My name is Alben Osaki and I’m a 28 year old US Navy veteran and graduate of the University of Hawai`i-LCC Television Production program. I currently work in Honolulu, Hawaii as a photographer, videographer, and editor. When I first got into photography, I dabbled in a little bit of everything, from portraits to street. But growing up on the small Hawaiian island of Kaua’i, I’ve always had a love and fascination for nature. After a few years of trying to figure out my style, I’ve decided to fully embrace that love and focus more on natural landscapes with human elements. I call it “lifestyle landscapes”. My hope is to make others be just a little more mindful of nature through my work. If I can do that with even one person, I’m satisfied.
I also love connecting with other photographers and filmmakers! If you’d like to reach out, you can find me on Instagram at @alben.osaki. I’d love to help anyone I can along their journey, and I’m sure I could learn a lot from other artists as well. The rising tide floats all the boats!
Alben Osaki is a member of the FujiLove Readers’ Group.
TOMASH: What is your favorite camera / lens combination you are using these days for your photography?
ALBEN OSAKI: I’m currently rocking the Fujifilm X-T2 and XF50-140 f2.8. People think that you need a wide angle to get good landscape photos, but that’s not true at all! I love the compression I get from this lens. It’s great for my video work as well. And for me, the weather sealing is an absolute necessity. Whether it’s snow, rain, or dust, there’s a good chance I’ll be in or around it. I also recently just got the XF16mm f1.4, which may soon turn into my favorite lens. Sharp, fast, and weather sealed, what’s not to love?
What are the three main features of the Fujifilm X Series that make this system so attractive for you?
The number one most attractive feature is the color. In my opinion, Fujifilm’s color science is the best in the business. Enough said.
Number two would be the lenses. There are so many quality lenses now. I remember years ago when I first got the X-T1 and not having too many options for lenses. Now they cover nearly every focal length you might want, and each one I’ve tried is just quality. Even the kit 18-55 is a full stop faster than most other kit lenses. Plus they’re built like tanks!
The third most attractive thing about Fujifilm cameras are simply, the “intangibles”. What I mean by that is, just the feel of the camera. The way it looks. How it all just works together in harmony. Sure there are other cameras that have faster AF, or more megapickles, or better low light, or whatever. But these Fujifilm cameras are something else. It’s hard to put into words. You just have to experience it for yourself.
I know you only wanted three things, but if I could quickly add a fourth, I would say the Fujifilm community is one of the best and most helpful I’ve ever experienced. When I shot on Canon, nobody cared. But if I see someone else shooting Fuji, even if we’re complete strangers, we’ll stop each other and have a conversation. It’s like being in a secret club or something. It’s great!
What do you think Fujifilm could or should still improve in their X Series ecosystem?
As a videographer, I would love it if they could make a camera even more dedicated to video shooters. To be fair, the X-H1 looks great. But it still lacks some of the features that run and gun videographers and filmmakers need. Even simple things like a dedicated cover for the mic jack so I don’t have to expose all those other inputs to the elements. Or a built in headphone jack so I can monitor audio without having to buy a battery grip. Little things like that can make a big difference.
Would you have one quick personal Fuji X tip for FujiLovers? A technical trick or a less known setting we could all benefit from?
This isn’t a photography tip, per se, but it is something I think everyone struggles with at least a little bit, including myself: photo captions! I hate when people just copy and paste a generic quote as a caption or, even worse, just use a single word or emoji. I want you to tell me about yourself. Show some personality! Tell me how you felt on that beach or in that valley or at the top of that mountain. Tell me what the photo reminds you of or makes you think of. Be a better storyteller!
Would you be ready to share with us your “best” photograph taken with a Fujifilm X camera along with its EXIF info (camera, lens, ISO, aperture, shutter speed)?
I’m unsure if this is my “best”, but it is one of my current favorites. It was taken in Makaha, Hawaii. A lone surfer paddling out into the Pacific during a stunning sunrise. It was taken with my Fujifilm X-T2 and XF50-140 f2.8. ISO was set to 400, shutter speed at 1/125, aperture at f2.8, and focal length at 140mm.
Make sure you visit Alben’s website and follow him on his social media profiles: Instagram, YouTube, Facebook.
About Author
