All images by Stéphane Maugendre. Used with permission. 

French photographer Stéphane Maugendre is a self-confessed “analog at heart” and so for his new series, he turned to the LomoChrome Purple to lend it a surreal touch. Stéphane has always been fascinated by the old greenhouses that dot Paris. To him, these glass structures are remnants of a time when the only way Parisians could marvel at exotic wildlife from far regions of the world was to visit the zoo, natural history museums, botanical gardens, and the greenhouses.

While working all summer in Paris on a new job, he had the idea to make a series “that echoed the out-of-time vibe that Paris has during summer, and that longing for far places Parisians who remain in the city has.”

So Stéphane loaded his Nikon FM2 with a roll of LomoChrome Purple film that he had been keeping for a couple of years, and headed out to shoot in the greenhouses near Roland Garros tennis courts.

He calls the resulting series, Paris Tropiques, a collection of beautifully shot portraits set against the backdrop of lush greenery.

As he had used this emulsion for a portrait shoot previously, Stéphane already had a good idea on how to use it.

“I really like how the skin tones remain rather untouched, while nature is tinted with psychedelic purple hues that seem straight out of a mystical land. The sky also shifts from deep blue to turquoise, enhancing the surreal feeling,” he observed.

LomoChrome Purple is arguably best used in shooting greenery as the plants’ natural color shift to stunning purple hues on film. It’s something that Stéphane knows very well and advises other photographers wishing to shoot with this film stock to do.

“This film is really giving its best when used on green colors and nature, in particular. My advice would be to go out and shoot and experiment with different lighting situations and surroundings to create your own atmosphere through the color shifts,” he shared.

Aside from the Nikon FM2 – which, by the way, was equipped with the Lomography Neptune Art Lens System – and LomoChrome Purple combination, Stéphane also took regular color photos with a Leica M4-P equipped with a Summilux 50mm f1.4 pre-ASPH lens loaded with Kodak Elite II slide film.

Don’t forget to visit Stéphane Maugendre’s Instagram account to see more of his work on film!

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Fuji just announced their rumored (comparatively) affordable medium format mirrorless camera, the GFX 50R, a 51.4 megapixel camera with a rangefinder design, due in November 2018. The retail price is $4500, which, though not cheap, makes it the least expensive medium format digital camera ever upon launch. The GFX 50R’s specifications match those of the GFX 50S in many ways, with the biggest differences being the form factor – more similar to that of the Fuji crop-sensor cameras – and the lower price.

A sensor measuring 44 × 33 mm isn’t quite the largest medium format sensor on the market, but it’s akin to the size you’ll find in cameras like the Pentax 645Z and the Leica S series. By diagonal, it’s 1.28 times larger than full frame sensors (0.78× crop factor), and the image quality improvement is there to match (see our GFX 50S Review). The new GFX 50R is internally almost exactly the same as the GFX 50S, but the lower price and smaller form factor – though still large – means that it will skim off more consumers who were eyeing a full-frame system like the Nikon Z7 or Sony A7R III instead.

Key Specifications

The GFX 50R is not exactly a speed demon, just like other medium format cameras on the market. Its maximum frame rate is 3 FPS, and its video specifications max out at 1080/30P. Although its autofocus system is entirely contrast detect, most of the target audience of this camera will be focused primarily on slow-moving scenes like landscapes and architecture, or potentially studio photography as well.

Here are the camera’s most important specifications:

• Mirrorless camera with 43.8 × 32.9 mm sensor (4 × 3 aspect ratio)
• Resolution: 51.4 megapixels (8256 × 6192)
• ISO range: 100-12,800 (expandable to 50-102,400)
• Autofocus System: Contrast Detect
• Maximum frame rate: 3 FPS
• Memory: 2x SD cards, UHS-II compatible
• Metering: 256 zone, on-sensor metering
• LCD: 3.2 inch touchscreen, tilting
• LCD Resolution: 2.36 million dot
• EVF: 3.69 million dot, 0.77× magnification
• Video: 1080p, 30 FPS maximum
• Connectivity: Bluetooth
• Weight: 775g
• Size: 161 × 97 × 66mm
• Price: $4500

Although this camera clearly has a more limited audience than something like the Nikon Z7 or Sony A7R III – not just because of the extra price – the high quality medium format sensor at an unusually low price is sure to turn heads. The weight of the GFX 50R is also 145 grams (1/3 pound) lighter than the GFX 50S, and only 100 grams (0.22 pounds) heavier than the Nikon Z7.

Compared to the GFX 50S, aside from differences in weight, the GFX 50R has a few ergonomic differences: a smaller grip, no direction pad, and a tilt screen that only tilts up (rather than both up or to the side). Beyond the design, the two cameras are very similar in feature set, with the most noteworthy difference being the addition of bluetooth and the removal of a dedicated headphone and microphone jack on the GFX 50R.

Press Release

Below is Fuji’s official press release:

Fujifilm launches new GFX Series medium format mirrorless digital camera “FUJIFILM GFX 50R”

– Incorporates a large sensor approximately 1.7 times the size of full-size 35mm image sensor
-New model with a rangefinder style design, a lightweight 775g* body and easy operability
-Produces ultra-high image quality with 51.4 million pixel sensor, ideal for both snapshots and portraits

September 25, 2018
FUJIFILM Corporation (President: Kenji Sukeno) launches a rangefinder style GFX 50R as the latest model in the GFX Series of medium format mirrorless digital cameras incorporating a large sensor approximately 1.7 times the size of a full-size 35mm image sensor** (43.8mm x 32.9mm.) The GFX 50R will be released in November 2018.

The GFX 50R produces ultra-high image quality by incorporating Fujifilm G Format Image Sensor with 51.4 million pixels, high-speed image processing engine X-Processor Pro, the high resolution FUJINON GF Lens, and Fujifilm’s proprietary color reproduction technology accumulated for more than 80 years. Its lightweight and compact body – minimum width of 46mm and a weight of 775g* – makes GFX 50R an ideal tool for snapshots, documentary photographs and portraits.

Fujifilm introduced the GFX 50S as the first camera in the GFX Series in February 2017. With its compact, lightweight body and center viewfinder style, the GFX 50S proved popular among professional and high amateur photographers impressed with its image quality and mobility. While maintaining the same ultra-high image quality as the GFX 50S, the GFX 50R caters to the needs of photographers who wish to use a camera designed with a compact lightweight body and simple operability like a traditional film camera with the rangefinder style.

1. Ultra-high image quality produced by the 51.4 million pixel medium format size G Format sensor and the high-speed image processing engine X-Processor Pro
   • The GFX 50R uses a G Format sensor, a medium format sensor with approximately 1.7 times the area of a full size 35mm sensor which can detects more light per pixel. The sensor achieves high image quality of 51.40 million pixels, while also providing the user with excellent sensitivity and wide range tone reproduction to produce ultra-high quality images.
   • Its image processing engine is the well-received X-Processor Pro, which is used with X Series digital cameras with APS-C size sensors***. It also incorporates Fujifilm’s unique “Film Simulation” mode, which allows photographers to enjoy color reproduction of photographic films such as PROVIA, Velvia and ACROS used by professional photographers and hobbyists with traditional medium format cameras.
2. Rangefinder style design, with a minimum width of 46mm, and light compact body weighing just 775g, provides superior mobility
   • Weighing just 775g, 145g lighter*4 than the GFX 50S, and with a body reduced to just 46mm in thickness at its narrowest part, the camera is easy to carry around and store, and also achieves superior mobility.
   • The camera uses the rangefinder style, which the photographer can look through the viewfinder with their right eye while seeing the subject with their left eye, an approach that helps the photographer shoot while taking in the atmosphere of their chosen scene.
   • The electronic viewfinder has a magnification of 0.77, and uses a high resolution 3.69 million dot organic EL panel. Accurate focusing is also possible even when shooting with the large sensor for medium format size, which has a shallower depth of field than the 35mm full-size sensor.
3. Combination of extreme toughness with simple operability to meet the needs of professional photographers
   • It includes a Focus Lever, the popular feature of X Series models, which provides instantaneous control of the focus point while letting the photographer to maintain a firm hold on the camera. The upper surface of the body includes both shutter speed and exposure control dials for simple operability. In addition, the dials made of aluminum give the camera a classy touch, while enabling a smooth click when they are rotated.
   • Its strong magnesium alloy body is sealed in 64 different places to provide dust and weather resistant, and it is also capable of operating in environments as cold as -10°C. Its tough, durable body meets the needs of professional photographers.
4. Supports photographers with diverse range of shooting styles with rich lineup of interchangeable lenses and compatible to various software
   • It can be used in a wide variety of scenes together with all of the 11 FUJINON GF interchangeable lenses included in the new development roadmap announced today, which cover a range of focal distances from 23 mm (equivalent to 18mm in the 35mm film format) to 350 mm (equivalent to 277mm in the 35mm film format). In addition, all of the Fujifilm GF lens are equipped with a resolution sufficient to handle 100 million pixel sensors and are designed for an extremely wide range of usage conditions, through dust and weather resistant, and capable of operating in environments as cold as -10°C, ensuring the camera can withstand the harsh conditions faced by professional photographers.
   • It is also fully compatible with tether shooting software, an indispensable tool for professional photographers, including HS-V4 for Windows and the Tethered Shooting Plug-In PRO for Adobe® Photoshop® Lightroom®. The camera is also compatible with Capture One Pro FUJIFILM*5. This allows photographers to harness the camera for various shooting techniques in the studio, adapting it to various workflow categories.
5. First Bluetooth® compatible camera in the GFX series provides improved connectivity
   • The GFX 50R is the first camera in the GFX Series to include Bluetooth® low-energy technology. Photographers can use the FUJIFILM Camera Remote application for use with smartphones or tablets in order to send images quickly and easily to a device registered in advance with the camera using the pairing feature.
6. Expanded 35mm format mode meets a broad range of user needs
   • The 35mm format mode which records only the central portion of the sensor (36.0mm x 24.0mm; equivalent to approximately 30 million pixels) can now be used with a FUJINON GF lens or the interchangeable SUPER EBC FUJINON HC lens for medium format film cameras, The 35mm format mode works well with the FUJINON GF Lens, which shows extremely strong optical performance, providing a brighter image while keeping high resolution even in corners.
   • The 35 mm format mode and other new functions will also be available for the GFX 50S users following firmware updates*6.

* Camera weight when shooting (includes attached battery and memory card)
** 36mm x 24mm size image sensor
*** 23.6mm x 15.6mm size image sensor
*4 Comparison with GFX 50S when using EVF
*5 Image software distributed by Phase One. For further details, please see the Phase One website.
*6 Scheduled for release in October 2018. Functionality including the LCD/EVF can be added to the GFX 50S.
1. Product, release date, price
Product name：Digital camera FUJIFILM GFX 50R
Release date: November 2018

Intrepid, the creators of the wooden 4×5 large format camera have now announced their new 4×5 enlarger. It mounts to the top of a tripod and is designed to be used in conjunction with the 4×5 large format camera you already own. This brings the cost down to a ridiculous £119 (~$155). It launched on Kickstarter yesterday and it’s already 300% funded.

An enlarger for 4×5 negatives typically starts running into the high hundreds of not thousands of dollars. They’re also generally wall mounted and take up a whole lot of space. The modular design of this one, though, means that it requires very little space to do what you need and is easily packed away when you’re not using it.

Essentially, it’s an LED lit back which goes onto any Graflok 4×5 camera, turning it into a projector, rather than a collector, of light. Kits also include a programmable timer to accurately control exposure, swappable carriers for your negatives, a multigrade filter holder and a lens board to attach your enlarger lens.

The enlarger lens isn’t included. You’ll have to source that yourself – or perhaps you can use a regular 4×5 lens that you already own. You’ll also need either a tripod or copy stand to mount everything on so that it can point at the paper on which you wish to print your image.

You can also just use the back as a regular lightbox for photographing your negatives and transparencies with a DSLR or mirrorless camera.

For printing, it works just as any other enlarger would in the darkroom. Simply load up your negative, turn it on to expose the paper for a set amount of time (if you’ve never done it before, you might want to google how to make test strips), and then develop the paper as normal.

For scanning, you just need somewhere to lay down the box and point a camera at it. This, again, can easily be done with a tripod or copy stand onto which you mount your camera.

The concept of it is brilliant, and it sure looks like a whole lot less hassle than a “real” 4×5 enlarger.

If you want to back the project and get one of your own, then head on over to their Kickstarter. Pledges start at £119 (~$155) for the basic enlarger kit with the light source and negative carrier or £169 (~$220) for the light source, negative carrier, timer, filter holder and lens board.

August 27, 2018

Pets are members of the family — squirmy, energetic, over-eager members of the family that often can’t sit still and turn into a massive blur on camera. Pets make some of the most stunning family photos, but, frankly, the same nuances that allow them to wiggle their way into our hearts also makes them difficult to photograph. Pet photography is a mix of portrait photography, sports photography and child photography all rolled into one — but you don’t have to become an expert on each one (or become a professional pet photographer) to learn how to take better images of pets with a few pet photography tips.

As a portrait photographer (and mom to one dog, one cat and three fish), the toughest family photo shoots I’ve shot involve both a dog and a toddler in the same photo because getting both to sit still at the same exact time borders on impossible. But after having both (toddler and furry friends) of my own, I’ve found a few different ways to make those shots happen. Here are a few pet photography tips to capture more fur and less blur.

Whether you are looking to grow your pet photography client base, add a unique offering or simply test new techniques, internationally-renowned photographer Kelly Brown and Jade Schofield can show you how to photograph those adorable puppies.

Use treats and toys.

The trickiest part of animal photography is that pets don’t understand posing instructions like other subject matter.  A few treats and favorite toys can go a long way in getting pets to stay put or look in a certain direction. A dog that’s been trained to sit and stay, in particular, will be much easier to work with when he’s eager to listen for that treat. Food bribes can work with other critters too since even untrained pets will often look towards the smell of that treat. (If you’re shooting images of a pet that you don’t own, always ask the owner for permission before offering any food).

Pets don’t have to be sitting still to get great shots, however — and that’s where a favorite toy comes in. Using some of the same camera settings you’d use for sports photography (more on that coming up), you can freeze a game of fetch or the attack on that stuffed mouse. Also, consider asking the pet owner what the animal’s favorite words are so you know what to say to get the pet’s attention.

Be patient.

Just like when photographing toddlers or newborns, sometimes, waiting until that cute but cranky subject is in a better mood can go a long way. When photographing your own pet, it often pays off to just keep the camera ready and wait. Don’t try to force your pet to sit still if you’ve just walked in the door and he’s eager to see you, or if she just woke up and is ready to stretch her legs. Wait for a calmer moment.

Professionals photographing a family that brought a pet along for a scheduled photo session might not have that same luxury — but there’s still a few things you can do. In animal photography, you’ll quickly discover that most pets are energetic or nervous when first arriving for the shoot. Have an assistant walk the animal to get some of that energy out while you get started with the family. No assistant? Ask the family ahead of time to bring along a friend that can help with the animal. Besides walking some energy out, this helper can also hold the leash when the dog isn’t in the photos.

Know the pet.

When taking a portrait, knowing who you are photographing goes a long way — and the same idea applies for pet portraits. What will make him sit still? What makes her look your way? What unusual quirks could you capture on camera? Does the owner want to capture the fluffy under belly or a more obedient image of the pet? If you’re photographing a pet that’s not your own, talk with the owner ahead of time to get an understanding of that critter’s temperament and plan accordingly. Don’t, for example, schedule a family photo shoot in front of the lake with a Labrador Retriever that loves swimming unless you’re looking to capture funny portraits of wet dogs. Find out what treats and toys to bring ahead of time as well to help form a more immediate special bond. Know how to bond with the pet because ultimately, the most adorable photos reveal the true character of the animal soul.

Find a window — or just walk outside.

Unless you’re already familiar with portrait studio lighting, the best images are often right outside the door — or window. Natural light is the easiest to work with for newbies to pet photography. When heading outside, look for a spot of full shade to prevent awkward shadows. (On a cloudy day, this soft, shady light is everywhere).

Not heading outside? Find a window instead. A large window that’s not directly facing the sun will work best. Window light creates softer light and has a tendency to bring out the sparkle in that pet’s eye much better than artificial overhead lights can.

Use a fast shutter speed, continuous focus, and burst mode.

Here’s where the sports photography comes in. Since many pets have a hard time sitting still, use a fast shutter speed. Set your camera to shutter priority mode or manual mode and use a shutter speed of at least 1/250 if possible, and even faster for action shots of a game of fetch. Turning the burst mode on will take a sequence of fast shots to up the odds of getting a perfectly-timed shot. Prevent soft images by using continuous autofocus mode, not single.

Shoot from their eye level, not your own.

Portraits are all about the eyes — even when that portrait subject isn’t a person. While there are a few exceptions, getting down on the animal’s eye level will create more personal pet portraits, as it brings out unique personalities and highlights a more intimate perspective. If you shoot from your eye level, the pet will look smaller and it will be harder to look into Fido’s eyes in the shot.

To really make those puppy dog eyes pop, make sure the camera focuses on the eyes by using single point autofocus area and moving the focal point over one of the pet’s eyes. Using natural light like a window also tends to make the eyes sparkle without risking red eye.

Whether you are looking to grow your pet photography client base, add a unique offering or simply test new techniques, internationally-renowned photographer Kelly Brown and Jade Schofield can show you how to photograph those adorable puppies.

Work in play and interaction.

If Fido never sits still, why try photographing him that way every time? While still pet portraits have their place, mix it up by capturing the animal at play. Capture a dog playing fetch, digging, rolling, playing — or giving a family member kisses. Try photographing a cat watching raindrops out the window, playing with a toy, or trying to fit in that too-small box.

Animal subjects are one of the most difficult to get in pictures — but borrowing a few helpful tips from sports and portrait photographers allows for sharp pet photos full of personality. With camera settings designed for moving subjects, the right light, some treats and a few other pet photography tips, capturing pets on camera becomes less challenging — and more fun.

Whether you are looking to grow your pet photography client base, add a unique offering or simply test new techniques, internationally-renowned photographer Kelly Brown and Jade Schofield can show you how to photograph those adorable puppies.