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.

There are countless ways to set up your Fujifilm camera for travel, but during my actual travel time, I don’t want to be buried in menus and figuring out how to do things. I want a simple, reliable starting point that lets me react quickly to whatever I find: early‑morning light, busy streets, and that once-in-a-lifetime shot.

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.

There’s no shortage of articles, blog posts, and videos about changing camera systems; photographers selling everything and jumping to something new. Sometimes that kind of reset makes sense. A fresh system can be an effective (and occasionally expensive) way to reignite your creativity, break out of habits, and show you how other brands approach photography.

After a few years of testing numerous film recipes, I feel I have a thorough understanding of how each setting influences the overall look. Many recipes have been very good, and I have been thoroughly impressed; on the other hand, some have created looks that I would not consider bad, but are far from my style and preferences for what I would create in my travels and exploration.

When shooting with Fujifilm cameras, dynamic range can initially seem confusing, but understanding and utilizing the dynamic range (DR) settings can dramatically improve your photos, especially in challenging lighting conditions. Fujifilm’s dynamic range feature helps preserve details in the brightest and darkest highlights, allowing you to capture images with richer tonal depth and less risk of blown-out highlights or crushed shadows.

In September, I spent nearly two weeks photographing beautiful Italy. While there, I used two film recipes, one for Matera and one for Florence. I wanted to separate the two locations, creating a different feel while still maintaining my style of photography. With Fujifilm, there are many choices when it comes to shooting modes.

Having experience with the 35mm f/2, I believe the 23mm f/2 fits well with what I like about a lens: compactness. I like small, discreet lenses, and I wanted something wider than the 35mm that would still fit the bill. I was considering one of two wider lenses, the 16mm f/1.4 and the 18mm f/1.4. After testing both, I found they were too wide, a bit larger than I hoped, and ultimately too expensive.

In December, I mentioned that I was parting ways with my Fujifilm X-E4, a camera that I adored using. I have owned that camera for nearly two years, which has been with me on many travels. Still, I have been considering upgrading the camera for months now as there are a few features that I was missing in the X-E4.

My adoration of Fujifilm’s X-E series started with the X-E2 almost a decade ago. I used it as my secondary camera during travel, with the Canon 5D Mark II as my primary. The X-E2 was a fine choice when I didn’t want to use a larger, heavier, more obvious camera. I still have favourites from that camera.

Fujifilm is renowned for its diverse range of cameras; since 2012, the X-E series has been part of it. With a subtle design, the X-E cameras have offered photographers an affordable way to get into the Fujifilm world while demonstrating excellent build, fantastic image quality, and solid performance overall. It’s been nearly seven months since the Fujifilm X-E4 was unofficially discontinued in March after just two years on the market.

Last month, I completed a personal project focusing on the uptown area of my hometown, Saint John, New Brunswick, in Canada’s oldest incorporated city. For that project, I focused on the uptown revitalization and what I remember growing up in the city. I wanted to use black and white as the absence of colour can convey a nostalgic throwback to the past and direct the viewer’s attention solely to the composition, shapes, lines, light and shadow.

Film photography has experienced a remarkable resurgence in popularity. What used to be reserved for the nostalgic few gained interest, with many looking to return to a tangible process and achieve a unique look for their images. Digital photography was introduced long ago and since then has improved immensely and offered convenience and technical quality that made film mostly forgotten by many.

Located in the province of New Brunswick, Saint John is the oldest incorporated city in Canada. That age is evident, especially in the historic architecture, most prominently in the uptown area. Nestled along the Bay of Fundy in Canada’s eastern province of New Brunswick, Saint John has a storied history that stretches back centuries.

It may seem a little late for a review on a discontinued camera, but there is always the used market if someone is looking for an example. As I anticipate my eventual replacement for this camera, it’s time to reflect on what I consider great about the Fujifilm X-E4, what I find lacking, and where it could improve. Will the next camera in the X-E series be what I need, or will I look for something else in Fujifilm’s offering?