IN EMMA’S BAG
01
Canon EOS 5D Mark III & IV
WEB: www.canon.co.uk
I CURRENTLY shoot with a Canon EOS 5D Mark IV and Mark III. The Mark IV has a resolution of 30.4Mp, the Mark III has 22.3Mp, so it’s my preferred body to use, though both are as solid as a rock. The 5D Mark III was my workhorse camera for years and remains a fantastic backup body that I always carry with me, just in case my 5D Mark IV stops working for any reason.
02
Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8l II USM
WEB: www.canon.co.uk
THE MAIN lens that I use in my Manchester studio, and also out on location, is the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8l II USM, which has a very versatile zoom range for close-ups, for mid-length portraits, as well as wider group shots for family photos. It’s image quality is stunning and the lens is really well built – perfectly suited to pro use. I also carry a Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM lens, if I need tigher detail shots, or a shallow depth-of-field.
03
Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8l IS II USM
WEB: www.canon.co.uk
YOU MAY think that a telephoto lens is an odd choice for portraits, and more akin to sports and wildlife, but it’s a great optic to use for portraits, as the long zoom makes it easy to separate the portrait from the background. This ensures the viewer’s eye is guided towards the model and not a background. A focal length of 70mm and above helps keep facial features slimmer and not distorted.
04
Pixapro ST-III TTL-T triggers
WEB: www.essentialphoto.co.uk
I HAVE two Pixapro ST-III TTL-T triggers, which I use all the time with my Pixapro Pika 200TTL lights. I love them so much, because they allow me to change the strength of my Pixapro Pika 200TTL flash heads remotely. I can do this from the trigger attached to my Canon EOS 5D Mark IV without having to go over to each flash head everytime. This makes changing the flash settings much easier and quicker.
05
Canon 430EX II Speedlite
WEB: www.canon.co.uk
I ALWAYS carry a flashgun with me and this is usually my trusty Canon 430EX II Speedlite, which I’ve had for years. This mainly comes in handy if I’m shooting an event that’s poorly lit and I need to inject my own light source – this will help the pictures come out nice and bright. I’ll usually attach the flashgun to my 5D’s hotshoe and aim it up to bounce it off the ceiling – this provides a larger and more flattering, softer light.
06
Pixapro Pika 200TTL
WEB: www.essentialphoto.co.uk
MY PIXAPRO Pika 200 TTL flash heads are portable, running off rechargable battery packs that last for around 500 shots, so they’re indespensible when I’m out shooting on location. Rather than shoot with the bare bulb of these flashes, which would create very harsh lighting, I tend to attach my 47-inch Octobox. This helps to subdue harsh shadows and produce a gentle lighting with softer shadows.