Explore the world of Fujifilm
By Ben OsborneMy Fujifilm adventure began six months ago when I borrowed a FUJIFILM X-T2 and a couple of lenses for an expedition to Antarctica. This was an introduction to an unfamiliar camera system that I had never used before but which I immediately had to use under some of the most challenging conditions on earth. It was a baptism by fire but it was also love at first sight. Read More
Welcome to the Second Series of Through a Photographer’s Eye. In this series, we continue to learn about Australian photographers and how they use X Series Cameras to photograph their world around them. Our last interview in Series Two is with New South Wales based photographer, Thomas Brown.
I grew up on the beautiful mid-north coast of New South Wales. My interest in photography evolved through my interest in cinematography and video editing. I picked up my first real digital still camera in 2011 for the purpose of creating high-resolution time-lapse sequences for a personal short film project.
Around 2014 things started to change, and my photography interest overtook my filmmaking interest. Since then I have been in the constant pursuit of making pictures and have really enjoyed the journey so far. Career wise, up until a year and a half ago I had worked as a camera operator and video editor in TV commercial production. I am currently undergoing a bachelor degree in Creative Arts & Graphic Design.
My advice would be just to start shooting and creating. It’s all time spent experimenting and doing, that’s where all the learning happens. I would tell anyone starting out just to hang a camera around your neck and go for a walk; you will most likely be drawn to certain scenes that will naturally appeal to your creative eye.
Study different photographic genres, you will probably find that you are interested in more than one, and that is totally fine. Consider it all a personal, evolving journey of learning and experimentation. Most of all it is important to have fun.
I use the X-Pro2 mostly handheld at night. The benefit of shooting this way allows me to quickly visualise the idea, frame the image, take the exposure and continue on. That’s what I love about the X Series cameras they perform very well in situations like this.
For my handheld contemporary/night work my settings hover around low shutter speeds, which are just high enough not to introduce handheld motion blur. My ISO is normally around 800 to 1600, and the aperture usually sits between F2 and F4, which is all dependent on the scene’s brightness. Similar settings are used when I’m shooting with a tripod too.
Yes, I had been shooting on a Pentax 50MP medium format camera for over two years. The problem was that once I got my Fujifilm X100T and X-Pro2, I noticed that I stopped reaching for the 645Z. The X Series cameras were too much fun!
When I heard about the GFX 50S, I couldn’t help but think how special it would be, especially if it had the same magic in it that I first felt when introduced to the X100T. I decided to move away from the Pentax medium format camera and have gone all in with Fujifilm X Series cameras.
For the work, I create they really allow me to be more mobile and discrete. X Series cameras get out of your way and let you focus on creating work, and I love that aspect of shooting with them.
In my kit, I have two camera bodies, the X-Pro2 and X-T2, as well as four lenses; a 12mmF2, XF23mmF2 R WR, XF35mmF2 R WR and the XF56mmF1.2 R. Generally, I reach for the X-Pro2 mounted with either the XF23mmF2 or XF35mmF2, that’s my go to setup.
I keep all my gear safe in a craft-wright hard case while at home, and in a Vanguard Sedona 45 Backpack while out and about. I’m paranoid about dampness and mould, so I would advise having some form of a dehumidifier in your camera bag or case.
I spent the majority of the 2016 working on a series of images I named “Regional Moments”. Capturing regional scenes and presenting them is cinematic ways. The hardest part of the project was trying to work out when to complete the series.
Right when I thought I was finished, another idea or location would present itself. Although the first book has been published, the series continues, so a sequel is on the cards. I made well over half of the images in the book with the X100T and X-Pro2, the ability to have a small yet very capable package proved to be invaluable to the project.
I always capture my images in RAW, and they go straight into Adobe Camera Raw for initial adjustments and then into Adobe Photoshop for masking and further colour work. Depending on the image and idea the workflow can vary quite a bit.
For the contemporary and night images, I usually start off with either Provia Standard or Classic Chrome profiles in camera raw. I generally process quite dark for most of my images, so tweaking the exposure is the next step. I usually utilise a tonal curves adjustment to slightly lift the blacks, and even introduce some blue into the shadows. Depending on the image I may add some subtle film grain to give the image some life. A key ingredient to my workflow is the use of one of my many custom created LUT’s (Colour Look Up Tables).
For landscape post-processing, I like to capture at least 3-5 images with the focus at varying distances in the scene. I then will use these frames to merge them into one razor sharp image. Then the rest is usually tonal curves, blending, colour balance and sometimes dodging and burning.
I had to really think about this question. It’s hard to fault the Fujifilm X Series cameras especially with the regular firmware updates we get. I’m pretty happy with everything but if I were to ask for something extra it would be to enable 4K video on the X-Pro2.
To view more Thomas’s work visit his website or follow him on Instagram or Facebook.
Other interviews in this series
Through a Photographer’s Eye: Rhys Tattersall
Through a Photographer’s Eye: Jared Morgan
Through a Photographer’s Eye: Tony Gardiner
Through a Photographer’s Eye: Greg Cromie
Through a Photographer’s Eye: Clèment Breuille
Through a Photographer’s Eye: Bhagiraj Sivagnanasundaram
Through a Photographer’s Eye: Joe Allam
Through a Photographer’s Eye: Chelsey Elliott
Through a Photographer’s Eye: Athol Hill
Mickael Marso Riviere is a Bboy (break dancer), creative director and choreographer. Being a keen photographer, Mickael enjoys shooting his choreography work, as well as travel photography in locations where his work takes him. In this article he shares his images and experiences using his Fujifilm kit on a recent trip to Cuba. Read More
In a series of articles X Photographer Jeff Carter will be shooting at sports events in the UK and showing how to capture great images with the Fujifilm X Series without the need for a media pass. Read More
Welcome to the Second Series of Through a Photographer’s Eye. In this series, we continue to learn about Australian photographers and how they use X Series Cameras to photograph their world around them. Our ninth interview in Series Two is with Melbourne based photographer, Athol Hill.
I picked the name because of the keyboard warriors on the internet. I wanted a website where I could document my photographic journey and calling myself “The Overrated Photographer” seemed like a humorous way to eliminate the trolls.
Photography was a lazy start for me. I did most people did; I bought a DSLR and left it on auto or used the scene modes. I thought that photography was a talent you were born with. I’d hear people say a photographer had a good eye and I assumed I didn’t have it.
Fujifilm X-T2 – XF50-140mmF2.8 R LM OIS WR – 1/1400 second – F4 – ISO 200
My real introduction to photography came when I was kitesurfing regularly, and there weren’t many people taking photos of kitesurfers. I went through the process of learning the manual settings of my camera and over time, I started to realise that the “photography eye” was something you developed through experience and skill.
With the arrival of my children, my extreme sports photography opportunities dried up. This forced me to extend out to unfamiliar genres to keep myself taking photos, namely environmental portraits, family and street/abstract.
Fujifilm X-T2 – XF35mmF2 R WR – 1/4700 second – F2 – ISO 200
Photography is my artistic and creative release. I’ve used to feel I had the artistic capacity of a brick because I lacked the ability to do the conventional arts (painting, drawing and sculpting). When I discovered photography it was the realisation that I found my creative art.
Fujifilm X-T2 – XF50-140mmF2.8 R LM OIS WR – 1/5800 second – F2.8 – ISO 200
Prior to moving to Fujifilm, I had bought into the propaganda machine that told us we “need” full frame cameras to create good photos. Fujifilm has given me an appreciation for how small my gear is and yet, I have lost absolutely nothing from an image quality perspective. My photographs look better than they did before and my bag weighs half of what it did.
I also think that photography is an ongoing learning process and EVF’s offer more opportunity for improvement because we’ve gone from imagining the photo to seeing them immediately.
Fujifilm X-T2 – XF35mmF2 R WR – 1/250 second – F8 – ISO 200
I have a broad set of gear that I choose from depending on type of photography I am doing. That includes:
X-T2
X-E2S
X100T
XF23mmF2
XF35mmF2
XF60mmF2.4
XF90mmF2
XF16-55mmF2.8
XF50-140mmF2.8
Fujifilm X-T2 – XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR – 1/250 second – F3.6 – ISO 400
My favourites will always come out of family due to the emotional attachment. My favourite is the one of my youngest daughter in a superhero mask, not because of the technical merit of the photograph or the composition, but simply because it epitomises the way children are. They’re about imagination, having fun and enjoying the moment. We forget that as adults and children help remind us.
Fujifilm X-T2 – XF50-140mmF2.8 R LM OIS WR – 1/900 second – F2.8 – ISO 1600
Some people find a single genre and stay with it. I found this challenging because I appreciate different sides from each genres.
I’ve always loved extreme sports because the athletes inspire me. I enjoy watching people push their boundaries further and when people see a camera out, the “show off” side of their ego makes an appearance. The challenge with a family is finding the time to get out regularly, so more recently my preference now is environmental/child portraits and street/abstract, simply because of the accessibility.
Environmental/child portraits offer more opportunity to convey emotion whilst street, offers a broad variety of subjects and forces you to think outside the box.
Fujifilm X-T2 – XF90mmF2 R LM WR – 1/1000 second – F2 – ISO 1250
Finding inspiration with extreme sports is easier (when you have time) because I actively participate. I can look out the window and if there is wind, I’ll head to the beach for kitesurfing and take some photos before or after the session.
Fujifilm X-T2 – XF90mmF2 R LM WR – 1/110 second – F2 – ISO 200
For other genres it’s a little harder, and you have to push yourself outside your comfort zone. I try to carry a camera everywhere with me. That was part of the reason for getting the X100T, it offers accessibility and small size without compromising quality.
Pre-children, I used to think photographing sports was the peak of AF challenges, but I’d say photographing kids is far more challenging to AF system. With most sports, you have a defined path the object or person is moving in so that makes it predictable to large degree. A skater goes up in the air, does a trick and you know where he is going to go and when he will do it. Kids on the other hand will do what they want, when they want, and how they want, and there is no warning. The challenge becomes two-fold, keeping the lens on them and having the AF keep up. For these scenarios, I find the AF system in the X-T2 is remarkable. There are very few photos where the AF hasn’t done its job, it’s normally my inability to move the camera quickly enough that’s the problem.
Fujifilm X-T2 – XF90mmF2 R LM WR – 1/320 second – F2.8 – ISO 2000
I also think having full AF capability on the rear tilt screen is an advantage because it allows you to get low without having to lie down. There are no DSLR’s that offer comparable AF in liveview and in some situations, like a skate park, you can’t lie down or you are in the path of skaters. You must be on the move, getting out of the way quickly.
A part of me that is still tied to extreme sports and for that reason, it happens to be one of lenses on the roadmap for 2018, namely the wide angle zoom. The wide angle zoom is something I’ve been waiting for. It’s not because I don’t like the 10-24mmF4, but primarily for weather resistance. When you shoot wide in water sports, you are generally close enough to be hit by the spray. I typically use a rain hood, but if something does happen, you want the environmental sealing for peace of mind.
Fujifilm X-T2 – XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR – 1/1250 second – F2.8 – ISO 6400
Don’t become despondent about the number of good photographs you get when you start out. Novices often have a flawed perception about photography because they’ll see the 50 perfect wedding photographs in an album, not the 400 that didn’t make the cut. They aren’t aware that a studio photographer might take 100 photographs to get that one perfect shot. There are very few perfect first shot photographs, that is reality of photography. In time, your success rates will improve and you’ll have a higher percentage of keepers, but it’s a journey fraught with learnings and failure.
Fujifilm X-T2 – XF35mmF2 R WR – 1/250 second – F8 – ISO 200
It’s also important to find a medium that allows you to get constructive criticism. It’s great to post a photo on Facebook or Instagram and get 50 likes, and don’t stop that because the endorphins help keep your enthusiasm going. The challenge is 50 likes on Facebook won’t teach you how to make a good photo into a great photo, or a great photo into a spectacular photo and that’s the key to your progression. Don’t be scared of constructive criticism; we all started somewhere and making mistakes is a natural part of learning. Every mistake is an opportunity to do it better next time.
Fujifilm X-T2 – XF35mmF2 R WR – 1/350 second – F16 – ISO 200
To view more Athol’s work visit his website or follow him on Instagram, Twitter or Flickr.
Other interviews in this series
Through a Photographer’s Eye: Rhys Tattersall
Through a Photographer’s Eye: Jared Morgan
Through a Photographer’s Eye: Tony Gardiner
Through a Photographer’s Eye: Greg Cromie
Through a Photographer’s Eye: Clèment Breuille
Through a Photographer’s Eye: Bhagiraj Sivagnanasundaram
Through a Photographer’s Eye: Joe Allam
Through a Photographer’s Eye: Chelsey Elliott
Darren is a keen traveler and photography enthusiast from the town of Dunfermline in Fife, Scotland. For Darren, photography has always been a bit of a hobby and is closely intertwined with his passion for travel. As often as he can, Darren likes to get out and explore the world around him. Whether he is hiking the rural highlands of Scotland or roaming the sprawling cities of Asia, he will undoubtedly have his camera at his side. The goal of his photography has always been to visually document his adventures and to share them with others in attempt to inspire. Instagram is his preferred platform to share his work and to engage with fellow travelers from around the world, you can follow him at instagram.com/poetic_mouse.
He has been shooting with the Fujifilm X Series since late 2015. Read More