End station, Slussen ?

I am not 100% sure if I will go and watch the Pride Carnival this year. I am interested, but unsure about my engagement...

I always used to take a Canon EOS camera with me, together with either 200/2 L IS lens, or 300/4 L IS lens. Both make formidable, beautiful portraits, especially the EF 200/2 L IS with it's extreme shallow DOF, blurring out the background. Yet, it is quite a colossus (in relative terms) in terms of size and weight.

I do wish to take portraits - but somewhat different this year. Most likely with the more demanding and slower Fujifilm GFX 100s II camera; perhaps combined with the GF 500/5.6 OIS lens. Standing or mingling around at the end station Slussen or Gamla Stan.

However, this might be a challenge, because a 500mm lens is too tight when a lot of people stand in between / passing though.

Yet, it would be really fun to try out this lens that way.

Backup lens

I could - and will most likely - add the Fujinon GF 110mm ƒ 2 lens as portrait backup ! If any Fujinon GF lens is made for portraits - then that is it !

My thinking

is to do fewer photos, and focus more on relaxed situations, and bystanders. Not "chasing" the endless chain of dressed up people in all their colors, costumes and glory like last year. Things do get fast, when they pass in front of you a couple meters... Instead, I would like to dial in people standing, mingling, relaxing, talking, interacting with one another. As well, the bystanders are interesting, too !

An interesting position

would be below the Royal Castle, where you have the big stairs on each side - below the Royal Guards. That would give you an elevated position with view over the entire Pride train and all the people.

However, hundreds of people will have the same idea - so the stairs will be completely packed with people. Waiting at the stairs several hours before the Parade train arrives... isn't really my thing to be honest. With the Royal guards watching from behind *LOL*

Most likely I will choose to be located at or around Slussen, perhaps even Old Town (Gamla Stan), a bit away from the main street. However, I am not entirely sure where to be - and most likely will have to improvise when I get there.

Favorable direction of the sun at Slussen

Nevertheless, the light at Slussen, and the direction from which the Pride train comes - should play in favor, because the sun would stand in my back, and the incoming crowd will be illuminated in the direction towards their faces.

Last year

My first position last year near the City hall of Stockholm, was not the best in terms of where the sun was standing (coming from behind the people, a little bit in an angle). But I had a great spot with not too many people around (right in front of the bridge there).

It worked, but the light of incoming people made it sometimes difficult.

My second position, when i went from the starting point to the end point - near the Stadium which the end point of 2025's Pride train. That location among the houses was fantastic. With interesting, indirect and warm light between the old buildings along a brad street

A really great spot, I remember.