ARTICLE

Inspiring shots taken with L-series lenses

A cactus is framed in the foreground, with a mountain range in the background striped with different shades of red rock. A small town sits in the valley below.

David Noton – Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L III USM

Former Canon Ambassador David Noton captured this shot of The Cerro de Siete Colores (Hill of Seven Colours) at Purmamarca in Quebrada de Humahuacha, Jujuy Province, Argentina at sunrise. "I set up, utilising the strong shape of a cactus in the foreground with the village below," says David. "My lens of choice on this dawn patrol was the Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L III USM, a lens that now resides virtually permanently in my camera bag – it has impressive corner-to-corner resolution even at maximum aperture, a convenient focal range and durable build quality. I meticulously composed and focused, then waited for the light to paint the coloured rocks on the other side of the valley. In a few minutes, strong side-lighting bathed my composition exactly as envisaged, with wafts of fluffy cloud above as a bonus." © David Noton

A sandy beach and Durdle Door – a rock arch in Dorset, England – is seen at night, with the sky filled with stars and the Milky Way visible.

David Noton – Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L III USM

"Despite having shot Durdle Door [in Dorset, England] more times than I've had hot dinners, I had never attempted to capture the Milky Way over the iconic symbol of Dorset's Jurassic Coast," says photographer David Noton. "I'd found out that on 15 August 2017, the galactic centre (the brightest part) of the Milky Way would be visible... I had heard good things about the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV's nocturnal capabilities, so I decided to find out for myself if they were true. For night sky photography – when the maximum amount of starlight needs to be captured in an exposure lasting less than 20 seconds – quality lenses are a must, and the wider and faster, the better. I'd previously tested the EF 16-35mm f/2.8L III USM lens and been impressed by its corner-to-corner performance at its maximum aperture of f/2.8, even at its widest focal length of 16mm. I had a composition in mind that would balance the arc of the Milky Way above with the sweep of the beach and Durdle Door below. With my 16-35mm lens at its widest angle and aperture, I composed, then focused on the lights in the distance, zooming in on Live View to check accuracy, then locked focus by switching to Manual. I dialled in the settings, checked all was level, fine-tuned the composition and waited for the magic moment." © David Noton

An Arctic deer is in the bottom-centre of the picture, looking up at us. It is standing on snowy land, with sea behind and a distant mountain range visible, and the sky is tinged with a cold pink and yellow.

Guia Besana – Canon EF 40mm f/2.8 STM

Canon Ambassador Guia Besana took this picture on a trip to Longyearbyen, Svalbard, Norway on 15 February 2018. "I was heading towards the car after a five-hour walk and suddenly turned towards the sea to meet this Arctic deer looking back at me," says Guia. "It was in the middle of nowhere and surrounded by such a delicate light. The Canon EF 40mm f/2.8 STM lens is perfect for taking this kind of shot because it's a light lens to carry, it's versatile, and silent. It's one of those lenses that makes everything so comfortable that you never need to put the camera back in your backpack, so you don't lose situations. It also reacts very well when there isn't a lot of light." © Guia Besana

People wearing warm coats and hats stand in a dark building, with a yellow star on the wall behind.

Jérôme Sessini – Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM

Canon Ambassador Jérôme Sessini photographed protesters marching through downtown Kiev on 10 December 2017, demanding President Petro Poroshenko's impeachment and the release of former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili, who was arrested on 8 December 2017. © Jérôme Sessini

A humpback whale blows air as it surfaces from the sea. Just above the water, mist is seen against the cold night sky.

Audun Rikardsen – Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM

"This shot was taken in the fjord close to my home, outside Tromsø in Northern Norway, in December 2015. The temperature was -18°C and – with high air humidity – it became so cold that almost all boats went to land," explains Canon Ambassador Audun Rikardsen. "From my window I could see mist on the water, and in the low midday light of the polar night, I could see the shadow of killer whales hunting for herring. I grabbed my camera and flash and jumped into my boat to seize the opportunity – this was a picture I had dreamed about. I chose the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM lens because I knew I could get close to the whales in the mist, and because I needed a rough and reliable lens in order to cope with such extreme conditions. Out there, I couldn't see the whales in the dark afternoon, so I pre-focused and shot blind in the direction that I could hear the whales breathing. I was lucky to see this result afterwards, which has become one of my favourite shots and a signature picture for me. It has also been awarded in several international photo competitions." © Audun Rikardsen

A whale's tail is seen close up, above the sea's surface, with a pink sky and icy land masses behind.

Audun Rikardsen – Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM

In the last few winters, hundreds of humpback whales have arrived at Tromsø in Northern Norway to feed on overwintering herring," says Canon Ambassador Audun Rikardsen. "They come during polar night, where there's no sun above the horizon, making the light and the weather conditions challenging. The Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM is my favourite lens for photographing the whales during this period because of it robustness, large aperture and accurate focus during low-light conditions. It always delivers even in the most challenging conditions!" © Audun Rikardsen

A whale creates a big splash as it plays in the sea. The sky behind is a deep, dark red, and the sea looks black in the polar night.

Audun Rikardsen – Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM

Canon Ambassador Audun Rikardsen took this shot, Arctic Showtime, to capture humpback whales relaxing on the coast near Tromsø in Norway after a day spent feeding on herring. "At the end of the day, they often get playful, jumping and splashing around in the dark," says Audun. "To document this, I made my own flash system with two Canon Speedlite 600EX II-RT flashes, a strong torch and the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM lens." © Audun Rikardsen

Two whales leap out of the sea in front of a snow-capped hill, in the polar night.

Audun Rikardsen – Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM

Night Feeding shows humpback whales eating overwintering herring during the polar night. "Because of the unstable weather and the little light available during Northern Norway's polar night, most of the humpback whales' feeding takes place during the dark, making it challenging to photograph," says Canon Ambassador Audun Rikardsen. © Audun Rikardsen

Two ballet dancers, Tyrone Singleton and Jenna Roberts, are in their studio. Jenna sits in front of a pile of ballet shoes, while Tyrone stands beside a bar, looking out of a window.

Clive Booth – Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM

Shot purely in window light, principal dancers of the Birmingham Royal Ballet, Jenna Roberts and Tyrone Singleton, take a break from rehearsing Romeo and Juliet for the Birmingham Royal Ballet. "Witnessing two great dancers perform close up is an incredible privilege!" says Canon Ambassador Clive Booth. "The Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM lens is fast enough to enable me to shoot in places where previously I would have only been able to use a prime." © Clive Booth

A long-haired highland cow is shown close-up in a cold-looking field in Islay, Scotland.

Clive Booth – Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM

"I was looking to take a highland cow picture that was a little different, and on the way home from a day's shooting on the island of Islay in the Inner Hebrides, Scotland, we came across this chap," says Canon Ambassador Clive Booth. "It was late afternoon in February and he was backlit with a neutral background. I love the detail in this picture, shot at f/4 and ISO32000, in which you can even see single hairs attached to the end of the horns. Thanks to its sharpness, Image Stabiliser and the ease with which I can carry it, the versatile Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM lens is always in my bag." © Clive Booth

A black-and-white photo shows waves crashing against dark rocks at Port Wemyss on Islay, Scotland.

Clive Booth – Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM

Storm force winds batter the coastline at Port Wemyss on the Inner Hebridean island of Islay, Scotland. "My favourite times to visit Islay are through the winter months when there is so much contrast in the weather and light; on a single day you can get sun, cloud, fog, mist, rain, hail and snow," says Canon Ambassador Clive Booth. "Often my cameras and lenses are exposed to the elements, and they never fail." © Clive Booth

A landscape shows two grassy headlands overlooking the sea, with a ferry in the distance, obscured by mist

Clive Booth – Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM

The ferry leaves Port Ellen on the Inner Hebridean island of Islay for the two-hour journey to the Scottish mainland. "Whatever the shoot, for me, atmosphere is always a key ingredient to creating intrigue and interest in a picture," says Canon Ambassador Clive Booth. "With a wide aperture, world-beating optics and superb bokeh, the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM lens is often my go-to lens when I'm shooting in low light and need the extra reach. Even cropped, this file remains sharp from edge to edge." © Clive Booth

Men play football on a misty morning at a park lined with trees. They are nearly silhouetted as one man goes to kick the ball and another tries to intercept him.

Eddie Keogh – Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM

Canon Ambassador Eddie Keogh used the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM lens to photograph this ethereal scene during a football match between Yacht Tavern and CDA in Southampton, England, on 11 December 2016. Eddie's photos of Sunday morning local football matches around the UK won the Highly Commended award in the Specialist Sports Portfolio section of the Sports Journalist Awards 2016. © Eddie Keogh

A white-faced capuchin monkey carries her baby on her back along a small branch in the rainforest.

Christian Ziegler – Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM

Canon Ambassador Christian Ziegler captured this image while he was walking through the rainforest in central Panama, and a small group of white-faced capuchin monkeys (Cebus capucinus) appeared. "A mother with her offspring was the last in line and I had just a few seconds to get the shot before they disappeared," says Christian. "I took the Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM lens with me because it's light but powerful. I usually walk a lot when taking wildlife photographs, and it's hot and humid in the jungle, so it's best not to carry too much weight and bulk." © Christian Ziegler

Two toucan-like birds, called Collared Aracari, turn their heads to the right, showing their long beaks and yellow, orange, red and black feathered chests as they perch on the branch of a leafy tree.

Christian Ziegler – Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM

"Collared Aracari (Pteroglossus torquatus), which are closely related to toucans, usually hang out high in the forest canopy, but I was walking through the tropical forest close to my home in Panama when I suddenly saw these two, sitting really close and low," says Canon Ambassador Christian Ziegler, who took this shot using a Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM lens. "I think they were enjoying the shade in the middle of the day. They allowed me to be near for several minutes – long enough to take this image." © Christian Ziegler

A Mongolian man wears a hat and coat made of thick brown furs, and holds a golden eagle on his gloved arm.

Alessandra Meniconzi – Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM

Eagle hunter Bokesh lives in Bayan-Ölgii, the westernmost province of Mongolia and home of the Kazakh ethnic group, who are traditionally semi-nomadic herders. Bokesh's arm is protected from the golden eagle's enormous claws by a thick leather glove. Former Canon Ambassador Alessandra Meniconzi had wanted to photograph eagle hunters for 18 years, having become fascinated with their hunting techniques after first meeting some in Kazakhstan in the late 1990s. In October 2017, she travelled to the Altai Mountains in Mongolia to realise her dream. "The Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM is good for flattering facial proportions and the f/2.8 aperture creates excellent depth of field. It is also very light and discrete. Moreover, the lens has been created for small details – the images really are razor sharp! And finally, you can get closer to your subject." © Alessandra Meniconzi

A girl wearing a fur-edged hat holds a steaming bowl of food to her lips. The steam is clearly visible against a black background.

Alessandra Meniconzi – Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM

Zamanbol, a 13-year-old girl living in Bayan-Ölgii province, Mongolia, drinks black tea with milk and water during a cold autumn day. "I will never forget the incredible hospitality, simplicity and soul of the Kazakh people," says Alessandra Meniconzi. When it came to photographing them, Alessandra wanted to highlight their ancient lifestyles by emulating a Dutch Master. "I decided to create a low-key portrait using Rembrandt lighting. This kind of light gave a dramatic mood to the images – exactly what I wanted!" she says. "For this Altai trip, I had to shoot portraits, life inside small houses or gers (a Mongolian or Kazakh tent), and landscapes. So I decided to take the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM lens for portraits and ice detail." © Alessandra Meniconzi

A two-year-old boy looks at the camera. He wears a thick fur coat and hat, and has rosy cheeks.

Alessandra Meniconzi – Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM

Dinislam (nicknamed Dilka), is the two-year-old son of eagle hunters Lamsy and Bazarbai, a mother and father who are aged 24 and 25. The secrets of the eagle hunters have been passed on for generations, and the use of the golden eagle – a powerful spiritual symbol – is of great importance to the culture of the nomadic Kazakh people, who believe it creates a strong bond between man, the environment and the supernatural. Alessandra Meniconzi took a Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM lens on this trip and used it for all of her portraits because she wanted to pack light for the plane, and she loves how this lens captures detail and facial proportions. © Alessandra Meniconzi

View All