My name is Stijn Dijkstra, and I’m a photographer and videographer driven by a deep passion for exploring cultures across the globe. My work focuses on capturing raw, unfiltered moments in some of the world’s most remote and less-travelled destinations, where traditions remain untouched by time.

For my latest project, I set off to Morocco, immersing myself in the nomadic way of life. Trekking through the vast Sahara alongside local nomads, I aimed to document their traditional lifestyle and the deep connection they have with the land—just as it has been for generations. Beyond the desert, I explored the bustling city of Fes, taking in the dynamic energy of the people and the essence of this centuries-old city.

One of the key factors I consider when choosing gear is the balance between lightweight design and professional-quality performance, and the FE 16mm f/1.8 G delivered exactly that. Trekking through the sand for three days, every ounce of weight made a difference. Once we reached our destination, surrounded by vast sand dunes, having an ultra wide-angle lens proved invaluable, allowing me to capture the full scale and beauty of the landscape.

The fast f/1.8 aperture ensured excellent performance even in the low-light conditions of the desert nights, allowing me to capture the serene beauty of the vast, star-lit sky. As I sat by a cozy fireplace, surrounded by the soft glow of flickering flames and the quiet whispers of the desert wind, the lens effortlessly brought the scene to life. From the warm, golden hues of the fire to the deep, inky blues of the night sky, every detail was rendered with stunning clarity, making those quiet moments in the Sahara truly unforgettable.

With a lens offering such a wide field of view, I was expecting to see some distortion but it was barely noticeable, especially at the edges of the frame. The lens also has a crazy close focus – just 15cm! This allowed me to get some interesting compositions, even shooting at f/10.

I wanted to try some portraits of the guides I was travelling with. Normally for these kind of shots I’d reach for my FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II, but I was interested to see how an ultra-wide would work. Despite me being very close to the subject, the shot has a very ‘natural’ feel to it. And thanks to the wide aperture, I was even able to throw the background out of focus.

After leaving the desert behind, I travelled to Fes, one of Morocco’s oldest and most culturally rich cities. This is where I really appreciated the compact size of the Alpha 7C II and the 16mm – it hardly felt like I was carrying a camera with me, especially one capable of such high-quality results.

Despite the narrow alleyways I was still able to capture the bustling essence of the city, with its colourful wall art and magnificent architecture.

The local wildlife also proved to be very photogenic!

As I explored, I came across an old, beautiful doorway of a mosque, its beautiful colours and intricate patterns telling stories of generations past. The wide-angle lens let me frame the entire scene without stepping too far back while standing in a small street.

Since I made the switch to Sony lenses, I honestly don’t think I could go back. The build quality is something I really appreciate. They feel solid in my hands, and every moving part just works seamlessly. Using Sony lenses has made my workflow so much smoother, especially when I’m shooting in fast-paced or changing environments. Their low-light performance is something I truly rely on, and it’s given me the confidence to capture moments I might have otherwise missed. Overall, Sony lenses bring a clarity and versatility to my work that lets me focus entirely on the creative side, without being held back by gear limitations.

When I’m travelling, my usual go-to lens is the FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II. I’ve always liked the versatility of a zoom and find the quality to be outstanding. However, when using just the 16mm, I liked that I had to physically move to compose the shot instead of staying put and using the zoom. This naturally brought me closer to the action and I must admit I rather enjoyed this flow and the new approach it brought to my work.