2020.03.04

9 questions with Fujifilm X-Photographer, Ivan Joshua Loh

This is the 4th of a series of interviews with the Fujifilm X-Photographers of Singapore. Fujifilm X-Photographers are all professionals working in partnership with the brand and users as ambassadors who bring a breadth of knowledge and vision to the brand across multiple photography genres.

                                                                                                         
Ivan Joshua Loh – Fujifilm X-Photographer

 

Ivan started shooting since his teenage years with his father’s Nikon SLR and he hasn’t looked back since, and it is always heartwarming to see this gentleman sharing his joy of photography with his daughter, Summer.

He has lensed campaigns for clients such as Singapore Airlines, MTV Asia, Nike, Bossini, Nanyang Technological University, Caltex, Ascendas-Singbridge group, Allianz Insurance, Manulife Insurance, HSBC Insurance, DHL. TNT, UOB, CAAS, Hilton Group, Intercontinental Hotel Group, Raffles Hotel, Fujifilm, Carlson, TATA Communication, INCOME, GIC, HDB, Clarke Quay, HOT FM 91.3, Kiss 92FM, JIA 88.3, Power 98, and CHIMJES and his editorial work has appeared in magazines such as Home+Living, TopGear Singapore, Her World, Cleo.

His works have also glossed the pages of international magazines such as Conde Nast, Quattroruote, Asian Photography and Digital Photography (UK). In short, Ivan is a very accomplished and talented photographer with a sense of humility that impresses.

I had the opportunity to talk to Ivan, a dear friend and here are 9 questions that seek to provide a deeper understanding of this gentleman and his vision.

 

The Interview

What does ‘photography’ mean to you?

Wow! I hope the following questions are not as profound as this. Photography is my life. Except it has four corners.

Share a word or short phrase that best describes your photography style?

Quirky. (ok, the interviewer totally agrees to this) but when the situation requires it, Ivan is as serious and professional as it gets. Unlike some professionals who rely heavily on post-processing to get the desired image, I prefer getting everything right in camera when I photograph.

Share which is your favorite Fujifilm camera and why?

Actually, there is a professional and a personal favorite for me. The Fujifilm GFX 50S will be my professional favorite. I love the excellent image quality and ease of use whether is it the handling or the malleability of files, both of which are of paramount importance to me as a professional.

The other, my favorite daily camera is the sexy Fujifilm X100F. This camera is special in every way to me. It’s truly stylish, really quiet, comes with a built-in ND filter, an amazing hybrid viewfinder and houses a leaf shutter. What more could I ask for? Er, maybe two more I hope to see in the next iteration of the X100F, weather-resistant capabilities and a tilt screen, hahaha.

Share one quirk or characteristic about you that others don’t know

I do have a habit of bringing 5 cameras for work, and that is why you always see me handling a suitcase of equipment during shoots. Include the lighting equipment I work with, and you see me having to drive a car to be able to get to the location.

Why 5 cameras? One main camera, one back-up, one for snapping behind the scene images like an X100F, another which is the Fujifilm X70 for selfies and lastly an Instax camera to give a print or two to nice clients.

How do you improve yourself as a photographer? OR Who/What has inspired your vision?

I am always an advocate for shooting a series. A piece of advice I give is not to believe in the miracle of the ‘one-shot wonder’. I will always have a theme and try to finish a series based on that specific theme or concept when I indulge in photography.

Having a theme also helps one to plan before one clicks the shutter button, encouraging one to level up from photographing snapshots.

Years into photography and armed with an impressive portfolio, if you are allowed to choose only one shot that still touches your heart even today, which will it be?


Fujifilm X-PRO1 with XF35mm f1.4

It has to be this shot of a swan. This shot with the Fujifilm X-Pro1 started my journey with Fujifilm and rekindled my passion for photography back then. In fact, this was the first image with a Fujifilm camera that won me my first international award, taking the 1st place at the 2014 PX3 Prix De La Photographie Paris. 

What is the toughest part of being a professional photographer?

I guess it has to be an interview like this. Get the hint?

Being a professional photographer means navigating the negotiations, expectations of clients to put food on the table. Having no job or having two jobs request on the same day is probably one of the toughest parts as a photographer. “What should I do?” is always the question.

Which aspect of photography brings you the most joy?

Photographing people. I find the process and interactions certainly the most fun, passionate, challenging, unpredictable, occasionally scary and also rewarding at times.

What is the one thing that you really want to do next?

Try using a Leica camera. Just kidding. Gold plate the top part of my Fujifilm X-Pro1. Not kidding.

and that’s a wrap to the interview.

If you are interested in collaborating with Ivan, he can be reached at 

IG : @fujifanboys (DM)
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.pigscanfly.com