Archive for November, 2008
Nikon D3x Sample Images
Nov 30th
A few weeks ago I was lucky enough to be chosen as one of only a few select photographers in the world to put the new Nikon D3x through it’s paces. I tested it out during an assignment for award-winning fashion designer Brad Webb of Darb Couture at Red Brick Studios in Brisbane, Australia.
Along with the camera I got to try out the all new Nikkor 50mm f1.4 AF-S lens. Even though the camera was a pre-production model I was extremely impressed with both the camera and lens. As you will see with the images I have posted the clarity, sharpness, dynamic range is exceptional. The images posted are direct from camera without any corrections whatsoever. I can honestly say I would be happy to send the file to press without any post work.
I captured RAW and JPEG. As the camera is a pre-production camera I’m only able to post the Jpeg files. I will post the RAW files once available.
Click on the Nikon D3x sample images to view larger. You will then be able to click on the image within your browser to zoom in.
All images are copyright Marcus Bell. Unauthorized usage or reproduction is prohibited.
The D3x is identical to the feel of the D3 and I was able to begin shooting straight out of the box. The specifications of the camera are impressive to say the least. Full frame 24.5 megapixel sensor delivering a whopping 6048px by 4032px file size. The new 16bit expeed processor gives added dynamic range over the Nikon D3, which I have already found to be incredible. The specifications advise it is 5fps, but during the shoot the buffer never got full and there were times I was hammering it.
For further details about the new Nikon D3x visit Nikon’s website
All images are copyright Marcus Bell. Unauthorized usage or reproduction is prohibited.
Stephanie and Evan
Nov 29th
A collection of my favorite images from Sydney couple Stephanie and Evan’s wedding.
The Venue: Palmyra Estate – Private residence in the Noosa Hinterland, Queensland Australia.
Guests flew in from all over the world for this elegant wedding, with most of the immediate family coming from Sydney. Noosa is also one of my favourite regions in the world. A great place for a holiday and the perfect place for a destination wedding.
Click image to enlarge. Within Browser click to zoom & use BACK button to return to post.
A New Look Studio Impressions – To Blog, To Blog, To Blog
Nov 27th
2008 has been an incredible year for all of us at Studio Impressions and I wanted to share with you some of the really exciting things that have come our way.
We have travelled the globe running seminars & workshops, guest speaking & shooting weddings. We have been invited to take the portraits of some truly inspiring people, and met more inspirational people through some of the charity work we have been doing this year too. I’ve been honoured to be part of the Adobe Creative License and Adventure Tour Team (humbled and thrilled to say the least). We had a successful year at WPPI and APPA taking out Australian Wedding Photographer of the Year. I’m really excited to say that my colleague and friend Adam Finch also got his Masters of Photography! You will find posts from both Adam and myself on the blog in future.
Also this year, we have been a privileged part of the special day of over 90 couples – thank you to all our fantastic wedding couples! Our team has also undergone some changes as two of our staff started families of their own – Tania gave birth to baby Kaden and Alex gave birth to baby Kaya – within a couple of weeks of each other! We are very excited to have Gabe Veit & Nicola Poole join us while Tania & Alex are away.
Finally we have undergone a transformation! Studio Impressions has a new logo and a new look studio. Coming soon is our new look website (can’t wait) and this is our new look blog. Would love to hear what you think.
So that we don’t overwhelm you with our first post, I’ve backdated posts to cover all the events that have been happening each month. I hope you find it worth the read!
Fave Pics
To kick off, I’ve posted a story about my current favourite pic that, in a way, describes why I love photography so much……
Preparing for a fashion shoot I ran into the father of Brad Webb, one of Australia’s finest fashion designers, DARB Couture. A couple of months ago we undertook a special project for Brad so he could surprise his parents for their 50th Wedding anniversary. We put together an album that spanned the last 50 years of their marriage. Brad sneakily gathered many of their special photos including a few from their wedding and we compiled a beautiful album to celebrate the life they’ve shared together. I was unable to attend the special event that was celebrated at one of my favourite venues to shoot, the Stamford Plaza in Brisbane, but I hear they really loved the gift. Brad’s Father told me that it brought home to him how the value of these images and the appreciation they have for them, aren’t truly realised until they are at least 30 years old. This is when they become truly special.
This is something I’ve also felt when capturing photos for my clients. I feel truly fortunate to be able to give them something that I know will only grow in personal value to them over time. I know I feel this way about some images of my family – like this image from the day my first son Jackson was born 4 years ago. Each day this is more special to me, and I know it will be special to his children and their children too.
The day after this conversation I was coincidentally photographing a wedding where the bride was wearing one of Brad’s amazing creations, under his label “Darb bridal Couture”. During Fiona and Lenard’s wedding reception I noticed Lenard’s little sister talking with her Grandmother in a wonderful moment together, so I grabbed a quick shot of the moment. I couldn’t help thinking to myself that she will love this image when she sees it for the first time, but she will love it even more in 30 years time. I hope this will become a special image for this little girl. One day she may reflect on it when her own daughter marries or perhaps she will look at it and reflect how the love and guidance of her grandmother helped to shape the woman that she becomes.
It can be powerful how a fleeting moment today can stay with us forever and in 30 years time help us understand our past, and maybe even help us better understand our future. If nothing else, these images let us just simply enjoy the present in a way we often don’t get time to do.
Newborn Portraits
Nov 26th
One of the things I love about my job is the relationships I get to make with people. It is very special to be invited into people’s lives to share some of their most precious times.
I love it when couples I’ve photographed call me to come up to the hospital to photograph their newborn. I took these images below for Geoff & Martina, whose wedding I had photographed, on the day that their much wanted baby Kaelan arrived. Martina is German and by posting these on our client website, her family, including Kaelan’s Grandma, got to see pics just after he was born.
I shot these in the hospital room (bad lighting, and cramped space), while Kaelan was sleeping in the hospital crib. I stayed around for awhile to get some documentary style images of the new parents & their visitors, especially Kaelan’s Nan, Geoff’s Mum. You really don’t need a host of equipment to get some great stuff.
Just yesterday I recieved an email from Brad Williamson. Bit of background: I photographed his and Sonia’s wedding a few years ago, and a US Production company made a documentary of the shoot I did of their wedding to present to photographers throughout the USA. What a great couple to allow this to happen on their day! If that wasn’t enough, on the day their little girl Tallulah, was born, I ran into them at the Mater Hospital in Brisbane. I was there photographing the newborn baby of another wedding couple, Emma & Sal, when we bumped into each other in the corridor! My niece had also just delivered twins in the same hospital. So in one short visit to the maternity ward I ended up with three shoots of 4 newborns!
In Brad’s email he wrote “I’ve been thinking of your suggestion about a sitting with Tallulah. It’s started me thinking about what’s important in life and that’s family. I really like the idea of you following and recording my family through the years to come.”
As a father myself I have come to realise that moments with our children are often too short. They change so fast. To have my images mean this much to a client and to be such an important part of some of the defining moments in their life, is what this job is all about.
New Year Portrait Offer
Nov 24th
Studio Impressions will be starting 2009 with a whole new look!
We are celebrating with a New Year Portrait special offer.
Book a Studio Impressions portrait session for between January 12th and February 13th 2009, and receive an additional 10×7″print with your portrait order.
Start the New Year with something to remember!
Call the studio on 07 3832 0444 and book your portrait today.
This offer is valid for portrait sessions taken within the Studio, is not valid with any other offer or gift certificates, and is not redeemable for cash. Conditions apply.
A Right Royal Affair
Nov 1st
The Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital this year celebrates 70 years delivering women’s health care, and they marked the occasion with a Ball to raise funds for the RBWH Foundation that funds the research that saves lives.
What an event it was with the Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd attending, along with the Queensland Premier Anna Bligh.
Studio Impressions was the official photographer on the night and donated a portrait package for auction to raise much needed funds for ongoing research.
Doctor David Cartwright, was awarded for his service to women’s health. Having met Dr Cartwright when he and Dr Tim Donovan attended our premature twins at the Royal Brisbane Hospital, I know this is an honour well deserved.
