I’m still loving my Fuji X-H1 that I bought recently. A sweet extra that I added was the Fuji Instax SP-3 printer (B&H / Amazon). This printer allows you to print directly from the camera itself, giving a 2.4” x 2.4” polaroid. But you don't need a Fuji camera to use it. You can print from your phone as well, to create 2.4 x 2.4" polaroid type prints.
This photo above is my first test print - the make-up artist for the photo shoot in the studio today. I know it’s old news for Fuji shooters, but it’s new for me, and I’m kinda excited Read more inside...
Silent Shutter / Electronic shutter vs mechanical shutter
I “accidentally” bought a new camera recently. I had no real intent to. This is going to be a long story ... or a short review. The story starts when I dropped the small camera Fuji X-T20 (affiliate) that I use on a gimbal. While it was still in for repairs, so I went in to my local camera store, to see what I could rent for a gig that upcoming weekend.
I idly asked to see the new Fuji X-H1 (affiliate) ... and the moment I tripped the shutter, I knew this was the camera I had been looking for. It has the Read more inside...
It’s Summer again and (intermittently) sunny outside, and the trees are green ... or snow-white as in this B&W infrared photo. The contrasty tones, and the dark skies with bright foliage are typical of B&W infrared photographs. Last year, in this article on mirrorless cameras and B&W infrared, I mentioned how I had searched for a Fuji camera & lens combination that worked without giving me a central hot-spot. I found the Fuji 14mm f/2.8 lens (B&H / Amazon) worked beautifully on my infra-red converted Fuji X-E2, Read more inside...
For any photographer moving from zooms to using primes as well, with a strong interest in portraits, the 85mm lens is your best choice. If you're a fan of Fuji, then the equivalent focal length would be the 56mm optic. And if you're a fan of Fuji, then you will already know that their lenses are razor-sharp. To test the Fuji XF 56mm f/1.2 R (B&H / Amazon), I photographed one of my favorite models, Anastasiya, using the flood of light from the billboards in Times Square. While not a thorough lens review of the Fuji XF 56mm f/1.2 Read more inside...
This photograph of Anelisa, was taken during a Flash Photography workshop at my studio. Lighting is via accidental off-camera flash! I was shooting a few available-light behind-the-scenes photos with my Fuji X-T20 (affiliate), and caught someone's flash. It was 2 stops over-exposed because of the additional light, but the RAW file from the Fuji had nearly enough detail to pull the image back to a usable point!
The HDR look to this photo is in part due to the massive correction to the Exposure and Contrast and Highlights, in adjusting the Read more inside...
B&W infrared photographs have a distinct look - green foliage go white and blue skies go dark. Then there are the unusual tonality when some things are unexpectedly darker or brighter than you expect. This is all part of the adventure of shooting with B&W infrared. The most typical B&W infrared images that you tend to see, are the landscape images with the ghostly white foliage. My own preference is to explore New York with my B&W infrared camera. The imposing cityscapes of NYC, and the random opportunities make it Read more inside...
The Fuji X-T2 (B&H / Amazon) is one of the most likable cameras I have ever handled, and up there with the best cameras. Ever. Fuji made immediate impact with their Fuji X-100 camera, which had sexy retro appeal, especially with the optical viewfinder. Since then, Fuji has released cameras which retain that kind of appeal, which culminated two years ago in the Fuji X-T1 - a camera which also really impressed me, as mentioned in my review: Fuji X-T1 camera.
Now we have the Fuji X-T2 which in some ways, is a considerable jump up from the Fuji Read more inside...
For a review of the Fuji X-T2, I met up with one of my favorite models, Anastasiya, in New York. Working with just the Fuji X-T2 and the kit lens that came with it, I wanted to work with just the available light. But I wasn't just on the lookout for soft, flattering light - I also on the lookout for interesting found light, such as unexpected splashes of light. Available light portrait photography with intent! These two articles will show how surprising it can be to stumble upon interesting available light to enhance a portrait:
Observing and Read more inside...
Pentax used to have a slogan that said simply, 'Just hold a Pentax'. Such was their confidence that they could win you over with a Pentax SLR. Just hold it, feel it and you will already like it. A lot! For me, that mantle could be placed on Fuji these days. With the X-series cameras, they've built up a range of cameras that are very appealing. They look good. They feel good ... and they give stunning results.
Yes, I am somewhat of a Fuji fanboy. But then, I love quality products. I'm a fan of that. My walkabout camera is the sexy Fuji X100s that I carry Read more inside...
The way that Fuji implemented manual focus mode on their cameras, turn them into possibly the best manual focus cameras around. Now some will say the most recent series camers' AF is so good that you don't need manual focus. However, I'm not convinced of that. The AF is pretty good, but there are times (such as with strong back-lighting), where even the top cameras of any brand would struggle. Then manual focus can be a huge help. And it makes sense to be familiar with the manual focus options on your camera.
Anyway, here is why I think the way that Read more inside...
