Interview
“IT’S YOUR INSTINCT – THE PART OF YOU THAT NOTICES SOMETHING BEFORE ANYONE ELSE DOES”
with the FUJINON GF55mmF1.7 R WR. The GFX100 II gives me medium format depth and tonal separation in a body agile enough for real-world, responsive shooting. The dynamic range and detail are exceptional, but I value the dimensionality most – subjects feel sculpted rather than flat. The GF55mmF1.7 has a cinematic quality I’m drawn to. Wide open, it gives a gentle fall-off that feels immersive but not clinical. It’s now my go-to for portraits and narrative work. Q. What are you working on now? A . After years of meticulously building sets for my commercial work, I’m consciously shifting towards more found moments – but still within my cinematic language. In Tokyo, I became fascinated by ‘inemuri’ – the cultural acceptance of sleeping in public. It translates loosely as ‘being present while asleep’, and is often seen as a quiet symbol of dedication and hard work. I’m exploring this further – capturing people in more vulnerable, unscripted moments that still feel narrative. Real environments. Real light. Real tension. Less construction. More observation. Q. What’s your number one piece of advice for other photographers? A. Find your quiet voice. It’s your instinct – the part of you that notices something before anyone else does. Early in my career, I studied the tools obsessively and inevitably reflected styles of photographers I admired. That’s part of the process. But over time, you have to let that quiet voice grow. Strip away imitation. Pay attention to what really draws you in. When you understand who you are visually – and own it – your work becomes unmistakably yours.
used the FUJIFILM GFX100 on a job. It was a lightning-bolt moment. I could shoot instinctively – fast AF, handheld, responsive – but with all the dimensionality and richness I associate with medium format. The files had depth, the lenses had character and suddenly I didn’t have to compromise between agility and image quality. It fundamentally changed how I approach my work. Q. What’s your favourite camera or lens at the moment? A. After a recent trip to Japan, I’m loving the FUJIFILM GFX100 II paired
up a camera seriously, I became obsessed with light, lenses and the emotional language of imagery. Over time, that evolved into directing and building larger cinematic campaigns. But the foundation has always remained the same: storytelling through still images. Q. What drew you to Fujifilm? A. I’ve always loved medium format for its depth and tonal separation – the quality is incomparable. But traditionally, medium format meant working slower, often tethered to a tripod. That changed when I first
Nicky became fascinated with ‘inemuri’ – the cultural acceptance of sleeping in public – during a trip to Tokyo (above)
FUJIFILM Focus Magazine 15
March/April 2026
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