I have one more high-contrast portrait I made in the same spot as the last two. Since the lighting is the same, we get a similar look with a nearly black background.

Though I prefer environmental portraits with softened background details, this simple black backdrop has advantages. It really focuses the eye on the person. And while the deep shadows on the face might not be textbook, it adds some drama and mystery.

Using the Fujifilm GFX 50S II for portraits under these conditions is far from ideal. While not a fast focusing camera, darker conditions further reduces the speed of its contrast-detect focusing system. The upside, however, is details and image malleability. I can extensively brighten and darken details in post-processing, thus softening the harshness of the lighting.

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