Aaron Anderson

What’s up, all people?

My title is Aaron Anderson, and I’m a industrial photographer who’s touring across the nation with my household in an RV presently based mostly in Texas!

I’m tremendous blessed to be known as a Fujifilm X Photographer and Creator, plus an envoy for some radical manufacturers: Elinchrom, Tenba, Tamron, and Rosco.

My path to pictures was not precisely standard, and I’m what you’d name a late bloomer. I’ve finished a variety of issues; actually, earlier than I used to be a photographer, I used to be a Scuba Diving Teacher in Colorado. Yup, the landlocked one.

I discovered pictures after I stole my spouse’s digicam, which was the birthday current I purchased her, and began studying about learn how to take photos, then I discovered learn how to make photos.

If I’m being sincere, pictures simply occurs to be the way in which I can meet new folks and have experiences with them. Since I used to be younger, that’s what I wished my life to be like; an unimaginable expertise lived with different people.

I feel that’s why it took me so lengthy to discover a profession like pictures, many roles seemed like the reply, however when it got here all the way down to it, they have been principally about cash or success.

So, right here I’m, nearly ten years of being a full-time freelance photographer who began out in retouching and dropped out of artwork faculty after dropping out of group faculty.

Some folks would say I focus on lighting, however I’d say I focus on telling human tales in a manner that makes them look superior utilizing lighting to realize the objective.

I knew once I began on this journey that I wished to find out about lighting, and I spent most of my artwork faculty profession studying lighting of each sort (sounds humorous for a dropout to say) .

I feel the place we go astray with lighting is when it turns into the topic. So many occasions, we get caught up with how a picture was lit that we neglect the purpose shouldn’t be the lighting.

Any time I’m behind the digicam, I wish to inform the story of the individual I’m photographing in essentially the most honoring and superior manner attainable, so we construct the lights to do this.

Typically we’d like a variety of lights, and typically we don’t. We want nevertheless many it takes to inform the story.

Earlier than I dive into my package of goodies, I did wish to let you know one thing I used to be advised by certainly one of my professors a very long time in the past.

I’m going to place my very own spin on this, however the primary thought is that “you need to create photographs with what you’ve got and never fear about what you don’t have or what different folks have”.

Your voice is what makes you particular, the way in which you see, the way in which you hear; no digicam could make that. I’ve used many cameras and lots of lights, and I’ve been jealous of what others have. Know that this gained’t make you a greater photographer; it’ll simply offer you totally different instruments for the job that you simply’ve been entrusted with.

I began my pictures journey on a Nikon D40, after which I purchased a used Nikon D70. Earlier than faculty, I purchased a D300s which was a hefty price ticket to swallow on the time, and finally, I made sufficient to buy a Nikon D850.

I would like you to know this not so that you’ll know what to purchase, however so that you’ll know that I began with an enormous box-style digicam package, identical to you might need, and it took YEARS to be the place I’m at this time.

Lately I’m rockin’ with some radical Fujifilm Techniques!

Cameras

Fujifilm GFX100 – It’s a workhorse, a powerhouse, and different exaggerated names which can be completely true. I used to be trying to make the change to medium format a number of years in the past, and as soon as this behemoth landed in my palms, I used to be in love. You already know, not precise love, however sturdy emotions.

Critically although, in the event you haven’t heard of this digicam, you is perhaps just a little behind the occasions of what’s coming; between the unimaginable (and really massive) information, stunning shade, dynamic vary, and sturdiness, it’s a straightforward win for me.

Fujifilm GFX50S – I’ve this as my backup in the mean time; it’s a worthy and inexpensive approach to get into medium-format our bodies. When you’re a portrait photographer trying to up your sport, then that is the way in which to go!

Fujifilm X-T3 – If you wish to understand how I really fell in love with Fujifilm, it’s this digicam and the 56mm f/1.2 lens. I had a magical expertise with this digicam after a interval of burnout in my profession.

I flew in to talk at a workshop close to LA and instantly went to Venice Seaside to eat tacos and take photos. You might say it saved my profession, or you possibly can say it re-ignited my ardour for pictures.

It’s the right mixture of small, highly effective, and inexpensive.

Fujifilm X-H2S – That is what would be the new X-T3 in my package, however I’ll all the time keep in mind what the X-T3 did for me, which is why it sits above this digicam.

Now, that being mentioned, this digicam is among the latest from Fujifilm, and it’s UNREAL!

If you’re searching for a physique that does all of it, together with video, that is the physique for you.

In truth, in at this time’s world, if I needed to suggest a digicam for folks beginning out who additionally wish to do movement, this could be the one.

Fujifilm X100V – I don’t suppose I noticed how excited I’m about Fujifilm cameras till I began to put in writing these descriptions. This little man was such a particular addition to our household, our literal household; it’s the manner I inform on a regular basis tales.

If we exit on a household outing that I wish to doc, you’ll discover the X100V slung round my shoulder. The primary remark I get once I put this in different folks’s palms is, “this digicam makes me appear like a superb photographer”.

I additionally give this digicam to my assistants to seize BTS whereas we’re capturing; it’s so easy to make use of and creates photographs that may simply be industrial high quality.

Lenses

I’m not going to checklist all of the lenses I’ve as a result of that’s rather a lot, however I’ll let you know those I most frequently seize on a set.

Fujifilm GF80mm f/1.7 R WR – This factor may nearly be glued to my Fujifilm GFX 100 and I’d be completely cool with that. You would possibly ask, do you ever shoot a medium format digicam on f/1.7, to which I’d reply, hell sure!

I haven’t discovered something that this lens isn’t good for, though I’m not a panorama man, so you may combat me on that.

Fujifilm GF 110mm f/2 R LM WR – A portrait photographer’s dream, it’s form of ridiculous what this lens can do, and sure, I shoot it extensive open as effectively. I have a tendency to love the eighty-millimeter focal size just a little extra, so that you’ll see me use this one much less, however I do definitely like its vibe.

Fujifilm GF 32-64mm f/4 R LM WR – I like prime lenses rather a lot, and I don’t know if I may reside with out this lens. It’s obtained me out of some tight spots, and it by no means ceases to impress me.

It’s also certainly one of my most used lenses on a consumer set, the standard of the picture and consistency of outcomes is rarely in query. Environmental portraits love this lens; it offers you flexibility and minimal distortion.

Fujifilm XF 56mm f/1.2 R APD – The place do I begin with this lens? It modified the way in which that I see. I actually have moments now once I know the one approach to seize what I see in my head is with this lens. It’s the bokeh, the sharpness, the main target, the flare. It’s simply all good.

Fujifilm XF 35mm f/2 R WR – It’s a superb one to have particularly once I’m pretending to be a road photographer. It additionally offers fairly a cool perspective for portraits.

Fujifilm XF 18mm f/2 R – This dude is TINY! I imply, you would possibly must verify you’ve got a lens on. I don’t use this one as a lot, nevertheless it’s been rad for movement work and creates an excellent cool perspective for working with folks.

Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD – I’ve been with Tamron since my Nikon days, and I like the glass they put out. I used to be past stoked after they began making lenses with Fujifilm mounts, and this new lens is changing into a welcome addition to my package.

Lights

Elinchrom ELB 500 – These are my important lights, they usually go the place I’m going.

Elinchrom ELB 1200 – This man is a beast. It might do some unimaginable issues once I want a variety of juice on location or within the studio. I want the HS heads if I needed to decide.

Elinchrom D-LITE RX 4 – If you wish to get into lighting on a price range, then that is the sunshine for you! Every kind of skills with little or no value. I nearly all the time have these with me on shoots.

Elinchrom ELC 500 – The costlier and newer older brother of the D-lite, they’re rad and really useful, however I principally use them within the studio. When you can swing it, then I’d purchase certainly one of these on your studio.

Elinchrom One – At first, I wasn’t bought on this little man, however now that I’ve hucked it throughout and crammed it right into a bunch of small areas, I’m bought. When you want one thing small and straightforward to pack, that is nice, nevertheless it lacks the facility to be a real key mild IMO.

Rosco DMG Sprint – This can be a new addition to the package, and it’s like a secret weapon! It may be utilized in so some ways, and I’m discovering new methods day-after-day. It’s an LED that may change shade and match all of the gels that Rosco makes. It’s an actual game-changer!

Modifiers

I personal and use many alternative modifiers. The true key’s understanding what they accomplish that you may manipulate them to be what you need. That is positively not all the things, however I wished to present you an thought of my favorites as a result of I get this query rather a lot.

Rotalux 53” Octabox – This isn’t solely my favourite however my most used; it’s sufficiently small to be journey pleasant and enormous sufficient to make stunning delicate lighting.

Rotalux 39” Deep Octabox – This one brings some stunning drama and may give you just a little extra management over the temper.

Litemotiv 75” Oblique Octabox – This one can be probably the most utilized in my package, however it’s also the most costly. They make a Rotalux 69” oblique, which is just a little cheaper, nevertheless it’s not nearly as good. I exploit this one for fill, key, and background; you title it, it’s only a workhorse.

Rotalux Small Strip Field (with Grid) – I exploit this principally for edge lighting of small fill mild, however it may well additionally make for an excellent contrasty key mild. Add the grid for a ton of management and use it to mild particular areas of the scene.

Rotalux 69” Octabox – This isn’t the oblique mannequin, however it may well put out some actually stunning mild. I nearly all the time double-diffuse this one and have a tendency to make use of it extra for fill than anything.

Baggage

I’ve been rolling with Tenba for a while now (pun supposed), they usually by no means stop to impress me on the subject of sturdiness and innovation.

Tenba Transport Aire Case Attache (2520W and 3220W) – I journey in all places with these circumstances for my lights. I ended utilizing the Pelican circumstances a very long time in the past; not solely are these tremendous powerful, however additionally they don’t scream I’m holding tremendous costly gear. Please steal me!

Tenba Roadie Curler 21 – Right here’s the place all of the digicam our bodies that I listed above reside, good and comfy away from hurt.

Tenba Roadie Air Case Curler 21 – That is the place all my lenses reside, offering just a little added safety for all that tumbler.

Tenba Shootout 24L Backpack – If I would like a variety of my cameras and lenses, and I would like to hold them a great distance, that is what I exploit.

Tenba DNA 16 DSLR Backpack – Just a few cameras and a few garments for a brief journey. That is all I would like.

Shimoda Discover 60 Backpack – Think about a backpacker who additionally wished to deliver a load of digicam gear then, this could be a sensible choice. I’ve used it numerous occasions to haul tons of substances into the wilderness. I’d be doing you a disservice if I didn’t point out this bag.

Tripods

I exploit Benro tripods, notably carbon fiber and ball heads fashions, for my photographic work. I’m not going to checklist all of what I’ve right here, however my go-to package could be the Mach 3 Lengthy Collection with the G3 Ball head.

Grips

I’m positively not going to bore you with a bunch of grip information, however I journey with Kupo Gear. They’ve a c-stand and turtle base with fast launch that can change your pictures.

One factor I wished to say about Kupo is you could get arms with a hex head so your lights gained’t slip; simply genius!

And sure, the fedora. Okay, okay, this isn’t actually a chunk of apparatus, nevertheless it’s turn out to be a factor for me ever since I began carrying Goorin in SF initially of my profession. I really feel form of bare and not using a fedora, so it’s making it on the package checklist 😉

My favourite hat for capturing proper now’s my Dean the Butcher from Goorin Bros. The one I’ve is a particular version stained with espresso which makes good sense.

Alright, alright, alright…I’m not going to bore you with any extra gear stuff!

Keep in mind, it took me YEARS to get to this stage, and each time I’ve a gig, I attempt to get a chunk of apparatus that I’ve been wanting or needing. Don’t suppose it’s worthwhile to get all the things directly, and by no means let it cease you from creating with what you have already got.

In case you have any questions or simply wish to say hello, you understand the place to search out me.

Benefit from the journey, and be superior!

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