Visions and Nature Photo expo at PhotAubrac 2013
Posted on September 25, 2013
Phot’Aubrac 2013
19-23 September
First photo expo Massifs – Centraux
well received!
Last week I attended the annual photo festival in AUBRAC, in Nasbinals (Lozère)
Our photo collective Massifs Centraux participated for the very
first time and had a group-show in the local Tourist Board.
We exhibited a mix of images by us four ( Sébastien Lamadon, Fabrice Vincent, Kristel Schneider, Cyril Coudert). Each its own style, but matching perfectly together in one showroom.
During the four days we met some great people, exchanged experiences with other photographers and most important of all we had lots of fun!
The feedback on our show was overwhelming and I think that it was a great ‘PREMIERE’ for Massifs Centraux .
Honorable Mention IPA 2013
Posted on September 16, 2013
International Photography Awards (IPA)
Honorable Mention PRO
IPA 2013 Honorable Mention
Nature : Trees pro
I am very happy that my image : Spot Lights got rewarded with a Honorable Mention at the International Photography Awards (IPA) 2013. I participated only in one category : Nature |Trees pro, and although it is not amongst one of the price winning images, I am very pleased that the jury picked-out my image out of the thousands of other images.
IPA is one of the largest and most important international photo contests , with this year 15,000 entries from 103 countries.
Congratulations to all the price winners and other Honorable Mentions, especially :
Theo Bosboom, Sandra Bartocha, Marsel van Oosten, Rafael Rojas, Andrew George, Jasper Doest, Jeroen Stel
Photographer in action
Posted on September 1, 2013
Me in Action during a photo-shoot for
Regional Nature Park Livradois Forez
Last year I posted a blog post about my first big photo assignment in France.
The start up was a bit slow as the weather in Spring did not make it easy to plan things. But now, after a very busy Summer this assignment is reaching towards its end. I have still some work to do this month and in Autumn, but the big part of the assignment has been dealt with. And I can say that it was instructive and enjoyable at the same time.
I met a lot of very nice and interesting new people and I could explore some great (for me , new ) nature areas . Later on this year I will make a ‘best -of’ of my images in the final selection and put it all on my website under portfolio PNR Livradois Forez.
In the meantime people outside the project scene ‘ noticed’ the photo project for PNR Livradois Forez. It all started with the request for models for a photo shoot at the lake in Volle Montagne. The local newspaper, La Gazette picked it up and made an article about the photo reportage in the park, featuring me in action at a local garlic producer.
Moreover the editor of blog: Vollore Montagne – Gazette des Montagnards had heard about the photo-shoot in their village and asked me if it was ok to do a photo reportage on the shoot in Vollore Montagne (see images, Michel MENSE).
Yesterday the photo shoot took place at 8 AM at he lake.
The subject was: recreational activities at the lake.
A nice family and a St. Bernard (dog) signed up to volunteer. They had a pic-nick, a family walk and fun at the play ground. They also enjoyed the sun laying in a chair. Even though the ground was still very wet and the sun not very warm, they acted as naturally as possible, they did a very good job.
My new friend in the field, Redged TSC -427 K
Posted on August 4, 2013
Redged travel tripod review (1)
by Kristel Schneider
My new friend in the field, Redged TSC -427 K
Tripods can be a photographer’s best friend or worst enemies. There are still people who never use a tripod. For me it’s one piece of photography equipment you can not do without.
When I discuss the importance of a tripod during my ‘basic’ photography workshops, people often have the same remarks: too heavy, not handy when you need to take a quick shot, takes too much time to set up. Wrong! Nowadays a tripod does not have to be so heavy, as their built and make have evolved tremendously over the years.
People tend to spend a lot of money on cameras and lenses and then choose the cheapest tripod to support them. For me this does not make sense. To get better image results a tripod (and head) are among the most important parts of your equipment. Even a little vibration will cause an off-focus shot. I never go out in the field without my tripod.
My very first tripod was the Manfrotto 055MF3 magfiber (with the 488RC2 ball-head). After a couple of years I bought a Feisol CT 3371 in combination (with a KangRinpoch ballhead) both perfect tripods but in the long run the leg-locking buttons got broken during the cold winter hikes. I still use the Feisol tripod although I find it a bit bulky and a relatively heavy tripod for longer hikes.
I decided to look for a travel tripod to use in the field when I have to hike a lot, and keep my Feisol for the ‘heavy duty work’.
My wishlist :
– Light
– No centre column
– Small
– Low to the ground
– A hook (to hang extra weight when needed)
After reading forums posts and articles online I knew I had to make sacrifices to my wishlist; in the end I decided to go for a Redged tripod TSC-427K (+RNB-2n ball head), despite the existing centre column.
My dog Fudge with the Redged box
My new friend arrived last Friday and I am all excited !
What’s in the box:
– Tripod
– Ball head (when you buy the TSC-427K kit)
– Stability hook
– Ground level accessory
– High quality tripod bag
– Easy to read manual
I must say that I am very impressed by the overall presentation of their product. Now it is time to test this tripod in the field. Read my next blog post for the test results and tripod specification.
If you can’t wait and would like to order one yourself, or read more about Holland Design, Redged products, just click on the info button below.
Visit Kristels website: click on logo
Visions and Nature 