Anika and Kim @ Bigben Complex Lipa City; July 20, 2025

Fuji XT1 a mirrorless camera released in January 2014 was used in this photoshoot along side with a manual Yashica 50mm released in 1985. Since the Xt1 has a crop sensor the the lens used has a full frame equivalent of 75mm a range oftentimes used in portrait photography. Although the camera has three types of manual focus assistance, I found that the standard focus assist with a small focusing frame at the side is the most effective for me. It is not easy since I am mostly focusing by eye with this mode. Making it a little bit more challenging in nailing focus also is my decision to shoot at the lens maximum aperture of f/1.9 to gather as much light as possible at a lower ISO. Also lacking as compared to more modern mirrorless camera is the in body image stabilization so I have to always pay attention to my shutter speed and also how position myself to keep the camera steady.

The combination of the Fuji XT1 and and the Yashica lens provides an photography experience almost as similar to shooting film. With all the manual dials in the camera body and the manual focusing I have to deal with using the lens. The photoshoot is slow but definitely deliberate for both the photographer and the model. I am very thankful to Anika and Kim for having the patience in holding their look and their poses until I got the focus. They were also both very patient with me as I looked for possible spots where there is enough light to work with since I also decided to use ambient light except on some occasions when I used an on board flash to add a little more light to their faces. Thankful also to Bigben Complex Lipa City for being a creative hub for photographers, singers and artists. 

I don’t use this set-up for paid photoshoots, instead, I use mostly the Viltrox 85mm f1.8 version II for its autofocus and to be faster overall in the shooting process. But it can’t beat the XT1 with the 50mm Yashica as an everyday carry all around lens for both its size and weight. A definite positive for me to just put it in a shoulder bag that I can carry everywhere I go.  

Lipa City, July 2, 2025

Upon a recent visit to Lipa City's Public Market I stumbled upon a humble artist who was alone and busy making his craft. A piece of paper a pencil and soft pastel coloring materials were the only tools that I saw aside from his plastic stool and a wooden folding table. His name is Ryan and he loves creating hyper realistic images through his paintings. What he is currently painting is a portrait of a vlogger which I suppose he follows but he told me it is not a paid work, he is just wants to express and exercise his creativity. He said it will take him another four hours to finish the painting. It is very inspiring and uplifting to see someone devoted in creating his craft with the limited resources that he has and the place that he was in. He may be doing it right now in front of those lifeless and headless mannequins but as long as he keeps doing it, there is the chance that he might perform it front of people who wants to see his creativity unfolding.