2024 has been a wild ride so far, but in the best way possible.
I have so much to share with all of you. I’m sure it will take weeks to get it all out via various articles, videos, and social media content. This post is simply to lay out the backstory, and serve as a foundation to build on. There’s so much that I’ve been wanting to tell you but couldn’t; however, now I can!
In January I got a call from Fujifilm North America. They told me that they like what I’m doing and that they want to work with me in the coming year, but they weren’t yet sure what that might look like. This call was more to get the conversation started, and to make sure that I would be willing to work with them. It was a very positive experience, but I took a wait-and-see approach.
I didn’t have to wait very long, as Fujifilm sent an email in March inviting me to be a part of a global film simulation project. Specifically, they wanted me to create some pictures using Nostalgic Neg., Classic Chrome, and Astia that illustrate how those film simulations can look. They encouraged those involved in the project to use Film Simulation Recipes. Of course, for me, that was a good excuse to invent some brand-new Recipes! Nostalgic Americana, Classic Color, and Astia Azure are the three that I created and used for my photographs. Just recently, Fujifilm published a Film Simulation page on their global website, which is the first fruits of the project—you can find two of my Nostalgic Neg. pictures there. I’m sure there is more to come.
Just as soon as that project wrapped up, I received another email from Fujifilm. They wanted to send me an unreleased camera to try out. Whoa! It was such an honor, just to even be asked. Of course I said “yes” and a week later a Fujifilm X-T50 arrived at my door. I had to wait until after the X-Summit announcement before I could talk about the camera.
It took me a few days to warm up to the X-T50, and a few more days to really figure out how to use it. But, once I did, it quickly became a personal favorite camera. I love the Film Dial! Is it the perfect implementation of it? No. Is it a lot of fun and useful? Absolutely! I still have the camera in my possession, but it’s due to be returned. It’s a preproduction loaner, so I can’t keep it. I just hope, if there is a wait list, that it’s not very long.
This isn’t the end of the story in the slightest. Well before the launch, Fujifilm invited me to join them on a creator’s retreat—Camp Fujifilm, as they affectionately nicknamed it—in the Catskill Mountains of New York, followed by a rooftop X-Summit Experience event in New York City. The retreat was a new thing that Fujifilm was trying out. I didn’t know what to expect, but I knew to say yes, no matter what else I may or may not have had going on at that time. It was a drop-everything-and-be-there type of thing.
So my wife, Amanda, and I flew out of Phoenix to Newark one week ago today. We stayed a night in Brooklyn, and the next day met up with everyone. Fujifilm chartered a bus; we loaded up, and were quickly off. This was our first time in New York City, so we were incredibly excited and just in awe of everything, trying to soak it all in. But as quickly as we got there, we were out of the city and in the rural greenery of the Catskills.
I don’t want to tell anyone else’s story. But, just real briefly, there were 13 creators (including myself and Amanda), plus three Fujifilm employees, at this retreat. It was a very diverse group. There were X-Photographers, cinematographers, YouTubers, hobbyists, etc.—just a wide range of talents and experiences. There were no real expectations. It was like Fujifilm wanted to know what would happen if they just had us all meet and hang out for a few days.
I was nervous because I didn’t know anyone there. I was unsure if I was going to fit in. Even though I have a popular Fujifilm blog (and some apps), I still often feel like an outsider in the general photographic community. But I had nothing to worry about. Everyone was great and welcoming, and we had such an incredible time. I made some new friends, which alone made the whole trip worthwhile.
I won’t soon forget the early morning hike in the pouring rain with Bryan Minear plus Matt Matkin and Lotta Milde of B&H (you may have seen them on YouTube or B&H’s social channels). Tom Baumgaertel (a.k.a. bewaremyfuji) was super helpful when discussing multiple exposure photography. I feel like everyone brought something to the table, and we all learned things from each other. Amanda was surprised how many questions she was asked about social media video trends, and in turn she was able to ask questions related to recording and editing videos. It was an invaluable experience—I’m sure for everyone there, but definitely for myself and Amanda. I hope that Fujifilm does this regularly moving forward.
We returned to New York City from the Catskills on Thursday. The bus dropped us off at our Manhattan hotel, and an hour later Amanda and I strolled over to Foto Care for the X-Summit Experience. The rooftop event was super cool. I got to shake hands with some of you and briefly chat cameras, which was amazing. I met some more talented content creators—photographers and cinematographers—and made some connections.
One highlight was meeting Omar Gonzalez. He was at the event, and we got to talk a little. He had his Fujifilm X-T20 Noir camera with him. I’m a big fan, personally, so it was like meeting a favorite musician or actor or something like that. I kept telling myself to play it cool, just play it cool. Anyway, it was so great to meet him!
Afterwards, I met up with more Fujifilm people, and hung out for awhile. We ate a mustard/sauerkraut pizza at Lions & Tigers & Squares at the suggestion of Shotti—I know it sounds gross (and it’s not something I would normally even try), but it was easily an all-time top-five favorite for me. The whole trip was so surreal, but especially this day. It was like a dream, except that it actually happened. It was so great to meet everyone and make a lot of new connections.
I have a lot more to share, but this is enough for today. I want to give a big “thank you” to Fujifilm North America for loaning me the camera, inviting me out for the retreat and event, and the first-class treatment. I’m so glad that I could meet the team, and I hope that we can work together more in the future.
Whoa! I’m so happy for you Ritchie! After all those years and sometime comments about your neverbe relationship with Fujifilm, at least now ‘la mayonnaise prend’ as we say in French. Well I was no expecting this but was thinking heavily about you and potential this time real collaboration at last with Fujifilm when they launched their Film Simulation website.
Wonderful news.
And Gosh! You met Tom. I really would like be able doing so. After all my very long Instagram conversations with him and like you see how he evolved especially around multiple exposure (his nightshot and exyreme colour shots are just beautiful). I was one of the first to congratulate him on turning as a official X-Creator + see and discuss his first assignments for Fujifilm.
What a journey for both of you!
I’m very very happy for you Ritchie.
A pity though I lost track of Tom when I left and closed my Instagram account end of last year. I miss a lot our Instagram chat. But now he is quite busy. So…
Anyhow looking forward your next stories around those events and more how Fujifilm and you will decide to cooperate at last.
Many cheers.
Tom is so chill. It was a pleasure to meet him, and become friends. His photography is nothing short of incredible.
I appreciate all of your kindness and encouragement. I think Fujifilm kept the whole Recipe thing at arms length because they weren’t sure what to do with it, or if it would even last. But they’re embracing it, at least to an extent, which is so great. I’m still in disbelief of all that has happened this year. I’m afraid that I’ll wake up and it was all a dream. 🤣
What is the name of the street where everyone seems to go to to take a shot of the bridge in the opening photo? Possibly planning a trip to NYC later in the year ,probably early fall .Thanks
Wilf S
That area is called Dumbo. The Street is Washington. My wife and I were literally looking at Peter McKinnon’s photo to try and locate the spot. It was super crowded when we were there, approximately 10 am. Still epic, though.
Congratulations! Recognition at long last
I appreciate your kindness!
What a great read! Was an absolutely pleasure getting to finally meet and hang out with you.
I too was nervous about the whole
thing, but that melted away quickly and it was nice just to get to hang out with a bunch of awesome artists and creators.
Can’t wait to link up again and shoot together! (Hopefully in your neck of the woods)
It was so great to meet you, and all of the other creators! I hope that you can make it out this way, or I can make it out yours—that would be incredible.
That’s fantastic news. There couldn’t be a more deserving person to be chosen for this event. Your simulations have attracted so many people to Fujifilm. I have no doubt you’re a big part of the X100V craze.
I appreciate your kindness and encouragement!
…I am very happy for you and Amanda 😀
Thanks so much!
So glad that Fujifilm is recognizing your incredible work creating and sharing recipes as well as your other content. Well deserved!
Thank you! I appreciate your kindness!
Wow. Thanks for sharing your experience. Very happy for you and your wife. Hope there will be more future collabs.
Thanks so much! I hope so, too!
Congrats Richie! So well deserved!
I appreciate all of your kindness!
Finally the attention you deserve! Congrats richie!
Thanks so much! 😀
Imagine a combination of the Fuji-X-Weekly with the X-Raw studio.
Connect the camera via WIFI or cable to your phone and than develope the pictures with every recipe you wish and than share the image directly from phone.
That would be amazing! 😀
Great that Fuji is reaching out–I’m confident that your catalog of recipes has been beneficial to them.
“It took me a few days to warm up to the X-T50, and a few more days to really figure out how to use it. But, once I did, it quickly became a personal favorite camera. I love the Film Dial! Is it the perfect implementation of it? No. Is it a lot of fun and useful? Absolutely!”
I really feel like there’s a lot more potential to the film dial than the kneejerk internet comments would suggest. It doesn’t do the same thing that a custom Fx1 button set to the presets C1-C7 does, so it was immediately dismissed. But it really seems like with practice and use, it expands the range of what you can do with a Fuji.
There’s a lot of potential for the Film Dial, and I’ve just scratched the surface, I think. The use case wasn’t immediately obvious, and, because of that, there was some overreaction and a lot of unnecessary negativity.
I appreciate all of your kindness!
I am very happy for you. Congrats Richie!!!!
Thanks! 😀
Glad to hear that you are working with Fujifilm, and hope that project ideation and execution go well. Speaking for myself, film simulations are a prominent reason for why I chose Fujifilm. FXW is a resource!
Side question. I thought that during recent activities you had a chance to use a new GFX camera. Can you comment on the system from a film simulations standpoint?
I got to hold a GFX100S II… look at it, touch it, but not use it. The only GFX camera that I’ve ever used is the original 50S, and only for a couple of weeks.
From what I understand, without first-hand experience, is that shadows render a little lighter on the GFX cameras, but otherwise the output is pretty similar to X-series. But I cannot state that with certainty.