Heightened Backdrops | FUJIFILM Exposure Center – USA

6 minute read

Heightened Backdrops

Bryan Minear discusses his awe-inspiring landscape images - crafted with the latest addition to our X-Series line-up

Few photographers can encapsulate the reverence and astonishment tethered to the act of stargazing – or the quiet, humbling sensation of marveling at nature’s finest works. Spread across blankets of black and endless, sprawling vistas, Bryan Minear’s images arrest and seize. A selection of immense landscapes and interstellar portraits, they remind us of that childlike wonder we’re all so quick to dismiss, yet know intuitively when we see first-hand.

“I’m an eighties kid. Growing up, everyone I knew wanted to be an astronaut. I was no exception,” he begins, explaining his preoccupation with both the cosmic and worldly. “When I was 17, I had an autoimmune deficiency. In order to qualify, you have to be in peak physical shape. Obviously, I came up short. I guess photographing the moon and the stars is my way of vicariously living out that fantasy.”

Swapping lift-off for lenses, Bryan also speaks candidly about his other passion – the desire to document the grandeur of extensive landscapes. “I guess it’s a weird one to try and articulate. When you’re driving around a place like Utah, you can see for hundreds of miles. Everything changes in those moments. Your perception of space is completely altered… it’s like the world opens itself up to you, and that’s quite a sensation to behold.”

Sunset beyond vast canyon

Photo 2021 © Bryan Minear | FUJIFILM X-T30 II and XF10-24mmF4 R OIS WR, 1/15 sec at F11, ISO 160

Based in his native Michigan, Bryan currently works full-time as a graphic designer. Integrating aspects of his nine-to-five into the images he creates, he’s cultivated an individual outlook, positioning himself as a distinct voice amongst contemporaries. Embracing the breadth and range of America’s terrain has enabled his images to be diverse, without the need for unnecessary travel. “Where I live, you’re able to get something entirely new every quarter. The light hits differently, the environment changes. Traveling on an international scale is awesome, but there’s something to be said about the American landscape and its variability. I used X-T30 II to make images of deserts, forests, and beautiful rock formations – all in one state (Utah). This country has a crazy variety of opportunities to take advantage of.”

Championing augmentation and post-processing, Bryan’s photos cut through an oversaturated sphere with verve and flair. “These days, everybody’s on Instagram taking photos. I’m trying to bring some originality to that world. I like to think my background gives a unique approach to my photography, as well as my editing style and color palette,” he explains. “I’m trying to uncover the atmosphere or emotion of a particular location. A lot of it comes down to timing and conditions, but I’m always striving to fashion something that’s different.”

Moving away from the consensus, Bryan goes on to discuss his support for image enhancement, and how it can ultimately enrich the quality of an exposure. “I have a lot of respect for photographers who can capture a moment and operate in the ‘traditional’ sense, but for me, I’m more interested in time blends. I’ll take a time-lapse and choose my favorite moments to merge in post, using exposure bracketing to create that effect. It’s the closest I’ll ever get to feeling like I’m creating a painting, or something ethereal. X-T30 II has helped turn that aim into a reality.”

With this camera, Bryan has discovered his one-stop shop: it’s got everything he needs to reinforce this objective. “The sensor on X-T30 II is fabulous, especially when it comes to dynamic range and color. That’s always been my biggest draw to Fujifilm. One of the things that helps me most is the higher-resolution LCD, and the faded look of the film simulations. It helps me identify what I can build on, and how to create a powerful final image. Having that high-quality preview facilitates that process of visualization.”

Weighing a mere 378g, X-T30 II is a small yet powerful addition to the FUJIFILM X Series. On the surface, one might suspect the camera lacks the power and functionality of some larger models, but this is something Bryan is quick to dispel. “My primary body is GFX100S, but I genuinely think X-T30 II will become the backup to my large format, if only for the compactness. It fits snugly in my bag. It’s a great everyday carry-camera when you’re looking to document moment-to-moment images, but it can also compete with the bigger models.”

It’s not just portability that suits Bryan either. Utilizing the camera to create photos of the cosmos, he lauds the way in which the focus sensitivity copes with darker conditions, as well as the niche requirements of his planetary photography. “When it comes to stars, I normally use manual focus. I think it’s crazy that FUJIFILM cameras can autofocus on stars. Of course, it’s super useful when there isn’t an abundance of light and X-T30 II is even better than before. It also works wonderfully with my star tracker, as it doesn’t exceed the maximum weight limit! Put simply, it’s an amazing piece of kit. I’m so happy with its overall performance.”

Though he focuses most of his energy on crafting the meticulous formations of a landscape, Bryan doesn’t shy away from spontaneity, especially when it’s warranted. “X-T30 II is definitely faster than the previous model. As a landscape photographer, I’m not constantly using speedy autofocus, but there are certain instances where it’s absolutely needed,” he notes. “I don’t tend to photograph wildlife, but I do try to engage with it if the opportunity presents itself. At one point during this shoot, we were at a lookout point in southern Utah, and this tiny chipmunk was loitering around us. I’d accidentally knocked over a can of beer, which created a puddle near the rocks. The chipmunk found it and started drinking! In fleeting moments like those, I could tell there had been an improvement. When you need to be snappy, the new processor and autofocus features come in handy.”

Chipmunk drinking small pool of water on rocks

Photo 2021 © Bryan Minear | FUJIFILM X-T30 II and XF70-300mmF4-5.6 R LM OIS WR, 1/140 sec at F5.6, ISO 160

Amalgamation may be the most distinguishing feature of Bryan’s work. “When I first started photographing landscapes, I wanted to be as wide as I possibly could with my lens choices, to encapsulate the scope of the world. When I swapped over to telephoto lenses, I learned how to compress layers together, and the results fascinated me,” he explains. “You can squash huge distances together within the same frame. One time, I was photographing sand dunes in conjunction with the sun: the resulting image negated the distance between the two things and made them whole. The equation between both elements of space was something I was really drawn to.”

Homing in on emergent moments, Bryan’s photographs embody optimism, as transition is placed front and center. These are images in flux: compound landscapes that encompass multiple moments in time as they bleed and blend together. “I just adore cloud formations. When the sun lights up and clouds gain new colors and contours… it’s indescribable. There’s something about the sense of potential and hope contained within those images. After the chaos of the last 18 months, it’s oddly reassuring.”

FUJIFILM X-T30 II is coming soon to your nearest Fujifilm Authorized Dealer.


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