Interview
L ate last year, Luke Davis to Fujifilm’s country of origin, Japan. Equipped with the compact FUJIFILM X-E5, he was tasked with finding compositions that evoked a sense of balance in Tokyo and its surrounding countryside areas. was one among a group of photographers who travelled “We were each given a Japanese word, and our aim was to document Tokyo and Japan using it,” Luke says. “Mine was chōwa. It means finding harmony between people and nature – looking at how things interconnect and sit alongside one another. “In the city, a lot of what I was doing was seeking out the pieces of greenery that were dotted around, and drawing out that juxtaposition. When we got to the countryside, it became about finding the man- made structures among the forests.” Thrust straight into the bustle of Tokyo, Luke was expecting a certain amount of culture shock. “It was my first time in Japan. I was overwhelmed in the best possible way by the lights, the sounds and all the people. But I was also pleasantly surprised by how similar interactions with people were. I was expecting a big change in the cultural norms and etiquette – and there obviously was – but it was a lot less prominent than I expected. “I’ve rarely been outside Europe, so it was nice to experience a culture so far removed from what I’m used to.” Inundated with new sights and experiences, having a creative brief helped Luke maintain a level of focus while acclimatising. “It reminds me of Superman ,” he laughs. “When he first gets his powers, he’s overwhelmed by everything and has to learn how to tune things out. That’s kind of how I felt at first. “Once I started taking photos, having that word – chōwa – to focus on helped me avoid distractions and work with a bit more purpose. Tokyo is a playground for photography, and especially for street-style work. It is somewhere I could have wandered around aimlessly for weeks, and there would not have been a shortage of photographs to take.” Keeping Compact “For this project, I used the FUJIFILM X-E5 along with the FUJINON XF16- 55mmF2.8 R LM WR II and my trusty FUJINON XF33mmF1.4 R LM WR. That was basically all I used,” Luke notes. “I brought my whole equipment bag because it was a bucket-list location, and I knew I would regret not having a super telephoto with me – just in case I really needed it. But truthfully, I stuck to the XF16-
55mmF2.8 II and X-E5 combo for 95% of the trip.” Weighing only 445g with a battery and card, the X-E5 pairs nicely with a couple of compact X Series lenses for a highly capable travel kit. “As I’m on this photography journey, I am learning to be more minimal with my kit. I suppose that comes with experience, once you learn what you like to look for and your style starts to dictate certain focal length choices,” Luke suggests. “Most of my work sits around that 35-50mm full-frame equivalent range. The zoom lens is perfect for that – it’s so sharp, I really cannot fault it in any way. It meant I could turn my brain off from the kit side of things and so avoid the choice paralysis I’ve had in the past.
Luke Davis was tasked with taking photos of Japan, where Fujifilm originates, through the lens of the word chōwa, or balance
Luke Davis An adventure, lifestyle and travel photographer based in Dorset, Luke Davis’ photos perfectly soak up the heady warmth and atmosphere of each location he visits. Website: lukeckdavis.com Instagram: @lukeckdavis
FUJIFILM Focus Magazine 27
May/June 2026
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