This last Sunday evening I attended a photowalk in Tempe, Arizona, hosted by Skylum Luminar and sponsored by Fujifilm. I thought it might be an opportunity to chat with some other Fujifilm photographers, and an excuse to photograph at Tempe Town Lake, the location of the photowalk. I had hopes that a Fujifilm representative would be in attendance, but, alas, nobody from Fujifilm was there. It was more of a Luminar photowalk than Fujifilm, which I suspected would be the case, but I attended anyway. Any excuse to get out with your camera and photograph is a good one.
I arrived about ten minutes late, and noticed a large group of photographers circled together, so that’s where I walked. Just before I got there, I saw a puddle of water (it had just recently rained), which had a cool reflection of a building and bridge. I snapped a picture (Gen Reflection, below), then joined the group. I showed the picture on the camera to a couple of photographers who were nearby, pointing to them where I captured the image, but they didn’t appear especially interested. Altogether, I estimate that there were between 35 and 40 people in attendance.
One thing that surprised me was just how many non-Fujifilm photographers there were. I saw a lot of Nikon and Canon cameras, plus a few Sonys. Perhaps only half (or maybe even less than half) of those attending had a Fujifilm model; the X-T0 series was, by far, the most represented. It seemed that most people had a tripod. I even saw several people with two tripods, although I never noticed anyone using two at once. I brought with me a Fujifilm X-E4, and two Fujinon lenses: 27mm f/2.8 and 90mm f/2. No tripod, no problem; even without IBIS.
I’m sure that almost no one who was in attendance uses Film Simulation Recipes. After all, this was hosted by a photo-editing software company, which is probably off the radar of many SOOC photographers. I did talk with one person, Anna, who had a Fujifilm X100V, and was shooting with my Kodak Portra 400 v2 Recipe. It was super nice to meet her and talk Fujifilm, and it made the experience much more enjoyable. I struck up conversations with several other people, but, for the most part, they didn’t seem much interested in talking.
At sunset, while capturing an image of a pedestrian bridge that crosses the lake, I noticed a couple on bicycles that seemed to be having a moment. While they are small in the frame, they play an important role in the composition, and elevate the picture significantly. Right after I made the exposure (Pedestrian Bridge, towards the bottom of this article), they got on their bikes and pedaled down the path towards me, so I ran up to meet them. I showed them the picture and asked if they wanted a copy, which they did, so I quickly uploaded it from my camera to my iPhone, then airdropped it to them right then and there. It only took a moment, and they seemed thrilled to have it. They were surprised that it was even possible to get a picture that looked “so nice” right off the camera that quickly. The advantage of using Recipes couldn’t have been more clear to me at that very moment.
I don’t know very much about Luminar software. I’m sure it’s excellent at whatever unique things that it does. The folks who hosted the event were quite nice, and I appreciated the opportunity to photograph with them at Tempe Town Lake. I used three different Film Simulation Recipes, all of which are yet-to-be-published that are coming soon. Check back in the coming weeks, because it won’t be long before they’re ready for you to try. In the meantime, I hope that you enjoy these pictures from the photowalk!
See also: Central Coast of California “En Plein Air” — w/Ken Rockwell & Dave Wyman
I was stuck in traffic sorry I didn’t bet to meet you!
Maybe one day
All the best
Traffic was terrible (that’s why I was late), and parking was worse. I’m hoping to do a Fuji X Weekly event at some point this year, so perhaps that will work out for you. 😀
I signed up for one in Minneapolis/St. Paul later this month. I hope it will feature more Fuji shooters and more people willing to engage in conversation and/or networking. I have a fairly recent copy of Luminar but it’s not really my bag because I like natural looking pictures, and Luminar seems to be all about adding bold skies that weren’t there in the first place.
I have the X-T5 and the X100V. I’ve taken some very nice night photography with the X100V (that leaf shutter goes down pretty low if you have a steady hand, and ISO 12800 is just fine for neon), but I might take the X-T5 anyway, seeing as there was some dusk shooting going on. What I don’t need is a tripod, much less two of ’em! (And if were planning any multi-second exposures I’d bring my Peak Design carbon fiber one.)
BTW I lived in the East Valley for over 30 years and part of that time in Tempe, so it was nice to see some pictures of “back home”. Looking forward to the published recipe, it looks really nice 🙂
The picture “Night Lake” was 0.4 seconds. No tripod, no IBIS. You pick up little tricks along the way, I think. Can’t imagine carrying two tripods! But some people were….
Thanks for the comment. I hope your photowalk is a lot of fun!
Well Ritchie, I’m quite sorry to read that not a lot of the attendees wanted to engage in conversations… A pitty but ‘it unusual though. On many photography events I participated I’ve got nearly the same experience.
Much less thought when they are ‘pure’ Fujifilm events and I engaged conversations on Fujifilm hardware usage (more so how to stuff) with new fujifilm owner (I always keen to spread the vibe of using a Fujifilm camera) or around SOOC only shooting and film simulation recipies (still quite an unusual conversation for many many people which also to advocate).
But still such exchanges are never very long during the event.
All are focusing on their photography and private experience. Not really open…
I end up though to get few connexions… Less easy now to keep track as I close my Instagram account…
One thing sure, is that if we were living in the same continent / country and attending the same event, I will engage for sure with you Ritchie a hell of an extra very very long conversation that would way outrun the event!
We have so much to discuss if we were able to meet! And way outside Fujifilm stuff / field as for exemple you shoot films, etc…
Cheers.
You know, I think if they had some icebreakers, that would have gone a long ways. I think people “wanted” to talk, but they were maybe too shy, or talking with strangers is just an awkward thing. It was a good learning experience, I think.
Indeed and always a good learning experience…
Nice shots by the way with the X-E4 (great little camera which I like a lot to use), especially the nightshot one named “Studio”. No tripod / No IBIS.
Good philosophy which I fully share: SOOC + everything handheld (but then IBIS is must have for me and my age, hence why I migrated from the excellent X100V to VI).
By the way the 90mm is not too bulky / heavy to use on the X-E4? The balance is still good for you? I’m curious of your feedback.
The 90mm doesn’t balance well on the X-E4, but for short spurts it’s not too bad to deal with. Love the lens, makes it worthwhile.
I appreciate all of your kindness! 😀
Hey Ritchie sounds like you went more for the camaraderie but didn’t get that. IMO based on observation, when encountering photogs in the wild who are sporting big DSLR’s and lenses and tripods, majority of them turn out to be gear/gas heads like us, but tend to be less creative and fun. I find those photogs with the big expensive telephotos to be the least friendliest. A few times I’ve asked a photographer with a big dslr to take a photo of me and friends with my mirrorless, and they seem clueless how to use it. I feel like photogs who use mirrorless will tend to be more fun and creative (especially the retro inspired cameras) as they’re not caught up in the idea that mirrorless are inferior because they’re not full frame etc. Also, I think the size of ml will tend to push people to more creativity, as they will tend to bring them more. Anyways, the random interactions I’ve had with other photographers has been due to them also using fujifilm, or analog cameras etc, and the opposite with big DSLR carrying geared out photogs. Also I think a lot of us photographers can be weird, as it’s any easy hobby to do solo. I hope you get to do a successful meet up. All the best.
Yeah, definitely wasn’t much camaraderie, which was disappointing. Hopefully next time there will be conversing, and perhaps more Fujifilm photographers…. 😀
I attended the San Diego Fuji/Luminar photo walk, and fortunately, there was a Fuji rep who had attended. Similar to your walk, many had Canon, Sony and Nikon. I brought my X-T5 (my all time favorite camera). I didn’t think to use the film sims (and some would have been glorious images had I thought of this. I shot raw, and did get images I was very happy with. Sounds like our walk had a more congenial group. I went by myself, and met many friendly photographers (whether they were pros or beginners).
Oh, good! Glad that it was a very positive experience!