Very happy to share that a portfolio of 5 of my images has been selected for the next stage of the Urban Photo Awards.
Wreath-laying ceremony at the memorial khachkar (a carved Armenian Stone Cross memorial sculpture) took place after a remembrance service and prayer of intercession, to commemorate the 105th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide of April 24th, 1915, when 1.5 Million Armenians were massacred by the Ottoman Empire. A member of the clergy swings a censer (a type of thurible) of incense. The usual wreath laying ceremony at The Cenotaph, attended by hundreds, was cancelled this year due to the COVID 19 lockdown and instead took place on church grounds. St. Yeghiche Armenian Church, Cranley Gardens, South Kensington, London, UK. April 24, 2020. Photo: Edmond Terakopian Panasonic Lumix S1 with a Lumix S Pro 16-35mm f4.0 lens.
A portrait of Jim Connor (former picture editor, The Herald, Glasgow) enjoying a pint of Guiness at The Long Hall pub in Dublin, Republic of Ireland. January 17, 2020. Photo: Edmond Terakopian Sigma fp with a Leica 35mm APO Summicron SL f2.0 lens.Opera singer Ida Ränzlöv (mezzo-soprano) in her dressing room ahead of her performance in Ian Page’s visionary MOZART 250 series, 1770 – A Retrospective. In conjunction with Classic FM. Wigmore Hall, Wigmore Street, London, UK. January 09, 2020. Photo: Edmond Terakopian Sigma fp with a Lumix S Pro 50mm f1.4 lens.Fashion designer and independent British luxury brand, Joshua Kane, in his flagship store at 68 Great Portland Street, London, UK. July 23, 2019. Photo: Edmond Terakopian Panasonic Lumix S1R with a Lumix S Pro 24-70mm f2.8 lens.Easing Of The Coronavirus Lockdown In England begins today with non-essential retailers being allowed to open if they adhere to social distancing rules. Harrods opens it’s doors to shoppers who began queuing over an hour before the 11am opening of the store. Knightsbridge, London, UK. June 15, 2020. Photo: Edmond Terakopian Panasonic Lumix S1R with a Lumix S Pro 16-35mm f4.0 lens.
All the images were made using the L-Mount camera system. Three images were shot on the Lumix S Series with Lumix S Pro lenses and the other two images were shot on the Sigma fp with a Leica APO Summicron SL lens and a Lumix S Pro lens.
All photographs were from raw files, edited and processed in Adobe Lightroom and finished in Exposure Software’s Exposure X5, with the monochrome image being finished in DxO’s Nik Collection, Silver Efex Pro.
The Philip Harben Award for Food in Action Shortlist
Thrilled to share some good news! One of my images has made the shortlist of the prestigeous Pink Lady Food Photographer of the Year, in the The Philip Harben Award for Food in Action subcategory.
Late night dining with an abundance of fresh fish. La Fonda Del Port Olimpic, Barcelona, Spain. January 27, 2019. Photo: Edmond Terakopian *NB Test shot with a prototype Lumix S1 and S Series 24-105mm f4.0 lens*
I made the image on my first night in Barcelona, ahead of the world launch of the Lumix S Series and L Mount Alliance, which took place the next day! The picture was made on a preproduction Lumix S1 and Lumix S 24-105mm lens.
The winners will be announced on Tuesday 28th April, 2020 at 20:00 (GMT), on the Pink Lady Food Photographer Of The Year FaceBook page.
Thrilled to share that the judges of the 13th International Color Awards have kindly awarded two of my images and nominated a further five, out of the 6093 entries received.
Wonderful to see such a wide reaching panel, comprised of jury members from Newsweek, New York; Apartheid Museum, Johannesburg; The Art Channel, London; Netflix, Los Angeles; Koller Auctions, Zurich; Preus Museum, Norway; Galerie Mitterrand, Paris; Fila, New York; Wieden & Kennedy, Portland; Kolle Rebbe, Hamburg; Fox Broadcasting Network, Los Angeles; Gallery Kong, Seoul; Mini / BMW Group, London; and the Royal Academy Of Art, The Hague, Netherlands.
Honourable Mentions
Silhouette
A lady photographs her friend using a smartphone. Upper deck of the Snog frozen yoghurt bus. South Bank, London, UK. July 16, 2019. Photo: Edmond Terakopian
Lumix S1R
Lumix S Pro 24-70mm f2.8 lens
Abstract
A Surreal Stream. A bubble performance by a street entertainer. Daily Life, London, UK. October 07, 2019. Photo: Edmond Terakopian
Lumix G9
Leica DG 10-25mm Vario Summilux
Nominees
Advertising
A Piccadilly Ballerina Jonquil timepiece, modelled by Mona Ali. British luxury timepiece creator Backes & Strauss (founded in 1789). 21-22 Grosvenor Street, Mayfair, London, UK. July 17, 2019. Photo: Edmond Terakopian
Lumix S1R
Lumix S Pro 24-70mm f2.8
Fine Art
Natural History; A Bridge To Our Past. A portrait of Andre Sanganoo-Dixon with a 3D printed replica of the dinosaur skull of the Natural History Museum’s iconic Diplodocus carnegii. London, UK. May 09, 2019. Photo: Edmond Terakopian
Lumix S1R
Lumix S Pro 50mm f1.4
Elinchrom monolight
Portrait
Fashion designer and independent British luxury brand, Joshua Kane, in his flagship store at 68 Great Portland Street, London, UK. July 23, 2019. Photo: Edmond Terakopian
Lumix S1R
Lumix S Pro 24-70mm f2.8
People
Jan Hellebrand assembles a mechanical clock after a full dissasembly and service. The Clock Gallery, Pitshanger Lane, Ealing, London, UK. July 16, 2019. Photo: Edmond Terakopian
Lumix S1
Lumix S Pro 24-70mm f2.8
Food
In Armenian mythology, the pomegranate is celebrated as a symbol of life and is also believed to keep us safe from evil spirits. It has religious connotations to Christianity and is seen as the blood of Christ. The mythology of ancient Greece regarded this fruit as the symbol of life, marriage and rebirth. The fruit is also used as a holy symbol and respected in zoroastrian worshipping ceremonies and rituals.The pomegranate symbolises the soul’s immortality and the perfection of nature for Zoroastrians. For Muslims, the pomegranate is also a symbol of beauty, it is said to give beauty to those who eat it. Prophet Mohammed has advised pregnant women to eat pomegranates if they wanted beautiful children. Placement of pomegranate trees in the gardens of Eden, brings meaning for Muslims, who as a result believe that it is a holy tree. The Jewish mysticism called Kabbala reveres the pomegranate in many of its rituals. In modern Turkey today, many families throw a pomegranate on the floor and “crack” it on the New Year’s Eve to have a plentiful new year. Pomegranate still life. London, UK. July 16, 2019. Photo: Edmond Terakopian
Lumix S1R
Lumix S Pro 24-70mm f2.8
As a side note, when putting together this blog post’s images, I was quite surprised at just how many of these images were made using the extremely versatile, new Lumix S Pro 24-70mm f2.8 lens. In fact these were all shot using a pre-production lens ahead of its release. Some of these images were also used in the Panasonic Lumix international launch campaign for the lens, which I was commissioned to shoot.
Apologies for the slightly delayed post; following the previous post announcing the shortlist of the British Photography Awards 2020, I’m thrilled to announce that one of my two shortlisted images made it through to the winner’s podium and was kindly recognised by the judges and awarded a Runner Up prize.
Photographer Edmond Terakopian and partner Yoshie Nishikawa at the British Photography Awards Gala Dinner, Savoy Hotel, London, UK. February 04, 2020. Photo: Angus Thompson
Huge thanks to the awards organisers, the judges and all at The Savoy in London for such a wonderful and unforgettable evening. Wonderful to have my partner Yoshie Nishikawa with me to share this joy and also lovely to catch up with so many friends and colleagues at the awards gala evening on the 4th of February, 2020.
British Photography Awards Gala Dinner, Savoy Hotel, London, UK. February 04, 2020. Photo: Edmond Terakopian
Repairs On The Giant Tortoise; Runner Up, Documentary
The image of Senior Conservator Arianna Bernucci, from the Natural History Museum, working on the shell of a giant tortoise, was made using my Lumix S1 and Lumix S Pro 50mm f1.4 lens. The raw image was processed in Adobe Lightroom and finished in Exposure Software’s Exposure X5.
I’m thrilled to share that the judges of the British Photography Awards have kindly shortlisted two of my photographs for the 2020 awards. My congratulations to all the finalists and also to the judges for their hard work.
Alongside the judges ruling, there is a people’s choice award too, so voting is open to the public. If you like either (or both!) of my images, kindly press the “VOTE” button by the right hand side of each image. It’s a simple click and no registration is needed.
Category-Fashion: Fashion designer Joshua Kane
Fashion designer and independent British luxury brand, Joshua Kane, in his flagship store at 68 Great Portland Street, London, UK. July 23, 2019. Photo: Edmond Terakopian
The portrait of fashion visionary Joshua Kane was shot as part of the Panasonic Lumix international launch campaign for the new Lumix S Pro 24-70mm f2.8 lens and made using my Lumix S1R and a preproduction lens. The raw file was as always processed in Adobe Lightroom.
Category – Documentary: Repairs On The Giant Tortoise
Senior Conservator Arianna Bernucci stabilises the shell of a giant tortoise, a Type Specimen (used as a reference specimen), Testudo Porteri from the Galápagos Islands, 1903, using Japanese tissue paper. Conservation Centre, fossil preparation studio. Behind the scenes at the Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London, UK. February 22, 2019. Photo: Edmond Terakopian
The image of Senior Conservator Arianna Bernucci working on the shell of a giant tortoise, was made using my Lumix S1 and Lumix S Pro 50mm f1.4 lens. The raw image was processed in Lightroom and finished in Exposure Software’s Exposure X5.
It’s astonishing to hear from the organisers that “In 2019 our audience potential topped 840 million people worldwide. This year we hope to greatly exceed this and showcase the creativity and dynamism of British photography to the world”. The competition’s results will be announced in 2020 at a black tie gala at The Savoy in Central London.
Seven Weeks With The Lumix S Pro 24-70mm f2.8 (Pre-Production) Lens
Pre-production Panasonic Lumix S Pro 24-70mm f2.8 L-Mount Full-Frame Lens, attached to a Lumix S1 camera. London, UK. August 27, 2019. Photo: Edmond TerakopianA self portrait, showing a pre-production Panasonic Lumix S Pro 24-70mm f2.8 L-Mount full-frame lens, mounted on a Lumix S1 and a Uniqball ball head. London, UK. August 25, 2019. Photo: Edmond Terakopian
“Mmmmm, this is going to be special”. This was what I said to myself as soon as I looked at the the very first test frame I shot with the lens on my Lumix S1R. Followed by, “Its so sharp!”. This was a very good way to start shooting with a brand new lens. In fact, a pre-production model at that, with early, pre-production firmware.
Eunsley Park, award-winning British, South Korean violinist, with a Lorenzo Storioni violin, from the 1800s (from the Beare’s International Violin Society). Walkway by a construction site, Ealing, London, UK. July 29, 2019. Photo: Edmond Terakopian ***Photo taken using a pre-production Lumix S 24-70mm f2.8 lens, running early firmware. This lens is not a final production sample*** COPYRIGHT PHOTOEunsley Park, award-winning British, South Korean violinist, with a Lorenzo Storioni violin, from the 1800s (from the Beare’s International Violin Society). Walkway by a construction site, Ealing, London, UK. July 29, 2019. Photo: Edmond Terakopian ***Photo taken using a pre-production Lumix S 24-70mm f2.8 lens, running early firmware. This lens is not a final production sample*** COPYRIGHT PHOTO
I felt rather honoured when Panasonic Lumix UK got in touch to see if I’d like to test out the unreleased S Pro 24-70mm f2.8, ahead of it’s global launch on August 28th, 2019, which was around 1.5 months away. Unboxing the generic brown box, cutting away the bubble wrap, revealed the new lens. I found out the lens had been carried by hand, all the way from Japan! I got out some black tape, covered up all the markings and began shooting.
Entertainer and clown Christina Petre. Armenian Summer Festival, North Acton Playing Fields, Eastfields Road, London, UK. July 14, 2019. Photo: Edmond Terakopian ***Photo taken using a pre-production Lumix S 24-70mm f2.8 lens, running early firmware. This lens is not a final production sample*** COPYRIGHT PHOTO
It’s a bit of a special feeling knowing only a handful of people globally have seen the lens and I’ve been asked to test it and make images with it to be possibly used for the global launch. It’s also quite stressful, knowing photographs have to be made to not only showcase, but live up to every aspect of what was already proving to be a spectacularly good lens.
Portrait of Stephen Unwin (theatre and opera director, writer and teacher) at home. London, UK. July 15, 2019. Photo: Edmond Terakopian ***Photo taken using a pre-production Lumix S 24-70mm f2.8 lens, running early firmware. This lens is not a final production sample*** COPYRIGHT PHOTO
One of the characteristics that hit me as I begun shooting more and more, was that this wasn’t just a sharp lens, but it had something special. Pure clinical sharpness is ok for forensic type photography, but for being creative, for conveying mood, for sharing a story, one also needs gentleness, subtlety and grace. The rendering from this lens has all of that.
Jan Hellebrand assembles a mechanical clock after a full dissasembly and service. The Clock Gallery, Pitshanger Lane, Ealing, London, UK. July 16, 2019. Photo: Edmond Terakopian ***Photo taken using a pre-production Lumix S 24-70mm f2.8 lens, running early firmware. This lens is not a final production sample*** COPYRIGHT PHOTO
Generally, a 24-70mm f2.8, is a bread and butter lens; pretty much everyone will have one in their bag and it’s the standard professional zoom. Versatile, useful and a safe choice. What I found special though, was this wasn’t just a bread and butter lens. Where one may have a standard zoom for safety, one would also have a special prime with nicer rendering, for making those special portraits or creative shots.
In Armenian mythology, the pomegranate is celebrated as a symbol of life and is also believed to keep us safe from evil spirits. It has religious connotations to Christianity and is seen as the blood of Christ. The mythology of ancient Greece regarded this fruit as the symbol of life, marriage and rebirth. The fruit is also used as a holy symbol and respected in zoroastrian worshipping ceremonies and rituals.The pomegranate symbolises the soul’s immortality and the perfection of nature for Zoroastrians. For Muslims, the pomegranate is also a symbol of beauty, it is said to give beauty to those who eat it. Prophet Mohammed has advised pregnant women to eat pomegranates if they wanted beautiful children. Placement of pomegranate trees in the gardens of Eden, brings meaning for Muslims, who as a result believe that it is a holy tree. The Jewish mysticism called Kabbala reveres the pomegranate in many of its rituals. In modern Turkey today, many families throw a pomegranate on the floor and “crack” it on the New Year’s Eve to have a plentiful new year. Pomegranate still life. London, UK. July 16, 2019. Photo: Edmond Terakopian ***Photo taken using a pre-production Lumix S 24-70mm f2.8 lens, running early firmware. This lens is not a final production sample*** COPYRIGHT PHOTO
Well, the S 24-70mm f2.8 has all of that. It’s truly special to have all these qualities wrapped up in one lens. Versatility and speed, but also beautiful rendering, colour, contrast, detail and well, a bit of poetry too. I found it captured light and colour beautifully and rendered a nicely soft background in out of focus areas. As much as I hate talking about this and using the word bokeh, it does have beautiful bokeh! (I need to add my dislike is purely based on people who only care about bokeh and nothing else, especially not the craft of photography).
A Piccadilly Ballerina Jonquil timepiece, modelled by Mona Ali. British luxury timepiece creator Backes & Strauss (founded in 1789). 21-22 Grosvenor Street, Mayfair, London, UK. July 17, 2019. Photo: Edmond Terakopian ***Photo taken using a pre-production Lumix S 24-70mm f2.8 lens, running early firmware. This lens is not a final production sample*** COPYRIGHT PHOTO
It is chunky though. I felt the same way as when I first picked up the S Pro 50mm f1.4. Although I wished all of the S Series lenses could be a little smaller, just as with the S 50mm, as soon as I started shooting with the S 24-70mm, it justified it’s size and won a place in my camera bag. In fact, I pretty much didn’t shoot with anything else and seven weeks on, it’s always been mounted on either my S1 or S1R.
The horses are cooled down with water after the match. King Power Gold Cup polo match between Emlor and Murus Sanctus. Cowdray Park Polo Club, Ambersham & Brooks Field Grounds, Selham, West Sussex. July 10, 2019. Photo: Edmond Terakopian ***Photo taken using a pre-production Lumix S 24-70mm f2.8 lens, running early firmware. This lens is not a final production sample*** COPYRIGHT PHOTO
It just produces beautiful images and no matter what type of subject I point it at, it does as I ask and produces what I want. Fast to react and precise in rendering.
Fashion designer and independent British luxury brand, Joshua Kane, in his flagship store at 68 Great Portland Street, London, UK. July 23, 2019. Photo: Edmond Terakopian ***Photo taken using a pre-production Lumix S 24-70mm f2.8 lens, running early firmware. This lens is not a final production sample*** COPYRIGHT PHOTO
Super fast and silent AF, outstanding build quality and stunning optics. I have a feeling the scientific types at DxO Labs are going to enjoy putting this through their rigorous tests.
Hans Staartjes with his hand built indoor free flight rubber powered model airplane, known as an “F1D” class (internationally recognised flight duration competitions since the 1960’s). The model has a wing span of 55cm and weigh 1.4 grams. The model is balsa reinforced by very fine boron filaments and covered in the lightest film available, called OS film. London, UK. July 05, 2019. Photo: Edmond Terakopian ***Photo taken using a pre-production Lumix S 24-70mm f2.8 lens, running early firmware. This lens is not a final production sample*** COPYRIGHT PHOTOA portrait of German television host Max (Dieter) Moor. Inauguration of Lumen, the Museum of Mountain Photography, at 2275m, perched atop Mount Kronplatz-Plan de Corones, South Tyrolean Mountains and Dolomites, Italy. July 20, 2019. Photo: Edmond Terakopian ***Photo taken using a pre-production Lumix S 24-70mm f2.8 lens, running early firmware. This lens is not a final production sample*** COPYRIGHT PHOTO
So please don’t read this small post as a review; it really is a quick preview. I’ll let the pictures speak for themselves. Keep in mind though that this is a pre-production lens with early, non final firmware and so is definitely a pre-release lens. Yet, it helped make these images with grace. I can’t wait to get my hands on the final thing! If you have an L Mount camera, I suggest you try it too!
Italian Alpine (Mountain Troop) soldiers at the top of Kronplatz mountain. Plan de Corones, South Tyrolean Mountains and Dolomites, Italy. July 20, 2019. Photo: Edmond Terakopian ***Photo taken using a pre-production Lumix S 24-70mm f2.8 lens, running early firmware. This lens is not a final production sample*** COPYRIGHT PHOTOTraditional Armenian Sunday Worship conducted by Rev. Shnork Bagdassarian. St Sarkis Armenian Apostolic church (the Grade II listed building was constructed in 1922 and is the only church in England to have been built in the traditional Armenian style). Iverna Gardens, Kensington, London, UK. July 07, 2019. Photo: Edmond Terakopian ***Photo taken using a pre-production Lumix S 24-70mm f2.8 lens, running early firmware. This lens is not a final production sample*** COPYRIGHT PHOTO
The Queen Victoria Memorial outside Buckingham Palace, London, UK. July 07, 2019. Photo: Edmond Terakopian ***Photo taken using a pre-production Lumix S 24-70mm f2.8 lens, running early firmware. This lens is not a final production sample*** COPYRIGHT PHOTODancers from the London based Akhtamar Dance Group. Armenian Summer Festival, North Acton Playing Fields, Eastfields Road, London, UK. July 14, 2019. Photo: Edmond Terakopian ***Photo taken using a pre-production Lumix S 24-70mm f2.8 lens, running early firmware. This lens is not a final production sample*** COPYRIGHT PHOTOA lady photographs her friend using a smartphone. Upper deck of the Snog frozen yoghurt bus. South Bank, London, UK. July 16, 2019. Photo: Edmond Terakopian ***Photo taken using a pre-production Lumix S 24-70mm f2.8 lens, running early firmware. This lens is not a final production sample*** COPYRIGHT PHOTOSummer Flowers. Ealing Common, London, UK. July 11, 2019. Photo: Edmond Terakopian ***Photo taken using a pre-production Lumix S 24-70mm f2.8 lens, running early firmware. This lens is not a final production sample*** COPYRIGHT PHOTO
Having just watched the Livestream from Hollywood, launching the Lumix S1H and S Pro 24-70mm f2.8 lens, thrilled to see one of my images shown by Yosuke Yamane-san, the head of imaging at Panasonic.
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