Photographer Employs Drones and Illumination to Craft Ethereal Sky-Centric Art Showcasing Veils and Halos
Title: Reuben Wu and Fujifilm Usher in a New Era of Fine Art Photography with “Thin Places”
Fine art photographer and visual innovator Reuben Wu has once again expanded the horizons of creative photography through a groundbreaking partnership with Fujifilm. By merging high-resolution technology with artistic vision, Wu’s latest endeavor, Thin Places, exploits the capabilities of the cutting-edge Fujifilm GFX100RF medium-format camera. Renowned for his ethereal nightscapes and light-painted settings, Wu enhances his craft by substituting conventional LED lights with precision lasers mounted on drones—drawing flowing, organic shapes against nature’s canvas.
A Shift in Technique: From Lux Noctis to Thin Places
Wu first garnered international attention with his Lux Noctis series, utilizing LED-equipped drones to “paint” geometric halos and beams of light over remote natural settings. This was succeeded by Aeroglyphs and Siren, further investigations into the interaction of light and terrain. In Thin Places, however, Wu transcends architectural forms and ventures into the abstract and biological realms. The lasers yield more intricate designs—undulating forms that seem almost animated, merging harmoniously with the landscape’s contours. The result is a stunning contrast of unrefined natural beauty and contemporary precision.
“I’m now capable of crafting forms that feel increasingly organic and alive—focusing less on geometric accuracy and more on harmony with the environment,” states Wu. “The light becomes nearly textile-like, possessing a tangible presence that can be molded by its surroundings.”
Fujifilm GFX100RF: A Portal to Creative Potential
At the heart of Wu’s latest artistic journey lies the Fujifilm GFX100RF, a 102-megapixel, fixed-lens medium-format camera that combines brute strength with portability. Celebrated for its cinematic image quality, dynamic range, and user-friendly interface, the GFX100RF has introduced Wu to an elevated level of creative spontaneity. While the fixed lens may seem limiting, it provided an unexpected advantage, fostering a more instinctive and immediate approach to composition.
Notably, Wu took advantage of the camera’s built-in aspect ratio controls to explore non-conventional and cinematic formats. “There’s something oddly addictive about those in-camera controls, leading me to utilize more cinematic aspect ratios than I usually would,” he reveals. This versatility empowered him to compose his dreamlike nocturnal scenes with a cinematic perspective, enhancing the fantastical ambiance he aims to express in his work.
Liberation in Form and Function
The GFX100RF’s compact design was another essential factor, allowing Wu to access challenging angles and carry lighter gear into remote and demanding locations. “It reminded me of the days when I would carry my camera everywhere just for fun,” he reflects. This sense of liberation was crucial for a project as technically demanding and creatively fluid as Thin Places.
A Conversation Between Nature and Technology
More than simply a visual feast, Wu’s creations provoke a philosophical inquiry into the connection between humanity, nature, and machinery. Through his photographic alchemy, landscapes illuminated by artificial light transform into surreal realms—spaces where nature and technology harmoniously coexist.
“From a technical perspective, it has been a challenging and time-intensive process to develop, but artistically, it has allowed me to shift towards work that feels more emergent and less repetitive,” Wu notes. “I’m creating images where technology and nature engage in a dialogue rather than stand in opposition.”
What Wu presents to viewers is not just documentation, but transformation—an invitation to view the world through fresh lenses. “I hope people experience a moment of awe upon encountering these images—the sensation of witnessing something familiar morph into something extraordinary,” he expresses. “There’s a magical quality in utilizing technology to unveil hidden beauty that resides in places we thought we already knew.”
Discover More of Wu’s Vision
You can follow Reuben Wu’s continuing photographic journeys and view more from Thin Places on his official website or on Instagram at @reuben. His portfolio continues to captivate artists and technologists alike, demonstrating how innovative tools and limitless imagination can together unveil an unseen universe.
📸 Reuben Wu: Website | Instagram | Facebook
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In Thin Places, Reuben Wu doesn’t simply take pictures of landscapes—he reimagines them. By integrating state-of-the-art imaging technology with the fine art of light manipulation, this collaboration with Fujifilm exemplifies how the lines separating technology and art continue to converge in the most remarkable ways.