10.27.2020 Jaja Samaniego

#SOOC: Jaja Samaniego x X-S10

Jaja Samaniego

Jaja Samaniego is the leading female wedding and portrait photographer in the Philippines. She has been shooting professionally for 10 years and has photographed weddings all over the world. Her works have been featured in noteworthy magazines such as Philippine Tatler Magazine, Lifestyle Asia Magazine, Metro Weddings Magazine, Wedding Essentials Magazine, and Martha Stewart Weddings. She was a former professor of photography at De La Salle University Manila. She has been invited as a resource speaker in various Photography events and conventions such as Photoworld Asia 2019, WPPP 2018 and 2019 and GetCraft PH. “A retrospective of Jaja’s work over the years reflects a consistency and dedication to her craft. Photographs of honest, spontaneous moments set against breathtaking backdrops – elements that, when combined, never fails to captivate her audience.” – Wedding Essentials Magazine “Jaja is known for her elegant and naturally stunning photographs. Her keen mastery makes for beautifully lit “sunny from within” photos that exude happiness and warmth. Her style is definitely a standout for effortless natural beauty that is vibrant and easy on the eyes.”

This is built for everyone. The FUJIFILM X-S10 camera is suited for hobbyists, content creators and enthusiasts transitioning to do professional work. I’m a professional wedding photographer and this camera was such a delight to use. It is a mid-range camera but with a performance comparable to a professional high-end camera. A compact and stable body capable of taking in different kinds of lenses. It is a camera I would bring with me everywhere I go.

X-S10 & XF50mmF1.0 R WR

The overall feel of the camera is compact, slim and very stable. I paired it up with an XF50mmF1.0 lens with the grip still feeling very secure. The screen has a 180 degrees flipping vari-angle LCD monitor. Perfect for taking any shot at any angle. Combined with the slim and compact body, Fujifilm has managed to make the knobs and menu efficient while still being practical for fast shooting. 

X-S10 & XF50mmF1.0 R WR

I’ve used different systems before and I honestly thought my learning curve would be exponential but its intuitive design makes it easy to use. This camera was tested in a professional setting. I took dynamic shots in inconsistent weather, and I am proud to say that this camera kept up. Its single AF performance was on point even with the XF50mmF1.0 lens. All these I captured in wide-open aperture. It is reliable in capturing moments. I managed to take consistent sharp images of my subjects while they were walking. It’s not as fast in tracking fast objects like my dog or a car, but you’ll manage after a few tries.

X-S10 & XF50mmF1.0 R WR

The image quality it produces is satisfying. It has a 26.1MP image sensor that captures great color and details. I’m going to be honest with you, I was managing my expectations, due to the fact that it is a mid-range camera but, I am pleased to say it surpassed my expectations. It also has a built-in flash to support shooting in dim light but even in low light conditions, this camera has great image quality.  I particularly love the 18 film simulation options you can choose from according to your preference. The ASTIA film simulation is my favorite because it is very true to the skin color. There is even an option to adjust the grain effect, color, sharpness, clarity and tone curve in the camera. These options make the entire process a lot easier and efficient for the enthusiast. The photos it produces are good as is straight out of the camera. You won’t have to worry about editing your pictures ever again. 

X-S10 & XF50mmF1.0 R WR

Now if you’re a content creator also in need of a video camera, the FUJIFILM X-S10 has 4k video quality with digital image stabilization, and soon, a drone/gimbal compatibility making it a promising all-around camera.

X-S10 & XF50mmF1.0 R WR

In conclusion, I would highly recommend this camera for enthusiasts who might want to get serious in photography. The FUJIFILM X-S10 is a gateway to professional level cameras. A lot of people ask me what camera they could use for personal and small businesses, and for the longest time, my only answer was to just use a phone with a great camera. But now, I’ve got an answer for all of you.