Hello from Udo Kieslich, founder and owner of the College of Digital Photography in Johannesburg | www.codp.co.za. Below is a short snippet on how to go about photographing star trails using Manual exposure mode, a Nikon D850 and a Sigma 14mm f1.8 Art lens. Shoot in RAW and use a Daylight White Balance setting. Photographing Star Trails With a digital camera, the best method is to take a sequence of 30 second exposures in quick succession and stack them together in Photoshop to create the light trails. This results in… read more →
Introduction There is no lens manufacturer that has done a better job than Sigma at combining incredibly build quality with an affordable price tag. With their introduction of the Art Series in 2013, Sigma has gained many new fans including myself! The spectacular Sigma 35mm Art and the Sigma 85mm Art are the lenses that open peoples eyes to the incredible quality of the sigma range. The Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 DG OS HSM Art is Sigma’s new standard zoom lens, and I was very excited to get my hands on… read more →
In photography, shutter speed is the length of time the film or digital sensor inside the camera is exposed to light. This is determined by setting the time in which the camera’s shutter is open while capturing a photograph. The main reason for slowing down the shutter is actually a solution to a problem. The lack of light. By lowering your shutter speed, you are extending the time in which your camera let’s in light. As a result you are able to photograph in darker situations. The problem with doing… read more →
The continuation of a new series of blog posts that are here and available for your reading pleasure, I have decided to not only tell you about the amazing Sigma brand, but to teach you about how to use your camera along with your Sigma lens to capture photographic content that you’ve always wanted to have. In our last blog we discussed photographic equipment, using your camera, and figuring out what works best for you through trial and error to suit your photographic needs. We then attempted to start off… read more →
Urban birdscaping during lockdown, an alternative compositional approach When I am not out covering motorsports, rugby and cricket, I enjoy wildlife and nature photography and have over the years built up an extensive database on South African birds, covering more than 360 species. As a birder I’ve spotted more than 500 species, but I only count those of which I have a presentable photograph. Every nature photographer will always advise you that the natural setting makes a wildlife photo more appealing, which is completely true. I aim for that as… read more →
Overview The Sigma 12-24mm Art is a full-frame compatible, constant f/4 aperture, autofocus lens. The build and finish quality matches that of all the Art lenses in the Sigma line up. At 1150g and 112mm in length the lens really is a big lens. It certainly makes up for this bulk in looks. With its Fixed lens hood and curved bulb-like front element. The one downside to this curved front element is that conventional/traditional screw in filters doesn’t fit. This also means the lens cap slides over the front of… read more →
As I bring up a new series of blog posts that are here and available for your reading pleasure, I have decided to not only tell you about the amazing Sigma brand, but to teach you about how to use your camera along with your Sigma lens to capture photographic content that you’ve always wanted to have. Now firstly before we get started, many frequently asked questions are all around the topic of the best camera gear to own and on and on. Answer is simple, the best camera is… read more →
I always try to shoot natural light – in order to do this use the lens to its full potential by having it wide open. For me this is usually at F1.4. I only usually adjust ISO and Shutter Speed and keep the aperture at F1.4 to give images a sharp, yet creamy look. Even though the subjects are moving in these two images, I still strictly keep to F1.4. I trust in my lenses and my Sigma 35mm F1.4 Art lens never lets me down. For the throwing up… read more →
I recently used a set of Sigma FF High Speed Prime Lenses on a recent project for Bridgestone South Africa and Silver Bullet Films. The branded film follows the truly inspiring story featuring Lawrence Brittain, a South African rower who defied all the odds to take Silver at the Olympic Games Rio in 2016 after beating Cancer two years before that. These lenses helped me capture some beautiful images paired with the Arri Alexa Mini. The full video can be found here: Sigma has come such a long way and… read more →
As a wildlife photographer it is often far too easy to get stuck in the notion that you have to be in the bush capturing the big five to create powerful images. When lockdown began, a sense of dread consumed me, and the reality of having to put my camera away for the foreseeable future was a sobering thought. The longer I spent peering out of the windows in my house, the more I realised the natural world has carried on unfazed. Picking up my camera again, I began to… read more →