{"id":280621,"date":"2025-07-10T05:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-07-10T05:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fujifilm-x.com\/?post_type=story&#038;p=280621"},"modified":"2025-07-08T00:17:39","modified_gmt":"2025-07-08T00:17:39","slug":"x-e5-x-derrick-ong","status":"publish","type":"story","link":"https:\/\/www.fujifilm-x.com\/en-nz\/stories\/x-e5-x-derrick-ong\/","title":{"rendered":"X-E5 x Derrick Ong"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull is-style-content-width-800 is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\"><div class=\"video-youtube-modal wp-block-fujifilm-video-youtube-modal has-background\">\n\t<div class=\"block-video-player\">\n\t\t<div class=\"w-full relative fade-up-parallax\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"block-video-player__splash-img aspect-w-16 aspect-h-9 js-btn--modal-youtube\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-id=\"HQsH-Y1rcSQ\"\n\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t<img data-preload-after-window-load=\"preload\" data-preload-delay=\"300\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/X-E5_Derrick-Ong_1.jpg?width=2000&#038;height=1333\" alt=\"X-E5_Derrick Ong_1\" loading=\"lazy\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-yt-thumb-fallback=\"https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/HQsH-Y1rcSQ\/hqdefault.jpg\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"play-button\"><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"modal modal--youtube hidden\" data-id=\"HQsH-Y1rcSQ\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"modal__content relative\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<button type=\"button\" class=\"btn-modal-close\" data-id=\"HQsH-Y1rcSQ\"><span><\/span><span><\/span><\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"player-HQsH-Y1rcSQ\" data-id=\"HQsH-Y1rcSQ\" class=\"youtube-iframe\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-preload-after-window-load=\"preload\" data-preload-delay=\"300\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/X-E5_Derrick-Ong_1.jpg?width=1024&#038;height=682\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-280623\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/X-E5_Derrick-Ong_1.jpg?width=1024&amp;height=682 1024w, https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/X-E5_Derrick-Ong_1.jpg?width=300&amp;height=200 300w, https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/X-E5_Derrick-Ong_1.jpg?width=768&amp;height=512 768w, https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/X-E5_Derrick-Ong_1.jpg?width=400&amp;height=267 400w, https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/X-E5_Derrick-Ong_1.jpg?width=365&amp;height=243 365w, https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/X-E5_Derrick-Ong_1.jpg?width=600&amp;height=400 600w, https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/X-E5_Derrick-Ong_1.jpg?width=717&amp;height=478 717w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Photo 2025 \u00a9 Derrick Ong | FUJIFILM X-E5 and FUJINON XF23mmF2.8 R WR, 1\/400 sec at F11, I SO 125<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">X-E5 x Derrick Ong<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>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\u2014where tradition and innovation dance together, where the past is preserved and reinterpreted in fresh, contemporary ways. It\u2019s this blend of old and new that makes the city so irresistible for photographers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-preload-after-window-load=\"preload\" data-preload-delay=\"300\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/X-E5_Derrick-Ong_2.jpg?width=1024&#038;height=682\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-280626\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/X-E5_Derrick-Ong_2.jpg?width=1024&amp;height=682 1024w, https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/X-E5_Derrick-Ong_2.jpg?width=300&amp;height=200 300w, https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/X-E5_Derrick-Ong_2.jpg?width=768&amp;height=512 768w, https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/X-E5_Derrick-Ong_2.jpg?width=400&amp;height=267 400w, https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/X-E5_Derrick-Ong_2.jpg?width=365&amp;height=243 365w, https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/X-E5_Derrick-Ong_2.jpg?width=600&amp;height=400 600w, https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/X-E5_Derrick-Ong_2.jpg?width=717&amp;height=478 717w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>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\u2014European fa\u00e7ades adorned with Chinese details, aged stone walls casting long shadows beneath plane trees. The nostalgia here isn\u02bct static; it\u02bcs 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. It\u02bcs this play between the classic and the contemporary that sparked something in me\u2014something I now strive to infuse into my own work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The contrast between light and shadow became my visual language. I started to explore how light could not only illuminate but also obscure\u2014how 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. I\u02bcm drawn to the mystery and tension it creates\u2014the way it leads the eye, shapes emotion, and evokes curiosity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-preload-after-window-load=\"preload\" data-preload-delay=\"300\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"575\" src=\"https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/X-E5_Derrick-Ong_3.jpg?width=1024&#038;height=575\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-280627\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/X-E5_Derrick-Ong_3.jpg?width=1024&amp;height=575 1024w, https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/X-E5_Derrick-Ong_3.jpg?width=300&amp;height=169 300w, https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/X-E5_Derrick-Ong_3.jpg?width=768&amp;height=432 768w, https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/X-E5_Derrick-Ong_3.jpg?width=400&amp;height=225 400w, https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/X-E5_Derrick-Ong_3.jpg?width=365&amp;height=205 365w, https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/X-E5_Derrick-Ong_3.jpg?width=600&amp;height=337 600w, https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/X-E5_Derrick-Ong_3.jpg?width=417&amp;height=235 417w, https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/X-E5_Derrick-Ong_3.jpg?width=717&amp;height=403 717w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>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\u2014less 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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&#8217;s the ideal tool for capturing fleeting, unscripted moments. One feature I\u02bcve grown especially fond of is the new film simulation dial\u2014a thoughtful design element that nods to Fujifilm\u02bcs 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-preload-after-window-load=\"preload\" data-preload-delay=\"300\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/X-E5_Derrick-Ong_4.jpg?width=1024&#038;height=682\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-280628\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/X-E5_Derrick-Ong_4.jpg?width=1024&amp;height=682 1024w, https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/X-E5_Derrick-Ong_4.jpg?width=300&amp;height=200 300w, https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/X-E5_Derrick-Ong_4.jpg?width=768&amp;height=512 768w, https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/X-E5_Derrick-Ong_4.jpg?width=400&amp;height=267 400w, https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/X-E5_Derrick-Ong_4.jpg?width=365&amp;height=243 365w, https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/X-E5_Derrick-Ong_4.jpg?width=600&amp;height=400 600w, https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/X-E5_Derrick-Ong_4.jpg?width=717&amp;height=478 717w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>\u00a0<br>The camera also offers versatility in framing, letting me toggle between five different aspect ratios, which makes content creation for various platforms seamless. Whether I\u02bcm 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\u2014a crucial benefit for street photography where moments happen fast and unpredictably.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-preload-after-window-load=\"preload\" data-preload-delay=\"300\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/X-E5_Derrick-Ong_5.jpg?width=1024&#038;height=682\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-280629\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/X-E5_Derrick-Ong_5.jpg?width=1024&amp;height=682 1024w, https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/X-E5_Derrick-Ong_5.jpg?width=300&amp;height=200 300w, https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/X-E5_Derrick-Ong_5.jpg?width=768&amp;height=512 768w, https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/X-E5_Derrick-Ong_5.jpg?width=400&amp;height=267 400w, https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/X-E5_Derrick-Ong_5.jpg?width=365&amp;height=243 365w, https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/X-E5_Derrick-Ong_5.jpg?width=600&amp;height=400 600w, https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/X-E5_Derrick-Ong_5.jpg?width=717&amp;height=478 717w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>I paired the X-E5 with Fujifilm\u02bcs new 23mm pancake lens, and I couldn&#8217;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. It\u02bcs a focal length that aligns closely with human vision\u2014perfect for storytelling. The compact build, combined with quick autofocus and excellent sharpness, makes it ideal for staying nimble on the streets. It doesn\u2019t call attention to itself, which allows me to capture authenticity without intrusion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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\u2014all without compromise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-preload-after-window-load=\"preload\" data-preload-delay=\"300\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/X-E5_Derrick-Ong_6.jpg?width=1024&#038;height=682\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-280630\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/X-E5_Derrick-Ong_6.jpg?width=1024&amp;height=682 1024w, https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/X-E5_Derrick-Ong_6.jpg?width=300&amp;height=200 300w, https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/X-E5_Derrick-Ong_6.jpg?width=768&amp;height=512 768w, https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/X-E5_Derrick-Ong_6.jpg?width=400&amp;height=267 400w, https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/X-E5_Derrick-Ong_6.jpg?width=365&amp;height=243 365w, https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/X-E5_Derrick-Ong_6.jpg?width=600&amp;height=400 600w, https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/X-E5_Derrick-Ong_6.jpg?width=717&amp;height=478 717w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>As I look ahead, I\u02bcm filled with anticipation for the journeys to come. This camera will be with me as I continue chasing light and shadow across the globe. There\u02bcs a certain poetry in capturing a world that\u02bcs 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\u2014to 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\u2014etched forever in light, shadow, and memory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-preload-after-window-load=\"preload\" data-preload-delay=\"300\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/X-E5_Derrick-Ong_7.jpg?width=1024&#038;height=682\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-280631\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/X-E5_Derrick-Ong_7.jpg?width=1024&amp;height=682 1024w, https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/X-E5_Derrick-Ong_7.jpg?width=300&amp;height=200 300w, https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/X-E5_Derrick-Ong_7.jpg?width=768&amp;height=512 768w, https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/X-E5_Derrick-Ong_7.jpg?width=400&amp;height=267 400w, https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/X-E5_Derrick-Ong_7.jpg?width=365&amp;height=243 365w, https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/X-E5_Derrick-Ong_7.jpg?width=600&amp;height=400 600w, https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/X-E5_Derrick-Ong_7.jpg?width=717&amp;height=478 717w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>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\u2014where tradition [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":135,"featured_media":280623,"template":"","category":[2084,1006,1202,3211,320,1986,565,13898],"post_tag":[],"b2b-solutions":[],"class_list":["post-280621","story","type-story","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-be-inspired","category-cameras","category-category","category-x-series-mirrorless","category-products","category-x-series","category-stories","category-x-e5"],"pp_statuses_selecting_workflow":false,"pp_workflow_action":"current","pp_status_selection":"publish","acf":[],"fujifilm_category_label":"X-E5","publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fujifilm-x.com\/en-nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/story\/280621","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fujifilm-x.com\/en-nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/story"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fujifilm-x.com\/en-nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/story"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fujifilm-x.com\/en-nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/135"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fujifilm-x.com\/en-nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/280623"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fujifilm-x.com\/en-nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=280621"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fujifilm-x.com\/en-nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/category?post=280621"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fujifilm-x.com\/en-nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/post_tag?post=280621"},{"taxonomy":"b2b-solutions","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fujifilm-x.com\/en-nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/b2b-solutions?post=280621"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}