Photographers go to the Circus

Giffords Circus in Lypiatt near Stroud
(Camera used: Canon 5D II w/ 16-35mm 2.8 L)

 I went to an Olympus Image Space photography event with Giffords Circus along with my husband Peter and my friend Jayne. Oh and around a hundred other photographers! We'd signed up for this event and were lucky to have been chosen as three of the hundred tickets they were giving away. For nearly a week I thought that only Peter had won a place on this event and he enjoyed rubbing it in a bit too much. But about a week later I got my ticket. :-D

(Camera used: Olympus OM-D E-M10 w/ 12-40 2.8)

We were treated to special performances by a few of the circus performers and a photography lighting demonstration by Damian McGillicuddy. The Olympus experts were there with lots of the latest Olympus cameras and lenses for us to try. It was truly an amazing experience and loads of fun. We really enjoyed having a go with the Olympus OM-D collection of cameras and various lenses too! And to make things even better they gave us each an 8GB SD card which we could put in the cameras and keep the images we took during the show. Awesomeness!

(Camera used: Canon 5D II w/ 70-200mm 2.8 L)

The cameras and lenses I had a play with were the Olympus OM-D E-M10 & the OM-D E-M1 along with the 17mm 1.8, 45mm 1.8, 75mm 1.8 and the 12-40mm 2.8 lenses. My favourite of the two cameras being the OM-D E-M1.

(Camera used: Canon 5D II w/ 70-200mm 2.8 L)

By now you've probably notice that I've mostly posted images from my Canon camera. No reason behind this, these were just the images I took first mainly. I didn't have an Olympus camera at first, had to wait my turn and I was sharing. Also there were a few times when I used my Canon over the Olympus only because of the focal length. I was actually mostly using the Olympus cameras. After all that was the main reason for going, to try out their kit. :-)

(Camera used: Canon 5D II w/ 16-35mm 2.8 L)

The other main reason for going was for Damian McGillicuddy's mini lighting workshop. He set up a couple shoots and explained what he was using, how he was using it and why. He even let a few people have a go. But he didn't let me have a go. **pokes bottom lip out** But he made up for it afterwards by having a chat with my friend Jayne about cameras and her unique situation. Check out Jayne's blog "Life Beats On" to find out more.

Damian McGillicuddy
(Camera used: Canon 5D II w/ 70-200mm 2.8 L)

I can highly recommend Damian McGillicudy's workshops, I've seen him speak and demonstrate photography set ups a couple of times now. He's very entertaining, informative and easy to understand.

Damian McGillicudy talking about lighting.
(Camera used: Canon 5D II w/ 70-200mm 2.8 L)

I really enjoyed using the Olympus OM-D E-M1. I might have had a play with it before at either a friend's studio or at another Olympus event, I can't remember, but it was only a quick look, I hadn't actually used it before. The fun bit was finding my way around the camera in the dark! But actually that wasn't as difficult as it sounds. The camera controls were easy to navigate and figure out quite quickly. I really like that about this camera.

Damian at work
(Camera used: Canon 5D II w/ 70-200mm 2.8 L)

Now, I was able to get better images out of my Canon at first simply because I know my way around that camera. Knowing your way around the camera you are using is more important than which camera you are using. A more expensive camera does not make you an better photographer, knowing your kit does.

Damian McGillicudy showing us the back of his camera and the image he's just shot.
(Camera used: Olympus OM-D E-M1 w/ 75mm 1.8)

The main things I liked about the OM-D cameras are that they are small and light weight, when compared with my full framed DSLR and pro lenses that is. I found them very easy to navigate without having to ask for help. I picked it up and started shooting right away. And last but not least, image quality is outstanding. Mind you, we were shooting in very difficult situations under the big top.

(Camera used: Olympus OM-D E-M1 w/ 75mm 1.8)

All of the images I'm posting were taken using available light and I was shooting from the stands. I didn't sit still, I was busy changing my location for different view points. In other words I was all over the place. As this was a special photographic event there was space and freedom to do this. I wouldn't have been able to do this during an actual show. Thank you Olympus & Giffords Circus!!

(Camera used: Canon 5D II w/ 70-200mm 2.8 L)

Also all of these images have been processed by me using Adobe Photoshop CC. Some have been processed more than others for creative effect. I didn't have to do any special or extra processing on the images from the Olympus cameras beyond what I normally do for my Canon images. The image above is my most processed image from this day as I removed a couple of things from the image that was bothering me. :-D

 (Camera used: Olympus OM-D E-M1 w/ 75mm 1.8)

In the image above, these ladies are mostly in the dark. The E-M1 handled it quite well and I'm well impressed.

It was nice to see so many ladies at this event. Photography related evens are usually mainly attended by men. The men outnumber the women at the local photography clubs too I've noticed. Among my photography friends though, it's about half and half.

In conclusion this was a fab event for anyone who's interested in photography no matter what kit you use. Especially good if you are in the market for a new camera and you aren't sure what you want. It's an amazing opportunity to have a go with different equipment to see if you get on with it and to see how it performs.

The OM-D E-M1 is an amazing bit of kit and it's now on my 'want' list. It would be great to shoot with it side by side with my other cameras (including an older Oly I have) to see how they compare. It is an expensive bit of kit though, so I'd best get to saving my pennies!

(Camera used: Olympus OM-D E-M1 w/ 75mm 1.8)

Thank you Olympus UK, thank you Giffords Circus and thank you Damian McGillicuddy for an amazing photography day!

Click the links I made in this post for more information and to find out where & when the next photography day like this is.

Happy Shooting!