dance Robert Harris dance Robert Harris

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

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

check out my sponsors:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Please follow us all on social media:

Optical Noise photography:

Micaela Todd (Dancer)

Olympus SA

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Have a good day everyone!

cheers!

Read More
dance Robert Harris dance Robert Harris

I-POLE SOUTH AFRICA! /// POLE DANCING PHOTOSHOOT

Hey guys!!

Another one of my shoots from forever ago, or so it feels.

I had a pole dancing photoshoot with the gorgeous ladies from Ipole SA. I felt weak watching the strength these girls have. We were just trying to create some nice shots for their website and social media. I got to work with Michelle Ben-Israel, Aviva Hanan and Madonna Jane.

We set up in their studio in Sandton, using just a black sheet mounted to the mirror in the studio. We used one of the black poles, which made separating the pole from the background tricky, but luckily I like using flash. This put a highlight on the pole and helped the situation.

We used 2 yongnuo yn500ex speedlights, with shoot through umbrella for diffusion. Trying to create dramatic light, and to minimise the light hitting the background we lit them from the side mostly. Some of the shots we used another speedlight from the right to fill in some detail. 

Funny enough for this shoot we didnt at all use High speed sync. Because we wanted the background black anyways, we used a high aperture, and 1/200th shutter speed. this made the shot empty and completely black, even though the studios lights were on. Then when we used flash, it made only what the flash hit visible to the camera. 

You would think that the slow shutter would create motion blur, nut it cant, because the flash is only on for a split second, there is no time for the camera to capture the movement, it will only record what it saw for that quick moment. Some of the shots were even shot as slow as 1/20th, because for the same reason as I mentioned above, there wouldn't be time to show motion in the shot. 

They are also part of Pole Evolution. Which is a competition hosted by them and SA Pole Fit Academy which is owned by Megan Clare Snijam. So do check that out, they having Pole evolution Battle this year on 14 May 2016!! Check out all the links to their pages listed below to keep updated on where and when that will be.

Please also check them out if you are or were ever interested in learning to do this. Its a great fitness session, and builds a lot of strength. 

Check everyone out! and enjoy the images!

Gear we used for this shoot:

  • Canon 5d mk iii
  • Canon 50mm f1.4
  • Canon 16-35mm f2.8 L
  • Peak Design Slide strap.
  • Df 400 speedlights x 3
  • yongnuo yn500ex
  • Yongnuo 622c triggers
  • Kata Backpack
  • 2 lightstands
  • black sheet
  • clamps

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

check out my sponsors:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Please follow us all on social media:

Optical Noise photography:

Ipole SA!

SA Pole Fit Academy

Craig Anderson (Foto_fotography) Assistant

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Have a good day everyone!

cheers!

Read More
dance Robert Harris dance Robert Harris

BEING ON POINTE /// PHOTOSHOOT WITH NATASHA HEUSER EHLERS

I have such a big admiration for dancers in general, but with ballet dancers. There's something incredibly powerful about how strong they are, about how poised and controlled their movements are, and the willingness to keep going over and over, especially when trying to get the shot during a photoshoot.

I had a chance to work with the ever so gorgeous Natasha, a ballet dancer based in JHB. We actually did 2 photoshoots within the span of a month, as her shoot was meant to be done in PTA with the iconic purple Jacaranda trees that we often see in South Africa, but due to a time issue that was delayed and we did her first shoot at Gold Reef City casino, which worked just as well. So during this talk you will see images from both her photoshoots. We hope you like them like we do :D :D :D!

I really enjoy working with this girl. When it comes with dancing we need to work hard to get my timing in sync with the dancers time. Plus make sure the flash is actually hitting the model and all the settings are correct. So we often doing the same jump a bunch of times to be sure it looks awesome, and mainly make sure the technique shown in the dance move is correct. So im glad dancers are willing to do it "one more time" like a hundred times HAHA.

With dance photography, to me its most important to get the timing right. With any dance style there is always correct technique. Your photo can look amazing, lights and colours are awesome, but if the technique is incorrect, then its a bad bad image, and most dancers wont like the shot nor show it to anyone. Toes being pointed, lines from legs looking right, hands and so on, all contributes to making a dance shot work. I often ask the dancer if this is right or not and can we redo it. As much as i know a lot about whats right n wrong, the dancers knows more. So ask!

ok now for gear and what we did to light the model.

With dancing we always shoot with very high shutter speeds. from 1/800th to about 1/2500th. You would be surprised to see how much motion blur you get on feet when they jump up and fling their legs  to position. So we used speedlights which are able to do HSS. We used 2 yongnuo yn500ex flashes mounted to one bracket and triggered wirelessly using a trigger. This allows the flash to sync over the usual 1/200th max sync speed.

For the bridge shoot We used a normal shoot through white umbrella to diffuse the light, but not too much to take away much of the distance from the flash. 

For the shoot with the Jacaranda trees we shot during 11am sunlight which is very bright, but luckily we were then easily able to use the high shutter speed along with the flash. We left the flashes bare, no umbrella this time. We just covered the flash head with wax paper which just diffused it a tiny bit, but maximised the distance the light would travel in bright sun.

Gear set:

  • Canon 5d mkiii
  • Canon 50mm f1.4
  • Canon16-35mm f2.8 L
  • 2x yongnuo yn500ex speedlights
  • yongnuo 622c triggers
  • light stand
  • wax paper
  • white shoot through umbrella
  • peak design slide strap
  • kata backpack

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

check out my sponsors:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Please follow us all on social media:

Optical Noise photography:

Natasha

INSTAGRAM: click here  (@tashehl)

    Craig Anderson (Foto_fotography) Assistant

    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Heres some more photos! Until next time!

    cheers!


    Read More
    Shoots / behind the scene Robert Harris Shoots / behind the scene Robert Harris

    Courtneigh Sinead Jacobs /// I love this womans hair :D

    hey everyone!

    A few weeks ago I had a very impromptu photoshoot with the gorgeous Courtneigh Sinead Jacobs . Been meaning to photograph her for ages and we finally got to it!

    Thing I love most about this woman is her HAIR! ITS GLORIOUS! but of course also her eyes! have a look you'l see.

    We just went to the outdoor skatepark at Stoneridge mall, got permission to shoot and had at it. I wanted to test out the new Menik strobe that I bought from Cameralight SA. As iv said! i adore this flash!

    Alot of it was shot using HSS (FP mode), with a 120cm octobox. one or 2 was shot with a speedlight as a hair light. Craig from Foto Fotography came through to help me out!

    Heres a bunch of the images we shot. for more see our social media accounts listed below.

    Gear we used for this shoot:

    • Canon 5d mk iii
    • Canon 50mm f1.4
    • Canon 70-200mm f2.8 mk i L IS
    • Menik fn-600 strobe (battery powered) from cameralight SA-- Link to flash
    • Peak Design Slide strap.
    • Df 400 speedlights.
    • Yongnuo 622c triggers
    • Kata Backpack
    • 2 lightstands
    • 120cm octobox bowens mount.

    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    check out my sponsors:

    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Please follow us all on social media:

    Optical Noise photography:

    Courtneigh

    Craig Anderson (Foto_fotography) Assistant

    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Have a good day everyone!

    cheers!

    Read More
    Robert Harris Robert Harris

    Cell phone photography (Iphone 4S)

    Hey guys, heres another one for you. 

    I have now and then taken out my phone and attempted to take decent shots with it. I never really used my phone to try take decent shots, it was always snap shots of things that I need to show people, never as a photography tool.

    Coming from using only DSLR cameras I always found it very annoying to just push on button and having like no control. I know that new phones come with a bit more control like ISO, and aperture. Some do let you control shutter speeds as well. Nothing worse than being out at night and you try take a photo which has camera shake from slow shutter speeds. 

    I own a iPhone 4S, which has a 8mp camera which does ok in good light, but it has zero control. you can do compensation for exposure and you can kinda choose a focus area. 

    Then after some research I found an app called VSCO cam, which is available on any platform, but is best for IOS on apple. It basically allows you to access everything, shutter speed, iso, spot focus point and more. no aperture though.

    so iv started to play with it now and then. i havent done alot of models but i will do more when I get a new phone. but for now have a look through what i have done. I might be getting a diff phone soon so I wanted to do this post of all my iphone 4s images first. 

    I also bought a generic macro and fisheye clip on lens which helps being creative too. info on pics

    also i now use Snapseed. and app which lets you edit like you would on photoshop, allows control of tones, and even dodging and burning which is very popular with retouching.

    I also did one shot on a samsung note2 for fun.

    have a look at this shot I did of Monique linder and a bts shot taken by my friend Tshepo which shows you what we did.  

    shot using iphone 4s and car reflector for fill. edited on photoshop
    Bts of my the above shot,  thanks to Tshepo for this. have a look at her work here https://www.facebook.com/ciyaphotography

    Anyway have a look through the images below. they are all saved from my instagram so if you would like to follow my work please check my account. search @opticalnoise and here is the link https://instagram.com/opticalnoise/

    I will be using a bunch of different phones, either from sponsors or from friends. Its alot of fun testing out a bunch of different things on different gear. Want to give it  shot on all of them and im busy confirming a permanent cell phone sponsor , which i will promote through my work, once confirmed I will tell you all about it.

    share your images with me I would love to see them. you can tag me in them on instagram :D

    much love

    rob

    This is the shot i did with the samsung note 2. with a clip on macro lens


    macro lens attached 
    12074975_10153788547298319_4328044065705705305_n.jpg
    Read More
    Robert Harris Robert Harris

    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

    Read More
    general, dance Robert Harris general, dance Robert Harris

    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

           


    Read More
    general Robert Harris general Robert Harris

    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


    Read More
    general Robert Harris general Robert Harris

    Self Portrait for 2015

    Self Portrait time.

    so i have been training super hard every morning and dancing alot again which you have probably seen the video, and full video will go up tomorrow.

    so i thought lets take some progress photos, seeing as i dont like being photographed by people i made a lil studio set up in the house and put camera on timer and tried some posing. so heres shot one. i was still sweaty from training but i thought it might look cool

    lemme know what you think :D

    if you want to see my dancing page here it is the video is up there

    https://www.facebook.com/BboyStarZ.RobertHarris

    my instagram and twitter are both @opticalnoise

    and my website
    www.opticalnoise.net

    facebook fan page:https://www.facebook.com/OpticalNoisefanpage?ref=bookmarks

    have a good day everyone!!!

    next blog il be reviewing my camera bag cause i love the shiz outa it!

    click image to enlarge


    Read More
    Shoots / behind the scene Robert Harris Shoots / behind the scene Robert Harris

    #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



    Read More
    general Robert Harris general 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

     

     

    Read More