I’ve been shooting Fujifilm long enough to know that the usual “JPEG vs RAW” argument doesn’t really fit here. Fujifilm’s JPEGs, especially when you dial in that perfect film simulation or custom recipe, can often come out so close to the realized vision and tone that they deem RAW files unnecessary.

There’s a lot of noise in photography. It’s hard to escape the pressure to upgrade your photography. Everywhere you look, there’s a new body, a sharper lens, a brand that somehow is the one that everyone is moving to, or an accessory being pitched as the missing piece in your work.

Fujifilm’s DR400 setting is one of those features that quietly sits in the menu until you realize how beneficial it can be to your images. And then it can become an essential consideration in any Fujifilm recipe. Now, fortunately, the dynamic range of most Fujifilm cameras I have used has been great, sometimes exceptional.

Fujifilm recipes are a fun and exciting way to experiment with your photography. Using them is a way to take your work in directions you may not have considered and create memorable photos. Recipes can help you achieve a stunning look; however, it’s essential to realize that they don’t always work, and using one in the wrong shooting conditions or with the wrong subjects can result in images that don’t turn out as expected.

Every photographer faces the same moment of truth: the review process. When you’re staring down hundreds of shots from your travels, how do you know what stays and what goes? What’s the first step in editing, and which images deserve your full attention? For me, deciding what to delete, rate, or save goes beyond that initial scan. It’s an evolving part of the creative journey.

As photographers, we can be obsessive about the perfect lens, the best camera, or the ideal conditions. We can strive towards that perfect shot. And as we do so, we hesitate. Sometimes that hesitation extends so long that it doesn’t happen at all.

I talk about Fujifilm recipes quite a bit as I think they are a great way to unleash some creative fuel that encourages more discovery and more time behind the camera. It’s also a great way to simplify a photographic workflow, as it greatly reduces any time spent in front of a computer with post-processing. However, not everything is easy: not every recipe works in every situation.

Like any photography genre, you need to have a love and admiration for the subject type you are photographing. If you are captivated by your subjects, you can continue to grow towards creating images highlighting what makes them special. Being continually fascinated by something is the drive that keeps you learning it.

Since switching to Fujifilm as my primary camera, I’ve embraced a “less is more” approach. I’ve increasingly relied less on using RAW files and more on the quality of Fujifilm’s JPEG files to the point where I’ve seriously considered shooting JPEG-only during my travels. Fujifilm cameras produce exceptional JPEGs straight out of the camera.

Fujifilm film simulation and recipes have become a popular tool for Fujifilm photographers seeking to experiment with various photographic looks. Getting started with film recipes can be confusing. There are multiple settings, some straightforward and others not. At first, it may not matter.

We are now three weeks into 2026, and looking back on my year, I have achieved goals I had set for myself. One of those goals was to read more, and as a result, I finished 30 books in 2025, almost double what I read in 2024. This year, I’m aiming for 45 books. In addition to my reading goal, I wanted to remain active in physical wellness through daily workouts and rowing sessions (I am nearing 100 total hours).

Gear is always a big topic among photographers. For newcomers, choosing the right camera can feel like a make‑or‑break decision. For those who’ve been shooting for years, gear tends to linger quietly in the background until a new release promises something revolutionary.

A Beginner’s Guide to Automotive Light Painting is finalized, and the eBook version will be released on Tuesday, January 20th. And the cost is only $18 CA! A print book is being considered; however, if I choose to produce a print version, it will take some time to prepare the files for physical book production. A physical book with production costs will cost more than the eBook.

It’s 2026, and a new year is upon us. So first, let me say, Happy New Year to all. I hope the year ahead for you is filled with all the great things you deserve, and that you reach your goals in everything you are working towards. As photographers, we have plans for our art and goals for our adventures.

It’s Christmas Day, and as 2025 comes to an end, it’s the perfect time to look back on your year of journeys, the memories you created and the photographs you made. I hope that your year was one of discovery, not only of new locations but of yourself. As my ideas and plans for travel in 2026 are now at the forefront, I look back at what still seems fresh.