My way to say thank you
The photographs made during my last trip were particularly appreciated. Honored by the appreciation, I just posted a video on my youtube channel:
This is what I mean by direct contact with my audience. A feed back that can be useful and bilateral.
I worked with my Canon Rebel T7 and the 24mm. I must say that my choice against the tide is already bringing the first results, in fact yesterday I posted on instagram:
PLEASE NOTE: I am perfectly aware that there are many street photographers that are happy Fujifilm X series owners. Good for them. This is just me and my ideas about a brand that deceptioned me on many levels. And I tell my story. I am currently selling my XPro2, you can find it on the shop of this website. You can do a great work with that camera as I did it. But avoid mythologizing the cameras. this is the only message I have for you.
I said stop to a plastic, amateurish, wannabe brand. And now I am a more happy photographer. And also my photography says thanks.
Harsh or ungrateful words? Let me explain then.
Plastic: Fujifilm proposes gear that is mostly made of plastic. Do not see only the metal of the body and analyze it in its entirety, there is a lot of plastic. I've tried their medium format and it doesn't make much difference to APS-C.in terms of image quality. Guys, it is not Hasselblad.
Amateurish: I know them. I know perfectly how they managed the relations with the photographers. You know that they removed me for my political ideas. But the point of today is not that. When they paid me for the work made because of the pandemic they paid with gear and you know what? They paid me witrh the Fujifilm XPro2 that has an issue with the internal battery. Despite the camera works fine and in fact I am selling it, I say that has this issue. They didn’t. And when i said about this problem they dind’t provide to fix the issue. I can say you a lot of things: from having also included amateur photographers in their ambassadors program to their behaviour with a whatsapp group (I have still anything on my computer).
Wannabe: when they were Reflex they were rebranded Nikon. From X Series thet imitate Leica, but you know how much superior a Leica camera is. The fujifilm lenses are ridiculous, a cheap product sold at a very high price. Lenses for amateur photographers. If the camera bodies are accetable the lenses are not. The famous 28mm (And I recognize you can do good things with this lens) seems a toy.
When I was ambassador I was blind on many aspects. By using only their cameras I was not aware about the others. Their famour presets after a time using them I can say: it is very digital the result. It is recognizable as a photo taken with fuji, but in the digital sense of the term. A little pleasing, a little crafty aesthetic. If i look at files (JPG) produced with my Ricoh, Leica and…Canon I can see the difference.
One of the best things that happened to me last year was precisely that of not having to be a slave to a brand anymore. I feel that my photography is benefiting from it. And the confirmation also comes from you, from the public that follows me, but also from professionals with whom I am in contact. I anticipate that a print shop will now be a partner to ensure the highest quality for customers. And this relationship took place thanks to the work of the last few months, work that I shared on instagram and from there the contact.
The best way to love my photography is not to compromise anymore.
This does not mean not accepting relationships with brands, but only if fully convinced. I will no longer allow anyone to take advantage of my photography and my work and mix myself in situations that disadvantage my professionalism by combining it with certain mediocrities.
If after all these years I continue to praise Leica's professionalism, there must be a reason. They are professionals in every respect. Nothing is improvised. Nothing comes from a chaotic situation which is then reflected in the relationship with the photographers they work with.
Here, this post was supposed to be just to thank you but I have revealed things to you. This also happens if one is true and sincere. If you want to comment about this I am open to answer you. I think people needs to know. I do this with total serenity. I am not pissed off at all, because now I am working just as I wanted to do. I am grateful that I am now working with Canon cameras and I do it for myself and just for myself. I am not ambassador of any brand right now.
