Photo-Technique, Studio, Training

The Fujifilm X-T4 – Commendation & (Mild) Criticism

The Fujifilm X-T4 – A Lot of Praise but One Big Niggle.

I’ve been shooting with Fujifilm X-Series cameras since 2017 when I bought my first Fujifilm X-T2. I was immediately smitten.  I’d been a Nikon user all my photographic life, completely loyal to the products of the Japanese giant.  I’d begun in the ‘80’s with the FM2, and progressed through the Nikon D2x to the D750.  I thought it would ever be so.  But when I made my first few images with the Fuji X-T2 I was quickly convinced.  It was the photographic equivalent of a Damascus road conversion.  Since then I’ve been shooting (professionally and for fun) with the X-T2, X-T30 and X-T3.  Everyone of them has been great.  But when the X-T2 began to wobble a bit, I decided it was time for a change.  I kept the X-T3, sold the X-T2 and X-T30 and with the equity, invested in the new X-T4.

The Fujifilm X-T4, with leather half-case.

So, what’s special about the X-T4?  It’s just a little chunkier than its predecessors, and I’ve encased mine in a leather half-case, more for appearance than practicality, but it’s still an easy camera to hold, much more ‘grippable’ than the X-T2, and that’s important when you are clamouring in and out of vehicles.

Continue reading The Fujifilm X-T4 – Commendation & (Mild) Criticism →
Belfast, Cars and Vehicles

The ‘On The Move’ Project’

Adjusting to retirement, or just a new obsession?

‘The Car in Photography’

Mini One-d

I’ve this thing about cars. I’m not by any means a ‘petrolhead’ – after all, I drive a Skoda! But I’ve been photographing cars commercially for about 15 years, but I’ve always been glad to get those jobs done and get away home, or back to the studio for some real photography! But there is no studio anymore, and I’ve been reading a book called ‘Autofocus – The Car in Photography.’ It’s pretty inspiring! I’ve taken an interest in getting car images just for fun, my ‘On the Move Project.’ Ive been sitting in the passenger seat, with the camera, on continuous focus, and looking for interesting vehicles out and about. I’ll share more of these images from time to time.

Get it at Amazon:

Buy it at Amazon

Anyway, I found this Mini One sitting at traffic lights in Belfast. I underexposed by two stops, darkening the background significantly and keeping the brake lights looking realistic. Normal exposure would have rendered the red lights unrealistically bright. In photoshop I duplicated the layer and raised the exposure in the bottom layer by 2stops, added a layer mask to the upper layer and then painted the car in at normal exposure. Except the lights of course!

Cars and Vehicles, Co. Antrim, Travel

THe VW and the ibis…

In-Body Image Stabilisation on the Fujifilm X-T4

One of the great advantages of the Fujifilm X-T4, and the unique selling point, as far as I was concerned, was the IBIS feature. It works a treat! So, to combine it with the continuous focus mode, I sat in the passenger seat, with the camera, while Janette was driving.

Ok, so there’s some of our roads here that no amount of digital technology could cope with! Bumps, potholes, bends, (and sharp gear shifts… LOL) all take their toll on the image stability! So, when we got onto a reasonably straight road, I fixed the focus on a few other vehicles on the road, and made some images!

Fujifilm X-T4, F=78mm, f/6.4 @ 1/125th sec, on ISO200, Classic Chrome film simulation.
Continue reading THe VW and the ibis… →
Beautiful Ulster, Co. Down, Ireland, Landscapes, Travel

Dark Mournes – Murlough Bay

Shooting into the Sun!

Shooting into the midday sun is never a great idea but the waves and the dark Mournes were irresistible today.

The image was captured today on Murlough Beach, a National Trust property, between Dundrum and Newcastle, Co.Down. The tallest peak is Slieve Donard, part of the Mourne Mountains range.

Shot on the Fujifilm X-T4, F=30mm f/20 @ 1/125th sec on ISO160.

Continue reading Dark Mournes – Murlough Bay →
Beautiful Ulster, Belfast

Jennymount Mill

Jennymount Mill

Jennymount Mill is a relic of Belfast’s Industrial Past, situated beside the busy M2 Motorway in North Belfast. Needless to say, to attempt to photograph the Mill from the motorway angle would be both illegal, and dangerous, probably fatal. But when one is in the passenger seat of a passing vehicle, with a camera and a clean window, it’s probably ok to get a quick snap – but don’t distract the driver.

Jennymount Mill, Oil Effect
Continue reading Jennymount Mill →

Commercial and Family Photographer