Capturing compelling images in busy, chaotic spaces requires a mix of patience and creativity. With the right techniques, you can turn even the most overwhelming environments into opportunities for striking compositions.
Coming to you from Roman Fox, this engaging video explores how he uses the Fuji 90mm f/2 lens in confined, vibrant spaces. Fox highlights three main strategies: capturing long, straight roads with compressed perspectives, isolating abstract patterns or shapes, and focusing on details unattainable with wider lenses. For instance, he photographs a busy market scene where vibrant colors, lines, and textures create visually engaging compositions. He discusses waiting for the right subject to enter the frame, a method that balances patience and precision. This lens’s compression effect magnifies elements within a scene, but using it in crowded locations presents challenges, including finding uncluttered backgrounds.
Fox demonstrates the importance of adapting to your lens’ limitations. With the 90mm, the slower autofocus and shallower depth of field require careful planning. He notes how pre-focusing on a background can lead to missed opportunities if the foreground subject isn’t sharp. This approach contrasts sharply with wider lenses, which are more forgiving. By showcasing examples like shooting through scooter mirrors or isolating fabric textures, Fox emphasizes the value of small details in building a diverse photo set. These elements add depth and variety, transforming a collection of images into a cohesive narrative.
One standout moment in the video involves Fox experimenting with a layered composition that includes bridges, carts, and vibrant colors. This type of shot illustrates the potential of longer lenses to create dimension and drama. Another example features using the lens to capture a subject’s hands at work, highlighting details that would be lost with a wider focal length.
Fox shares practical advice on focus modes, recommending single-point autofocus for most scenarios unless you’re tracking moving subjects. He also explains the importance of scanning ahead for small, distinct details rather than trying to capture expansive scenes, as this sort of lens thrives on selective framing. He likens this method to “fishing” rather than “hunting,” a mindset shift that helps maximize the lens’s strengths in unpredictable environments. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Fox.
