Pic(k) of the week 19: MEYDAN BRIDGE - Fujifilm GFX100S

Those of you following me on Instagram, probably noticed that I've been test-shooting a brand-new Fujifilm GFX100S recently. This +100 million pixel "More than full frame" camera, will likely win over a lot of high end DSLR shooters into the Medium format camp, lately been called "Larger than full frame" by Fujifilm.

Although plenty fast when it comes to auto-focus, the camera is not meant to be your high end sports camera. For me it really shines in the Documentary / Architectural / Landscape field. Needless to say that it will also do great in the advertising and fashion world. I personally would also love to test it for some Aerial photography. 

Over the years the Meydan bridge, sometimes referred to as the "blue bridge", at the Dubai horserace track, has become very popular with outdoor photographers and fancy car owners. As it had been several years since I last visited the spot, it was a perfect place to test the GFX100S for some architectural work. I pretty much arrived at the same time as another fellow photographer just before sunset. It was great to see how one can share a single location while fully respecting each others photographic plans. One of the shots I liked most can be found here. It is a classic image most people make when visiting the Meydan bridge but was pretty happy with how it came out. 

Hoping for more dramatic skies the next evening, I made a second visit. Not only were the skies even more monotone than the day before, there must have been at least 10-12 people posing next to their sports cars, when I arrived... Time to come up with some more original images of the interesting lines and shapes. 

The image below was shot from the other side of the bridge, a place most photographers never even visit. I strongly believe going off the beaten track which often proofs to be valuable for more interesting photography. Especially once one has already made the "classic postcard image". 

Image details:

  • Fujifilm GFX100S with the GF32-64 f4 lens
  • ISO 800, f22, 4sec, 59mm 
  • Lightroom CC for RAW development
  • DxO Color Efex Pro 4 for optimal contrast 
Although the camera has a great IBIS (In Body Image Stabilization) system, I did shoot the image using my trusty LeoFoto tripod for the best image quality.

The star effect of the lights is obtained by shooting at a small f22 aperture. The image was shot at the native 4:3 aspect ratio which is not as wide as the standard 3:2 ratio most digital cameras have today. Interestingly enough is that most mobile phones shoot natively in 4:3 aspect ratio as well. 

Although I rarely need the ultra large resolution of the GFX100S (and GFX100), it allows one to use some specific non-native aspects ratios. All the way from square to 64 by 24 panoramic image format. More about this in a future Pic(k) of the week! 

Lastly please check out my "ARCHITECTURAL DUBAI" gallery for more interesting images of the city I've called home since 2002!

Remember: “Don't burn your bridges until you've built better ones." - Matshona Dhliwayo







Comments

Post a Comment