Portraits, portfolios and personal pictures

One of the things that I’ve heard before a session is this: “I don’t look good in pictures”. Actually, you may blame it simply on not finding the right person to capture the image. Today is very easy accessing to a camera with sufficient quality, but it’s a bit trickier to find people who know how to handle the situation to capture a good image. And the question is not necessarily technically how to handle the camera, but treat the person, use light, consider (or disprove) the environment. A professional photographer will take into account each and every one of these factors, plus many others: we are often loaded with different lenses, which work especially well in certain circumstances. We sometimes use flash or continuous lighting. Other times we recommend that you change your clothes or location. A professional photographer will devote enough time and attention. No wonder kick better result than a person who spends 12 seconds on the photo and puts all settings automatically. Even the best camera lacks most of the things you want for a great picture.

But the matter does not end there: the subsequent process is also relevant. And although today many people have access to appropriate software to edit the pictures, so few have adequate capacity to use them. And, again, it is not a technique but a matter of sensitivity and taste. In many cases the photographs are standardized with the application of filters Instagram or misdeeds are created with HDR (High Dynamic Range). And, in addition to this, some people perpetrate dreadful collages spoiling what could have been a good photo.

Retratos, books y fotos personales

I am a professional photographer. If you need pics, feel free to contact me, my e-mail sergi@archerphoto.eu , and my Whatsapp and Telegram: +34 6444 5 9753. There are samples of my work in my gallery. Portraits, portfolios and personal pictures. I am a photographer in Valencia, but I do work wherever you need me :)

You can also check my Flickr, where I usually upload one pic a day http://flickr.com/photos/archerphoto

January 5, 2015March 21, 2015

More dancing pics

Yes, it’s one of my weaknesses. The theme of the dance seems to me really attractive and whenever I can, I take pictures on this occasion. In general, the elegance of classical dance is what attracts me, but almost any aspect of it gets my attention, including similar issues, such as gymnastics, are also quite striking for a professional photographer. Both black and white and color, opportunities are often spectacular. In many cases, the most complicated is to capture the moment, but the truth is that given the harmony of the whole movement, although dancers are very demanding clients, for the observer the result is frequently captivating. In this case, the photos are made in Valencia and Castellón, but if you’re in Madrid, Barcelona, Bilbao, London or, indeed, almost anywhere, can talk about the possibility of getting photos.

Photographer for dancers in Spain

Photographer for dance - professional photographer Valencia Spain

I am a professional photographer and you can contact me with an e-mail to sergi@archerphoto.eu , phoning me or sending me a Whatsapp or Telegram in office hours to +34 6444 5 9753. You can see some additional pics in my gallery.Portfolio for dancers, actresses and athletes, pro and amateur. And also all other kind of pictures.

You can see also pics in my Flickr, usually one new picture a day http://flickr.com/photos/archerphoto

December 9, 2014

Arctic Sunrise in Valencia

I need to say first I’m not a fan of Greenpeace. I’m not because I think that the end does not always justify the means, although I may agree with some of the intentions of this organization, I don’t agree in the commission of certain actions or the communication of many yellowish informations. The fact that Greenpeace too often is mixing inexact releases with actual studies makes their credibility will suffer excessively. In this regard, https://gallir.wordpress.com/2014/11/14/las-consecuencias-de-divulgar-bulos-y-no-rectificar/

The fact, moreover, is that they have come to Valencia with their ship, the Arctic Sunrise, and the ship itself has been part of different news. At the invitation of a friend who is a volunteer with them, I went to take pictures. When I arrive to the port, they decided that, in the morning, only children guided visits will be allowed, so that they have not authorized me to go, under the saying they were “working” and I could not be there. For me it’s a complete idiocy, but for them the decision was taken, so I’ve done a couple of photos from outside and I’m back home.

The boat has docked in Valencia to support activists who slipped into the Nuclear Plant of Cofrentes and now face a trial in which significant jail times are requested: 16 activists can get up to three years in prison and a fine of up to 360,000 euros. The protest -carried in 2011- included a painting on the cooling tower, and the preliminary activities to perform it seems that included personal injury to one of the security guards. The protest, according to Greenpeace was peaceful, but Iberdrola (nuclear plant operator) did not consider it as peaceful and they ensured that there was “substantial property damage, personal injury two guards and emergency declaration”.

Personally I see no reasonable getting 16 activists in a nuclear plant, considering the security risks involved, however important the protest.

December 6, 2014December 6, 2014

My first exhibition in Japan

The truth is that so far I have just exposed in the Internet and this is my first solo exhibition. I’ve never been to Fukuoka, Daimyo, Japan, but I know the curator thanks to I’m there, Elaine Yaumara Ramirez. Elaine told me about the possibility and, honestly, I had no trouble deciding to prepare the material that I had working during months to show.

There is a small text explaining or, more specifically, justifying artistic content of the exhibition, which can not be seen in Internet and, for now, will not be seen in Spain (my country). I would go to Japan, but as I were joking on my Facebook, none of my friends had offered to drive me to my first exhibition.

The content of this first part are projections over skin, all in black and white. Telling just like that does not sound so artistic. Perhaps it’s better get deeper so I’ll paste the text I wrote for the exhibition.

The concept of projection is the angular point in the narrative. The body as a canvas and, simultaneously, as an object to expose, is the classic paradox, the game of words without words, unfunny joke and transposition of the two-dimensional array object and canvas, the content and the continent without giving up a simplistic Cartesian that is translated in contrasted black and white, eliminating unnecessary nuances and allows concentration on core essence.

My first exhibition in Japan

November 8, 2014

9 interesting fashion photographers

Some times it’s OK to take some time to show people some of the influences you’ve had. In this case, I want to show 9 interesting fashion photographers. This is not a ranking of favourite and it is not my purpose to index them by quality or importance. All of them have interesting works available online.

Tony Kelly

British GQ,El País,Complex, ad campaigns for American Apparel, Dynamite, and Triton.

http://www.tonykellyphotography.com/

9 interesting fashion photographers — Tony Kelly

Aline & Jacqueline Tappia

Fashion photography duo. GQ Italia, ODDA, SID Magazine, Fiasco, DSECTION, Grit.

http://www.ajtappiareynaud.com/

aline-jacqueline-tappia - 9 interesting fashion photographers — Aline and Jacqueline Tappia

Mario Sorrenti

Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar and, ad campaigns for Calvin Klein, W, Another Man, Lancôme, Paco Rabanne, Benetton, and the Pirelli Calendar 2012

http://www.mariosorrenti.com/

Mario Sorrenti - 9 interesting fashion photographers — Mario Sorrenti

Jason Kibbler

Fringe, Teen Vogue, Dazed & Confused, 10 Men… That’s Jason Kibbler.

http://jasonkibbler.com/

9 interesting fashion photographers - Jason Kibbler — Jason Kibbler

Mikael Jansson

Interview, i-D, Vogue USA and campaigns for Ferragamo.

http://www.mikaeljansson.com/

Giampaolo Sgura

Sgura can be found in Allure, GQ or Hercules. Campaigns for Cavalli or Rochas.

http://www.giampaolosgura.com/

Mariano Vivanco

Peruvian photographer. Vogue or Dazed&Confused are his most important references.

http://www.marianovivanco.com/

Fashion photographer Mariano Vivanco — Mariano Vivanco

John Rankin

Creator of Dazed&Confused magazine.

http://rankin.co.uk

Mert & Marcus

Mert Alas & Marcus Piggott have worked in all the great magazines. Some people considers them the top photographers in fashion world.

http://www.artpartner.com/artists/image/mert-alas-marcus-piggott

My name is Sergi Albir. I am a professional photographer, working mainly in Valencia, Spain, but I try to commute if necessary. If you need pictures, you can contact me via Whatsapp or Telegram, or call me at +34 6444 5 9753. You can also send an email to sergi@archerphoto.eu

October 26, 2014March 14, 2015

Sky pictures

Actually, taking pictures of the sky is one thing that brings few benefits. If selling landscape pictures was already complicated, the thing became even worse since we see during the TV forecast, photos they have asked viewers to send. Often the pics are good but they have never paid a single euro for them. So they keep asking: thousands of photos at no cost,. When you consider the cost of a minute of alternatives contents in television -for instance, a minute of Game of Thrones or Doctor Who-, those pics are an absolute bargain. So I have no intention of ever sending them. In fact, from my point of view, it seems unethical to engage in begging photos with the excuse that “people will see your pics and you’ll be popular,” because none of the photographers who are sending get any material benefits.

On the other hand, a pro photographer want his pics seen, so I have them here and in my Flickr account: https://www.flickr.com/photos/archerphoto/ .

Sky pictures

Professional photographer in Spain — Valencia at dawn

Sky pictures - Archerphoto, professional photographer in Valencia, Spain — Dusk it’s usually great

Sky pictures - Archerphoto, commercial photographer in Spain — Sky pictures, dramatic look

Sky pictures - Archerphoto, pro photography in Spain — Sky pictures

Now you’ve seen a few of my pictures of skies. Valencia, mainly.

If you want to hire a professional photographer, you can contact me:

sergi@archerphoto.eu, 644459753

I usually work in Valencia, but also in other parts of Spain and Europe. Although I’m sure at some point I will be taking pictures in America, specifically in Mexico. Working for companies, individuals and NGOs.

October 2, 2014March 16, 2015

Valencia Central Market Neighborhood: Barri del Mercat

One of the neighborhoods in central Valencia. The Barri del Mercat, or Market Neighborhood , is the nearest to the Central Market, which itself is a remarkable piece of modernist architecture. The neighborhood is not like that, but are rather humble dwellings mixed with occasional palaces. This space was an extramural suburb in the Arab Valencia, which had its wall in the current Caballeros street, where some parts of the wall remain integrated within existing buildings . Until the fourteenth century the neighborhood remained outside Valencia, but became integrated with the construction of the outer city wall. Next to the current Central there was a mosque, which gave way around 1240 to Santos Juanes church. That same church was rebuilt some centuries after.

Valencia Central Market Neighborhood: Barri del Mercat

The neighborhood also houses the Llotja Mercaders or Lonja de la Seda, world’s greatest example of civil Gothic. Declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco, was started to be built by Pere Compte on the very concept of Llotja de Mallorca, and it is an indicative of the commercial revolution during the late Middle Age in the city of Valencia.

Both the Central Mercat as Llotja deserve its own post, but for now, we will release some detail.

More info about the Llotja: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Llotja_de_la_Seda

Sergi Albir.

Copyright Sergi Albir 2014. If you need a professional photographer in Spain, feel free to contact me: sergi@archerphoto.eu

September 22, 2014September 22, 2014

Armin Van Buuren in Valencia

They say that he is one of the biggest DJ in the world. According to some classifications, the best one. It is not a subject I master, but it he is certainly a well-known trance music producer and also an outstanding star who gets public attention. So if he came to Valencia and I had the opportunity to shoot some pictures of him and some on his show, well, it did not sound bad.

Armin Van Buuren in Valencia

He came to present a product in which he has been involved in the design: Philips M1-XDJ, an invention that allows iPad or iPhone using the full working DJ, providing mixers and including three speakers with a power Total 80W RMS, which is a respectable power for a small party. The device features a plug, but if what you like is getting lost in places that have no outlet, you can use batteries. And if your friends have a some other M1-XDJ, you can stack the speakers for adding output power.

All this had Armin Van Buuren in Valencia, in the Mercat Central, an event that served as appetizer for his night show, Armin Only Intense. The event was somewhat marred by technical problems that prevented the Dutch had a minmally spectacular lighting system, so it was all as a presentation rather unspectacular but very sincere and direct, with Van Buuren explaining details of the system and teaching it with great interest and vehemence. If you want more info, here: http://www.philips.co.in/c/audio-system/m1x-dj-sound-system-ds8900_10/prd/;jsessionid=358448819A185A74FAB4133123C049E8.app101-drp2

Later at night I assisted to his show. The tickets they gave me were subject to the general access rules so it was strictly forbidden to enter the event with an SLR or interchangeable lens camera, so I had to make do with a Canon Ixus 120 which have to, well, because I love the Ixus and go. You can not configure speed priority or aperture, so good, I managed as best I could.

Sergi Albir.

If you want to read this article in Spanish, http://www.archerphoto.eu/armin-van-buuren-en-valencia/

September 19, 2014September 19, 2014

Images with Samsung S4: short review

Images with Samsung S4

Everyone knows that Samsung makes great phones, and often people ask me about how good are their built-in cameras. Well, here is some data from S4, not the last phone the Korean company has launched in the market, but still a phone in the market.

Technically, the data are:

Backlit Sensor 13-megapixel
Lens: F2.2
ISO 50-1000 (100-800)
Image Ratio: 4: 3
2 Megapixel front camera
LED Flash
Video: 1080p 30fps
Simultaneous Dual Capture: front and rear cameras.
Filters and special modes
Digital Image Stabilization
4x Digital Zoom
Equivalent focal length on a 35mm camera: 31mm

I am not intending to write an S4 exhaustive review. It is true that the software used has some interesting features and some detail that I personally do not like it, However you can choose to install,among others, the implementation of Google for the camera so you can choose your favorite option.

The original application of the S4 allows manual selection of ISO and has other creative options: drama mode, which allows for multiple shots on the same picture, the dual mode, which triggers the front and rear camera simultaneously (null interest) Panorama mode (which itself is useful), Animated, which creates a GIF, Eraser mode, which is great for removing people is left in a picture, for example, to capture buildings when you are in tourist areas, night mode (do not ask me to explain it, come on), and finally the HDR mode, which allows fans of these photographs use it all the time. There is also a sport mode, which increases the shutter speed but, well, let’s just timely that improves outcomes.

There is a specific aspect of this camera is awkward: if by mistake you decided to activate vibration reduction, you won’t be able to choose the ISO value. It’s probably because the phone raises the ISO values when the algorithm considers it appropriate, so it has more speed available.

The camera quality is sufficient for the day and, as expected, much more loose at high ISOs: almost any compact will beat the Samsung S4 at night. The 13 megapixels are good, the optics are adequate, but the sensor size is still tiny.

The photos shown here have only been signed, without any further process, even levels, with the exception of the featured image (the pic with the lollipops was treated with LR).

I translated this post from the one in my Spanish website: http://www.archerphoto.eu/fotos-con-el-samsung-s4/