Reader Stories: Photographing Coast Guard training in hail storms with the Olympus E-M1 and Pro lenses
posted Saturday, March 26, 2016 at 5:06 AM EST
By IR reader Jeff Pardoen
I am originally from The Netherlands and moved to the North East of the UK in August 2014. In October 2015 I turned my passion for photography into my own business - Jeff Pardoen Photography. Still a newbie to the whole business thing it is a real challenge!
I am in the process of becoming a Coast Guard Rescue officer. Hopefully I will reach operational status around May-June of this year. In the meantime I train to get my Foundation Skills all in place.
Her Majesty's Coast Guard Search and Rescue exercise with the Olympus E-M1
On the 14th of February Redcar CRT (Coast Guard Rescue Team of which I am part) together with Staithes, Skinningrove and Hartlepool CRT's took part in a Land Search and Rescue exercise. I could not participate because I am still a trainee but I could observe so I took the opportunity to bring my E-M1 rig along with me.
It was appalling weather, cold with intermittent hailstorms and I must say that the Olympus OM-D E-M1 with the two PRO lenses (M.ZUIKO Digital 12-40mm f/2.8 Pro and M.Zuiko Digital ED 40-150mm f/2.8 Pro) performed excellently. I output the photographs in black and white because it added to the drama and suited the documentary feel well in my opinion.
That is what professional equipment for me is all about. I always say that it is not the gear but the photographer who takes the pictures because you can take pictures with any camera (or in this day and age mobiles or tablets) and achieve stunning results. But this equipment assures that you can take pictures in these circumstances and let it get soaking wet without having to worry about it breaking down.
Thank you for reading! You can see more of my work at my website and my Flickr page.
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(Thanks for this interesting look at Coast Guard training, Jeff!)
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(25 seconds / f/2.8 / 16mm / ISO 250 / manual exposure)