Shades of blue
My name is Matthieu Paley – I have been a freelance photographer for the last 20 years and I have worked for most of the main magazines out there as well as for Non-Governmental organizations. My work has been exhibited worldwide.
I have been a Fuji user for the last 5 years. I started using the GFX 50S on assignment for National Geographic magazine, while shooting a story in Afghanistan’s Wakhan corridor. We were trekking for 5 weeks at high altitude, with no access to electricity, roads etc. I was impressed by the fact that the camera could handle extreme weather, dust and how sturdy it was. I mean, before that I would have never thought it’s ever possible to take a digital medium format camera into the wilderness like this. This was a game-changer for me.
After trying different camera brands, I chose FUJIFILM because I loved the tactile aspect of their cameras and most importantly I really loved the choice and look of the color profile. I am very much influenced by colors when I photograph. I use to shoot films back in the days, and I have always longed for my images to have a “film” look. When FUJIFILM asked me to test their new software, I was especially excited about trying the new color profiles. After reading the description of the new “Eterna” look I wanted to try it right away: “Soft color and rich shadow tone suitable for a film look movie”. Soft color and rich shadows is my baseline when I retouch my images. I have always been a believer in “opening” the shadows in my images, leaving everything visible in an image, avoid excessive contrast that will hide part of the image. Why would I want to hide part of my images?
I liked the look of the images right away. It has a slight greenish/blueish tint which I love. When I thought of a place to test the new software, I wanted somewhat of a blue environment – I decided with myself that it would be a photo assignment in “blue”. I am lucky to live in Portugal, inside the Arrabida Nature park. So, we aimed for a couple of beaches that we know, looking for blue toned waters. As a family, we transformed a van into a camper van 2 years ago, and we take regular “van trips” around Portugal. My wife and I decided to take the van around Arrabida, with our two sons. I took my GFX along to test the software, and a few lenses, including the fairly new GF45-100mmF4. It’s stabilized, and I find I gain at least 1 f/stop because of that, which is really useful when my favorite lights comes in, shortly after sunset. I also took along a GF45mmF2.8 and my other a wide GF23mmF4. I am very much a people’s photographer, so with this kit, I can photograph 90% of what I need. I always take my small X100F camera as well, as back-up camera. And it has saved my life a few times! Once, I shot an entire story with it in Pakistan, it was later published in National Geographic magazine.
I started shooting in the van and during our walks along the beautiful Arrabida. I felt an improvement in the speed of the AF, especially in low-light contrast situation. And again, these are my favorite light situations, so it’s a huge improvement for me to be able to focus faster in these conditions.
First, we went fishing with my sons, and we passed a beautiful red rock formation. Against the dark blue sky, the images looked really close to my aesthetics. I have done a lot of expedition assignment and it is one of my favorite environments to work in, I love to walk when I photograph. My camera and two lenses fit in my sling bag, making it easily reachable while I walk. I also often tilt the screen display when I am photographing people. Somehow it makes people, even my boys, “see” less of the camera. The photographer is less “in your face”, and it is primordial to me: a relaxed person being photographed will open up more easily, his or her personality will reveal itself naturally, always creating a stronger image.
After a night below a lighthouse and a breakfast of pancakes, we headed to an amazing beach. It can only be reached by foot. I had never been there but my wife knew it, and she guided us to an amazing viewpoint, from the top of the cliff, a bird’s eye view into amazing different shades off blues, with small islands near the shore. It was great for landscapes shot, with the tiny dots of people helping to give a sense of scale. Finally, reaching the beach, it was time for a swim in the cold Atlantic, I took my GFX in the water for some images of my sons swimming.
I am on the road on assignment several months a year, so this was such a great opportunity to spend time with my family and gather memories with this camera. I look forward to doing this more often!
