Hao | Kodai Yamashita Discusses | Capturing City Trash with GFX 50S | Knowledge #175

This is a medium-format mirrorless digital camera equipped with a large CMOS sensor 'G Format' of approximately 51.4 million effective pixels, measuring 43.8mm x 32.9mm. This large sensor achieves overwhelming resolution and rich gradation expression.

By combining the image processing engine 'X-Processor Pro' with Fujifilm's unique color reproduction technology developed over more than 80 years, natural and beautiful color expression is possible. It adopts a specially designed 'G Mount', and the combination with Fujinon GF lenses maximizes sensor performance to achieve high-resolution depiction. The body is lightweight and robust, equipped with a detachable electronic viewfinder and a tilt-type touch panel LCD monitor, offering intuitive operability.

The subjects I photograph most often are the trash found in the city. Since I started taking photos, I've been capturing picture-worthy trash.

After getting my hands on the GFX 50S, I've become even more engrossed in photographing trash.

I believe capturing trash is capturing the city. A city where trash is naturally scattered, a city that's cleanly swept, a city with fast-food restaurants in front of the station.

It's only natural, but most of the trash found there originated nearby. Naturally, the colors of the city are well represented.

Using a medium-format digital camera to photograph trash is surely over-spec. But continuing to capture trash with such an over-spec camera is one of my loves.

Love the equipment you have and capture the city you love.

I don't think it's overdone at all.

A medium-format digital camera with about 50 million pixels and an old lens. It's not a convenient combination nor one that can be taken anywhere.

If you're photographing trash daily, a compact and lightweight point-and-shoot might suffice, I think.

But the unique atmosphere of the medium format, the precision when stopped down, I fully channel this passion into the roadside trash.

The contents visible through the taut garbage bag, the bottles of liquor lined up as if in companionship, the plastic umbrella of unknown origin, the forgotten work gloves, there are still many pieces of trash I want to capture.

Not just shooting automatically, but deciding the aperture, carefully aiming, focusing, and pressing the shutter with intent. Through this process, I engage in dialogue with the trash. Right now, this combination allows me to enjoy this process the most.

It may not serve anyone's purpose. Ultimately, photography is a bundle of self-satisfaction.

Yet, I want to continue capturing trash with this camera.