Keep it quiet, keep is simple

The day I bought my first Full Frame DSLR Canon 5D Mark II, for its unparalleled quality and dynamic range I promised myself never to buy any other format but Full Frame or larger possible sensor I can afford. I do not own any point & shoot, cropped or micro four third nor does it interest me.

For last few months I am into street photography; there were times when I felt that smaller and quieter camera could be the right choice for shots which I have to miss.

All thanks to a dear friend Subodh Sheety (http://subodhshetty.com/) who loaned and brought me Fujifilm X-E1 along with Fujinon 35mm f/1.4 and 60mm f/2.4. Holding it, I felt home; aperture and speed settings right on the place where and how it should be, small quiet and fast enough for candid shots. However, it was the quality, dynamic range and color depth which blown me.

On the streets of Dubai, well the UAE, you are always challenged with bright sunlight; this situation becomes tougher shooting people wearing bright white dress. However, X-E1 surprised me with its detailed highlights:

Can you shoot me? f/5.6 | 1/125 | ISO-200

My beautiful niece... f/2 | 1/60 | ISO-200

The area which literally blown me was perfect JPGs right out of the camera:

Perfect details right out of the camera. f/2.8 | 1/250 | ISO-200

When played with contrast results were amazing:

He was having tea, when asked can I shoot? Yes, with smile...
f/3.6 | 1/80 | ISO-200

Colors are not bad either:

Going down. f/5.6 | 1/125 | ISO-200

Fujicolor :). f/4 | 1/60 | ISO-200

Amazing Macros:

Vibrant. f/5.6 | 1/125 | ISO-320

Go green. f/2.8 | 1/125 | ISO-200

Moments which I would hate to miss:

There is a little child. f/5.6 | 1/80 | ISO-200

Oo its fun. f/5.6 | 1/125 | ISO-200

High ISO:

Calligrapher. f/2.0 | 1/30 | ISO-2000

Shop it. f/4.5 | 1/9 | ISO-800

With built in flash, bounced, loved this functionality:

My sweetheart, my daughter. f/2.4 | 1/60 | ISO-200

I have tried and tested Fuji X-E1 in almost every possible scenario I shoot. It impressed me immensely; however, one area that really sucks is post processing software support. I am forced to use Silkypix (SILLYPIX) due to lack of compatibility of CS5 to X-E1 native RAW format. When converted to DNG, file size become humongous. But thanks to its neat in camera JPG, one doesn't need processing at all.

On the street this camera is serious tool, did not miss one single shot whole time.

 

 

In search of Portrait

When people were willing but stun; Sun bright but was a relief.

I started 8:00 AM from Bur Dubai Abra station, Dubai, with the walk of an hour planned. It was bright and a pleasant morning (28 degree Celsius). I intended to make head-shots and wanted to make them up-close, and no monotone this time. I had Canon 5D Mark II with EF 24-105mm F4 L IS USM on it; mounted Canon Video-Cam HF21 on the hot shoe, left Flash in the bag :(.

Photographing a common person up-close makes them stressed, stiff and stun; their smile painful and eyes wide open. Emotionally dumb and awestruck. A picture where only thing is a person's head, then that head must be shot well. I find it useful for untrained models to make them squint and look kinda up-to something. Bright Sun was blessing then. I didn't have to ask anyone to pose, Sun made if for me through out the walk. When it did not I struggle to make a good shot.

This walk was fun when most were ready with a nudge of camera, few posed without asking seeing Canon in my hands, a couple said weak no but with very little persuasion smiled for camera. I missed flash and a fellow photographer though...

All images were shot in AV mode, f/4 - f5.6, exposure compensation of 0 or +-1/3. ISO 100-200.

Pathan or Khan Sab as commonly addressed, favorite model of every photographer.

Mohammad Ali, this Abra driver makes a good model, always smiling and squinted. What would you do with the pictures you take?

Initially he resisted but agreed for a shot (burst :) )

Aaah, and the stiff one... stood like a soldier and left me wondering!

Ever ready for camera!

And again stiff one... depth and experience on the face made the pic for me...

Wide open and awe-struck

Happy to see you - very much ready and posed without asking

Jubilant one, was scaling the fish; when see the camera on his face shouted aaaaaawwwwwwww....

Could not convince him for face, shot his head from other angle

Surprised by the size of his hands

I have included few from the walk. Walk video:  http://youtu.be/1rbWThw_HMw

Enjoy... and happy shooting!