Alexander Koenders OM magazine

INTERVIEW
OM | ISSUE 001 | JAN-MAR 2021

A great feature on my
OM-D E-M1X is Pro Capture;
a function that makes it
possible to record moments
that happen very suddenly

What's in Alexander's kit bag

OM-D E-M1X

M.Zuiko 7-14mm
F2.8 PRO

M.Zuiko 12-100mm
F4.0 IS PRO

M.Zuiko 40-150mm
F2.8 PRO
4
(4) OM-D E-M1 Mark
II | M.Zuiko 60mm
F2.8 Macro
1/125s | F2.8 |
ISO 64

M.Zuiko 300mm
F4.0 IS PRO
Another great feature on my
E-M1X is Pro Capture Mode; a
function that makes it possible to
record moments that happen very
suddenly, which would otherwise not
be possible for reacting too late.
Capturing flying birds, for example,
suddenly becomes easy (1)!
The advantage of the lens system
is that most can get very close to
the subject. When using PRO lenses,
I can shoot handheld with Focus
Bracketing and Stacking, allowing
me to obtain optimal sharpness
of subject without increasing the
surrounding area in detail (4).
Has your photography changed
since travel restrictions have been
in place?
Not being able to travel has given
me the time to explore, especially
in my own environment. Our own
surroundings often seem insufficiently
interesting, maybe because we think
we know it too well? But getting to
know your subjects better in your
own area is often a way to take
much better pictures.
What is the first thing you would
like to photograph or a place you’d
like to visit when moving around
gets easier?

(5) OM-D E-M1X |
M.Zuiko 300mm F4.0
IS PRO MC-20
1/4000s | F8 | ISO
800

(6) OM-D E-M1 Mark
II | M.Zuiko
40-150mm F2.8 PRO
1/2500s | F2.8 |
ISO 1600
7

5
The M.Zuiko 12-100mm
F4.0 IS PRO has excellent
image stabilisation, is
great in low light and can
be widely used
6
I had a visit to Antarctica planned
for the end of 2020, with a big
sailing vessel to the most pristine
part of the earth. We would have
photographed the whales, penguins
and the leopard seal. This trip will
be top of the list of where I’d like to
go, when it is possible.
the number of species of animals
is enormous. But above all, it is the
birds of paradise that capture my
attention there, and I want to spend
a lot of time to properly capture the
behaviour and the many colours.
The Amazon rainforest is most
affected by human activity. The
largest rainforest where much of our
medicines come from, and where
much has not yet been discovered.
Most species of animals and plants
live far away, which is of enormous
importance for the survival of our
earth. Visualising this and showing
it to the world can hopefully
contribute to conservation and taking
care of what remains.
Contrary to the name, Greenland
has a lot of ice and snow. Glaciers
slide into the sea from this largest
island in the world and drift
southwards. It is this violence in
particular that attracts me. The
What would be on your ultimate
wish list to photograph over
the next five years if you had
the chance?
The South Pole remains a deep
desire of mine to visit. The immense
ice fields, the pristine nature and
the maritime life are unique on our
earth. The emperor and king penguins
and leopard seals are probably my
favourites from this location.
New Guinea still has the most
untouched jungle on our planet.
Nature and indigenous peoples
are still reasonably in balance and
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Greenland coast has deep traces
of this phenomenon and besides
the ice, the coast also has a lot of
life and beautiful shades of colour,
which are the result of the released
rock and the little plant life there is.
Greenland under the Northern Lights
must be totally amazing.
Wrangel Island is an island in the
Arctic Ocean north of Chukchi Sea,
Russia. The island is uninhabited and
has the largest population of polar
bears in the world. In addition to
polar bears, there are also walruses.
Being able to capture both of these
species in an environment untouched
by humans would be just great.
(7) OM-D E-M1 Mark II | M.Zuiko 300mm F4.0
IS PRO MC-14
1/640s | F5.6 | ISO 800
(8) OM-D E-M1X | M.Zuiko 300mm F4.0 IS PRO
1/2000s | F4 | ISO 400
What advice would you give to
someone starting out in your field?
Novice photographers often tend to
buy the very best camera, but with
cheaper lenses. But in my opinion,
it is often the lens that determines
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the quality of the photo in almost all
cases, so it makes sense to purchase
better lenses. A set with which you
can get started as a photographer
and not have to replace with new
equipment after only a few months
is, in my opinion, an OM-D E-M1
Mark II or III. Then add on the
12-100mm F4.0 IS PRO, which has
excellent image stabilisation, is great
in low light and can be widely used
for a range of subjects, including
both landscape and wildlife. My
second choice would be the new
M.Zuiko 100-400mm F5-6.3 IS PRO.
A superb lens for birds and other
wildlife.

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