Today I want to share with you an excellent photograph taken in Hong Kong by Will Thierbach. Will used the X-T1 and the XF 35mm f/1.4 R lens to capture this fantastic view.
X-T1, XF 35mm f/1.4 R, 1/500th sec f/5.6 ISO 200.
And here is what Will wrote about his image:
“It’s been an unusually cool and damp winter this year. We usually have warmer temps by early March, but seem to be a few weeks behind. As the season turns, the combination of warmer air and increasing humidity often brings dramatic weather…added to the dramatic Hong Kong skyline and it pays to be on the lookout for unique photo opportunities.
Yesterday morning, one such opportunity presented.
I have sweeping views of the city and harbour from my flat and when I woke up Wednesday morning I could tell it was going to be an interesting morning. As I made ready to leave for the day, I went to grab my camera gear thinking I might take a stroll down by the harbour. I am a long-time Fuji fan having fell in love with the X100S years ago, but am now primarily a Leica shooter. I sold the X100S two years ago, but recently bought the Fuji XT-1 as an able, all-weather backup to my Leica gear. The only lens I have currently is the 35mm f/1.4 XF R and have been contemplating what others to acquire.
For some reason, instead of grabbing my Leica and a few wide lenses, I grabbed the new Fuji and set out for the office. Upon arriving in Central near the waterfront I knew it was going to be a special day. I spent about 45 minutes walking around the Central Piers and the terraces above the IFC Mall and office complex.
A strong, cool wind from the north washed wave after wave of clouds and fog across Victoria Harbour and Hong Kong Island. Through breaks in the fog a dramatic sky revealed layers and layers of contrast, texture and colour. The fog oozed over the island, wrapping itself around the Central skyline. Iconic buildings normally seen amidst the chaos of the city were suddenly isolated in the mist, hidden and then revealed for precious moments. It was like being able to take skyscrapers into a studio for portrait shots.
The IFC terrace provides a vantage point looking east across Victoria Habour towards Admiralty and Wan Chai. The tents and ferris wheel in the foreground of the harbour view picture are related to a spring carnival and a new art fair that are both underway. The low and architecturally unique structure jutting out into the harbour in the center of the frame is the Hong Kong Convention Center. The combination of dramatic sky and fog made for a beautiful image. I used a graduated filter to reveal more contrast and texture in the sky and brought up contrast and clarity across the image.
Suffice to say that I am quite impressed with the Fuji’s dynamic range, exposure and resolution in rather challenging conditions…I think I’ll keep it ;-)”
You better keep it, Will! Thanks once more for letting me share this fantastic image.
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