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| Sudsville Laundry Fujifilm GFX100S w/ Fujinon GF63mm f/2.8 R WR | F10.0 | 1/20 sec | ISO 500 |
Scott Pilla (known as spilla in the forums) has a love of the night. His photography journey began with a peaceful walk around his university. Over the preceding years, he came to appreciate how that time of day can make a difference in one's photography.
"I started photography in undergrad at Cornell University, where I was interested in film photography. I spent years photographing landscapes and nature with a variety of gear. However, I didn't really find my own style until I got older and became a dad. I had no time during the day or to travel, and this is when night photography and I found each other."
"It was an escape, a time when I could be calm and unhurried. Gradually, it became the basis of most of my work. I also enjoy the technical challenge of capturing very high dynamic range night scenes, and editing them so they feel natural and tactile."
This story is part of our What's in your bag? community spotlight series. The series showcases the diverse gear and photography of our community, and shares their stories of how that gear helped them to capture the perfect shot.
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| Laundromat in Edgemere Fujifilm GFX100S w/ Fujinon GF45mm f/2.8 R WR | F7.1 | 1/15 sec | ISO 500 |
Meet Scott Pilla (spilla)
Home base: Baltimore, USA
Favorite camera and lens: Scott Pilla’s go-to setup includes the Fujifilm GFX100S camera, praised for its incredible detail and dynamic range, especially in low light. He pairs it with the Fujifilm GF45/2.8 lens, which delivers sharp, natural rendering and resists flare, making it ideal for his night photography and atmospheric shots.
What's in Scott's bag
- Primary cameras: Fujifilm GFX100S
- Lenses:
- Support gear: Scott uses an FLM CP30-L4 tripod with a RRS BH-55 head for most shots, though he often shoots handheld, even in low-light conditions. He’s also equipped with a range of accessories for fine-tuning composition and stability.
- Camera bags: He finds the Think Tank Mindshift Photocross backpack especially useful for its comfort and side-access design, which makes it easy to grab gear quickly when shooting in dynamic conditions.
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| Scott's camera bag
Photo: Scott Pilla |
If you had to pick one favorite item from your gear, what is it and why?
"I love my Fuji GF45/2.8 lens. It renders beautifully and cleanly and is good at resisting flares, making it the perfect night lens."
"I also always carry a tripod (FLM CP30-L4, RRS BH-55 head), but often shoot hand-held. Since I'm often out in the weather, a few microfiber cloths are a must to keep the lens dry. That, and a good pair of gloves. I use the Think Tank Mindshift Photocross backpack. It's comfortable, and I like the side access; it's helpful when you need to get the gear quickly."
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| The Nautilus diner in Timonium, MD, USA Fujifilm GFX100S w/ Fujinon GF45mm f/2.8 R WR | F3.2 | 1/6 sec | ISO 500 |
What interesting environments and scenes do you shoot in?
"I mostly photograph the area in and around Baltimore, MD. I maintain a list of potential subjects and hit them up when the conditions are right. I also have a series of photographs from central Pennsylvania, near where my wife grew up. We often travel there to visit my wife's parents, and I am exploring that area as well. For example, I have a series from Fantasy Island, the abandoned strip club in Duncannon, PA."
"I find inspiration in mundane things, slices of life that are transformed into something unexpected. I am often out shooting in the weather – fog, snow, rain. My family knows that if it's a foggy night, I'll be home late for breakfast (but I'll bring donuts from Fenwick Bakery). I'm always looking for interesting interactions between natural atmosphere and artificial light."
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| National Auto Fujifilm GFX100S w/ Fujinon GF45mm f/2.8 R WR | F8.0 | 1/10 sec | ISO 500 |
What's a great night scene that seems almost too simple but jumps out once it's captured on camera?
"I took a photograph of National Auto at the start of a snowstorm. The structure's color caught my eye, and then I was drawn in by the details – the empty chairs in the window, the neon sign partway through construction, the cone and chain buried in the snow. This was a business transitioning from one thing to another, getting covered up by the natural world. I went for a straight-on composition, simplifying the scene. I took the shot handheld at 1/10s to capture the falling snow through the street lights like little pen flourishes, adding texture."
For eager photographers to capture it all, what would you suggest?
"In editing, I intentionally chose not to perfectly correct the perspective, leaving the building just a little wonky, which, to me, was part of its charm. I do my main editing in Lightroom, then apply film simulations using Dehancer to emulate some of the color and feel of film photography."
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| World Ends Today Fujifilm GFX100S w/ Fujinon GF45mm f/2.8 R WR | F5.0 | 1/13 sec | ISO 500 |
Scott really enjoyed writing the content for this spotlight article and would be grateful for you to join him in discussion in the forums. You can also find Scott's work on his photography website. Thanks, Scott, for being featured!
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