The Miss China Europe 2009 foto's are finally put only!

The organizers did a good job of synchronizing all the photo's from the photographers a filter those of which the quality is bad.

Miss China Europe 2009 part 1: [link]
Miss China Europe 2009 part 2: [link]
Miss China Europe 2009 part 3: [link]

So last week Monday (14th December 2009) was the very final of the Miss China Europe 2009 Pageant. Just like Miss China Benelux 2009, I was invited to come over as photographer. Since I love to see how these kind of events go backstage, I decided to say "ok, I will come". Besides... I had free dinner as well

The Miss China Europe pageant is actually the next stage for Miss China Benelux. Now all the winners from several European countries will compete in this pageant. So they all have a little bit more experience and are better prepared. But then again, the pressure and expectations were higher now for everybody. In the end, this is a show. Not held at the national casino anymore, but in one of the biggest theaters in the country. The Fortis Cirus Theater at Scheveningen in The Hague (NL).

For the preparation time given to the girls, they had put up a great show. Although I would never send my own daughter to a pageant (if I had any), I still find it very great of how quick the girls can learn and conquer their fear and to put up some show in front of about 1300 people in the room. AND... knowing that the show will be recorded for broadcasting world wide for the Chinese television (TVB). One word: RESPECT!

As the photographer I had problems with the lights in the beginning. If I use the flashgun, you would see very ugly shadows behind the girls. Plus that flashlight is not the most beautiful light to see. But if I would not use the flashgun, then only low shutter time (or higher iso) could be used. I am glad I was there during the general repetition so I could shoot away using various settings. Eventually I end up with shooting with my 28-75 2.8 lens at ISO 400, 1/160s. This setting would work for 90% of the time. The last problem I had was focus... I am horrible at manual focus because I have a bad eye sight. And auto focus wouldn't work because the light conditions on stage were not optimal for the AF to work. Once home, I found out that i could have used the AF of my flashgun without having the flash fired. Darn it! (lesson learned!)

After the show there was an "after party" arranged. Which means: all VIP's + girls would meet in the lounge room of the theater. It was sooooooooooooo crowded! But it was nice to see how relaxed everyone now was: the girls, the manager of the event, the choreographer, other managers responsible for everything on stage... etc etc etc. A lot of photo's were made as well there. But not only by me... it was like that everyone carries a dSLR these day's. And preferable with a L-lens with a white lens body (you know which ones I mean). MAN!

I left the building around 02.00. My compliment for the organizers and the girls. They were great and I had a good time again working as a photographer while in real life, I am something completely different

Cheers!

If you are Dutch, you need to join The Netherlands group: [link]
If you feel Dutch, you need to join The Netherlands group: [link]
If you are being called Dutch a lot of times by your friends because you are cheap... you need to join The Netherlands group as well: [link]

Now you know... they are out here: The Dutchies: [link] .

In the zoo of Emmen there is a festival going called "China Festival of Lights". The entrance is not free. But if you are a fanatic long exposure photographer, and lives not far from it, you might be interested in this event.

The China Festival of Lights can be visited from 10 November 2009 until 10 January 2010 from 16.00 – 22.00.

More information in English: [link]
More information in Dutch: [link]

As a fanatic night photographer I welcome events like Glow in Eindhoven (The Netherlands). From Nov 6th untill Nov 15th, Eindhoven will be the podium for the Glow Event. Local and foreign artists will try to transform the city into one big light podium. I would love to go there, if only I wouldn't be busy with my new house. *sigh*.

More info and photo's on: [link]