Update on Ukraine in 2022

I genuinely did not expect Ukraine would be invaded when I arrived here in late January, 2022. I spent most of the time prior to the invasion working in Donbas, with Stefan Weichert and Emil Filtenborg.

There was a noticeable change in the tension of the region in those final few days before Putin declared his ‘special operation’, and began bombing Kramatorsk only moments later.

I have been capturing footage and stills from Day One of my arrival into Ukraine to work on research and documentary projects. Stories I researched with Stefan and Emil will appear, too.

My next film will combine found-footage, my own work – from camera, streams, television appearances, etc., into one project. It will be a detailed look at the weeks and days that lead up to, and followed, Russia’s invasion.

I hope I will be able to share all of this footage – and this journey – with you all soon.

Do Not Travel: Working in Ukraine in 2022

I am working in Ukraine once again. Australia officially listed Ukraine as a ‘Do Not Travel’ country due to the significant risk of armed conflict, following Russia’s ongoing military hostilities along Ukraine’s borders. Considering the natural resource assets inside Ukraine, the likelihood of Russia attempting to secure these areas is higher than many would like.

There are currently over 120,000 Russian soldiers, alongside armored vehicles and aircraft, amassed close by to the Ukrainian border. The analysts suggest these are gathered to support an imminent multi-front invasion, whilst Russia says they are there for typical exercises only. Though few are taking Russia’s response as a means of reassurance.

When I read this news I worried for my friends throughout Ukraine. You may have seen in the news the self-made Ukrainian militia taking impromptu shooting and self-defense courses to protect their homes from an invasion. There is certainly much preparation to be found here, with many stockpiling food, medical supplies, protective gear like a kzd-6 protective enclosure, and much more.

I am not saying this to fearmonger, it may very well turn out that pressure and scrutiny on Russia will encourage them to back down. However, this is the situation that is currently happening in Ukraine that has listed the country as a “Do Not Travel” country. I felt compelled to come here, again without significant commercial support from local media in Australia, despite the situation.

I am working on documentary and research projects which focus on local voices and stories. There are many here who do not share the same attitudes as those preparing for conflict. There are those who are hoping the last-minute talks between the USA, Europe, and Russia will. There are those who do not trust the USA and western powers any more than Russia. I hope to gather their voices and stories for the projects I work on.

Rolleiflex 3.5A with Portra 400 at Great Ocean Road, 12 Apostles

This short blog article is a small collection of Kodak Portra 400 medium-format film photographs, shot on a Rolleiflex model 3.5 K4A from 1951. These photographs were shot along the Great Ocean Road, in Victoria, Australia.

The Rolleiflex TLR is my favourite 120 format camera design. I previously used a Hasselblad and 80 mm lens for the better part of three years. My Rolleiflex 3.5 A features a 75 mm f/3.5 Zeiss Tessar lens, capable of capturing great colours and contrast, in a compact form factor.

My Kodak Portra 400 film was developed by Halide Supply in Melbourne, Australia, and scanned on their automated, high-end digital scanning workflow. Highly recommend their business.

Click the links below if you’re interested in more content related to the Rolleiflex 3.5 K4A:


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Bryce Wilson is a photographer, filmmaker, and freelance photojournalist from Melbourne, Australia.



Shooting with a Rolleiflex 3.5 and Portra 400

This short blog article is a small collection of Portra 400 medium-format film photographs, shot on a Rolleiflex model 3.5 K4A from 1951, equipped at times with the Rolleinar Bay 1 setup.

I captured these images at the Botanical Gardens in Melbourne, Australia. Shooting flowers is a nice way to appreciate nature, and I enjoy trying to capture photographs of bees, especially when they’re in flight, or close to flowers, which is even more challenging when using a non-digital camera.

The Rolleiflex TLR is my favourite 120 format camera design. I previously used a Hasselblad and 80 mm lens for the better part of three years. My Rolleiflex 3.5 A features a 75 mm f/3.5 Zeiss Tessar lens, capable of capturing great colours and contrast, in a compact form factor.

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