I explore my passion for photography by sharing thoughts

Tony Noël

17mm F4 DG DN | Contemporary Special Impression

SIGMA 17mm F4 DG DN | Contemporary, LEICA SL2-S, ISO 100, F4, 1/500s

What photography equipment do you use and how would you describe yourself as a photographer?

It all depends on my needs and the service to be provided, I am often very mobile and prefer to move around very lightly. The SIGMA Contemporary I series lenses are the ones I use the most at the moment 

The compactness combined with the image quality are the right compromise for mobile photography and when I am in studio I switch to the SIGMA Art lenses which remain the best of the SIGMA range.

* The images without photograph data have been created with lenses other than SIGMA 17mm F4 DG DN | Contemporary

SIGMA 17mm F4 DG DN | Contemporary, LEICA SL2-S, ISO 50, F4, 1/1250s

What is your impression of the new SIGMA I series lenses, in particular the 17mm F4 DG DN | Contemporary?

A wide angle lens that fits in your pocket, I dreamt about it and here it is! I already use the I series and being a fan of the wide angle focal length, I was waiting for this lens with impatience to use it.

It was immediately easy to handle, in line with the latest SIGMA lenses, thanks to its quality of manufacture and its size! The first images have stunned me and I retain especially its focus at 12cm which places this 17mm F4 DG DN contemporary in my top 3!

The lens hardly distorts and remains quite responsive in terms of autofocus, which makes this lens formidable in any situation (from wide shots to simple portraits).

With the addition of an ultra-wide angle lens in the I series, we can now create new and completely original images. Paired with the longer focal lengths, such as the 65mm DG DN | Contemporary or 90mm DG DN Contemporary I series lenses, we have a formidable, ultra-compact combo of primes to choose from! This is a must-have in my bag.

A must-have in my bag!

SIGMA 17mm F4 DG DN | Contemporary, LEICA SL2-S, ISO 100, F4, 1/500s

SIGMA 17mm F4 DG DN | Contemporary,
LEICA SL2-S, ISO 200, F4, 1/500s

SIGMA 17mm F4 DG DN | Contemporary, LEICA SL2-S, ISO 100, F4, 1/500s

SIGMA 17mm F4 DG DN | Contemporary, LEICA SL2-S, ISO 100, F4, 1/1250s

Can you tell us about your experience as a photographer?
How did you come to be working in this field?

Since I started photography 6 years ago, my work has been evolving! But dynamism and movement remain the main sources of inspiration for my images. 
I like to have fluidity in my images, the beauty of gesture and lines. And 90% of my shoots are based on improvisation. 

For me, It has to move and even a good portrait often comes from an intentional or a natural movement.

SIGMA 17mm F4 DG DN | Contemporary, LEICA SL2-S, ISO 400, F7.1, 1/400s

SIGMA 17mm F4 DG DN | Contemporary,
LEICA SL2-S, ISO 400, F4.5, 1/5000s

What role does photography play in your life and career?
How do you find your inspiration?
What is your passion in photography and life?

Photography has brought me many positive things in general, such as traveling abroad and meeting extraordinary people. For me the exchange and sharing that is central to photography are a very important in this job.

I can live from the photography I love and add my personal touch. I love urban culture but photography made me discover other universes, such as contemporary art, where I was able to develop my own style which tends today more towards a style that can be compared to abstract painting.

SIGMA 17mm F4 DG DN | Contemporary, LEICA SL2-S, ISO 1600, F4, 1/125s

SIGMA 17mm F4 DG DN | Contemporary, LEICA SL2-S, ISO 3200, F4, 1/80s

SIGMA 17mm F4 DG DN | Contemporary, LEICA SL2-S, ISO 400, F4, 1/100s

SIGMA 17mm F4 DG DN | Contemporary, LEICA SL2-S, ISO 800, F4, 1/250s

SIGMA 17mm F4 DG DN | Contemporary, LEICA SL2-S, ISO 1600, F4, 1/160s

What's your current challenge in photography? Is there anything you would like to challenge yourself?

Today, making pictures that go beyond photography is one of my current projects.
I am currently working on 4-metre frescoes on new mediums such as fabric that will cover a museum in my city of Lyon, along with photo collages. 

I had been asked to customize a tramway with my images at the end of 2022. I have produced a custom-made model with my team that runs on the public transport lines in the center of Lyon, which is a very nice traveling showcase.

SIGMA 17mm F4 DG DN | Contemporary, LEICA SL2-S, ISO 200, F4, 1/200s

SIGMA 17mm F4 DG DN | Contemporary, LEICA SL2-S, ISO 100, F8, 1/500s

SIGMA 17mm F4 DG DN | Contemporary, LEICA SL2-S, ISO 400, F4, 1/200s

SIGMA 17mm F4 DG DN | Contemporary, LEICA SL2-S, ISO 800, F4, 1/400s

How do you create your own style?
What's your suggestion to people who are exploring their own style?

Today, we don't create anything in photography. We all inspire each other.
I would advise you to explore everything in terms of style to narrow down your field of preferences and if you like a particular style in photography, you should explore it!
Meeting people and exchanging are the basis for creating a good network and surrounding yourself well is very important!

SIGMA 17mm F4 DG DN | Contemporary, LEICA SL2-S, ISO 100, F4, 1/1250s

Why does the I series suit you so well, and which three words would you choose to describe your experience of using these new lenses?

I am a field photographer and today the I series is a good compromise for my travels. And the range has nothing to envy the SIGMA Art line lenses.
For festivals for example, the fact that you can swap your backpack for a small case to be able to move more easily is very pleasant.
In three words : COMPACT, QUALITY, EFFICIENCY

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  • I explore my passion for photography by sharing thoughts | Tony Noël