Rinzi Ruiz has been shooting Downtown LA for 10 years and, although the streets are constantly changing, the long period of time has meant he’s not as inspired by the area as he once was. At times like this it’s good to shake things up a little, so he decided to take the FUJIFILM X-Pro3 to his old stomping ground to see if its refreshing features could breathe new life into such a familiar location.

“The story behind this project is about finding that one single thing to reignite your passion and inspiration,” says Rinzi. “For me, that change was taking a new camera out.

“At first, I did find myself walking the same routes, seeing things I’ve seen a million times, but at some point, something clicked, and I began seeing things a little differently.”

His time with X-Pro3 has taught Rinzi how important it is to add new things to the mix and stir it up from time to time, an idea that is perfectly reflected in the camera’s design. He goes on to tell us about some of the ways X-Pro3 contributed to his renewed experience.

“I saw the video of the FUJIFILM X Summit in Shibuya where the new camera was announced, so I was excited to get my hands on it,” says Rinzi. “It took a few days to become accustomed to the new and updated features and button layout, but once my muscle memory kicked in, I was off and running.”

Rinzi immediately noticed the camera’s outstanding capabilities. “The X-Pro3 performed like a champ,” he enthuses. “The X-Trans CMOS 4 sensor and X-Processor 4 combination has definitely boosted performance. The AF and Face and Eye Detection are faster than X-Pro2 and definitely on point. Having a camera that just works is great, because it allows me to spend more time observing my surroundings and taking pictures.”

He also goes on to praise the enhanced aesthetics that X-Pro3 enjoys. “The grip feels improved from the previous model and it feels really comfortable in-hand, so for me it’s good on a long shooting day,” he says, highlighting the camera’s overall stylish, yet discreet design. “Those who noticed it around my neck or holding it up to my eye either ignored me completely or complimented the camera,” he smiles.

Rinzi explains that this trademark combination of design and technology from Fujifilm is a big driver of his creativity. “FUJIFILM cameras and lenses continue to inspire me to shoot. I’ve narrowed it down to the character of the cameras and the character of the images produced by the sensor/lens combo. It just makes you want to pick them up and shoot with them,” he tells us.

Another aspect of the camera that struck a chord with Rinzi was the new 180° hidden tilting LCD touchscreen. Following some initial questions about its practicality, he quickly realised the benefits.

“After using it for a few days, I think it is just right for this style of camera. In fact, compared to other cameras, I found it a lot faster to flip down for those instances where I quickly wanted a lower point of view or shoot looking down like a TLR camera,” he recalls.

Indeed, this feature made it possible for Rinzi to capture the below image of a mother caring for her child at a bus stop, which is his favorite shot from the set. “I like the loving feeling it gives me of a mother caring for her child,” he says. “I think the difference for me on this particular shot was how quick it was to flip the screen down and just shoot. It’s possible that with other cameras, if it wasn’t already set to the LCD or sensor, the process would have been much slower.”