Fujifilm X-E2: Capturing the stories of our lives

Fujifilm X-E2, FUJINON XF 18-55mm, ISO 400, ƒ/7.1, 1/600

One of the best things that the camera phone has helped us do is capture ourselves in our pictures. Capturing a moment with a horse that Keziah met on her trip around The Big Island of Hawaii is something that she wants to keep for herself but also share with her friends.

Quality of a photograph is what drives people to buy those cameras. The other thing that is driving many camera purchases today is size of the camera.

Fujifilm X-E2, FUJINON XF 18-55mm, ISO 500, ƒ/6.4, 1/500

Some of the students I was teaching in Hawaii went on trip around The Big Island and everyone had their DSLR cameras. They give great results when used properly and with the lens choices are far superior to their smart phone cameras.

Fujifilm X-E2, FUJINON XF 18-55mm, ISO 2500, ƒ/7.1, 1/500

Tomorrow I will be lugging around my Nikons as I shoot the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game between Auburn and Louisville. The Nikon D4 is just the perfect sports camera and lets me shoot more than 90 frames at 10 FPS continuously in the RAW setting before the buffer slows the camera down. The XQD memory card is so fast and the buffer so good that I can get those big plays without having to miss moments because the camera isn't capable of keeping up with the action.

However the downside to the gear is it's size and weight. By the end of the day I will collapse more from carrying all this gear for more than 12 hours. I will be covering the pre-game Fan Zone till the Trophy presentation.

For travel photography I cannot think of a better system than the Fujifilm X-E2. It is small and compact. I have great lenses to use with it and at the end of a long day as I traveled around The Big Island of Hawaii I wasn't tired and worn out. I was energized from the experience.

Fujifilm X-E2, FUJINON XF 18-55mm, ISO 400, ƒ/6.4, 1/1700

I only carried the Fujinon XF 18-55mm and the 55-200mm with the one body. I stuck the 55-200mm in my vest pocket and just continued to relax and enjoy my time.

Fujifilm X-E2, FUJINON XF 55-200mm, ISO 6400, ƒ/5, 1/110

I was able to capture the Island Breeze Luau from the back with the 55-200mm due to the image stabilizer to keep the photos sharp.

Fujifilm X-E2, FUJINON XF 18-55mm, ISO 1250, ƒ/4, 1/500

Unless you are shooting sports for a living I think the Fujifilm X-E2 is a great camera. The lenses they make for the system are incredibly sharp and the images are incredibly sharp.

Fujifilm X-E2, FUJINON XF 18-55mm, ISO 200, ƒ/8, 1/680

This past year I attended two funerals where a video was produced helping to tell the story of the people who had passed away. The use of photos all through the pieces to help tell their stories was quite moving.

It reminded me there were some things I hadn’t known about them and I loved them even more for learning them.

Fujifilm X-E2, FUJINON XF 18-55mm, ISO 6400, ƒ/5, 1/480

This is a moment I also cherish of Karen Walker having parakeets on her hand at a store we stopped by on our trip.

Fujifilm X-E2, FUJINON XF 18-55mm, ISO 200, ƒ/3.6, 1/180

Tips for Capturing the stories of your life

• Carry your camera with you–Since you cannot take photos if you don't have your camera be sure to buy a camera that you would want to lug around with you. Fuji X system cameras are my vote for just such a camera.
• Spend a lot of time just soaking in and listening to people. You don't need to be shooting every minute, but be sure you have some photos that you can then add the text to later that you can preserve these stories for you to have for years to come.
• Archive your photos. I put captions with every photo I take. Some are just a few words to help me remember. 
• Display the stories. Find a format where you can display those stories. 
• Maybe you just use something like Instagram where you post your photo and then put a caption which tells the short story.  
• Blogging about your journey's might be another way to preserve those stories. My friend Bill Bangham is doing that on his blog here.
• Maybe create a book as I have done many times for trips, special events and family stories. Here is link to some of my books.
• Create videos with your voice over and pictures. Here are some of my packages.

Most important is take the time to listen to people and honor them by helping to remember their stories through pictures and their words.