss Micci T!! :D
Hey everyone.
So I recently got to work alongside this incredibly talented dancer, miss Micaela Todd.
Over the past few years I have photographed many dance shows and competitions, in which I have seen her dance many times. So to finally get to shoot some professional images of her with lighting and a great location was really fun.
Here is my favourite one :D
We took these shots at the Centurion Golf Estate at sunset. Really worked like a dream, and these are some of my favourite dance photographs to add to my portfolio.
Dance photoshoots always take a little bit of patience and a good connection with the model. Getting timing right during a jump is key. Making sure the technique portrayed in the shot is correct. All the while trying to make sure the shot is sharp and that you have the settings right. Michaela did her part perfectly.
Its always great fun for me to work with dancers. They are always willing to do the shots just one more time, which means we going to do this at least another 5 times... but it works.
I took along my usual set up of gear, Canon body and lenses, Yongnuo triggers, and my Menik fn 600 flash which i use for all my work now. Seriously need another one ! I also had the Olympus OM-D E-M5 mk ii which the cool people at Olympus South Africa allowed me to play with for a few weeks. Along with some killer and beautifully crafted lenses, which I used on all the portraits of her.
Anyways on to the images. please look, enjoy, and let me know what you think. We love hearing from you.
All the info to our gear used and all the people involved is below.
Full list of gear we used for this shoot:
- Canon 5d mk iii
- Canon 50mm f1.4
- Canon 85mm f1.8
- Menik fn-600 strobe (battery powered) from cameralight SA-- Link to flash
- Peak Design Slide strap.
- Yongnuo 622c triggers
- Logitek backpack
- 2 lightstands
- 120cm octobox bowens mount.
Also For the portraits:
- Olympus OM-D E-M5 mk ii
- Olympus 45mm f1.8
- Olympus 40-300mm f2.8
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check out my sponsors:
- Peak design // Click here
- Photogadgets SA // Click here
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Please follow us all on social media:
Optical Noise photography:
- FACEBOOK: click here
- INSTAGRAM: click here (@opticalnoise)
- TWITTER: click here (@opticalnoise)
Micaela Todd (Dancer)
- FACEBOOK: click here
- INSTAGRAM: click here (@micci_t)
Olympus SA
- FACEBOOK: click here
- INSTAGRAM: click here (@olympus_sa)
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Have a good day everyone!
cheers!
Photographing Prime Circle at RADA Unearthed concert!
Hey guys.
First off hey, hi, whatsup! Apologies for not blogging in forever. I realise that my last blog was in March!! I will try get back onto my constant writing again. Things have been very busy, and I have been working on some new things and moving studio again, but things are coming back on track very nicely.
So for my firs blog back I wanted to tell you a lil about getting to photograph Prime Circle live.
I was booked to work an Event For RADA Unearthed, where they were introducing new artists of theirs, as well as their new music videos. The event was last week Thursday at Monte Casino. Hosted in the gorgeous Parkers Comedy Club.
For those of you who have not yet seen what RADA Unearthed and especially RADA Healing is about, please have a look. They provide rehabilitation for those in need. RADA is an acronym for rape, alcohol, drug and abuse. please have a look at their site
http://www.rada.co.za/
RADA Unearthed is a platform which is aimed at supporting musical artists and pushing their potentials for creating great music. their info can be found on the RADA site as well.
RADA Unearthed launched Prime Circle's new song , "Keep Marching On". Definitely go and check that out !!
Prime Circle, has always been one of my favourite bands, both locally and internationally. I love their style of music. Speaks to your soul a little bit. Their new song called Breathing, is my favourite so far, which they also performed live at the event. I got to photograph them during their performance. I don't get to shoot a lot of live music, but the lighting was awesome and made my job really easy.
heres a few!!!!
Most of the shots were taken at f2.8 on all the lenses. some at f1.8 and f2 on the 50mm. all of the shots were done with the lighting from the show itself. If you have any questions dont be shy to hit me with a message on email or on our social media channels. rob@opticalnoise.net
Gear we used for this shoot:
- Canon 5d mk iii
- Canon 50mm f1.4
- Canon 70-200mm f2.8 mk i L IS
- Canon 16-35mm f2.8 L ii
- Peak Design Slide strap.
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check out my sponsors:
- Peak design // Click here
- Photogadgets SA // Click here
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Please follow us all on social media:
Optical Noise photography:
- FACEBOOK: click here
- INSTAGRAM: click here (@opticalnoise)
- TWITTER: click here (@opticalnoise)
Have a good day everyone!
cheers!
Hanging with lil Red in Maboneng JHB /// Photoshoot and BTS
Last year I had a lil meet with lil Red, and then we did a few photos of her too. We met up in Maboneng on a sunday, and joined in on the vibe at the market.
I have known her for quite a few years now, first as a dancer which I performed with and then now as a musician. She has been recording songs and performing for a while now, I'm sure you guys have seen her on social media and performing around SA.
I adore the red hair! since I met her this was a iconic part of her, and then when I stared photography I knew I had to photograph her. It took us forever to link up, but we did and it rocked!
Anyway, i wanted to share some of the photos we took, share some of the gear I used and how i managed to get the shots. Heres the just of it.
These photos were taken in mid day sun, which as photographers we know is terrible and unflattering light for models. We used strobists techniques, where we either had the model in the shade, or we backlit her with the sun, then we expose for the sky and fill in the shadows with flash.
I always use 3 speedlights on one bracket, firing through a big pop up umbrella softbox as one light source. Sometimes a second flash for side fill but here we only used one light source. I used all the speedlights on 1/2 power. This makes recycle time quicker and it doesn't destroy the bulbs. The 3 flashes make for a pretty powerful light. All these speedlights are very very cheap Chinese no name brand flashes. they called DF400 flashes.
full list of gear at the bottom of post.
Mr Craig was as always assisting with awesome lighting skills! his links at the bottom too. check him out
for now enjoy some images!
Behind the scenes video of the shoot shot by Karla Alberts
Gear we used for this shoot:
- Canon 5d mk iii
- Canon 50mm f1.4
- Canon 100mm f2.8 L macro
- Canon 85mm f1.8
- Peak Design Slide strap.
- Df 400 speedlights x 3
- Yongnuo 622c triggers
- Kata Backpack
- 1 lightstands
- 60cm - Pop up generic octobox softbox.
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check out my sponsors:
- Peak design // Click here
- Photogadgets SA // Click here
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Please follow us all on social media:
Optical Noise photography:
- FACEBOOK: click here
- INSTAGRAM: click here (@opticalnoise)
- TWITTER: click here (@opticalnoise)
Lil red
- FACEBOOK: click here
- INSTAGRAM: click here (@lilred_sa)
Craig Anderson (Foto_fotography) Assistant
- FACEBOOK: click here
- INSTAGRAM: click here (@Foto_fotography)
- TWITTER: click here (@Foto_fotography)
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Have a good day everyone!
cheers!
Carla Van Der Wath! Photoshoot and BTS
Hey all,
Just wanted to do a quick post and share some of my time shooting with The Gorgeous Carla Van Der Wath. Was shot a month or so ago, I haven't had much time to post the blog about it is all.
Carla gave me a shout the Sunday morning saying she had a issue with her other booking and needs photos done the same day. So i had a gap and we met up at Newscafe Bedfordview to do the shoot. The guys at News cafe were kind enough to give us the space to work in for the afternoon. Was a pretty awesome shoot!
Carla is busy being signed into an agency. We will keep you updated on what she gets up to. Super keen to work with this girl again! super talented!
For the first scene we set up on the balcony. Shot out over the road. Some summer vibe shots. We used one light with a big pop up octo umbrella softbox. 3 speedlights inside all at 1/2 power.
heres a few examples
Second Scene we set up inside for a bunch of fashion shots, and of course some portraits. Which is always my favourite! For this we used the same softbox set up. Plus we added in a 60x90cm softbox for fill light. 1/2 power. one speedlight inside.
Heres a few examples
Lastly we set up for a few beauty shots which we were not planning. So didn't have a backdrop for this. So we used the large pop up softbox behind Carla which fired light from behind her into lens and lit up the diffuser which made a nice white backdrop. Then we used the 60x90 softbox as a key light.
Lastly heres a quick instagram promo video we did for the shoot with some behind the scenes shots! Filmed and edited by the amazing Karla Alberts who does all our video for shoots. If you need to get in touch with her just drop us a email.
GEAR FOR THE DAY:
- CANON 5D MK iii
- CANON 50MM F1.4
- CANON 85MM F1.8
- 5 Speedlights in total (df 400 speedlights)
- Yongnuo 622c triggers
- pop up octo softbox
- 60x90 softbox
- 2 light stands
- hoya nd4 and nd2 filters
- peak design glide strap
- kata backpack
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Thats about it!!! I hope you guys liked the shots. If you would like to see some more please follow Carla on instagram and show her some love!
And then remember to check out all our social media!
INSTAGRAM - @opticalnoise
TWITTER - @opticalnoise
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I was assisted by Craig Anderson from Foto photography.
Make up was done by Rene Viljoen.
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Please also go check out my sponsors!
Peak Design - https://www.facebook.com/peakdesignltd
Photogadgets SA - https://www.facebook.com/photogadgets
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Awesome! Chat again soon :D We have some cool stuff to share with you soon! and more blog posts coming this week!!
cheers.
welcome back !! 2016 !! Dance Photography first up
hey all you awesome peolpe.
I have been a bit busy but im back to post a few things this wek.
I would like to welcome everyone into 2016, and i hope to create great memories and art with alot more of your his year !
i have a bunch of cool things happening, and I have changed a bunch of my gear so im shooting a lil different.
First off, I shot with a few dancers the past few weeks.
Alex Smith from artistic intelligence crew in south africa was first. I shot this using natural light and some speedlights.
- my canon 5dmkiii
- Canon 50mm f1.4
- Df 400 speedlights.
- and one pop up octobox.
Here is a behind the scenes clip we took which was for instagram hence why its 15 seconds. filmed by the awesome Karla Alberts!
I wont share them all but if you keen to see more remmeber to check our instagram @opticalnoise and facebook account for more
https://www.facebook.com/OpticalNoisefanpage/
Hope you guys like them.
please check out my sponsors too
will post more work a lil later.
my basic set up
A lot of people think i run off a big set up when i shoot.
actually this is all i have usually, everything i need fits in that bag. of course theres bigger set ups sometimes and i have a assistant who helps get things around, but i usually just have this. mainly cause i dont own a car as yet , been riding bikes for ages, and wasnt ever an issue as my dancing career didnt need alot to be carried around.
so for the past almost 3 years since i started photography, i used my bike to most places.
My Honda CBR600rr 2008 :D
in that bag is alot!
5d mkiii body
canon 100mm f2.8 L macro
canon 85mm f1.8
canon 50mm f 1.4
my peak design camera strap grin emoticon ( Peak Design / Photogadgets )
3 speed lights (df400 generic flashes)
3 canon 622c yongnuo triggers
pc sync cable
3way speed light bracket
alot of batteries, memory cards and diff kinds of tape.
and a a4 grey card.
plus the lil odds n ends
On the outside i tie the light stand and umbrella to it for support,
and then i use a sock from Bounce South Africa (one of my face places ever) to cover the bottom of the stand so that it doesnt hook on edges.
and my Red e powerbank from these guys
https://www.facebook.com/RED-E-1444174479181385/
thought id share this. i didnt get a load out shot but i will do one next time smile emoticon
talk soon
rob
Shoot with Nikki Du Plessis
Hey all
I thought I would pop in quickly and share a few images that I took of gorgeous Nikki Du Plessis.
As one of my favourite models to photograph, I just had to share a few shots with you. The photoshoot was done for submission to online magazines as a feature, and then we shot a few extra scenes which we are allowed to share.
Nikki is a internationally recognised model, she has worked with alot of local and international photographers and brands including the official "black tape project" and "paradise challenge".
As always I was honoured to have the opportunity to work with her again.
Quick rundown on what gear I used for this.
- Canon 5D mkiii
- Canon 70-200mm f2.8 L
- Canon 16-35mm f2.8 L
- Canon 85mm f1.8
- 2x yongnuo yn500ex flashes
- 1x yongnuo yn568 (nikon flash on slave mode)
- yongnuo 622c trigers
- and a 3 way speedlight bracket
- numerous memory cards
- eneloop pro AA batteries.
- and a regular large shoot through umbrella...
I mount all 3 flashes to one bracket and shoot on 1/4th power on each. This way i have 3 times the power and a way larger light source which I can use quick as the recycle time on 1/4th power is very fast about 1sec.
Having one flash at full power will overheat and only one head firing makes it a small share source.
For this shoot I used smaller apertures as well. From 4-7.1, this was to compensate for the really strong mid day sun, and also to give a very share and rounded look to the model, and as the background was far from the model we still have really nice separation from the background.
Retouching is all done by me through Photoshop, and I use lightroom for colour processing, also exporting to jpg format.
thats about it.
check out the images below.
also heres nikkis social media links
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NikkiduPlessismodel
- twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiduPlessis2
- instagram: https://instagram.com/miss_nikkiduplessis/
Here are my social links too please follow
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OpticalNoisefanpage?fref=ts
- twitter: https://twitter.com/OpticalNoise
- instagram: https://instagram.com/opticalnoise/
hope you enjoy :D
rob
A look into my dance photography
Hey all I know that I have been quiet since I left on my trip to Cape Town in July. During my stay I had my camera bag and gear stolen and it kind of threw me off quite a bit. So lets get back into it.
I have decided to start off with sharing some info about my dance photography and why I adore it so much. Also a little info into how I freeze motion with flash (speed lights)
I have always been around dancers, and now recently I have been able to photographed a lot of dancers. Which makes me very happy. :D
Some was photographed using flash, and some of the older shots were shot without flash. Most recently I have been working a lot with speed lights so that I can utilize the High Speed sync function.
With dancers moving so fast you sit with the decision of is the slight or heavy motion blur ok or not, do you prefer frozen solid or a slight feel of movement? I try getting both, all depending what I feel is more important at the time. Most of the time a sharp frozen in time is key for me.
Now to make a dancer freeze solid you need to shoot with a very fast shutter speed, and with most sync speeds of 1/160th or 1/200th is way too slow. Especially when it comes to break dancers or ballerinas. Some of the moves they remain still and that’s easy enough but when a foot or arm has to be swung to get to the climax of the movement then the shutter speed is key.
I have noticed that anything under 1/800th is never sharp. So my go to speed for these shoots are 1/800th and 1/1000th. I would go faster but the flash can’t handle it always and I end up killing the flashes. When I get more speed lights this will be more suitable. For now I work off 2 yongnuo YN500ex flashes. Which are around 1/4th power or 1/2 power. Full power also kills the flash when fired too much, and I usually mount both on one bracket, and either bare or with a shoot through umbrella depending on the light situation.
With HSS you need a much higher power output to make it affect the image at all. Do a quick test shoot a photo at 1/200th, then at 1/250th. The difference of HSS is seen easily.
I only use Eneloop pro batteries, which goes a long way when I do this. They recycle quite fast and don’t overheat easy.
Using flash just allows you to create a very unique light effect on the dancer, which creates contrast and makes it different. Shooting without flash at super high speeds is pretty simple. If you can anticipate and time the move nicely that’s all it is, but with flash the look of the image using strobist techniques will create a nice feel.
Here is a photo I took in Jhb CBD a while back of bboy Lab-A . No flash, just high iso, with a canon 85mm f1.8 wide open and the only here’s we had was an above streetlight
Then here is a shot of Bboy Curse in Cape Town shot using high-speed sync (1/2000th)
I love speed lights because of the uses they have. I have completely moved away from studio strobes. If I could afford a strobe like an elinchrom ranger or profoto B1 then maybe id do that. But even with my in studio work I have been using only speed lights. Maybe I will do another write up on using speed lights to do studio work. Just remember light is light, however you can get it into the shot, it will work.
I can do a more in depth write up on the exact settings for each shot if you guys are keen to know more. But this is my introduction: D
Check my site
www.opticalnoise.net
Instagram @opticalnoise
Keen to hear from you all. Lets hope they publish it.
I will try attaching a bunch of images to this as well.
Enjoy
#Speedlightsonly
More of my dance photos with and without flash all together
Shooting with Xavier Saer.
Recently I got to photograph Mr Xavier Saer. Just wanted to touch base and meet him, and then while we were there grab a few images to showcase my work to him.
Most of you know He is a talented photographer, musician, and model. With a keen eye and style, he always showcases amazing shots.
He came with his motorcycle, a Royal Enfield, which we used in a few images as well.
Have a look through the images below, and if you wish to see more keep a eye on our social media for more posts.
Have a look at his website: http://www.xaviersaerphotography.com/
Camera Gear Used:
- Canon 5D mkiii
- Canon 85mm f1.8
- 2 x Canon 430ex ii (taped together with each at 1/4th power)
- one shoot through umbrella
heres the rest of the gallery
#chickswithkicksSA campaign
This past Saturday we worked on the newest installment of out #chickswithkicksSA campaign. previously named #sneakerpornSA which we changed because of a change in direction and sponsors.
shoot went very well, models were gorgeous, and all of the team worked together to create something really awesome!
My gear for this one:
Canon 5D mark iii
canon 85mm f1.8
Sigma 24-70mm f2.8 (my sponsor sigma SA)
canon 35mm f1.4 (loan from friend)
canon 580ex flash
I always have a good time working with this team and all these models are people iv worked with in the past which made this very simple for me. Some of the most professional models iv worked with. Please have a look at their other work if you need anyone.
i wont say too much more. i would just like you all to have a look at below images and if you like it go look at our other accounts!
let me introduce to you who we shot with
models
Kristin Van Dijk
Carrie-Leigh Aliyyah Miranda
Nicole Jowett
Photography by myself Robert Harris / Optical Noise Photography
Video crew / Man of action concept - Umar Bradlow
second camera - Suprise
Creative director - Tebogo Mogola
Stylist: Sumaya Petersen
Make up by: Leanne Roux
Most of the sneakers from Lost Property in cape town
click on their names for links to their pages.
please keep a eye on our instagram, facebook and twitter get everyone's accounts
we will be releasing a teaser video and a full video in not too long. which is going to be insane!
our facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/OpticalNoisefanpage
twitter:
https://twitter.com/OpticalNoise
instagram:
http://instagram.com/opticalnoise
keep us updated and tweet us on what you think about it this far!
robert harris
Squarespace portfolio site launch
So it took a while but i finally got it all together and sorted my website to be launched! Also to write a blog haha. Like i have told many people I do not really have a lot of free time to write a blog, but i shall attempt to make time.
blog will show reviews on gear iv used and what i think of it, also behind the scenes shots and images from model shoots.
Here and there blog posts from photographers i admire and have worked with and a model or two...
I have to say setting up my Squarespace site was really simple and looks really professional. I have a different site up but im not a fan of the layout so i needed a change. I heard of Squarespace through Scott Kelby's show "The Grid", of which iv become quite a fan of and watch frequently.
that said. thank you
I hope you guys enjoy my work! I will keep updating my page with new work. I think I have uploaded too much of my work which il probably filter off but for now its up and lets see what happens!
Regards
Robert Harris