Wow 2019 sure flew by, and I pressed the shutter button more than ever. So let me share a favourite picture or pictures as we finish 2019 and head in to 2020.

Day #2

Portrait with EOS R and EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

  • EOS R
  • EF 85mm f/1.8 USM
  • 1/125s, f/1.8, ISO 320

I was offered the chance to shoot in the studio of the Photographer Academy, which is a photo studio made from an old church. So that means massive stained glass windows, huge space, great height – yes please. I was really fortunate to be able to work with Allie for this shoot, she stepped in at the last minute.

I used the EOS R, but for this first shot my favoured EF 85mm f/1.8 USM was on the mount adapter. In these early days of the EOS R eye AF was not yet available in servo AF mode, but here it did a good job. Make sure you update your cameras to get improved AF features and performance.

Natural light portrait with EOS R

  • EOS R
  • RF 50mm F1.2L USM
  • 1/2500s, f/1.2, ISO 200

I still had the RF 50mm F1.2 and RF 28-70mm F2with me, so better use them. Despite this being the week before the snow came in January, there was ample bright light through the big windows.

Window light portrait with EOS R

  • EOS R
  • RF 28-70mm F2L USM
  • 1/250s, f/2, ISO 200

Let me give you some idea of the windows I’m working with…, this is one of several on this side of the studio space.

Window light portrait with EOS R

  • EOS R
  • RF 28-70mm F2L USM
  • 1/200s, f/2, ISO 200

Just a heads up… I’m going to be heading back to this studio late in March 2020 for a 1-day Speedlite flash workshop, more details in my diary.


Just quick note… I’m struggling to narrow down my selection of pictures to just a single one for each day 🙂 

About the author

Full-time photo tutor and photographer. I love to share my knowledge and skills to make photos, videos and teach others. I write books and articles for photo magazines and I always have at least one Speedlite flash in my camera bag