Firstly, tell us about that Game of Thrones DVD?
“Haha, well personally I think it's one of the best shows on TV right now - maybe ever? I have the digital copy of it on my laptop for those long layovers and flights. It just never gets old.”
Talk us through your gear - what are your go-to items?
“I typically do a lot of video work so my go-to is the Sony FS7, which shoots 4k at 60 fps. It’s perfect for when I can't be shooting photos, but I can still pull a high-quality screen-grab if needed. My go-to camera for photos, and all-around walk around camera is the Sony a7r ii with the 35 1.4. It’s such a fun lens to use, very sharp, nice bokeh and great for lifestyle and portraits. I just purchased the new Sony 24-70 2.8 (not shown in this photo) and this has been my new go-to lens for most stuff, because it's just so versatile and is tack sharp throughout.”
How long have you been using the drone? A lot of photographers have one nowadays.
“I started out using the Inspire 1 drone probably a year and half ago, but downsized to the Phantom 3 Pro for when traveling. There was no quality loss in video or photo when moving down to the Phantom 3, just smaller motors and an easier to travel with kit. It fits perfectly in the DJI backpack case. On my international trips I'll typically pack that with the SPL water housing, and a large 75mm tripod. It all fits perfectly in the im2975 Pelican Case and is still under 50 pounds. I hate paying those overweight fees!”
Tell us about those underwater housings.
“The yellow housing is an SPL that fits my FS7. It is pretty heavy compared to the other one I use for the Sony a6300, but the quality that comes out of the FS7 for 4k is incredible. Being able to film at 4k 60fps and pull stills from this is still a huge bonus. Filming in 1080 I can slow it down to about 180fps for some really nice shots. I'll typically use my Sony a6300 if I need to travel light for the day, or just need a few quick pickup shots for video. For photos, it’s incredibly fast and accurate with the autofocus system. It really blows me away when considering how small the camera is. I used the FS7 in this video with Tia Blanco.
Any items you wish you could add to your bag?
“Honestly, I'm pretty happy with my setup right now. I would probably like to add the new soon-to-be-released Sony 50mm 1.4, and swap out the Sony70-200 f4 for the new 2.8. Oh, and maybe Season 6 of Game of Thrones when it releases, haha!”
Check out a selection of Justin’s shots below and find out more by visiting his website or Instagram.
While waiting for the unveiling of the winners on September 28, 2016, visit the Red Bull Illume social channels on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for a sneak peek of this edition’s entries. These randomly selected shots showcase just-how impressive the 2016 Red Bull Illume submissions really were.
Justin Jung: What's in the bag?
Southern California-based photographer and cinematographer Justin Jung says his work takes him all over the globe. For the past three years he's been capturing breathtaking imagery every step of the way. Let’s take a look at what he carries with him.

© Justin Jung