Leigh works at Fujifilm Australia as a Direct Market Communications Specialist. He is an experienced photographer and blogger who enjoys sharing his extensive imaging knowledge with photographers around the world. To learn more about Fujifilm Australia's products visit http://www.fujifilm.com.au/
You set up your shot, with its lighting and composition just as you want. But when you see your image, you find it is ruined by blur or debris. The lack of clarity in your picture may be caused by many things, such as a moving camera, incorrect focal range or dirty lens. Though difficult to detect as you shoot, these complications diminish your picture clarity.
Do not settle for little mistakes that defile your shots. Follow these five tips to make your images sharper.
Monopods and tripods are useful for all photographers, novice and expert alike. Invest in a sturdy tripod or monopod that you are comfortable maneuvering. In low-light situations especially, pull out your tripod. Its three legs are more solid than your two for steadiness when you’re also dealing with slow shutter speeds.
Even the best tripods aren’t perfect, though. Weigh down your tripod as needed and use your body to block any wind that might tip it.
(“Belmore Falls” by Brian Mann (@bmannphoto), Fujifilm X-T1)
Hold your camera with a sturdy posture.
Most blur is caused by mid-shot camera movement, however slight. If you are not using a tripod or monopod, at least use the best posture possible. Keep your camera in both hands and close to your body, with your elbows locked. When possible, support your balance with an external surface, such as a wall or tree.
Use a mirrorless camera or a lock-up setting.
Even when you do your part to maintain steadiness, your camera’s mechanics can foil the shot. Many DSLRs rely on mirrors, which swing as they send visuals from the lens to the viewfinder. Movement from that swing, known as “mirror slap,” can lessen image sharpness.
To avoid mirror slap, work with a mirrorless camera, such as any in the Fujifilm X Series, or select your camera’s lock-up mode, which swings the mirror into place well before you activate the shutter.
Set your aperture and ISO right for the moment.
Most lenses have an aperture that produces the sharpest images. If you set your aperture to either extreme of your lens range, you may have softness because of light diffraction. Whatever your lens, test it at various apertures to gauge its top performance. For a traditional lens, the ideal setting is likely in the middle of its range. For a wide-angle angle lens, it may be a small aperture (or large f number), because the lens is designed to capture a big focal range.
(It is definitely not an eyebrow-raising lens and will not attract a lot of attention, making it that much easier to grab a shot unnoticed.- Sven Schroeter (@bokehmonster)
Maintain a tidy camera lens.
Every so often, pause from shooting and clean your camera lens of dust and debris. Even material too small to detect with your plain eye can diminish a few pixels of your image. Clean the lens thoroughly, because smudges may warp the light in your shots.
With your camera steady and tidy, and with your lens working from its best range, you can take sharper images consistently.
As a photographer, your travel adventures would not be complete without your X Series camera along for the trip. Whether you use the photos for work or for personal use, you want to retain the best sights from your expeditions. But be savvy. Travel with your camera in a way that keeps your gear safe and lets you move freely.
To have a great travel experience with your digital camera, follow these five helpful tips.
“An inspirational perspective” by @kasiasykus, X-Pro1
Secure your camera for a safe ride
As you fly or drive with your X-Series camera, your top priority is to keep your gear intact. To avoid equipment damage, disassemble external flashes and lenses from your camera body. Turbulence during travel might jostle your lens cap from its lens and leave the lens susceptible to scratches, so adhere the cap with a small piece of tape. Store everything in a bag with adequate padding.
If you fly, keep your camera in a carry-on bag rather than with checked luggage. Cameras packed with checked bags are more easily smashed by other luggage or stolen from the baggage claim section of the airport.
Pack only what you truly need
If you own a lot of gear, you might feel tempted to lug it all on your trip. But stick with just necessary items when travelling. Pack one or two zoom lenses rather than several prime ones. Carry your memory cards and charger but not too many batteries. If you fly, the number of batteries you can carry may be limited, anyway. Batteries contain flammable lithium, so many airlines restrict the amount you can bring on a flight.
Keep your lens tidy and your camera dry
Along with those other necessary items, you should travel with lens wipes and a brush. As you encounter sand and other debris on your trip, especially when you shoot outdoors, you will need to regularly tidy your lens. You may even bring a protector filter to guard your equipment from outdoor elements.
“Capturing the little moments” by Russell Chee (@lordbadwolf), X-T1
Guard your gear from theft
If you have great equipment, others around you may take notice. Consider your travel locale and use intuition to determine precautions needed to protect your camera. To avoid unwanted attention, remove your camera from its case only once you are ready to shoot and return it to its case as soon as you are done. If you lodge in a hostel or hotel that lacks privacy or security, ask if the site has a safe you can rent to store your gear between shoots.
Protect your camera investment with insurance
The above steps lessen the likelihood of theft or damage, but still it is good to financially safeguard yourself from worst-case scenarios. If you have valuable camera gear, get an insurance policy that compensates you in case of destruction, loss or theft. Many travel insurance policies cover digital camera equipment, but check with your provider.
With your photography luggage light and secure, you can enjoy your adventure and come back with splendid shots.
Is there such a thing as the best camera or perfect lens?
Maybe for some, but for most you will find that no camera and lens will provide you with what you want. Many professional or enthusiast photographers and videographers would have experienced the question that always seems to be unanswerable when asked by a friend or family member.
The question that typically gets asked is…
What is the best camera or lens to get?
You have to admit it is a valid question, but really it is a hard one to answer. In order to attempt at answering the ‘how long is a piece of string’ question, you have to ask a question rather than an answer. Here’s a good example:
What are you intending to take photos of and what would you like to do with the photos after you have captured them?
It is the final response that will determine what the best camera for them will be.
Technology does play a part in the solution, though, and it is one of those things that will always develop over time. A good example of this is when you look back 10 years, when the Fujifilm Finepix S5 Pro was released on September 25th, 2006. Back then 6 megapixels was amazing and a frame rate of 1.6 frames per second seemed incredible. This to many at the time was a leap in the right direction. The specifications and skin tones produced by the camera seemed very adequate for most portrait and wedding photographers, but for those who required a fast frame rate, like sports photographers it just wasn’t enough.
Fast forward to Fujifilm’s recent X-T2 release and the image quality jumped four times to 24 megapixels while the frame rate increased to 14 frames with the electronic shutter. Now, clearly, with the increased frame rate and megapixels this should be enough to cater for the portrait, wedding and sports photographers out there.
Some will agree with this and others might not. That’s the thing when making a camera – you can never cater for every user out there. Instead, Fujifilm goes the step further to try and provide cameras based on user feedback in response to the questions above. It’s certainly not everyone but it’s the vast majority.
Part of what being a photographer and videographer is all about is learning how to use the equipment to get the best results – despite the specifications.
So, if someone were to ask you – what is the best camera or lens to get – the first reply should always be what are you intending to photograph and use it for?
Based on this information you will be able to guide them with the correct camera and lens combination that will suit their needs. This is why we recommend you visit a camera store, because unlike online where the prices may seem better – you can never put a price on the excellent knowledge and service provided by an expert.
To help you with your decisions while you read this, a free PDF buying guide has been provided in case you have any questions about the current range of Fujifilm cameras (a lens guide is also in the making). In the guide, we take you through each available model, including the new Fujifilm X-T2 and attempt to best describe whom the camera would be good for in a real world situation.
Once you have read through the magazine styled pages, we encourage you to visit our store locator (if you are in Australia) to find the nearest Fujifilm X Stockist where you can ask questions and get a direct response from an expert. On top of this if you are unable to visit a store we encourage you to call us directly on 1800 226 355 and choose option 4, where an expert from our Fujifilm X Series digital help desk will be able to assist.
Lastly, if you own a Fujifilm X Series camera, tell us why you choose your camera and how it best suits your needs. We would love the feedback!
In continuation from last month, we are happy to announce William Solis as our new X-Thusiasts Featured Photographer for September 2016. In his recent interview, Solis relays his thrill for cinematography and travel through Fujifilm photography.
Let’s start with the basics: Where is home? What are your hobbies? What inspires you from day to day?
Home is Newport in the Northern Beaches NSW. It’s a beautiful place, and I simply enjoy watching the ocean in my spare time. My hobbies other than photography are fitness, cinema and technology. Each hobby has some carryover to the other and ultimately gives me some variety.
My biggest daily inspiration is seeing the incredible shots in places that I’ve been to many times. There have been times where I haven’t gone out shooting because I felt I’ve covered every inch of that location, only to see someone else’s photograph from there; I’ve gained a perspective I had never considered as if I had never seen that place before. It’s really opened my eyes to continually try different shots, so I carry my camera with me everywhere. As I look for those shots, sometimes a great scene shows up, and I’m only able to capture it because I have my camera on me.
How did you develop an interest in photography? How did you learn and develop your craft?
Cinema has always been a big part of my life—even now it is a gigantic inspiration for my photography. I grew up watching movies and the cinematography was a very important aspect to me. The way the scenes were filmed, it was a perspective I had never seen in my day-to-day life. I wanted to capture my life like that. I also really appreciated my childhood photographs and they help me remember moments in my life that would otherwise be a fragment. I also felt they showed the moment better than I could explain it.
“Fireworks in Darling Harbour”, Fujifilm X-T1 + XF23mmF1.4
My parents got me a compact camera when I was about 15. From there, I took photos of anything and everything—at first, I emulated the compositions I liked in the movies without really understanding what made them look so good. Over time, I researched composition guidelines, photography FAQs, beginner guides, etc. I joined photography websites and spent a lot of time analysing shots I liked, matching them up with the composition and post-processing posts I was reading. I would get some constructive criticism from other photographers, but most times I would come back to my earlier shots and see what didn’t work based on the experience I had gained since then. My goal was to understand the thought process and develop my eye in order to take better shots.
Over the years, I have met other photographers who have taught me a lot and I have attended workshops that have taught me things that would have otherwise taken me way longer to learn. I am still developing my vision through experimenting, mixing it up or looking at shots from people who have different viewpoints.
Do you have a particular photographic style? If so, what would you consider that to be?
Travel photography would be the best way I could describe it. I try to see the places I go to as if I was seeing it through the eyes of someone who’s been there for the first time and I like to think if after looking at their shots, how would they have photographed it differently? From the beginning, my goal has always been to photograph to remember the life I have lived.
“Sunset at Barrenjoey Headland”, Fujifilm X-T1 + XF35mmF1.4, shutter 1/5000
What’s your favourite location to shoot in Australia?
Barrenjoey headland at Palm Beach; not only is it beautiful but there are so many ways that it can be photographed. I find it’s a playground, an open-air studio that I am free to enjoy.
Consider your favourite or most memorable Fujifilm photograph. Where was it taken, how was it shot and what does this photo mean to you?
That is not easy to answer! Most memorable for me would be a rain cloud I photographed from Newport beach in the morning. I went down to the beach despite it being a cloudy morning. I did not think I was going to get anything special but I went anyway. I just wanted to photograph.
I reached the beach and saw this wonderful view of a rain cloud over the ocean and the sun behind it. I wanted to give some context and sand wasn’t working so I walked past the ocean pool and onto the rocks. There was a rock that the waves kept crashing against and I saw a shot in my head. I squatted down, tilted the screen up on my X-T1 and composed the rock in the foreground and the rain cloud in the background. I simply waited for it to appear in front of my camera. I was listening to Simon and Garfunkel during the shoot and I know that influenced my shot.
The shot represents a couple of things to me: To go out even if it doesn’t look ideal and that you don’t always know what you’re going to get, so put yourself out there.
What’s your favourite X Series camera? Why do you prefer that particular model?
X-T1 without a doubt. Specifically the EVF, flip-up screen and design. I’ve used a variety of cameras in my life but there has always been something that has hindered me or been not as enjoyable to use. The X-T1 is easily the most enjoyable—it is just right in the places that I need and almost feels tailored to me. It’s like the makers had a wishlist for a camera that they would use themselves and made it. I’m just glad that it exists! I refer to my X-T1 as my electronic eye because it feels like an extension of me and the closest I can get to saving the moments I see with my own eyes.
Which Fujinon lens(es) do you prefer?
The 23mm F1.4 is my main lens. It enables me to get the shots I am after. I do not feel hindered by it, especially in low light. There are many shots I would not have been able to get if I did not have that lens. I also use the 35mm F1.4 for subjects farther away and the Samyang 12mm F2 if I want to go wider.
Could you describe your photographic workflow? Do you prefer any third-party, post-processing software, camera accessories or community networks to develop and share your work?
My in-camera settings are Pro Neg Std and Colour +2. I shoot in RAW but the look of that film simulation works for me as a base idea. I use Lightroom predominantly and Nik Collection for sharpening as I find it does a better job. I import my photos with VSCO 06 400H+1 + because it gives me a feel of what I’m after and starts the process of connecting the photograph I have in my head to the final image. Usually, I get the colours first then highlights/shadows/curves and then finish off with colour afterwards. Sometimes the missing piece is changing the colour hue, usually blue and yellow. Sometimes I edit a bunch of images and by the last one, I have found the look I am after and apply it to the previous shots.
I upload to Flickr and share it to Instagram. I also back up my exported images to an external hard drive. Sometimes I feel I don’t need to go to Lightroom and instead convert in-camera to the look I’m after and send it to my phone. I then edit in Snapseed and upload from there.
Do you have any additional final thoughts regarding Fujifilm X Series? Do you have any tips or advice you’d like to share with other photographers out there pursuing their craft?
Firstly, I am very interested in the X-T2—especially for the video and AF—so I will be checking that out when I can. I highly appreciate the firmware updates and Fujifilm listening to feedback (any video-centric firmware updates for the X-T1 would be greatly appreciated).
I often get asked what camera I recommend and I would love for Fujifilm to make a 1″ sensor successor to the X30. I have a feeling that it will fill a gap for many people and would be an excellent introduction to Fujifilm. On a similar note, I would really like Fujifilm to host more events because it would allow people to try out the gear in real-life scenarios. I would definitely like to be involved or attend such events.
My advice for photographers would be to never stop learning and be open to new ideas, different compositions and styles because it may open you up to take photographs that you would have never considered.
“Sunset on St. Leonards, NSW”, Fujifilm X-T1 + XF23mmF1.4
To see more of Will’s work, you can follow him on Instagram at @willsolis1.
If you, or someone you know, is interested in joining our X-Thusiast community, check out the full X-Thusiast Gallery and Submission details here.
We at Fujifilm Australia are excited to introduce Mr. Ian Burrows as our next X-Thusiast Featured Photographer for July 2016. When he’s not busy with his family, Mr. Burrows enjoys capturing the dark, unnoticed corners of Sydney metro and stitching together engaging, multi-photo panoramas with is Fujifilm X-T1 and X-E2.
“Big Bend” by Ian Burrows, Fujifilm X-T1 + XF35mmF1.4 R, Auto bracket exposure, Manual, 3.2 sec, F8, ISO 200 (42 pictures)
Introductions first: Who are you and where are you from? Can you tell us about your hobbies? What inspires you from day to day?
My name is Ian Burrows and I am from Sydney, NSW. I’ve lived in the west, north and south of Sydney, but I’ve also spent brief stints on the NSW Central Coast and in the UK. Along with photography, I love riding my pushbike, shooting hoops and spending time with my kids. There are so many beautiful places in this world, but I find day-to-day life more relevant. It is what I do in my life, my life experiences, that inspires me and my photography preferences.
How did you develop an interest in photography? How did you start out? How would you describe the development of your photographic style, if you have one?
I think I have always enjoyed photography. The act of making an image stimulates the brain.
When I first started shooting, I was travelling a bit for work, mostly coastal towns in NSW. I was naturally drawn to the beaches, so I started out shooting seascapes and landscapes wanting to emulate the big names in Australian landscape photography. As life got busier and I spent less time near the ocean, I experimented more with night photography and urban shooting. It immediately appealed to me. Dark, desolate, urban scenes make me smile.The other influence on my style has been my obsession with panoramic images. Shooting wide and extreme views has driven many of my favourite images.
“Belly of the Beast” by Ian Burrows, Fujifilm X-T1 + XF10-24mm, auto bracket exposure, Manual, 1/4 sec, F8, ISO 400 (24 pictures)
What’s your favourite location to shoot in Australia? What are your favourite subjects to shoot?
Shooting around the streets of Sydney is enough for me. I have a young family and so reality dictates that I stay local and shoot when I can, which is usually at night. I would love to head farther west, but that can wait.
What’s your favourite X Series camera? Why do you prefer that particular model?
The X-T1 has grown to be my favourite. The viewfinder and general speed are a winning combination for me.
Which Fujinon lens or lenses do you prefer?
The XF10-24mm for wide and XF56mmF1.2 R for long; wide for urban and long for portraits of my kids. The 10-24mm is so flexible and the 56mm just produces beautiful images under most circumstances.
“Jaca Warra” by Ian Burrows, Fujifilm X-E2 + XF35mmF1.4 R, Manual exposure, 1/256 sec, F8, ISO 400 (49 pictures)
Could you describe your photographic workflow? Do you prefer any third-party camera accessories or post-production software?
My workflow is fairly set. l usually shoot multi-shot panoramas. I open the RAW files in Capture One, make adjustments to exposure and colour and then sync those across the Pano frames. I export to the individual frames for the panorama to TIFF format and stitch in auto-pano. I finish in Photoshop usually using colour and silver EFEX. I often apply a film simulation to alter the overall colour balance and feel to give a slightly unreal look something subtle but enough to register in the brain.
My favourite effect is a slight green toning similar to what you often see in movies shot at night on film.
What are some of your favourite features or aspects of the Fujifilm X-T1?
The big EVF, rotating EVF view and WiFi for on-the-go edits.
Do you have any advice to new photographers or the next potential X-Thusiast?
Start with a middle-of-the-road camera, maybe a kit zoom and one prime. Keep it simple. Do not get caught up in the gear lust. Work smart. Hang out with good shooters. Observe them, and above all—observe life.
Any final thoughts, tips or advice you’d like to share?
It’s all about the light. And, lest we forget, a good picture tells a thousand words.
“Fairground” by Ian Burrows, Fujifilm XF18-55mmF2.8-4 R LM OIS, Auto bracket exposure, Manual, 4 sec, F8, ISO 200, Compensation: +1, (3 pictures)
Interested in joining the X-Thusiast community and sharing your own story?
You must be logged in to post a comment.