ROD Custom Motorcycles – Photography and Video with the Fujifilm X-H1

I am Pavel Rybníček, professional Portrait and Wedding photographer. Since I was born I live in Třebíč in the Czech Republic. It is a small town, listed on UNESCO World Heritage Sites. I’ve been photographing for 15 years and professionally for the last 6 years.

At the age of 15, I had to decide what I wanted to do in my life. It was a great coincidence that I heard about a school of photography. I thought I could try it if I had no expectations. My parents were surprised by my decision of wanting to study Photography. I’ve never talked about it before. Since I went to this school, I enjoyed it a lot, but only began to think about a professional career many years later. When I had a lot of work done and improved my technique.

My first camera was Minolta X-370, then followed by Canon 5D, Nikon D700 and D810. But once I bought the Fujifilm X-E1 only for my family photos. I took photos of them, published on Facebook and people from the Czech Fujifilm chose me as a VIP photographer. Upon arriving the X-T2 I went completely Fuji because speed and quality were excellent.

I’m currently working with two X-H1s and I have the X100F for my personal photoshoots. My most used lens is the 16mm f/1.4 and the 35mm f/1.4. I also own other lenses, like the 10-24mm for interiors, 56mm f/1.2 or the 16-55 f/2.8. I own three Instaxes, which I borrow a lot for weddings.

I have a lot of weddings in the summer. I enjoy working with people. A lot of photos for companies, advertising agencies or creative people such as ROD Motorcycles. Women’s portraits are very popular and I also work with the Czech branch of Fujifilm on this topic.

My friend had to modify a motorcycle with the ROD Motorcycles (silver Honda CB500 from 1975). The rebuilding was great and they wanted me to take some pictures of it. The photos were a huge success. They shared them on motorsport websites around the world. So we have long-term cooperation.

Before every photoshoot, I try to think about the result for a few days. If possible, I go through the shooting site and with the client we also solve its requirements. But very often I improvise to the needs of the current situation.

The motorcycle series I photographed and filmed with the Fujifilm X-H1. Most of the photos were taken with the XF 35mm f/1.4, but for shooting from the car trunk I used the 16-55mm 2.8. The car’s trunk shots were a bit complicated.

Regarding file processing I try to work as simply as possible. I edit the photos just in Lightroom. For many years I’ve been developing presets which I’m constantly improving. I edit them for each photo shoot.

I don’t do videos very often, I’m more into taking photos. But whenever I am creating a video, I work it in Final Cut Pro X.