![\"Image\"](\"https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/gfx_david_williams_04.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\nMy FUJIFILM X-Pro2\u2019s had already given me the reality of composing and shooting square in camera. That combined with being able to choose a very high-quality film simulation for black & white (ACROS) was taking me to a whole other level of predetermination when making portraits.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\nYou might wonder \u2018why was the film simulation important to me?\u2019. Fujifilm cameras have always had an outstanding reputation for excellent quality JPEG files. For other camera manufacturers, JPEGS are treated as somewhat of a compromise \u2013 and the RAW file as the \u2018vehicle of choice\u2019 for finalizing an image.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\nSo, what if the image is made in a totally controlled environment? Where the content of the JPEG is pretty-much what is finally required? This was most certainly the case with the images I made with the GFX. The RAW was there as a back-up. It always amazes me how much shadow information is in a Fujifilm JPEG file.
\nWhat surprised me about the GFX 50s was its compact size \u2013 sure, the lenses have a presence one associates with large format \u2013 but the body is \u2018neat\u2019.
\nThe \u2018icing on the cake\u2019 for me was the beautifully designed and made viewfinder adapter (EVF Tilt Adaptor) This unit allows much more comfort when operating the camera on a tripod \u2013 indeed it adds up to the equivalent of the waist-level finder, the 45 degree finder and anything in between. Being able to automatically switch between the rear display and the viewfinder is wonderful \u2013 and fast.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\nMy experience with the GFX was almost all tripod based. Having said that, the optional vertical grip makes the whole package very comfortable \u2013 and easily manageable on a wedding or other function requiring hand-held operation.
\nSo, to my created image of the \u2018actor backstage\u2019\u2026.
\nIt was photographed in the car park of the building I live in. A few trash bins were moved, and then the \u2018set\u2019 was dressed with a sign, business cards and advertisements for acting classes and a little graffiti here and there.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\nMy subject was dressed in appropriate costume for \u2018Don Quixote\u2019 and has make-up suitable for a stage production. I liked the incongruity of the 17th century costume and the cellphone he is holding.
\nThe main light was a Phottix Indra 500 studio light through a Westcott Apollo light modifier. In between the light and the subject was a black gobo to block light getting to his white sleeve. A Phottix Mitros + unit provided a little highlight near his head. The \u2018fill-light\u2019 was the existing light in the car park. The image was shot on a tripod, and the exposure was 125th @ f13 at 800 ISO. I used the wonderful GF120mmF4 Macro lens for this image.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n