Medium Format Landscape Photography: Fuji GFX 100S ii at Fossil Creek and West Clear Creek

Fossil Springs Waterfall, AZ 2 64k pixjpg Fossil Creek AZ 1 64k pix West Clear Creek, AZ 1 64k pix West Clear Creek, AZ 2 64k pix

After years of deliberation, I finally made the leap from full-frame to medium format photography with the Fuji GFX 100S ii. This shift, after decades of working with Nikon full-frame systems, has been both exhilarating and humbling. The Fuji medium format camera is an absolute delight - its image quality and large-scale detail are something to behold. At the same time, there has been quite a learning curve as I navigate the nuances of a new system.

One of my first outings with the Fuji was an early morning trek into Fossil Creek. We began in darkness, hiking into the canyon with gear in tow, eager to capture the first light over waterfalls and downstream cascades. The powerful flow of water against the stillness of the canyon walls created scenes that were both dynamic and serene - ideal subjects to test the limits of this new camera.

From Fossil Creek, we continued to West Clear Creek, where autumn still lingered in the turning leaves. The warm tones of foliage contrasted beautifully against the cool waters, offering a softer palette for my first medium format captures. It was here that I truly began to appreciate the camera’s wide dynamic range and ability to render subtle details and textures, capturing both the grandeur of the landscape and the quiet intimacy of its finer elements.

While I still have much to learn about this system, I’m inspired by the creative possibilities ahead. This journey into medium format has just begun, and I’m eager to see where it leads.