Fujifilm X-T3 – It consistently delivers the results I need

It’s noon on a Tuesday in the South Lokichar Basin, and even though it’s a general rule to never shoot this time of day, directly under the sun, sometimes these things just aren’t in my control. I’m up here in northern Kenya, working on a story about how oil drilling here has been the subject of high controversy and speculation for more than a decade. Earlier this year, after much stalling and prevaricating, the Anglo-Irish company Tullow Oil has confirmed that they will be proceeding with the industrial-scale drilling project. This will not only have massive consequences for the greater Kenyan economy, but for communities living in these future oil fields.

Over the past 4 years, I’ve been working as an independent photojournalist based out of Nairobi, Kenya, covering environmental change, the impact of development on cultural continuity, and outdoor adventure. My work takes me across parts of remote, underreported regions in Kenya and every week is different. Despite the unpredictability of my job, there are a few constants in my life that keep me grounded. It’s comforting to know that despite the myriad of things that could go wrong (and oftentimes do), I can always count on my gear for holding fast. Sometimes it’s weather related––blazing hot sun and dangerously high temperatures, when I cover stories of drought and resource scarcity, the unpredictable high-altitude environments of Mt Kenya, the second highest mountain in Africa, getting caught in a storm on a fisherman’s boat––and sometimes logistical (fixers and guides not showing up on time, vehicles breaking down in the middle of a forest with no service, hoping that things remain stable in transboundary regions known for arms trafficking and conflict).

The gear I use needs to keep up with all the different places I go. It’s not uncommon for me to have to go on half-day motorbike rides or drive in a 4×4 on very rough roads to get to the sites where I’m interviewing sources or documenting certain assignments.

When caught in intense situations, where I need to think on my feet while juggling dozens of logistics, while trying to capture the images I want, it’s great having reliable gear. My Fujifilm X-T3 has proven to be a great addition to my kit in shooting under suboptimal direct-sun conditions, producing clean lines and sharp details without looking totally washed out. It pushes through all different conditions and consistently delivers the results I need.

There’s also the matter of discreteness when working as a documentary photographer. There are times when it’s good to bring little attention to yourself, despite the fact that you will of course be standing out as a foreign correspondent. My mirrorless Fujifilm, with its very portable body and small lenses, comes off as very unimposing, nearly disarming with its cuteness (particularly compared to the very bulky gear of traditional DSLRs).

As a freelancer, I’m usually planning multiple stories in advance and get out into the field depending on commissions, funding, and conditions. I’ve grown to become excited about bringing the Fujifilm along and love how it captures certain scenes in a way that my DSLR otherwise can’t handle.