Unveiling emotions and defying norms with a fisheye lens.

By Tony Noël

As a photographer, I firmly believe that storytelling is the key to our craft, intricately woven into every shot we capture. Our ultimate goal is to evoke emotions in the viewer and weave narratives through the lens. This realization dawned on me when people began sharing their interpretations of my images, creating a unique dialogue between the artist and the audience.

One memorable instance was with a group of B-Boys, or hip-hop dancers, a community passionate about movement and body expression. Their enthusiastic reaction to a photo capturing the execution of a new trick by one of their crew underlined photography’s ability to freeze powerful moments and transcend reality without relying on post-production tricks. It’s the ability to elevate the moment, to strengthen a subject, that gives photography its singular beauty.

In my portrait photography, I enjoy playing with backgrounds—whether minimalistic or against imposing buildings or structures. The SIGMA 15mm F1.4 DG DN DIAGONAL FISHEYE | Art lens perfectly complements this aesthetic, allowing me to encompass the environment while making the subject stand out through its combination of an ultra-wide angle and large aperture. It’s the lens I’ve waited for many years, a primary tool for my artistic journey.

My preference for wide-angle shots is evident in my photography, where I eschew strict codes, particularly favoring focal lengths that offer unconventional perspectives.
The super wide-angle, with its ability to exaggerate shapes and perspectives, becomes a powerful means of creating distinctive images. It empowers creators to capture the grandeur of a model or subject and tell unique visual stories.

I’m a photographer who thrives on impulse and on-field composition during my shoots. I don’t meticulously plan them; instead, I enjoy discovering a place with my models and observing how everyone takes up space, turning it into a playful game and a challenge to build the setup live.

The SIGMA 15mm F1.4 DG DN DIAGONAL FISHEYE | Art is the lens I’ve longed for, standing out with its unprecedented F1.4 aperture, blazing fast autofocus, and excellent handling for such an impressive package. I particularly love shooting in tight spaces, such as stairwells or small rooms, and this new lens offers the perfect combination for capturing such shots.

A few years ago, using such a wide-angle lens was sometimes deemed inappropriate, especially for traditional advertising campaigns. Fisheyes, in particular, were reserved for extreme sports or eccentric fashion styles. Interestingly, trends are evolving, and what was once deemed inappropriate can now be a source of inspiration. I witnessed this evolution with a client who, after seeing a luxury campaign boldly playing with the dramatic perspective of an ultra-wide angle, asked me to adopt this style for their own campaign—an example of the changing landscape of aesthetic preferences. Achieving this look with the unbeatable Art lens quality is a significant advantage for fashion photographers, and SIGMA 15mm F1.4 DG DN DIAGONAL FISHEYE | Art has become an exceptional asset in my work, especially in the streetwear field.

I strongly advocate for creativity and breaking the codes in photography. Providing something new and fresh is always possible. Helping young photographers push the limits of their creativity and challenge the norm is essential for art to move forward. While we may not reinvent photography, we can certainly revisit it, explore new horizons, and redefine standards. The new SIGMA 15mm F1.4 DG DN DIAGONAL FISHEYE | Art will undoubtedly be a strong companion to redefine mine.

Behind the Scenes

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About

Tony Noël

Tony Noël is a self-taught photographer from Lyon, France. In 2016, he decided to actively dedicate himself to his passion―photography. His interest in movements and street photography quickly became one of his specialties. His goal is to impose a dynamic as well as an aesthetic side to his images.

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