We’re lucky enough to get holiday weekend, I’m sure many of you will be firing up the barbecue. But I bet there are very few who give a thought to the charcoal you pick up to provide your feast. Having recently returned from Southern of Malaysia, I will be giving it some thought, because I’ve seen first hand how much hard work goes into the production of charcoal. They start working after dawn prayer. The first task is to reduce the pile and filter wood that has become charcoal. The method of making charcoal in this way is rarely seen as we know it has a high and hot clinks / furnace. The air at the charcoal stack is so thick and polluted it’s almost impossible to breathe. Photographs taken in the bright sunshine of morning have an impressionistic, misty look because the air is so full of soot, smoke and toxins that it turns day into twilight. As if the smoke weren't enough, half the time the workers also have cigarettes dangling from their lips. There is always this feeling of pity but what's amazing is these people know how to overcome adversities. That leads to a realization that life is difficult for some, and we should be thankful and contented for what we have and share to others. Tough life Man, an inspirational photo shoot.
When it comes to an environmentally challenging situation, such as shooting inside a charcoal factory where dust is a big problem, I would not hesitate to pick up the ever-trusted Zeiss Batis Lenses pair with a7RII and a6000. I armed myself with all the necessary lenses for this particular shoot: Batis 2/25 and 2.8/135. As u can se most of the images were photograph using the new Zeiss Batis 2.8/135 APO. Meanwhile 50mm and 85mm lenses tend to be very popular for photographers. Since I started to use prime lenses especially 135mm they force me to think more carefully about the composition.
