The Saddest Photo I’ve Ever Taken

A young girl stands at the edge of a concrete pier under stormy skies, while a mother cradles a baby in the distance, both gazing out to sea.

I didn’t mean to take the saddest photo of my life. But once I saw it, I couldn’t unsee it. We were at Saayo beach. Golden hour light washing in low from behind, catching Arlene’s hair like fire. She was sitting on the break wall holding Isobelle, looking out across the sea toward Negros island … Read more

How 23mm Became My Favourite Fuji Focal Length — and Why I Keep Coming Back to It

black and white photo of FIlipino children playing a traditional game outside. Taken on the Fuji X100T

For a long time, I was a 35mm guy. Not the classic rangefinder 35mm field of view — I’m talking about Fuji’s 35mm f/1.4, which I used for years as my go-to, general-purpose lens. It gave me the kind of subject isolation I liked: shallow depth of field, a bit of compression, and a tighter … Read more

My Camera Doesn’t Just Save Memories — It Saves Me

A young girl stands at the edge of a concrete pier under stormy skies, while a mother cradles a baby in the distance, both gazing out to sea.

There’s a photo I took recently on a family outing to the beach. My eldest daughter, Sofia, is framed in soft afternoon sidelight — exploring, a little apart from my wife and younger daughter, Isobelle. Her face still holds traces of childhood, but her posture really struck me. It upset me. There was something in … Read more

Why Fujifilm Became My Main Camera System — For Now

Why I chose Fujifilm thumbnail

Like many photographers, I spent years chasing the perfect kit—switching between Olympus, Sony, Nikon, and even building out a high-end system with the Nikon Z8 and Zf. But over time, I found myself reaching for one system more than any other: Fujifilm. These days, it’s the one I rely on most for my everyday work. … Read more

Fujifilm X100VI Real-World Review (2025) — Still the Ultimate Travel Camera?

Fisherman casting on the Dumaguete seawall, just after golden hour — shot with the X100VI.

I’m starting this Fuji X100VI review having owned several of the earlier X100 series cameras over the years — from the X100T through to the X100V. The X100 line has always appealed to me for its blend of simplicity, image quality, and compactness. Update, July 7th 2025: I’ve recently tested the Fuji X100VI against the … Read more

Fuji X100Vi for Documentary and travel Photography

Picture of me using the Fuji X100VI

Fuji X100Vi Documentary photography: How does it perform? I’ve been using the Fuji X100Vi for Documentary photography and during my travels. Documentary photography often calls for a tool that’s as straightforward as it is capable, freeing the photographer from the complexities of gear decisions and allowing them to focus fully on the story they’re capturing. … Read more

Why I Chose the Fujifilm X100Vi and XT5 for My Documentary Photography Project

the 3 axis tiltable screen of the Fuji XT5.

I chose the Fuji XT5 and X100Vi for documentary photography after considering a number of cameras and systems. To see why, read on below: If you’d rather watch than read then see my video. When it comes to documentary photography, especially for a personal project like mine, choosing the right camera is crucial. My current … Read more

How to overcome Gear Acquisition Syndrome in Photography

How I Cured Gear Acquisition Syndrome (GAS) and Focused on My Photography Goals I’ve finally learnt how to overcome gear acquisition syndrome in photography and I’d like to share what helped me. In today’s fast-paced world of photography, it’s easy to get caught up in the endless cycle of buying new gear. Whether it’s the … Read more

Fuji XT5 vs X100VI for Street Photography: A Detailed Comparison

Fujifilm X-T5 camera

Fuji XT5 vs X100VI for Street Photography: A Detailed Comparison   Update: June 2025: I have both of these cameras here with me in the Philippines where I continue to use them for most of my photography. Here are my travel photography camera and lens recommendations. I recently put the X100VI through its paces on … Read more