People | MiKS Media Photography

A simple portrait session

by Mac Sokulski | Aug 1, 2014 | People

I always like simple setups. Maybe because I’m inherently lazy, or maybe because I like simple things. This portrait session with different looks, was exactly that. Shot with the Fuji XT1, and nothing but sunlight. I think taking images only with sunlight filtering through the windows is a little more difficult than setting up lights. You cannot move the sun to a different position, you can’t really change the intensity of the light. You can modify it a bit, using reflectors and other tools, but you are working with really what is given to you by nature. I love the light an early morning sun gives, warm, inviting, beautiful. Not being a fashion photographer, and having absolutely no aspirations to be one, I enjoy taking pictures of people from time to time. It’s always fun. This portrait session was done only with 2 lenses one from Fuji and the other a Rokinon. The Fuji 56mm f1.2 was made for this type of work, and the Rokinon 85mm f1.4 as well. I really like the look of both. The fuji is a tad sharper when shooting at large apertures, then again that could have been my manual focus skills, since Rokinon is all old school type 🙂 I picked the best images out of whole portrait session, so there is a bit of everything… even a little boudoir. Yes it’s a jumble of photographs, but like I said, I’m lazy, and didn’t feel like creating separate posts for each. It’s hard enough to find time to blog sometimes 🙂 Enjoy!

Smokin’ – Conceptual Portrait Photography with Fuji XT1

by Mac Sokulski | Jul 24, 2014 | Art, Boudoir, People

When I started with my photography, years and years ago, I was never keen on photographing people. I was once told that my images, although very nice, looked like post cards. They never featured my friends or family, only the nature and landscapes surrounding us. I wasn’t deterred by it, and kept making images the way I liked. One day, that changed. I wanted to try something new, something different, and wondered if I would be able to make images of humans. After a while I found that I actually liked directing and coming up with ideas for a model to do. I always was intrigued with strange ideas, that were possible to shoot. I was never good at painting or photoshopping, so I never had any inclinations creating images that way. There are much better artists that come to mind, like Renee Robyn. I settled on trying to get my ideas in camera, using conventional methods. Women, fedoras, and cigars. I guess one might say that this isn’t an original idea, but then again there aren’t a lot of original ideas left :). I just wanted to put my little spin on this, and I think it came out quite good. It’s still not exactly what I wanted and imagined, so I will have to re-shoot this concept or continue the story 🙂 . Of course this was shot entirely with Fuji XT1 and X-Pro1 cameras with 2 lenses, a Fuji 56 f1.2 and Rokinon 85mm f1.4. I like the length of the Rokinon lens, but the Fuji is so much superior in every regard, and it has auto focus. Of course both lenses were set to the widest apertures for maximum depth of field. Fuji lens performed perfectly, fast, sharp and beautiful for portrait photography. Rokinon wasn’t bad, a bit soft wide open, but overall very good lens for the money. Here are some images from the session.

Fuji in Europe Part 28 – Last night in Nuremberg

by Mac Sokulski | Jul 18, 2014 | Fuji X, People, Urban

So it came down to this, last night of vacation, and last night in Nuremberg. It was a good time as any to take go for a little night walk around the old town. Brought the tripod, Fuji XT1 for it WiFi control from the iPhone, and…. a wrong lens. Yep. I thought of bringing the 10-24, but then I thought, that anyone would bring that lens. So I opted to be different, and brought te Fuji 56mm f1.2. It was a struggle. I had to look at things differently, and frame my shots differently. No more wide open space, the frame was tight and long, so I had to think a little more, and cursed under my breath. At the end I even gave up on the tripod. It was taking too long to frame anything on it. So I took the camera off the tripod and relied on the excellent ISO noise control from Fuji, and I wasn’t disappointed. These cameras are wonderful for shooting at night even without a tripod. After all 28 posts and looking through all the images shot, I have learned a bit about the new Fuji XT1, and how it compares to the old X-Pro1… For one it’s not that much different. Of course it’s newer, faster, different design, but the feel of the camera and the pleasure of using it, at least for me, is the same as the X-Pro1. I love using both, and I don’t see myself changing anytime soon. I know that in reality a camera is just a tool, but with Fuji it’s something else. Something special. I feel that every time I pick up the camera.

Most importantly though, it’s not the cameras or the places I’ve seen. It’s the great hospitality of wonderful friends. Being hidden behind our screens, being “social” on various social networks, nothing compares to the human contact. Being there with great friends, means so much more than being “friends” on the interwebs. So a heart felt thank you to you all at Hooked on Europe.

Here are some last photos from Nuremberg.

Fuji in Europe Part 27 – Last day in Nuremberg

by Mac Sokulski | Jul 15, 2014 | Art, Fuji X, Nature, People, Urban

It has finally come to this. Last in day in Nuremberg, and my good friend from Hooked on Europe decided that it would be good to go out on the streets again, and try some fuji night shooting. We started off early, before the sun went down. Which allowed me to catch some images with the golden light of the setting sun. Nice long shadows, beautiful colors, great pictures. It was a great finish to a wonderful day spent in the quiet atmosphere of the Altenburg Castle, then wondering the old streets of Bamberg. Luckily I was leaving in the afternoon the next day, so I had time to go and spend the evening in great company, taking pictures of this beautiful city of Nuremberg.

Fuji in Europe Part 26 – The streets of Bamberg.

by Mac Sokulski | Jul 14, 2014 | People, Urban

From the hill where the Altenburg Castle is located, it’s a short drive the town of Bamberg. As mentioned in the previous post, it’s a very old city, and very beautiful. Walking around the streets on a beautiful sunday afternoon, there are lots of people relaxing, and enjoying the views. Most shops are closed on Sundays, which actually is quite a nice change from Canadian market, that seems to be open 24/7. It’s a very nice change of pace, providing ample opportunities for street photography. Armed with Fuji X100s, it’s quite easy to just walk around and hip shoot, anything and anyone that seems interesting. I’ve talked about the silent stealth of this camera in previous post, and here it didn’t fail either. Even when brought to the eye level, people usually ignore it, because it’s small and nondescript. Most actually think it’s an old film camera, because of it’s looks. Not that the other Fuji cameras, the X-Pro1 and the XT1 are more visible. Their shutters are a little louder, but nothing compared to a full sized DSLR. So all Fuji cameras I had, work perfectly for quiet street photography. I just wished I was better at it 🙂

Fuji in Europe Part 24 – The Streets of Prague

by Mac Sokulski | Jul 11, 2014 | Fuji X, People, Urban

Walking around old town of Prague can be quite rewarding if you like street photography. There are interesting people, tourists, political rallies, musicians and many others. It’s never boring. Taking their pictures with a silent camera, like Fuji X100s, is also great, because no one notices, thus no forced poses or awkward smiles from the subjects. Everything comes out almost as it was at the time you pressed the shutter release. I think that’s why the Fuji X100S is so in demand for street photography. Great lens, great sensor, very good images, and silent. Here is my attempt at street photography in Prague…