Seo Jong Mo, who goes by the Instagram handle @jongmoseo, is a console game developer by day and a photographer by night. Based in South Korea, he is renowned for his visually striking time-lapse and hyper-lapse scenes, which have earned him numerous accolades in various imaging competitions.

Jong Mo provides insights into the inspiration and creative process behind his impressive Instagram Reels, captured with various G Master lenses such as the FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II, FE 14mm F1.8 GM and FE 35mm F1.4 GM, and his personal favourite, the FE 50mm F1.2 GM lens.

Lens in focus | FE 50mm F1.2 GM

With its maximum aperture of F1.2, the FE 50mm F1.2 GM lens enables shooting in diverse lighting situations. This compact prime lens boasts an exceptional combination of high resolution, G Master bokeh, and precise autofocus.

Focal length: 50mm
Min. focus distance: 0.4m
Max. magnification ratio (x): 0.17
Weight: 778g

Jong Mo’s take on the FE 50mm F1.2 GM

The SEL50F12GM lens, with its large aperture of F1.2, empowered Jong Mo to capture Seoul's cityscapes, even under different lighting conditions. “It provides a significant advantage when shooting in diverse natural environments”, he added.

3 Reel Questions (Featuring Sony G Master lenses)

How do you plan and execute your Reels?

Shifting from a usual storytelling approach involving scenery, I focused on creating a time-lapse video centred around the lens itself. This project demanded meticulous attention to detail, resulting in longer preparation and post-processing times.

What are the three key considerations when making a Reel?

One aspect is treating the lens as if it were a human face. Just as actors apply makeup before filming, I pay careful attention to the cleanliness of the lens. It is crucial to ensure no foreign substances or oil on the lens exterior, as this can impact image quality.

Another crucial point is although the scenes may be fixed due to the nature of time-lapse videos, it is essential to convey a sense of movement. By closely observing changes in colour temperature and the sun's movement over an extended period, I strive to capture the feeling of light flowing through the scene. 

Lastly, I emphasise composing the captured scenery without cropping, mainly when working with smartphone videos. By considering the lens' angle of view, I arrange the elements within the frame to maintain the integrity of the original composition. This ensures that the subject remains visible, even on smaller screens when viewed on social media, increasing viewer engagement and focus.

Are there any things to take note of when making Reels?

In the past, when horizontal shooting was more prevalent, I often framed my shots with a 16:9 aspect ratio in mind. However, when shooting vertically, I am more mindful of composition since the left and right sides would be cropped. Using a wide-angle lens when shooting vertically is recommended to take full advantage of this.

Words of encouragement

Jong Mo finds that filming short-form videos in a vertical orientation offers several advantages. “Extreme close-ups of scenes or subjects with verticality can be expressed effortlessly, while full-body shots showcase the subject's movement”. Overall, it is a forgiving and versatile approach that yields impressive results.