Telephoto portraits with 400mm f2.8 Lens

Few weeks ago I did small seminar on Wildlife Photography in London.

I choose Richmond Park as location for this as it is maximum close to wild location, and still with 100% chance that we can see and do photos of wild animals.

After we did all the talking and photos we did also photos of animals and I decide to do few portraits of people which were participating in seminar.

All photos taken with:

Camera: Nikon D850

Lens: Nikkor 400mm f2.8 VR

All on wide open aperture of f2.8

400mm f2.8 have great sharpness and amazing bokeh, but it turn out that communicating with models is quite difficult.

All photos were taken from 10-15 meter distance, so I have to either scream or just show with hands people to move.

But holding 5kg+ combo of 400mm telephoto lens and camera in one hand and showing with other hand was not easy task.

I usually use my Gitzo Monopod with such heavy lenses but it is perfectly hand handable for 10-15 minutes of shooting.

Other factor when shooting people with such long lens was that I was not able to control backgrounds so well as with normal lens.

As usually I would say to models “Move here” or “a little bit on left” but with 15meter distance between photographer and model it is quite hard to give directions.

And I didn’t even try to do full body portraits, as this would have required 20-30 meter distance, and zero chance of communication and directing models.

So conclusion is that even if lens have amazing sharpness, great bokeh it is suitable for portait work only with experience models who know how to pose.

Leave your comments below for experiences with telephoto portraits.

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On 10.10 there was world Zombie Day in London. You can see some of the photos which I take today, but if you are scared of zombies close this page immediately and don’t look further down.

For Zombie and Horror movies fans this is a must do event! Walking dead in real is very hard thing to see.
Makeup of all participants was class leading and more real looking than some of Holywood movies!
Looking forward for next festival like this.

Camera Gear used:

Camera: Nikon D800

Lenses:

Nikkor 70-200mm f2.8 Af-S

Nikkor 85mm f1.4 Af-d

Walking Death style zombies

Zombie attack which is hard to survive without receiving hearth stroke.

Zombie straight out of Walking Death movie.

Beware of zombie attack

Great and very professional makeup by all people.


Not recommended to see before going to slepp

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Notting Hill Carnival London

Photos from me from Notting Hill Carnival London
Great weather,  Music,  Joy and something which is highly recommended to visit, if you are coming to London in August.
It is always fun and I have visited it in 4 years in row.

Photos made with:
Camera: Nikon D800

Lenses:
Nikkor 70-200mm AF-S VR F2.8
Nikkor 24-70mm F2.8
Nikkor 85mm f1.4 Af-d

It is great that people are happily posing for photos, especially if you carry respective Photo Equipment.

Some people were making photos with phones of course.

And numerous selfies of Instragram Kifla’s

Fun is the most important part of festival.
But of course don’t forget to use clothes ready to be painted in numerous colors.

Some people have smoked too much

There were people in traditional African appeal.

Unfortunately Quite a lot of rubish is left after Carnival.

Various cocktails were offered to Carnival Visitors

Here you can see moment of paint fights which are typical for Carnival.

Really sad to see such thing on Street for someone just to save 50p for toilet. Notting hill carnival peeing.

And it was not the only case unfortunately.. Notting hill carnival pee on streets.

There were real fires for food preparation, not microwave ovens.

Millions of people are visiting carnival each year!

Notting hill festival is place where you can meet your dream or devil.

Time to say good Bye again to carnival

All people were having lot of fun at Notting hill festival.

It was great carnival which I enjoy a lot and I’m looking forward for next year 50 anniversary of largest street carnival in Europe!

Photography by Teo Totev

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Recently I have a project to photograph a group of people in front of some famous Landmark in London with holding photos of few famous Bulgarian Actors.  So I decided to go for photos in front of Tower Bridge.

Photography Equipment used:

Camera: Nikon D800

Lens: Nikkor 24-70mm f2.8 Af-s

Flash: Nikon SB800

Flash Reflector: Rogue Flashbender

Tower Bridge

Tower Bridge London

London Tower Bridge

Tower Bridge London Photo Session | West London Photographer

For any queries please contact me. You can also find me on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

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Right in the middle of summer it was the perfect time to do some do some fashion photography with lovely indian model Pareen.

Photography Gear Used:

Camera: Nikon D800

Lenses:

Nikkor 85mm f1.4 Af-d

Nikkor 135mm f2.0 DC

Nikkor 35mm f1.4 Af-s

We start with doing stunning headshot photo:

Then we move to some more fashion style photography:

Pareen:

Even it was challenging to find place for autumn fashion photos in the middle of summer we manage to find right spot:

Mirror images tend to be fashionable lately so I decide to try with one:

It was a great day, nice photo shoot and, of course, nice photos in the end.

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Beauty Photography with Digital Medium Format Camera.

Camera: Mamiya Afd II

Digital back: Leaf Aptus 75 33 Megapixes

Lenses used:

Mamiya 45mm AF f2.8

Mamiya 55mm AF f2.8

Mamiya 80mm AF f2.8

Mamiya 80mm MF f1.9

Mamiya 120mm Macro f4.0

One of my favorite models Agatha which is originally from Poland but is living in London.

The weather was not the best one but we get some gorgeous results and you can see unretouched photo from my medium format camera.

We decide to do some street photography too.

And here you can see amazing sharpness of Medium Format Camera.

And of course, her blonde hair is looking gorgeous on the red Ferrari!
Beauty digital medium format photography.

Everything good has its end so until next time and next gorgeous London model or London Beauty Queen!

If you are looking to create your model portfolio or to have some update, don’t think twice and contact me!
Medium format photography by London Fashion Photographer Teo Totev.

If you would like to find more and to see more of my business portrait photography work, please visit main part of my Website. For any queries and bookings please contact me. You can also find me on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

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