Festivals with the GFX
During the summer of 2023, I had the privilege of being commissioned by the WOMAD festival marketing team to document the essence of the event through photography. My task was to capture the vibrant spirit of the festival, emphasizing its diversity by showcasing not only the stereotypical "hippie" vibe but also the presence of families and young teenagers. With five days allotted for this project, I saw it as an excellent opportunity to test the capabilities of my GFX 50SII camera in a less conventional shooting environment for medium format equipment. Low light, fast-moving people and having to be portable are a few of the challenges I thought I would encounter
It's important to note that this is not a formal review of the camera; rather, it was a chance for me to enjoy myself while spending time with my family and engaging in one of my favourite pastimes: observing people and documenting the myriad of activities that make up an incredible festival experience.
For the assignment, I opted to travel light, selecting a few key lenses: the 32-64mm, the 100-200mm, and the 80mm f/1.7 prime. Having photographed numerous festivals and music gigs over the years, I knew the importance of mobility, and the GFX facilitated this admirably. Most often, I relied on the versatility of the prime lens, allowing me to comfortably sling the camera over my shoulder using a Black Rapid strap, which proved to be an effective and enjoyable setup.
Despite challenging weather conditions, including flooding in some areas and strong winds, I managed to capture a considerable number of compelling photographs throughout the weekend.
Here are a selection of shots from my time at the festival—I hope you find them as enjoyable as I did capturing them.
