Fuji X-Series, iPhoneography, Japan, Okinawa
Thomas Alan Smilie
Coin Laundry and Chicken
Coin Laundry and Chicken
Thomas Alan Smilie
Happy New Year
Happy New Year
Fuji X-Series, Photography
Thomas Alan Smilie
Fuji x100F w/ TCL-x100 Teleconverter

As I prepare to post my review, I thought I would share a couple photos. I love how my original TCL-x100 Teleconverter looks on my new x100F. I had originally purchased it with my black x100S, but I think I actually like this look better. I’ve now owned every x100 and the love affair just keeps growing with this camera. 

Fuji x100F w/ TCL-x100 Teleconverter
Tokyo, Street, Streets of Tokyo, Fuji X-Series
Thomas Alan Smilie
Streets of Tokyo with the Fuji x100F

This past July  my daughter and I decided on a whim to take a trip to Tokyo for a few days. She was out of school for the summer and it was perfect for some quality father daughter time. It’s been two years since our last trip. Scary how fast time goes by. On my last trip to Tokyo I had just bought the x100T and was testing it out.

Streets of Tokyo with the Fuji x100F
Photography, Fuji X-Series, Okinawa Journal, Okinawa, Japan
Thomas Alan Smilie
Photo of the Day - Waiting for a customer.

Hey everyone. Hope your all doing well today. I took this photo last year while testing my x100T that I had just upgraded to. The photo is part of a blog post I did on shop keepers in Naha. Click here to view that story. I love how he's surrounded with so much merchandise and yet everything looks in place.  

Photo of the Day - Waiting for a customer.

Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Photography

This summer while on vacation my daughter and I ventured over to Meguro-ku to check out the Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Photography. I was so excited to visit this, and as expected we really enjoyed it. It was even better since I got to share the experience with my daughter. One of those father daughter days I won't soon forget. The museum is located in the Yebisu Garden Palace building in Ebisu about a 10 minute walk from the station.

Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Photography. Ebisu, Tokyo 2014.

Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Photography. Ebisu, Tokyo 2014.

Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Photography. Ebisu, Tokyo 2014.

Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Photography. Ebisu, Tokyo 2014.

Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Photography. Ebisu, Tokyo 2014.

Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Photography. Ebisu, Tokyo 2014.

Thanks for stopping by.

Staying focused and the Fuji x100s

Photographers all love gear, to the point of obsession in fact for many of us. We love thinking about the cameras, lenses, lighting gear, and every form of case, bag, or strap. For some, having only one option is like no option at all. For others, it's relief. The Fuji x100s has a fixed 35mm equivalent lens. If you shoot with zoom lenses on a regular basis, having a fixed 35mm can appear to be a disadvantage, but it's actually an advantage, especially for those of us who struggle with any type of attention deficit. Mental focus is simple for many. For some However, it can be pure torture. I'm told I suffer from Attention Deficit Disorder, or A.D.D., as it's more commonly known. Focus flows with the wind. I'm even struggling to focus on my thoughts to finish this sentence, never mind trying to focus long enough to finish this post. Anyone who shoots with prime lenses understands the creative power of forcing focus by having only one focal length. One camera, one lens, frees you to focus only on what your shooting, not what piece of gear is best to shoot it. While I realize every situation is different, and there are times when you must bring more gear, I believe the more you simplify your gear choices, the better you can perform as a photographer. Although I own both the x100s and the x-pro1, I have learned to appreciate keeping my gear to a minimum with one camera, and one lens forcing me to be creative and work with whatever limitations I apply to myself. The simplicity of the Fuji x100s frees my mind to enjoy using the camera and create, rather than thinking about the gear.

My daughter at Shibuya Crossing, Tokyo 2014.

Thanks for stopping by.

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Amy - Marketing

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Meet Amy, a marketing professional from Chicago, Illinois, USA. Thank you Amy for being a part of Project 1001 Faces.

Amy - Project 1001 Faces

Amy - Project 1001 Faces

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Tokyo: Then and Now, Film vs Fuji x100s

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Tokyo: Then and Now, Film vs Fuji x100s

In the summer of 1982 I was stationed in Okinawa, Japan, as a U.S. Marine. My unit trained in mainland a couple times per year, giving me the opportunity to visit Tokyo. It was this point in my life that I discovered photography, and purchased my first 35mm SLR camera, a Yashica if I remember right. The city was a never ending playground for photography, and I went through many rolls of film, learning to use my new toy. Looking back now I wish that I had taken more photos.

Lindsay - Marketing

Lindsay - Marketing

Meet Lindsay, a marketing professional from Rushville, Illinois, USA. Thank you Lindsay for being a part of Project 1001 Faces.

Quote of the Day

"So many people think cameras and lenses are getting better. They are. But cameras are stupid no matter how "great" they are. They know nothing. They don't come with vision. There isn't a Decisive Moment Indicator light in the viewfinder. There's no Avedon button on the back. The most important piece of gear for a photographer is their brain."

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iPhone 6 Plus Pre-Ordered

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Anyone who knows me knows that I am a huge Apple fan. Like millions around the world I never leave home without my iPhone, I would rather leave without my wallet. So the new iPhone 6 Plus will definitely be replacing my iPhone 5s, and finding a home in my pocket, hopefully it still fits with the much larger screen. I stood in line and pre-ordered mine along with all the other uber geeks, and hope to have one of the first ones available. If all goes well stay tuned for a review, especially on the new camera with optical image stabilization. I'll just ignore all the haters out there who love to use the derogatory term "fanboy", because to me Apple still makes some of the best products available today.

My iPhone 5s next to an iPhone 6 Plus mockup, the closest thing I can get right now to the real thing. :)

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Sarah - U.S. Marine

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Sarah - U.S. Marine

Meet Sarah, a U.S. Marine from Mishawaka, Indiana, USA. Thank you Sarah for being a part of Project 1001 Faces.