Inside My Camera Bag | Ivan Joshua Loh

Hello! My name is Ivan. As a commercial photographer based in sunny Singapore I shoot quite a few genres, from architecture to interior, product to food photography. My favourite has to be portraits. You can call it fashion, lifestyle, corporate, street or documentary. As long as there is a human being in my frame; I love photographing them.

I enjoy getting acquainted with people that I have never met, asking them questions about themselves and talking about everything under the stars. This is where the ideas and direction sometimes get brewing right in my head and the concept is born.

I started photography with my Dad’s Nikon FM some 20 or more years ago. Professionally, I have used Nikon and Canon for my full frame needs, Mamiya, Hasselblad and Phase One for bigger projects. Now I have been using Fujifilm for almost 6 years.

‘Why Fujifilm?’ Is a question many people have asked.

I still remember my last camera was a Canon 1DX. It’s an amazing camera. At the same time, I also got myself a Fujifilm X-Pro1 which I bought simply based on its looks.

One day I decided to compare some photos taken with these two cameras. Somehow, I just love the colours produced with the X-Pro1. It’s just magical. Within 3 months, I sold my 1DX and two 5Ds. I bought a Fujifilm X-T1 and the rest is history. One thing led to another, and I became a Fujifilm X-photographer.

I am glad that in the last 6 years Fujifilm has created one of the best systems that I have ever used. In fact, no camera manufacturer has ever created a camera that can actually nag at the photographer if we don’t bring it out for a shoot. I have never shot so many frames until I stepped into Fujifilm. In some ways this also helped me hone my photography skills.

In the early days the AF was slightly faster than a snail. I am thankful now their cameras are lightening quick. In 2017 they created the best value digital medium format camera with the GFX50S and, as of last year, Fujifilm is finally able to tether with Capture One. As a photographer, my life is complete.

As for my Fujifilm gear, I currently own a GFX50S with six GF lenses. Primarily GF23mm, GF45mm, GF63mm, GF110mm, GF120mm and GF32-64mm.

For the X-Series system, I still have my original X-Pro1. Currently, I use the X-Pro2 and X-T3.

For XF lenses – it’s XF10-24mm, XF16-55mm, XF50-140mm.

For prime lenses – XF16mm f/1.4, XF23mm f/1.4, XF35mm f/1.4, XF35mm f/2, XF56mm f/1.2 APD, XF90mm f/2.

For my everyday camera it’s the X100F. Sometime soon it will paired with the two teleconverter lenses. WCL and TCL.

As for lighting gear – I started with Elinchrom, then Bowen, Profoto and now Broncolor. I had used Profoto for almost 10 years before moving to Broncolor.

Why Broncolor? I guess it’s a natural progression. I must add when I first started using Broncolor, I regretted it. I somehow couldn’t get the ‘light’ and it took me about 2-3 months to get there.

Two years later and I wish I had moved to this brand earlier. If you do have the opportunity, you must have a go at it. Sometimes the difference between good and great is just that bit, but it’s worth it. I currently have four Broncolor Siros 800L and also use the Para 133.

Lastly, I would like to say I love photographing people. They are certainly the most fun, challenging, unpredictable, occasionally scary and also rewarding to photograph.

www.pigscanfly.com | @fujifanboys