Andrew Stannard Photography

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Family Fun and Fine Art Prints

One of the things I love about the FujiX series of cameras is their ability to pack fantastically high image quality into a small physical package.

If you’re out and about with 2 small children and all the associated paraphernalia, then the last thing you want to be doing is also lugging a full frame DSLR and a few lenses. I’ve been there and trust me, it’s not great either for you or for fully enjoying the family day out.

The other option is just to take a small compact or your phone – but if you’re a photographer then when that potential competition winning photo suddenly appears in front of you know you’ll always regret not having a ‘proper’ camera with you.

The FujiX series of cameras have changed this for me. Now I can take a small lightweight camera, grab the all important family snaps and yet still take landscape images that will stand close scrutiny when printed large.

A family day out going up Catbells in the UK Lake District last summer was a case in point. It was our daughter’s first proper mountain and I was also carrying our 1 year old on my back. The Fuji X-T1 with the 18-55mm lens provided the perfect balance of photographic flexibility. Lightweight and always to hand it was great for capturing srcapbook memories from the day.

Family Day out on Catbells

Scrambling on rocks on Catbells

I’m not claiming that these examples are award winning photos or anything, but they will be family reminders of that day for years to come. If had a heavy DSLR tucked away in my rucksack I simply wouldn’t have captured all the moments that I did.

But this was also a walk with wonderful views – ones I wanted to capture and be happy enough with their quality to offer to paying customers and clients. Here again the X-T1 excelled – I tend to print on Hahnemuhle rag paper, and with careful processing the files from the X-T1 print out fantastically at 24″ x 16″. This image below is of the beautiful Newlands Valley – an un-spoilt idyll that is hard to match.

Newlands Valley from Catbells, The Lake District

So there you have it – the best of both worlds. That small portable camera that is always ready for family fun, but in the blink of the eye, one that can also capture landscape images with enough quality for a fine art print.

Thanks for reading,

Andrew.