Welcome to Frame Your Journey, a story series on the blog featuring photographers from around the world and the paths that shaped their creative lives.
In today’s story I chose to feature Kristi because her photography has a way of pulling you in. She captures the world in vivid color, noticing small details that often go overlooked, while also finding beauty in black-and-white moments that feel timeless.
Her work is full of life and thoughtfulness, and it reminds me of the magic of truly seeing through a lens.
Today’s story is a perfect example. It’s an adventure through New York City captured with both energy and grace in monochrome!
The Story Behind the Photos
This past June, our family took a quick trip to New York City. I’ve always loved the city, and we visit often whether it’s for a show, museums, or just to run around for the day.
There’s always something new to capture and experience. I love how older historic buildings and architecture sit side by side with modern glass high-rises.
On this particular occasion, we went on a speed boat cruise around lower Manhattan. Shooting from a fast-moving boat isn’t something I do every day, but I’m always up for a challenge, and having the opportunity to photograph this iconic skyline from a new vantage point was truly exciting.
Shooting from a moving boat comes with its own set of challenges. The constant motion makes it tricky to keep the camera steady, and the speed means you have only a brief moment to frame the perfect shot.
The wind and choppy water add another layer of unpredictability, forcing me to react quickly and adjust settings on the fly. It’s a rush, but it also pushes me to stay fully present and trust my instincts.
By the end of the cruise, I felt a mix of exhilaration and gratitude. Capturing the city from this perspective reminded me why I love photography, the thrill of new challenges, the beauty in every detail, and the joy of seeing the world through my own lens.
Choosing the Right Gear for NYC
I picked up the Fujifilm XT-5 about 18 months ago, on the recommendation of a friend who also owned one and loved it.
I learned to shoot with the Canon AE-1 so I was used to thinking through my shots in manual mode.I was immediately drawn to the top dials on the Fuji XT-5.They offer user friendly creative control and I’ve found it to be a wonderful match for my shooting style.
On this particular day, I paired it with the Fuji XF 10-24mmF4 OIS WR lens.
I chose this wide-angle lens because it allows me to capture the full scope of the skyline and the surrounding architecture, even from the limited space of a moving boat.
Shooting at the 10mm end gives a dramatic, expansive perspective that makes the city feel larger than life, while the lens’s sharpness across the frame ensures that both the broad cityscape and the intricate architectural details stay crisp.
The optical image stabilization also helps keep shots clear despite the bumps and motion of the boat.
Camera Settings Behind the Shots
Shooting on a fast-moving boat over choppy water meant I needed a relatively fast shutter to keep images sharp.
Normally, I like to control all points of the exposure triangle, but for this shoot I let the camera manage ISO and adjusted aperture and shutter speed as needed.
Shutter: 1/250 sec – 1/1000 sec
Aperture: f/5.6 – f/6.4
ISO: 125 – 320
The Fujifilm X-T5 is the newest editing of the Fujifilm XT series – a mirrorless camera known for its film-like color profiles and fast autofocus, making it a favorite for street and travel photography.
The Fujifilm XF 10-24mm f/4 R OIS WR is a versatile ultra-wide zoom, perfect for landscapes, cityscapes, and architecture. Its constant f/4 aperture and image stabilization deliver sharp, detailed shots with minimal distortion.
Photo Editing Workflow
I processed these images using Adobe Lightroom Classic.
I’ve always loved black and white photography and I went into this imagining the end results that way.
I was happy to get some clouds to play with, but it was pretty breezy so they didn’t hang around for long.
Camera
Fujifilm XT5
Filters
Hoya UV & Polarizing
Moment 10% Diffusion
Lenses
Fujifilm XF 10-24mm f/4 R OIS WR
Fujifilm XF 33mm f/1.4 R LM WR
Fujifilm XF 16mm f/1.4 R WR
Editing Software
Adobe Lightroom Classic
Follow Kristi
You can follow Kristi and explore more of her creative work on Instagram -> https://www.instagram.com/red_flame_photography
More Stories
Share Your Story
Got a photograph with a story to tell? We’d love to feature your work in our Frame Your Shot series. Whether it’s a moment, a memory, or a message behind your photo, share it with us and inspire our community with your unique perspective.
