Beno Saradzic: GF32-64mmF4 R LM WR Impression

04.16.2021

Written by... Beno Saradzic

Beno is a Slovenian born time lapse cinematographer and photographer. He is currently based in Dubai, UAE. But the road to his current passion was a long and winding one.

For 18 years, Beno has trained his eye in the art of seeing in his profession as a 3D Computer Animation and Architecture Visualization specialist. As a veteran digital artist who worked on hundreds of projects for clients worldwide, Beno won numerous accolades and awards for his achievements, such as the rank of 'Autodesk Master' as well as the winner of the prestigious 'Tektronix International Design Visualization Competition' in 1993.

For his continuous contributions to the art of architectural visualization, Beno was awarded a 'Special Merit of Excellence' award by Kinetix / Autodesk in 2005. Beno's 3D computer generated art was published in several international architectural visualization publications and books such as the '3DS MAX 2008 Foundation'.

In 2008, Beno started exploring new creative avenues which lead him to discover the world of photography and time lapse cinematography. Having a solid foundation and decades of practice in related types of visual arts, Beno’s transition to his newly found passion was a swift one.

Stylistically, Beno's comprehensive portfolio is defined by his profound love for architecture and understanding of scientific principles. His use of light and framing draw strong influences from the art of cinema and the classical masters of painting. As an individual accustomed to self-reliance and continuous quest for personal & professional excellence, Beno believes that life is a never-ending road of learning. He tirelessly experiments with fresh styles of photography and filming techniques while refusing to box himself in any specific genre or specialty field. Keeping the broad and diverse subject matters in front of his lens is the secret sauce to Beno’s creative lifeline and inspiration.

His list of clients includes BBC’s Natural History Unit, the Discovery Channel, Fujifilm, Emirates Airline, Abu Dhabi and Dubai Governments, Government of Canada, Nakheel, Wasl, Abu Dhabi Police GHQ and many others.

BRAND AFFILIATIONS

Collaboration with camera equipment and photography related brands occupies a significant portion of Beno’s professional activities.

In recognition to his achievements in the field of still and motion photography, Beno was offered a brand ambassador position for CANON Europe & MENA territory. This listed Beno among the 53 top imaging talents from right across Europe, Africa and the Middle East. The collaboration spanned between 2015 and early 2018.

In January 2016, Beno was appointed as a Global Ambassador for NiSi filters.

In June 2017, he was signed up as a Brand Ambassador of 500px, the world’s fastest growing photo community.

In November 2017, Beno also became a Global Ambassador of TIMELAPSE+ company.

In October 2018, Beno proudly joined the ranks of Fujifilm’s Brand Ambassadors (X-Photographers).

PUBLIC ENGAGEMENTS & APPEARANCES

Beno is a renowned educator who hosts frequent workshops in the fields of photography, digital image manipulation and time lapse cinematography. He’s also an avid speaker, having performed numerous seminars, discussion panels, inspirational presentations and speaking engagements in front of the crowds of all sizes and profiles.

Beno is one of the regular Guest Photographers, Speakers, Exhibited Photographers & Jury Members at the annual XPOSURE International Photography Festival in Sharjah.

Among the many guest appearances in the print, TV and online, Beno’s work is featured on a regular basis. He wrote tutorials for the Scott Kelby’ Blog, appeared on the Trey Ratcliff’s ‘Variety Hour’, had several 500px.com’s Blogs, a Topaz Labs’ Blog and elsewhere. Beno’s work was published and featured in dozens of media outlets worldwide including the National Geographic (Abu Dhabi), Die Welt (Germany), Yahoo, Dubai and Abu Dhabi Media outlets, TimeOut Magazine, Digital Studio Middle East, GQ Magazine, Popular Photography (UK), Photo Plus (UK), Digital Foto (Denmark), Digital Photo Magazine (UK), Huffington Post (US) and numerous others.

Beno’s work was commended by the Ruler of Dubai and the Vice President of the UAE, H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum and the UAE’ Minister of Foreign Affiars, H.H. Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

My name is Beno Saradzic, I am originally from Slovenia, and have been shooting architecture in the UAE for 12 years. I have been using the Fujifilm GFX system for the last 4 years.

Prior to the GFX system, medium format cameras were big, and quite heavy, and cumbersome. You wouldn’t really use it to walk long distances, unless you were in a studio environment, where normally a medium format camera could be used.

A Dslr on the other hand was the camera for jobs on the move. When I’m shooting architecture, I’m usually walking several kilometers distance, all around the subject, during the day and during the night, trying to find the best vantage point of that building, and I’m walking while the camera is on me.

GFX100 & GF32-64mmF4 R LM WR

I definitely wouldn’t be walking all that distance if the camera was heavy, and impractical to carry. This is what I see as a huge advantage of the GFX. It is portable, it pretty much feels like having a DSLR in the hand. It allows me to be more adventurous with camera angles, to explore more of them, all while the camera is on me. I find my frame, take the shot and quickly move onto the next one. More angles means I can be more creative. This is vital in my line of work.

GFX100 & GF32-64mmF4 R LM WR

When I’m chasing the light during the periods of light transition, in the morning and during the golden hour to blue hour, I only have a few precious minutes to find a new vantage point before the sun goes away, or before it gets too bright.

I need to move very quickly, mounting and dismounting the system needs to happen in a blink of an eye, so I can take my shot and be done for the day, because I can’t afford to go again the next day to take just one picture.

GFX100 & GF32-64mmF4 R LM WR

Portability plays a huge role here, that’s on top of huge resolution that allows me to crop into the detail. Detail is very important to the architect. Architects take great pride in their work and want everyone to appreciate their problem solving efforts, details and creativity reflected in their creations. If I’m able to give them that out of a master shot at a decent resolution, which they can print or analyze separately, again, it’s a huge benefit. These are the main benefits of a GFX system over a conventional DSLR system which starts at 50 and tops out at 400 megapixels.

A lens for every occasion. The GF32-64mmF4 R LM WR

The FUJINON GF32-64mmF4 R LM WR is considered a wide to standard focal range. I believe the majority of my subjects whether interior, or architecture, or cityscapes are covered by that range.

GFX100 & GF32-64mmF4 R LM WR

It’s obviously handy on location because I don’t have to switch the lens every time I need to get a little bit closer, and on top of that I’m getting image quality on par with a prime. The GF32-64mmF4 R LM WR is incredibly sharp. This is one of the sharpest zoom lenses I have ever used. With this particular lens I’ve never felt the need to go back to primes.

GFX100 & GF32-64mmF4 R LM WR

I shoot architecture and my subjects contain a lot of straight lines, and horizontal lines that obviously need to be straight. You cannot afford your lens to introduce optical distortions. I’ve never felt the need with the GF32-64mmF4 R LM WR to improve its output later on, because the image quality this lens delivers is superb.

GFX100 & GF32-64mmF4 R LM WR

I would say approximately 90% of all my pictures are taken with this particular lens. These are some of the reasons you’re going to find this lens in the camera bag of pretty much every GFX owner.

GFX100 & GF32-64mmF4 R LM WR