A weight off my shoulders - Rethinking event photography gear.

We live in a time of great innovation and variety in digital photography. I’m a fan of gear, I just love it. I have 2 systems; Fujifilm XF and the Fujifilm GFX. They are both great systems, but, through experience of using both at events, I have come to the conclusion size and weight make a big difference to my workflow.

Simply put, the size and weight of the medium format Fujifilm GFX is getting in the way of the type of event photography of want to explore and develop. I want to be freed from carrying the bulk and size of large bodies and lenses for a full day. I want my camera and lens combo to be smaller, lighter and faster. I want a system that not only makes me a more nimble and responsive photographer, but, also a less intimidating photographer. I honestly believe big camera and lens combos cameras can create a barrier between the photographer and subject. Ideally I’d like not to be noticed at an event, maybe even look like one of the guests. If someone looks at my camera, I’d rather think they thought it looked cool, retro and desirable, (thanks to Fujifilm design aesthetic) as opposed to massive and intrusive. If they can see me coming, I might miss the genuine moment, candid gold of real emotion and connection between subjects.

Head to head my GFX 50sii and X-T5 with 23mm F2 size comparioson. No prizes for guessing which one weighs more and is more discrete.

I recently volunteered my time at Zen hair salon for a charity event raising money in support of bowel cancer. All I used was a Fuji XT5 and 23mm F2, a combined weight of 751gm. It was liberating. I could easily hold the camera with one hand, and with great freedom move the camera around low or high to explore more interesting angles and compositions. The working distance I had to subjects during the fundraiser was tight. So in this instance a small camera didn’t cause much if any distraction and the 23mm focal length (35mm FF equiv.) gave context to the subjects environment.

After the session, I felt fresh as a daisy and the shear smallness of the kit really did get me thinking more about more interesting angles. In essence I think this approach will make me a better event photographer.

I still love my GFX and it has it’s place in portraiture, landscape and commercial jobs. But I’d much prefer to rock a small camera/lens combo for weddings and events.

Below are pics of the team from Zen and fellow fundraisers all embracing a shaved head for bowel cancer. There is some wonderful energy in many of these images. A great event and cause all round.

Dunedin City Steampunk shoot

Here are a few images I took while having fun with friends, a camera and a flash. A bit of dress up in steampunk is a big change of look from corporate or family imagery. I used the Viltrox 27mm 1.2 for fuji X mount for all of the images and selected the Classic Negative film simulation for a more grungy effect on colours. Janine our model had some amazing items to wear.

Fuji X-T5, Viltrox 27mm 1.2

Fuji X-T5, Viltrox 27mm 1.2

Fuji X-T5, Viltrox 27mm 1.2

Fuji X-T5, Viltrox 27mm 1.2

Fuji X-T5, Viltrox 27mm 1.2

Fuji X-T5, Viltrox 27mm 1.2

In retrospect I think I would deinitely go with 2 strobes next time as we were losing detail in the shadows with only the key light, a Godox AD200pro. Shame to have those cool outfits and lose them to the shadows.

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.