Vibrant colors and bold styles at the Hairdresser of the Year

For the past few years, I’ve had the pleasure of photographing the live competition segment of Sweden’s “Hairdresser of the Year.” It’s an incredibly dynamic and visually rich event, where the final hairstyles are just as vibrant and expressive as the talented hairdressers and models behind them. 

This year, I took the opportunity to put the Sigma BF and 35mm F2 DG | Contemporary lens to the test in this high-energy environment. With challenging lighting and fast-paced action, it was the perfect setting to evaluate performance. 

Three things stood out immediately: 

• Impressively fast autofocus
• Excellent close focusing capabilities
• Outstanding image quality—even at higher ISOs

The results?
Hair-sharp images with rich detail and texture that will look right at home in print when the winning hairdresser is announced. 

The only learning curve was the menu system, but once familiar, it proved intuitive. Plus, I have to say—it’s always enjoyable working with a camera that looks just as sleek as the subjects in front of the lens. 

BEHIND THE SCENES