STORYTELLING IN ZANZIBAR WITH THE FUJIFILM GFX100RF By Lee-Ann Olwage
I took Fujifilm’s new GFX100RF large format camera to the island of Zanzibar to continue my long-term project “Mwani” about a group of female seaweed farmers. Located just off the coast of Tanzania in East Africa, Zanzibar bursts with colour and texture. Alongside the GFX100RF, I spent my days waist high in the ocean with the women who were rhythmically farming seaweed according to the tides.
“Compact” and “lightweight” are not words synonymous with large format cameras. Until now. The GFX100RF is small enough to carry with me all the time, yet still offers a large format sensor for immaculate details. From my experience, the image quality is incredible, resulting in crisp images that feel true to life and filled with cinematic richness. The camera has helped me to create photographs that truly reflect this vibrant island.
The GFX100RF fitted perfectly for this new chapter of this project, since it allowed me to explore new storytelling techniques through the various features the camera offers. I’m a firm believer there has to be a synergy between the photographer and the camera. It’s hard to quantify this, but there must be a connection. With the GFX100RF, Fujifilm perfectly blends a deep respect for the history of photography with large format innovation, resulting in a beautiful cutting-edge camera.
COMPACT AND WORKING FOR ME
When I think about what I look for in a camera, I like to think of it as a partnership. I want to tell beautiful stories, and I want to do that with a partner who is going to give me all the tools I need to tell a good story.
Indeed, the compact nature of the GFX100RF made new environments accessible, places where usual medium format cameras are simply too large and cumbersome for. Kitted with the GFX100RF, I trekked through parts of Zanzibar’s jungle and explored secrete mangrove tunnels in order to get a better understanding of the island’s identity and the coastal communities who call this place home. For this portability, I see the GFX100RF as highly suitable for photography, photojournalism and portraiture.
It’s also easy to fall in love with the aesthetic quality and design of GFX100RF and the way I feel when carrying it. The camera has a distinct identity that appeals to me. When I choose to engage in conversation with people, it slips gently to my side. Once I sense that people are comfortable with my presence it’s quick and easy to go from carrying it on my body to photographing.
My photography has taken me to a variety of locations ranging from dusty deserts to extremely humid coastal areas. I like to immerse myself in the environment I’m working in and always finish the day off covered in dust, mud or rain. The GFX100RF’s weather sealed body and lens give me the confidence that my camera will go as far as I can to get the story. Whether I’m waist high in water or trekking through the jungle, I want to trust my equipment and know that it can handle any situation. And the GFX100RF enables me to capture any story, anywhere.
When I tell these stories I want to make beautiful pictures. Coming from a filmmaking background, I’m always looking for interesting colours, textures and light to create cinematic images. The more I used the GFX100RF, the more I found myself in love with the world of colour it allows me to create in. Historically, Fujifilm understands colour science, having created iconic film stock such as PROVIA, Velvia and ACROS. It’s this history that has resulted in a camera that provides a rich colour palette and perfect skin tones. The onboard Film Simulations make it easy to choose from different rich colour styles and cut post-production time down tremendously.
I really enjoy how user-friendly the GFX system is. I want my gear to work for me and the menus to be intuitive to create an easy workflow. The camera’s dials make it quick to change the camera settings to adapt to any situation.
For example, the new aspect ratio dial on top of the GFX100RF is a great storytelling tool. I have always loved analogue photography and the various camera formats provide a creative tool for intentional storytelling. It’s a huge plus to be able to compose your images in the various aspect ratios in camera as opposed to doing it in the edit. This way, you can consider your composition beforehand. It’s one of my favourite features, mixing well known analogue aspects with cinema aspects; a great combination of the best storytelling tools we have come to know throughout the history of photography and cinema.
Since I have a fondness for dramatic light, I’m always looking to play with shadows and highlights to create images that convey a feeling. This is why I enjoyed the exposure compensation dial that makes for quick changes when shooting silhouettes or backlit subject matter.
While it has a fixed 28mm equivalent lens in 35mm format, the digital teleconverter gives me the option of creating images through three more focal lengths: 36mm, 50mm and 63 mm in 35mm format equivalent (45 mm, 63 mm, 80mm at the GF lens equivalent).
This enabled me to create portraits, landscapes and detail shots to create a well-rounded story for my project.
A PARTNER, A PARTICIPANT
I love that moment when the people I photograph become active participants in the creation of their images. When they begin to take ownership of their story and guide me to create images they feel are affirming of their identity. Working with a smaller camera people tend to feel more comfortable and the GFX100RF makes it easy to photograph in intimate spaces such as home environments. Once initial barriers are broken down, the story evolves as people feel more comfortable around you.
My cameras have become my storytelling companions. I look for a system that is going to work for me as a photojournalist and then tend to stick to it. Some cameras have all the right features but lack that special connection. I want to feel something when I pick up a camera; it can’t just be functional, it needs to be well designed and complement my identity as a storyteller. From the moment I picked up the GFX100RF, I was in love with the beautiful design and the way I felt when carrying it.
All my work is done over long periods of time. I love going back to places over several years and seeing how the story evolves. People and places are dynamic and always changing. I want to be there as that happens. And a lot of the time, I find that I grow with the stories I tell. My storytelling style is based on long-term partnerships and that is what I have come to look for in a camera brand. With the GFX100RF, Fujifilm has shown up and is meeting me where I need them to.
