Be Inspired

A collection of inspirational blog posts that will give you some great new ideas and cause you to pick up your camera and go out shooting

“So JPEGs it was, and off we went”: portraiture with Cole Roberts & X-T50

Portrait photography, at its core, is about capturing the essence of a person in a single frame. As a photographer, you have to combine technical skills and deep understanding of human nature, and more to that, to be attentive to all those little details, using interesting combinations of colours and lines. 

Another tip for a good portrait – keep it true. A wedding photographer, Cole Roberts (Nordica Photography duo), knows best how it works. He believes the best results come from telling the story like it is: the art happens in recognising the moments when the setting, subject and mood are in sync and the real story unfolds naturally, without being contrived. Recently, he had a special portraiture session in Spain with the new X-T50, setting up a creative challenge – experimenting in film simulations and shooting exclusively in pure, unedited JPEGs. The stills are all “straight-out-of-camera” (SOOC) and the video is shot entirely on X-T50.

“Weddings and workshops *are* fun, but this was different. Fujifilm handed me their latest tine beast, and the experience changed the way I approached the session. Simply messing around, having fun, all with a camera that feels analogue but delivers digital perfection,” @nordicaphoto.

“If there was the perfect camera for influencers who care about incredible photos, it’s this camera.The reasons were pretty obvious when using it. First off, INSANE JPEGs (skip time-consuming edits with ready to share bangers). Second, it’s tiny (think slip-in-your-pocket tiny). Third, video capabilities,” – @nordicaphoto.

“Low light, no problem. (…) We were racing against the clock to get some shots before sunset, but when it dipped, we decided to keep playing around. And the little camera delivered in the dark with no issues,” @nordicaphoto.

Learn more about the new X-T50 here.

‘Life As You See It’: a new photo exhibition in London

The FUJIFILM House of Photography is hosting an incredible summer event that everyone in London, whether they live there or are just passing through, should not miss. Running from June 1st to July 28th, 2024, a new photo exhibition ‘Life As You See It‘ invites you to celebrate the art of photography, creativity, and unique viewpoints. It’s a chance to explore the beauty, complexity, and wonder of everyday life through a variety of perspectives and express your own vision. It’s also an awesome opportunity to interact with a community. So, whether you’re a passionate photography enthusiast or simply curious about the thing, whether you have a story to share or want to get inspired by others, step in and let it take you on a journey.

What: Life As You See It | Photography Exhibition

Where: FUJIFILM House of Photography, 8-9 Long Acre, Covent Garden, London, WC2E 9LH

When: June 1 – July 28, 2024

www.fujifilm-houseofphotography.com

Showcase your perspective and get a prize!

At FUJIFILM House of Photography, we think that every photograph tells a story, and we’d like to hear yours. During the show, you can print your favourite photo for free at our Easy Print Kiosks and display it on our community gallery wall. This is your chance to help create a gorgeous mosaic of various photographs that highlight the beauty and uniqueness of life as you see it.

By participating, you stand a chance not only to share your images but also to win* exciting prizes. Signing up for our newsletter after participating will enter you into a weekly drawing to win an INSTAX mini Link printer. Each week, we’ll choose a photo that best captures the essence of ‘Life As You See It’, and the winners will receive this amazing prize, allowing to keep printing and sharing their treasured memories.

*The competition is only open to all residents in the UK and Ireland aged 18 years or over who attend the FUJIFILM House of Photography in person and follow the rules set out in paragraph

‘Life as You See It’ photography competition

We are also holding a ‘Life As You See It’ photography competition from June 1st to July 28th, 2024. This is your chance to show off your greatest work and compete for incredible prizes. The top three entries will receive large-format copies of their photographs and be prominently displayed in our exhibition. Additionally, all chosen entries will be featured in our upcoming brand video, bringing additional exposure and recognition for their creative talent.

Visit the Fujifilm House of Photography

Our fully renovated exhibition space in Covent Garden aims to inspire and engage the creative community. Beyond the show, you may browse our extensive product line, loan photography equipment, and purchase the latest FUJIFILM innovations. We want to make photography an accessible and joyful medium to express yourself, and we’ll be there for you every step of the way!

Don’t miss this opportunity to be a part of an exciting and creative photography exhibition. Whether you’re photographing magnificent landscapes, intimate experiences, or artistic images, we want to see life through your eyes. Bring your camera, phone, or other device to our House of Photography and express your perspective on the world. Let’s celebrate the beauty of life together!

To learn more and stay up to date, please visit our website and follow us on social media.

Catching the Wave: Russell Ord x Sports Photography

On his path to becoming an internationally acclaimed photographer, Russell Ord has squinted down the lens at an intriguing mix of subjects over the years. From shooting world-class surfers and celebrity chefs to exploring remote landscapes. He’s roamed with Uunguu Rangers in the Australian outback, island-hopped across tropical fantasylands, and followed his photographic instincts through urban meccas. Meanwhile, his ocean images are famous for portraying both cruelty and majesty of the sea.

As one of the world’s leading surf photographers, he documented a treacherous spot in the Indian Ocean known simply as “The Right”. In pursuit of a unique angle, Russell put himself in a situation where the ocean’s most powerful forces converge. This challenging shoot became central to his acclaimed documentary “One Shot”.

Innovative Gear for Dynamic Photography

Recently, Russell got a chance to try out the new GFX100S II camera, together with the GF500mmF5.6 lens introduced at the last X Summit. This combination has revolutionized his approach to sports photography, bringing new, exciting features to the table.

“In the past, I have used the 500mm focal length (not with large format), and those lenses are bulky and very heavy, opposite to the look and feel of the GF500mmF5.6. The GF500mmF5.6 equipped with the GFX100S II is lightweight, compact and well-built. I can easily imagine climbing rocks, scouring sand dunes, and walking some kilometers/miles along the coast without concerns.”

“If I could use one word to describe the performance, it would be “breathtaking”, I cannot believe I have a 102MP Large Format camera that continuously focuses on my subject (handheld) and can produce imagery of the finest quality. Now, I can shoot action sports imagery (surfing) and simultaneously have my eye on possible gallery pieces and photos I can enlarge on a grand scale.”

The GFX100S II features the highest level of 5-axis image stabilization with a benefit of up to 8.0 stops for limitless large-format creativity. Image quality is one of the most significant factors in this GFX system. Apart from allowing for printing stunning enlargements with the finest details, it lets you have amazing clarity even in challenging weather conditions. Shooting out of a helicopter, doors off, with the GFX100S II and GF500mmF5.6, Russell got beautiful, detailed images despite the very windy conditions, fast erratic movements, and suffering motion sickness.

More beauty to it, the GFX100S II can continuously focus on a moving subject, such as a surfer flying across the wave, with subject and eye detection following him from start to finish without any hunting. It works not only in favorable conditions with high contrast and bright light, but also in low-light, backlit, and dark conditions while shooting flash.

“A saying I use a lot, “press the trigger at the right time”, still applies, but I must admit I love having 7fps on a large format camera. It’s a fine line in and out of the water missing that critical shot; the 7fps gives you many more opportunities to nail that exact shot at 102mp (mind-blowing).”

Find the full story here.

Midsommar in Sweden: create your perfect festival scrapbook

Midsommar is one of the most celebrated holidays in Sweden which marks the summer solstice and the longest day of the year. It is always filled with joy, tradition, and stunning scenery. From dancing around the maypole to enjoying sumptuous feasts, every moment is worth capturing and cherishing. One of the best ways to immortalize these memories is by creating a personalized festival photo book, preserving the magic of Midsommar for years to come. You can easily transform your festival memories into a stunning photo book with MyFUJIFILM products and your X-Series camera or smartphone. And here’s how to get started.

Step 1. Select photos

Begin by reviewing your collection of Midsommar photos. Choose the ones that evoke the strongest emotions and best capture the spirit of the event. Whether it’s a panoramic view of the midsummer pole against a backdrop of clear blue skies or a candid shot of your friends adorned with flower crowns, each photo should contribute to the overall story you want to tell.

Step 2. Choose a theme

To add a sense of cohesiveness to your photo book, consider selecting a theme that aligns with Midsommar’s atmosphere. For instance, you could opt for a nature-themed layout to reflect the lush greenery and floral decorations typical of the festival.

Step 3. Lay out your book

MyFUJIFILM offers user-friendly tools for creating photo books. Arrange your selected photos in a visually appealing sequence, experimenting with different layouts and designs to find the one that best compliments your chosen theme. And there you have it – your festival photos brought to life in your very own photo scrapbook.

Step 4. Add captions and mementos

Personalize your photo book by adding captions that describe the precious moments captured in each photo. You can also include mementos such as pressed flowers, handwritten notes, or ticket stubs to make it even more personalised. This way, as you flip through the pages of your scrapbook, you’ll be transported back to the warmth and joy of the celebration.

Now, just you can share these memories with friends and family and celebrate the spirit of Midsommar all year round. For more inspiration, check out a blog post by our UK colleagues on MyFUJIFILM.

What is MyFUJIFILM?

MyFUJIFILM is your ultimate destination for all photo printing needs, offering high-quality prints on Fujifilm’s renowned photographic paper. Whether you’re looking to print photos, create photo books, or design personalised gifts, they have you covered. Their blog provides endless inspiration for your creative projects, operating in Germany, Sweden, the Netherlands, France, and the UK. Check it out and turn your cherished memories into beautiful prints and keepsakes!

France triumphs at INSTAX Playin’Paris festival

On May 24th, the FUJIFILM INSTAX Undisputed Breaking competition lit up the night as part of the Playin’Paris festival. Paris witnessed a breathtaking display of skill and artistry as the world’s elite breakers competed for glory under the iconic canopy of Les Halles. It gathered competitors from all over the world, including renowned breakers such as Bboy PacPac (FR), Ana Furia (ES) and Raygun (AUS).

With Kaê (FR) winning the Solo Men’s Battle, San Andrea (FR) triumphing in the Solo Women’s Battle, and French crew Los Crapulos taking the Crew Battle, the electrifying event culminated in a French clean sweep.

As breakers once revolutionised the dance scene in the 80s, they stand poised to ignite a new era for breakdancing. The FUJIFILM INSTAX brand is proud to continue to partner with Undisputed as breaking grows in stature and popularity. Together, we celebrated the bold spirit of these athletes who defy limits, push boundaries and put on incredible shows,” – Shin Udono, Senior Vice President of Imaging Solutions, FUJIFILM Europe.

Los Crapulos, Undisputed Paris 2024 | © Koko Shahbasi
San Andrea, Undisputed Paris 2024 | © Koko Shahbasi
Kaê, Undisputed Paris 2024 | © Koko Shahbasi

The event was part of the Playin’Paris festival, which also featured a 3×3 basketball tournament final, a DJ contest, a series of indoor and outdoor concerts, and a live graffiti exhibition. Visit the Playin’Paris festival website for more details.

About Undisputed

Undisputed Masters is an international breaking competition established in 2014 by some of the top breaking events, judges, and competitors from across the globe. Undisputed has innovated in setting up competition rankings and developing the Trivium judging system which played a big role in getting breakdancing to the Paris 2024 Olympics. The Trivium Judging System is a digital platform that lets judges score dancers in real-time, based on three main criteria: the physical quality, interpretative quality, and artistic quality of the performance.

Circular Manufacturing Center launched by FUJIFILM Business Innovation in Europe

FUJIFILM Business Innovation has established a Circular Manufacturing Center with the objective of promoting resource circulation in Europe. The Center will be located at FUJIFILM Manufacturing Europe B.V. in the Netherlands and will commence operations with the collection and remanufacturing of toner cartridges from June 2024.

In 1995, FUJIFILM Business Innovation established a comprehensive recycling policy, which it has adhered to ever since. This policy is based on the principle of ‘zero waste’ and is designed to promote resource circulation. It encompasses the collection, reuse, and recycling of all consumed equipment and products from customers. The company’s comprehensive circular production system encompasses the entire product lifecycle, from planning and development to manufacturing and disposal. The objective is to minimise the use of new resources and maximise resource circulation through the reuse of parts from collected products.

At the new Circular Manufacturing Center, FUJIFILM Manufacturing Europe B.V. will collect used toner cartridges from printers sold throughout Europe. Following disassembly, cleaning, inspection, and remanufacturing, these cartridges will be reintroduced into the European marketplace as new toner cartridges. The company has expressed its intention to extend these remanufacturing processes in the future to other products, such as multifunction printers and production printer spare parts, in addition to toner cartridges.

A notable aspect of the Circular Manufacturing Center is its dedication to sustainability. FUJIFILM Manufacturing Europe B.V. supplies all of its electricity needs from on-site wind power generation and from a purchased wind power generation company. Therefore, the newly established Circular Manufacturing Center can also achieve virtually zero CO2 emissions from the electricity it uses.  Strategically located in the Netherlands, the heart of Europe, the facility benefits from an extensive manufacturing history and advantageous geographical position to enhance transportation efficiency and effectively promote resource recycling.

From its inception, FUJIFILM Business Innovation has been dedicated to environmental conservation and reducing the environmental impact of its corporate activities. The inauguration of the Circular Manufacturing Center in Europe constitutes a significant milestone in the company’s ongoing endeavours to enhance resource circulation and contribute to the circular economy.

It is important to note that the remanufactured products are derived from used items collected from customers and undergo a thorough process of disassembly, cleaning, inspection and refurbishment in order that they meet the requisite quality standards.