Model Test with Yuki (X-E4, Viltrox Air 15mm F/1.7, 7Artisans 35mm F/0.95, TTArtisan 75mm F/2)
Styled & shot. Raws processed in LR Classic, Fuji's Classic Chrome color profile as a base. Lighting was 2x Neewer GC30C's as mains/rim, 1x Zhiyun M20C for the fuschia kicker, 3x Ulanzi MT-80 stands - VERY lightweight and minimal kit, which was needed for this shoot. BTS photos of lighting setup in the last two slides.
I was frankly never interested in the X-E4 since it's release, but as someone who had been shooting exclusively with an X-S20 overseas and has now returned to home to only larger (X-H2/GFX100 II) Fuji bodies I have missed the joy of shooting with a smaller body for less critical work. When someone on FB Marketplace approached me about trading his X-E4 for some PC hardware I had listed (he was taking a loss but wanted an easy trade) I went for it. I love this little thing. Yes, I do wish it had maybe ONE more custom button or an AF switch, but it's so so capable in such a small footprint. Considering I was trying to travel as light as possible for this shoot due to practical reasons, the X-E4 the "cheap" primes and "cheap" lighting were a perfect fit. I've shot with Yuki before, so it's always nice building creative rapport over multiple projects.
In terms of art direction, this was an example of working backwards based on a single aspect of the shoot. I found a studio space listing with these orange tiles pre-staged and I based the concept, styling, palette, and lighting around the merits of that element. You can just as easily arrive at a fully pre-visualized shoot deck working backwards from perhaps a piece of clothing, or an element of the set design, or a color combination, etc. I do wish I did a bit more to flesh this concept out but considering the practical limitations (very last minute project, limited budget per usual, in a different city) I'm happy enough with the results and how well the X-E4 held up.
