Street Photography with Fujifilm X-T5: Downtown Chicago
Fujifilm cameras have earned their place in the bags of street photographers worldwide. Their compact design, film simulations, and tactile controls make them perfect for capturing fleeting city moments. This past month, I explored urban landscapes with my Fujifilm X-T5, focusing on light, reflections, and human stories. Here’s how I approached the process, the moments I captured, and the lessons I learned along the way.
Whether you’re just starting out or looking to improve your street photography, this guide shares tips, techniques, and real-world examples to help you make the most of Fujifilm gear in the streets.
Gear and Technical Insights
Why I Chose the Fujifilm X-T5 for Capturing the City
For this series, I relied on my Fujifilm X-T5 paired with a few prime lenses—the XF 33mm f/1.4 and adapted vintage lenses like the Pentax Super Takumar 85mm f/1.8. The X-T5’s compact size and intuitive dials make it a joy to use on the streets, and its retro aesthetics help me blend into the scene, making my subjects more comfortable.
Key Fujifilm Features for Street Photography
Film Simulations: I primarily used Classic Chrome for its muted, cinematic tones and Acros for punchy black-and-white shots.
Custom Settings:
Shutter speed: 1/60 to 1/500 for motion and candid shots.
Aperture: f/2.8-f/8 for depth and sharpness in layered scenes.
ISO: Auto ISO with a range of 200-3200 for flexibility.
Pro Tip: Fujifilm’s film simulations are perfect for street photography. Experiment with Classic Negative, Reala Ace V2 for color and Acros for high-contrast monochrome images.
Using Reflections to Add Layers and Meaning
City streets are full of reflective surfaces—glass, puddles, and mirrors—that can turn ordinary scenes into dynamic frames. Reflections allow you to layer your composition, creating intrigue and depth.
The Silhouette in Reflection
In this image, a solitary figure is framed by a glass reflection. The muted colors and subtle distortion add a painterly quality to the composition.
Pro Tip: Always look for puddles, storefront glass, or metal surfaces. Walk around your subject to find unexpected angles where reflections add a new perspective.
Finding Geometry and Symmetry in the City
Architecture Meets Art: Capturing Patterns and Geometry
Urban environments are rich with geometry and symmetry waiting to be discovered. Buildings, alleys, and bridges provide strong lines and shapes that can transform your composition.
Marina City Towers
Looking up at the Marina City Towers, I focused on their hypnotic curves. Reducing the image to monochrome emphasized the geometry and symmetry.
Light at the End of the Alley
In this shot, the vertical lines of the alley create a natural frame, leading the eye to the lone figure walking through the light.
Pro Tip: Look up, down, and through the gaps in buildings. Use leading lines, symmetry, and contrast to create visually striking images.
Capturing Human Connection and Movement
How to Capture Human Moments in a Bustling City
Street photography is about observing life as it unfolds. Whether it’s a candid conversation or the blur of commuters crossing the street, people bring energy to your images.
Stan’s Donuts Encounter
The interaction between two figures, framed by the bright signage, tells a story of connection and urban life.
Busy Crosswalk
A slower shutter speed allowed me to capture the blur of motion, emphasizing the busyness of the city while grounding the pedestrians as the focus.
Pro Tip: Use a shutter speed of 1/60s to 1/100s to capture motion blur while keeping your subject sharp. Anticipate moments by watching how people move through the scene.
My Go-To Fujifilm Settings for Street Photography
Best Settings to Master Street Photography with Fujifilm
Here’s a quick breakdown of the settings I recommend for Fujifilm cameras:
Film Simulation: Classic Chrome for color work, Acros for black and white.
Shutter Speed: 1/125s to 1/500s for motion, 1/60s for intentional blur.
Aperture: f/4-f/8 for depth and sharpness.
ISO: Auto ISO (200-3200).
Why Fujifilm? The tactile controls allow you to make quick adjustments on the fly, perfect for unpredictable street scenes.
This month’s work with the Fujifilm X-T5 taught me to see the city differently—to embrace reflections, light, and interactions. Whether it’s the curves of Marina City or a candid conversation at Stan’s Donuts, the city offers endless opportunities for storytelling.
Fujifilm’s unique film simulations and intuitive controls make it the perfect companion for capturing these stories. Street photography is about slowing down, observing, and framing the extraordinary within the ordinary.
Which moment or technique resonated with you the most?
I’d love to hear your experiences with Fujifilm gear or street photography tips. Share your shots and stories with me on Instagram @jackjross.
