CAPTURE NEW HORIZONS

Over last weekend I shot several video interviews with drivers during the European Le Mans Series (ELMS) and Michelin Le Mans Cup (MLMC) using a new Fujifilm X-T4 video rig for the first time. I have spent the last few months investing in the new X-T4 and associated gear with a view of using it primarily for video at the ELMS and MLMC events.  To this end I bought a second X-T4 last week and a Smallrig cage so I can attach a 5 inch Freeworld LCD screen and microphones easily. Here is an interview we shot with Algarve Pro Racing's Gaby Aubry who was interviewed in French by ELMS Communications Manager Sophie Liger. As you can see in the image at the top of the page, this interview was conducted in the paddock with the X-T4 video rig attached to 3 Legged Thing 'Jay' Carbon Fibre video tripod.  The lens used was the superb XF16-55mm f2.8, which was fitted with a Haida M10 filter holder with a 3 stop ND filter fitted to allow a wider aperture to be used in the brig...

Jean Glorieux - no3 DKR Engineering Norma M30-Nissan - 2017 Michelin Le Mans Cup Drivers Champion Congratulations to Jean Glorieux who, along with teammate Alex Toril and the DKR Engineering team, secured the 2017 Michelin Le Mans Cup Driver and Team titles at his home track of Spa-Francorchamps. I took the opportunity on the grid ahead of the 120-minute race this afternoon to take some driver portraits as they prepared for themselves for the battle ahead. The images were taken on the Fujifilm X-T2 and the XF50-140mm f2.8. The files were then converted to mono using NIK Silver Efex Pro2 software. CLICK HERE for more information on the 2017 Michelin Le Mans Cup Tony Wells - no79 Nielsen Racing Ligier JS P3-Nissan  Adrien Chila - no65 Graff Ligier JS P3-Nissan Eric De Doncker - no98 Motorsport98 Ligier JS P3-Nissan ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PLEAS...

This morning saw another sunny start in the Ardennes forest as we prepare for the opening day of track action for the 4 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps, Round 5 of the 2017 European Le Mans Series. As usual at this time of year there was a low lying mist on the fields and in the trees surrounding the 7km Spa-Francorchamps circuits.  As the sun rose above the tree line the warm sunlight streamed through the tops of the trees creating a stunning display. Standing on the top of the pit building I shot across the valley with the Fujifilm X-T2 and the XF50-150mm f2.8 + 2x converter.  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PLEASE SUPPORT THIS BLOG BY VISITING THE ADVERTISERS ON THIS PAGE By clicking on the adverts you are helping support this blog - thank you. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------...

The view from the bottom of Eau Rouge to the top of Raidillon is one sight in motor sport that I will not get tired of photographing.   Today was set up day for the 4 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps, round 5 of the 2017 European Le Mans Series.  Part of the day was taken up with track inspections and driver interviews ahead of track running tomorrow. Looking at the track all you see is Belgium's national colors of Red, Gold and Black, with the kerbs and tyre barriers all painted in red and gold paint, with the black ashpalt circuit proving the third element to the national colours. The paint around the track is flaking and the textures certainly draws my photographic eye. All of the images were taken with either the Fujifilm X-T2 or X-Pro2 and the XF10-24mm f4, XF16-55mm f2.8 or XF50-140mm f2.8 lenses ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PLEASE SUPPORT THIS BLOG BY ...

Reigning FIA World Endurance Champion Mark Webber being interviewed during the event in Texas In November 2014 I had the opportunity to test the Fujifilm X100T alongside my original X100 Black Limited Edition ( CLICK HERE to see the blog).  At the time I thought the X100T was a big step up from the X100 and that I might be persuaded to upgrade from the camera that started my X Series journey. However I never did.  Not because the X100T wasn't the leap forward that I eluded to in my test, it was just that funds needed to be spent on my X-T1s and XF lenses for my work and I couldn't justify the expense when the X100 was still a great camera to use (it still is!). Anyway, nearly two years later I have finally got an X100T and it is still superb.  The small body, the build quality, the 16mp X-Trans sensor and that sublime Fujinon 23mm f2 lens all go together to make the photographic experience a joy.   Yes, compared to my X-Pro2 and X-T2 the AF is a lot slowe...

As well as shooting high resolution trackside and pitlane action, European Le Mans Series official photo agency Adrenal Media are always looking to provide the series with some very special images from each of the events.  Creative Director John Rourke invited Proton Competition to bring both of the Porsche 911 RSR 991 race cars to La Source at Spa-Francorchamps to photograph them using a rig. The rig is a 6 metre carbon fibre four section boom made by UK firm Car Camera Rig that is fixed to the car using high powered suction clamps.  The camera, which is a Fujifilm X-T2 fitted with a 10-24mm ultra wide angle zoom lens, is then fixed in position to the end of the boom.  This allows Adrenal Media to take images from a position that would not be possible to take when the cars are on track. Using a long shutter speed of between 8 to 10 seconds the movement in the shot is achieved at walking pace by pushing the cars and the result is an image that makes it look lik...

This weekend I am in Belgium for the fifth round of the 2016 European Le Mans Series at Spa-Francorchamps. On arriving at the circuit for the first day of track action this morning, we were greeted with a beautiful scene over the Ardennes forest with mist hanging just above the trees. Using the Fujifilm X-T2 and the XF50-140mm f2.8 I captured these images before the light changed.   ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PLEASE SUPPORT THIS BLOG BY VISITING THE ADVERTISERS ON THIS PAGE By clicking on the adverts you are helping support this blog - thank you. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ALL IMAGES ARE THE PROPERTY OF MACLEAN PHOTOGRAPHIC AND CANNOT BE USED FOR ANY PURPOSE WITHOUT PRIOR PERMISSION MacLean Photographic run Tours and Workshops in East Lothian and th...