Does this lens have a glow? The Fujifilm XF35mm F1.4

Recently I photographed my teenage daughter Colbie to help build her modelling portfolio. I organised with one of my clients the use of their lovely business interior and coordinated with my girl a simple colour palette to compliment the environment we would use for the imagery.

I use both Fujifilm GFX and the Fujifilm X systems, but decided to roll with the X system and a combination of the XF 35mm 1.4 and XF 50 - 140mm 2.8 lenses.

The first scene we worked used a fabulous hanging chair for Colbie to lounge in. I used the XF 35mm here at f1.8 as the chair was ever so slightly rocking and wanted a faster shutter speed to keep subject sharpness.

Fujifilm XF 35mm 1.4 @ f1.8, Classic Chrome.

So I’m looking at these images on the back of my camera and thinking this looks really nice, but right at this moment I wasn’t thinking about any special ‘glow’ quality. The next scene within the space was the back wall with a georgeous reclining couch, lovely palm pot plant, and coffee table stump. Colbie did a great job with her pose, and the images on the back of the camera looked fab to me, but I still wasn’t getting a ‘glow’ vibe.

Fufifilm XF 35mm 1.4 @ f2, Classic Chrome.

The next shot is based on a yoga pose, and out of habit I had the 35mm at f2, as that’s where I usually set the aperture, again not really thinking of any special glow exhibited by the image here, as this is more of a pulled back environmental image.

Fujifilm XF 35mm 1.4 @ f2. Classic Chrome.

But then as I took more tightly cropped images, here is where I started to notice a lovely softness to my daughters skin, dare I say it, a hint of a glow. The first image is in Classic Chrome, so a little desaturated, but in the following 2 images I used the ProNeg-Hi simulation and the warmer skin tones I think exude a bit of a glow.

Fujifilm XF 35mm 1.4 @ f1.8

Fujifilm XF 35mm 1.4 @ f1.8, Pro-Neg Hi

Fujifilm XF 35mm 1.4 @ f2, Pro-Neg Hi

So right about now, you are either agreeing with me or laughing at me, as you can or can’t see a glow… You know what, you might be right and I might just be fooling myself. However, let’s finish off the shoot.

Next I stood Colbie up and took out the XF 50-140mm f2.8. Shooting wide open I took a series of images, again they look great, but looking at them now, I don’t think they have the same ‘glow.’

Fujifilm XF 50-140mm, @ f2.8, Classic Chrome

Fujifilm XF 50-140mm @f2.8, Classic Chrome

Back with the 35mm on the camera I took some waist high up shots, but from this sort of distance I didn’t really see anything other than good natural light on my subject.

Fujifilm XF 35mm 1.4 @ f1.8, Classic Chrome

In the next image I threw back on the XF 50-140mm and now looking at this image of my daughter, am I seeing a glow on the XF 50-140mm lens? Maybe it’s just the lovely natural light we are using. Now I’m confused, everything is starting to glow.

Fujifilm XF 50-140mm f2.8 @3.2, Classic Chrome

This time we moved locations to a space right next to this room, it allowed all the natural light from this space to filter in from a large side window above. Using the XF 35mm I utilised the lovely couch for a picture with Colbie.

Fujifilm XF 35mm 1.4 @ f2, Classic Chrome

Fujifilm XF 50-140mm @ f2.8, Classic Chrome

One last photo above using the XF 50-140mm. I look back on these images and are completely undecided on whether I am just seeing things or there is really a glow to this lens, either way, the Fujifilm XF 35mm 1.4 is a gem for stationery subject photography, and will always have a place in my tool bag.

Photographer: Trev Hil - Model: Colbie Hil. - Location: Well + Being, Dunedin.

The Henley Cheese factory though Autumn and Winter

I have been taking images of the Henley Cheese Factory for a good few months now. Every time I visit there is something new to appreciate. It’s like saying hello to an old friend and enjoying a new and engaging story about their life. In this update I want to highlight 3 images.

This is an image I took around 5am in the morning when it was still dark. The night sky was clear and the moon was beaming bright over the landscape. Apart from the background light trails of cars on State Highway 1, the image has the appearence of a bright sunny day.

Henley Cheese Factory by moonlight.

In this next image a thick shroud of fog envelopes the factory. The calmness of this scene with its glass like reflection was very relaxing. When you take the time to slow down and connect with an environment like this it can be really rewarding.

Henley Cheese factory in fog.

The image below was taken during a morning sunrise. The grass is covered in a rather biting frost. On chilly days like this I look forward to grabbing a coffee afterwards.

A frosty morning at the Henley Cheese Factory

Infrared Black and White.

When I started this ‘study’ of the Henley Cheese Factory I wasn’t sure how the journey would evolve. Currently I am consistently photographing the building from about the same perspective. I could change it up, but I find there is comfort in familiarity of form and composition, so for now, I’ll just keep on keeping on. Thanks for stopping by and reading this small blog.

Woodside Glen Track

Woodside Glen is located at the end of Mountain Rd, a few minutes drive from Outram. The first part of the track is easy going and most people should be able safely manage the stroll down to Lee Stream.

Arching trees near the start of Woodside track.

View from the Woodside Glen track

Once you reach Lee Stream, you need to cross it to continue on. A quick hop, skip and jump over a few rocks is all the skill required, just avoid those green slimy rocks.

Lee Stream, Woodside Glen Track.

Walk over the foreground rocks of Lee Stream to access the next part of Woodside Glen Track.

The next part of the track is a very steep climb. There is a sign warning only advanced hikers should carry on. I agree, as it was easily the most steep incline I have walked up, and it went on and on. The trail gets a little harder to follow, but just make sure you follow the orange arrows and you can’t go wrong.

Orange arrows line the track pointing you in the right direction.

The steep pathway goes up and up!

Woodside Glen Track

A young native tree catches sunlight.

After about 2 hours and around 6000 steps I cleared the bush cover and the landscape changed to tussock grass with large rock formations.

Woodside Glen Track.

Exposed nature of the land above the tree line on Woodside Glen track.

From above the tree line you can see below to the Taieri Plain, with Saddle Hill and the Pacific Ocean beyond. Up here you can be exposed to the elements so make sure you have a warm jacket.

View of Saddle Hill from Woodside Glen.

I walked as far as I could follow orange markers and then decided to turn around. From this point I believe the Maungatua Summit Track continues. Going down, while quicker, is also challenging. In total I walked about 11500 steps by the time I reached my car. Woodside Glen is a hard track to climb but highly rewarding when you see the end view.

Dunedin Landscape Photography: Tunnel Beach

Getting There

Access to Tunnel beach is located at the end of Tunnel beach road about 10 minutes drive from the city centre. The track to the beach is well constructed but it drops down onto the beach at a steep gradient. I have seen people go down easy enough but some do struggle to ascend again. There is a park bench or 2 to rest on if required. The walk down to the beach is no more than 10 minutes, however photographers might want to stop and take an image on the way down.

Elevated view of Tunnel beach in spring with gorse flowering

Plenty of Compositions

Tunnel beach offers up various viewpoints to take interesting images.

The steep pathway down to the beach creates a nice leading line into the composition.

These small fences have only been erected in the past year or so to help stop tourists from falling over cliff edges. I have used the grass and the fence to create a leading line into the image.

Tunnel beach at sunrise. The foreground clump of land helps balance the image.

Sunrise on Tunnel beach.

Here I am photographing from the most dominant cliff edge to the coastline beyond.

Here I just focused on the grass and the flowers in the foreground letting the cliff fall out of focus.

The arch is a great subject to shoot, but be careful of rouge waves and the slippery rock.

Summary

These are just a few examples of possible compositions at Tunnel beach. I know there are plenty more images to be had from this great location. You will be pleased to know there is tunnel access down onto the beach.

If you are visiting Dunedin a trip to tunnel beach is a must, but I suggest either going early or late to avoid the tourists.

Trev Hill is a professional photographer based in Dunedin.