Fujifilm UK Sparks Outrage by Trotting Out Topless Model at GFX Demo Event
Earlier today, photographer Danny North was at a paid Fujifilm UK event to try out the much-anticipated medium format GFX 50s when something shocking happened. After the technical talk, Fuji UK brought out a topless model for the predominantly male audience to test the camera on.
The audacity of the situation shook and angered North, who walked out of the event immediately and vented his frustration in a Twitter rant, which was sent to PetaPixel by one of our readers.
We have reached out to both Mr. North and Fujifilm UK for comment and elaboration on the incident, but it seems the two parties have already been in touch. In a Tweet, Fuji apologized for “any offense caused,” to which Mr. North suggested they donate his refund to the Women’s Aid charity:
Reactions to Mr. North’s revelations on Twitter have been mostly offense and outrage at the idea that Fuji UK would do something like this. “Please tell me you mean a Porsche cabriolet???” wrote one Twitter user, referring to Mr. North’s mention of the “topless model.” Another was more blunt: “What the actual what?? Christ alive.” she wrote.
@dannynorthphoto @james_blue_cat Please tell me you mean a Porsche cabriolet???
— Angela Powers (@angelampowers) February 24, 2017
@dannynorthphoto What the actual what?? Christ alive.
— Claire Nelson (@clairenelson) February 24, 2017
@dannynorthphoto good on you for your response and calling it out publicly. As a young female photog using Fuji I'm disgusted by this.
— ameena rojee (@AmeenaRojee) February 24, 2017
@dannynorthphoto Could barely believe this. Are @Fujifilm_UK completely out of their minds? On what backwards planet is that thoughtful PR?!
— Graham Pilling (@armyofcats) February 24, 2017
@dannynorthphoto @Fujifilm_UK that is shocking- would have expected more from Fuji. Not just in 2017 but at anytime
— johnsummersphoto (@johnsumersphoto) February 24, 2017
As for Fuji’s apology, that was met with much the same sentiment:
@Fujifilm_UK @dannynorthphoto so @Fujifilm_UK what made you think this was a great press idea in the first place? I used to respect Fuji.
— aeroferret (@aeroferret) February 24, 2017
@SarahLeggePhoto @Fujifilm_UK @dannynorthphoto I'm flabbergasted Sarah and Danny. You wouldn't think it's the 21st Century.
— David Blanchflower (@DavidBflower) February 24, 2017
We have yet to hear back from either Danny or Fuji UK, but we will update this post as soon as we get a statement from either.
UPDATE: Fujifilm UK sent us the following official statement in response to our request for comment:
Fujifilm has a long tradition in photography, an art-form that covers many different genres.
In a workshop on 24th February to demonstrate one of our new products in a real-life shooting situation with a working professional photographer, the choice of shooting subject made by the photographer was not appropriate and we sincerely apologise for any offence that it might have caused.The workshop itself was arranged by an external professional commercial photographer that we have previously worked with on many different projects. On this occasion, his choice of shooting subject was not in line with our company values.
Had we known in advance that this shooting subject was going to be used we would have requested an alternative subject for the workshop. We would never knowingly use such shooting subjects to promote our brand.
