X-E5 x Derrick Ong
Years ago, I had the opportunity to work on a photography project in Shanghai, and the experience left an unforgettable impression on me. The city, with its rich tapestry of history and modernity, presented a visual symphony that continues to charm me to this day. Shanghai is a reimagined classic—where tradition and innovation dance together, where the past is preserved and reinterpreted in fresh, contemporary ways. It’s this blend of old and new that makes the city so irresistible for photographers.
One area that captured my heart was the French Concession. Walking through its quiet, treelined boulevards, I was enveloped in a sense of timelessness. The architecture tells a story of East meeting West—European façades adorned with Chinese details, aged stone walls casting long shadows beneath plane trees. The nostalgia here isnʼt static; itʼs alive, constantly evolving with the rhythm of the city. For a photographer, this district is a visual treasure chest. Every street corner offers a new perspective. Every shift in light transforms the familiar into something entirely fresh. Itʼs this play between the classic and the contemporary that sparked something in me—something I now strive to infuse into my own work.
The contrast between light and shadow became my visual language. I started to explore how light could not only illuminate but also obscure—how it could suggest stories rather than fully reveal them. Shadows became my tool for framing emotion and atmosphere. Over time, this interplay of light and dark matured into my signature style. It emphasizes depth and drama, allowing me to craft cinematic moments out of the ordinary. Iʼm drawn to the mystery and tension it creates—the way it leads the eye, shapes emotion, and evokes curiosity.
This visual approach, deeply rooted in street photography, gradually found its way into my wedding photography. At first, I was unsure if such a moody, contrast-driven aesthetic would resonate in a field typically associated with soft, evenly lit images. But to my surprise, many couples were captivated by it. They appreciated the way light and shadow could elevate their wedding memories into something artful and emotionally resonant—less about perfect poses and more about capturing a fleeting glance, a quiet moment, a dramatic silhouette. My work began to stand out because it offered something different: a cinematic take on love stories, told through the lens of a reimagined classic aesthetic.
On my recent return to Shanghai, I took to the streets with a new companion: the Fujifilm X-E5. This camera, much like the city itself, embraces a blend of classic charm and modern innovation. Designed with vintage inspiration yet equipped with powerful new features, the X-E5 feels like a natural extension of my creative vision. Compact and discreet, it’s the ideal tool for capturing fleeting, unscripted moments. One feature Iʼve grown especially fond of is the new film simulation dial—a thoughtful design element that nods to Fujifilmʼs analog heritage. With a quick twist, I can shift between iconic color profiles, from the muted nostalgia of Classic Chrome to the vivid punch of Velvia. It allows me to set the emotional tone of a shot before even pressing the shutter.
The camera also offers versatility in framing, letting me toggle between five different aspect ratios, which makes content creation for various platforms seamless. Whether Iʼm composing for a square Instagram post or a widescreen editorial layout, I can visualize the frame in realtime. The built-in 1.4x and 2x digital teleconverters are another welcomed feature, expanding my creative possibilities without sacrificing quality or speed—a crucial benefit for street photography where moments happen fast and unpredictably.
I paired the X-E5 with Fujifilmʼs new 23mm pancake lens, and I couldn’t be happier with the results. This lens, equivalent to a 35mm on a full-frame sensor, offers a field of view that feels natural and immersive. Itʼs a focal length that aligns closely with human vision—perfect for storytelling. The compact build, combined with quick autofocus and excellent sharpness, makes it ideal for staying nimble on the streets. It doesn’t call attention to itself, which allows me to capture authenticity without intrusion.
Every street photographer dreams of a setup that is lightweight, fast, and capable of producing images with professional fidelity. This combination delivers exactly that. It empowers me to be present, reactive, and creative—all without compromise.
As I look ahead, Iʼm filled with anticipation for the journeys to come. This camera will be with me as I continue chasing light and shadow across the globe. Thereʼs a certain poetry in capturing a world thatʼs constantly changing, yet somehow still echoes the past. Whether in a bustling market in Asia or a quiet European alley, I aim to keep reimagining the classic—to find the timeless within the contemporary, and the extraordinary within the ordinary. Photography, to me, is about these moments of resonance. With the right tools, those moments become tangible—etched forever in light, shadow, and memory.
