South Korean photographer Park Sung-Jin, known as @jinifoto on Instagram, is renowned for his exceptional travel photography. In his latest endeavour, Sung-Jin skillfully captures breathtaking scenes in London, famed for its blend of old and modern architecture, offering his unique perspective of the city’s marvels.

Delve into Sung-Jin's creative approach as he reveals how he leveraged the capabilities of the FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II lens to showcase the urban landscape of London.

Lens highlights | FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II

The Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II is an evolved standard zoom lens that combines versatility with superior performance. It covers a broad range of focal lengths in a lightweight and compact body. Designed to push the boundaries of creativity, this lens delivers exceptional image quality and precision for photographers.

Focal Length: 24mm - 70mm
Min. focus distance: 0.21m (W)-0.3m (T) / 0.6ft. (W)-0.99ft. (T)
Max. magnification ratio (x): 0.32
Weight: 695g

Why Sung-Jin chose FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II

It’s portable and incredibly versatile for all your photography needs.”

To Sung-Jin, the most notable advantage of the FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II lens has to be its compact size and lightweight design. Additionally, this lens offers him the flexibility to capture everything from wide-angle to telephoto shots.

Travel Q&A with Sung-Jin

What equipment did you take with you on this trip?

Alpha 1 | FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II | 70 mm | 1/160 sec | F4.5 | ISO 100

For this trip, I used the Alpha 1 camera and FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II lens. Owing to their compact size and lightweight design, they’re extremely portable. This allowed me to quickly take them out and shoot, even in unexpected moments. Plus, this setup provided the benefit of capturing shots from various angles with ease.

What advice would you give to those looking to capture travel photos in London?

I always carry my camera with me. While this applies to all travel destinations, it's especially crucial in London, bustling with a variety of rapidly changing scenes.

Alpha 1 | FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II | 28mm | 1/125 sec | F9 | ISO 100

London’s narrow streets and tall buildings make it somewhat challenging to gauge the direction of light. When shooting street scenes, I looked for alleys facing the direction of the rising or setting sun. This way, I could ensure that the colours of the buildings were fully captured in the light.

What are some of your most memorable shots?

Alpha 1 | FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II | 48 mm | 1/100 sec | F4.5 | ISO 1600

The photos I took on Shoreditch High Street are the most memorable. I used the telephoto end of the FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II lens to capture London's narrow yet orderly essence. I aimed to replicate the landscape as our eyes see it, creating a sense of space with the appropriate aperture value.

Alpha 1 | FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II | 70 mm | 1/500 sec | F7.1 | ISO 100

I also vividly recall the sunrise photo taken from the London Eye. Witnessing the sunrise from it early in the morning was truly spectacular! The backlighting beautifully illuminated the cityscape, reflecting off the river. To capture this expansive view, I used the wide-angle part of the FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II lens. I intentionally shot the pictures slightly darker, then brought out their full potential in post-editing.

Alpha 1 | FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II | 24 mm | 1/1600 sec | F8 | ISO 100

Additionally, to accentuate the drama of the river's reflection, I zoomed in using the standard zoom range of the lens. This technique allowed me to capture the scene exactly as I envisioned, resulting in a shot that left a lasting impression.

Get inspired

The most important thing is always to have your camera in hand.”

This philosophy has guided Sung Jin as he explores new countries, capturing their beauty with a keen eye and a readiness to seize every moment. The versatility and precision of the FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II lens have been indispensable in this quest, enabling him to encapsulate fleeting moments and unique perspectives. "The sharpness of this lens truly exceeded my expectations."