2020 is nearing the end and it’s been a year dominated by a word few people had heard of; Coronavirus. It is also a year where being creative and making pictures was so important.

I was contacted by actor and singer Justin for a shoot in October, soon a shoot was planned. We met at a local nature reserve for the first part of the shoot then moved to another hill-top location for a second part. Justin was looking for some headshots and location shots for his portfolio. At this point I was also seeking shoots to refine exactly how I would use the EOS R6.

  • EOS R6
  • EF 135mm f/2L USM
  • 1/800s, f/2, ISO 100

  • EOS R6
  • EF 135mm f/2L USM
  • 1/500s, f/2, ISO 100

A great afternoon, and right at the end of the shoot we took these two shots above. The EF 135mm f/2L USM lens has always had magical powers over me. It’s almost as if it’s skills mean I have to up my game to do it justice. It’s the only lens I have that has that effect on me. Still the results are worth it every time.

Buoyed by our successful first shoot, Justin was keen to do something a little more off the wall for Halloween. I knew the perfect Halloween shoot location. When we met for the shoot I’ve got to admit to being a little surprised at Justin’s outfit, but what followed was almost an hour of madness creating shots lit with flash on a cold windy afternoon. At one point I’d had to tie a c-stand and soft box to some railings to stop them blowing over.

  • EOS R6
  • EF 17-40mm f/4L USM
  • 1/125s, f/4, ISO 640

  • EOS R6
  • EF 135mm f/2L USM
  • 1/125s, f/2.8, ISO 400

  • EOS R6
  • EF 17-40mm f/4L USM
  • 1/125s, f/4, ISO 800

A great pair of shoots with completely different results due to locations, costumes, makeup and lighting. And I’m loving the EOS R6 but more about that in 2021.

See you tomorrow…

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