Flowers | FUJI X WEEKLY

Fujifilm Recipes for Spring Flower Photography

*Vibrant Flowerbed* – Salt Lake City, UT – Fujifilm X-T30 – Velvia Recipe

April showers bring May flowers, as the saying goes. Yes, it’s wildflower season already, and if you are not sure which Film Simulation Recipe to program into your Fujifilm camera to capture the colorful spectacle, this article should help with that. No matter which Fujifilm X-Trans camera you have, there’s a Recipe for you to try today!

This is far from a comprehensive list of Film Simulation Recipes that will work well for photographing spring blossoms. There are nearly 300 Recipes, and most of them could be a good choice, depending on the exact subject, lighting, and your style. This list is simply a selection of the ones that I personally like and can recommend to you. Feel free to try other Recipes not included in the list below. If I didn’t include your favorite Recipes for photographing spring flowers, let me know in the comments because I’d love to hear which ones you use. If you are not sure which Film Simulation Recipe to try, these recommendations should get you started.

X-Trans V

X-T5, X-H2, X-H2s

Thommy’s Ektachrome

Kodak Ultramax 400

X-Trans IV — Part 1

X-Pro3, X100V, X-T4, X-S10, X-E4, X-T30 II

Vibrant Velvia

The Rockwell

X-Trans IV — Part 2

X-T3, X-T30

Velvia

Kodak Portra 400

X-Trans III

X-Pro2, X100F, X-E3, X-T2, X-T20, X-H1

Ektachrome E100GX

Everyday Astia

X-Trans II — Part 1

X100T, X-E2, X-E2s, X-T1, X-T10, X30, XQ2, X70

Kodak Color Negative

Classic Kodak Chrome

X-Trans II — Part 2

X100S, X20, XQ1

Color Negative Film

Fujichrome Slide

X-Trans I

X-Pro1, X-E1, X-M1

Color Negative Film

Color Analog

Find these Film Simulation Recipes and nearly 300 more on the Fuji X Weekly — Film Recipes App!

Film Simulation Review: Planting Flowers with “Kodak Gold 200”

Posted on April 25, 2020 by Ritchie Roesch

White Tulip Bloom – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T30 & Fujinon 35mm f/2

Believe it or not, there are over 70 different film simulation recipes on Fuji X Weekly! That’s amazing! There are lots more than I would have guessed before I counted them. And I’m working on even more!

Something I’ve realized is that I haven’t spent all that much time on the practical use of these different recipes. You might not know which ones to choose, or when to use them, or maybe even how to use them. Perhaps you are overwhelmed by all of the options. Maybe you are not sure which ones can be used on which cameras. I haven’t done a great job with this side of it, the practical side. Moving forward I hope to make things easier for you by showing you the “what, where and why” of the different film simulation recipes.

This post is the very tiny tip of what I hope is a great big iceberg of information. I plan to publish many articles that I hope are helpful to you, that answer some of the questions you might have about these recipes. This article is a very simple one: an example of when to use my Kodak Gold 200 film simulation recipe. I get asked often, “What’s the best recipe for this situation?” Whatever that situation might be. I thought it would be helpful to showcase different recipes being used in various situations. I hope to do a whole bunch of these types of articles, and I’m calling them Film Simulation Reviews. You’ll be able to see a certain recipes used in a certain situation, and you’ll be able to judge for yourself if you like it or not. If you appreciate how a certain recipe looks in a certain case, for example Kodak Gold 200 with flowers and shaded light, which is what you see here, then you can use it yourself when in a similar situation.

My wife, Amanda, was going to plant some flowers in a pot on our porch, and I wanted to capture it. I grabbed my Fujifilm X-T30 and attached a Fujinon 35mm f/2 lens to it. Why this combo? I like that camera and lens; I don’t have a profound answer. Initially I planned to use my Portra 160 recipe, but after judging the light, which was shady and flat, I decided to go with the Gold recipe instead because it has more contrast. I think it was a good choice for this scene. Actual Kodak Gold film was considered a good all-around choice for many situations, so it shouldn’t surprise anyone that the film simulation that mimics it is also good for many different situations.

Pot & Soil – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T30 & Fujinon 35mm f/2

Digging Dirt – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T30 & Fujinon 35mm f/2

Planting Tulips – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T30 & Fujinon 35mm f/2

White Tulip Blossom – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T30 & Fujinon 35mm f/2

Adding Yellow – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T30 & Fujinon 35mm f/2

Adding Soil – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T30 & Fujinon 35mm f/2

Potted Blooms – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T30 & Fujinon 35mm f/2

Just Add Water – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T30 & Fujinon 35mm f/2

Wet Potted Blossoms – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T30 & Fujinon 35mm f/2

Wet Tulip – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T30 & Fujinon 35mm f/2

Porch Blossoms – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T30 & Fujinon 35mm f/2

Potted Blossoms – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T30 & Fujinon 35mm f/2

The Diversity of Utah Landscapes in Color, Part 2: Flowers

Posted on August 22, 2019 by Ritchie Roesch

Part 1 – Water Part 3 – Trees

Utah is a beautiful state with a diverse environment. There are snow-capped mountain peaks, green forests, extensive lakes, snaking rivers, vast red deserts and pretty much everything in-between. This photoessay series is intended to exhibit that diversity through my photographs, and each part will have a specific theme. This article, which is Part 2 of The Diversity of Utah Landscapes in Color, is about flowers.

For some people, flower photography is the bread and butter of what they do. I’ve never considered myself a flower photographer, but in the spring and summer when there are beautiful blossoms all around, it’s hard not to find it an interesting subject for the camera. Utah seems like an especially good place to capture the blooming beauty, as there are many lush flower gardens and plentiful wildflowers to choose from, including sometimes one’s own front or backyard.

Flowers:

Vibrant Flowerbed – Salt Lake City, UT – Fujifilm X-T30 – 4/29/2019

Little Blooms, Big Blooms – Lehi, UT – Fujifilm X-E1 – 4/18/2017

Urban Flowers – Salt Lake City, UT – Fujifilm X-E1 – 4/18/2017

Summer Sun Blossoms – South Weber, UT – Fujifilm X100F – 7/10/2018

At the Edge of the In-Between – South Ogden, UT – Fujifilm X-E1 – 5/28/2017

Dark Rose Blossom – South Weber, UT – Fujifilm X-T30 – 6/13/2019

Drops of Water on a Lily – South Weber, UT – Fujifilm X-Pro2 – 7/2/2018

Yellow Tipped Petal Bloom – South Weber, UT – Fujifilm X-Pro2 – 6/22/2018

Beeutiful – South Weber, UT – Fujifilm X-Pro2 – 6/17/2018

Purple Flower Petals – South Weber, UT – Fujifilm X-E1 – 5/28/2017

Purple Macro – Heber City, UT – Fujifilm X-Pro2 – 10/2/2018

Bloom Purple – South Weber, UT – Fujifilm X-T30 – 6/1/2019

Butterfly Bloom – Heber City, UT – Fujifilm X-Pro2 – 10/2/2018

Red Tulip – Lehi, UT – Fujifilm X-Pro2 – 5/4/2018

Tulips – Lehi, UT – Fujifilm X-E1 – 4/18/2017

Tulip Bloom – Lehi, UT – Fujifilm X-E1 – 4/18/2017

Tulips by the Creek – Lehi, UT – Fujifilm X-E1 – 4/18/2017

Blossoms By The Pond – Lehi, UT – Fujifilm X-Pro2 – 5/4/2018

Flowers By The Stream – Lehi, UT – Fujifilm X-Pro2 – 5/4/2018

Field of Flowers – Salt Lake City, UT – Fujifilm X-T30 – 4/29/2019

Stay tuned for Part 3!

Photoessay: An Arizona Spring in Color

Posted on May 31, 2019 by Ritchie Roesch

Colorful Cactus Blooms – Phoenix, AZ – Fujifilm X-T30 & 35mm

When most people think of Arizona, they picture dry dusty deserts and sprawling cities. It’s hot. It’s brown. It’s inhospitable. There are endless rows of look-alike stucco homes. Many people might be unaware that the desert bursts with color in the spring. Arizona isn’t just brown, there are vibrant greens, blues, reds, yellows, purples and other colors, especially in the spring, which is my favorite season in the state.

Arizona isn’t all desert, either. While it may be best known for the Grand Canyon, you might be surprised to learn that the largest ponderosa pine forest in the world is in Arizona. There are tall mountains and even winter skiing. The state is full of surprises. It’s one reason why I love Arizona and appreciate visiting whenever I can.

Yellow Palo Verde – Black Canyon, AZ – Fujifilm X-T30 & 35mm

I used to live in Arizona. Back when I was barely an adult, the Air Force sent me to live in Arizona. I met my wife there. My first two kids were born there. I have a deep fondness for the state. I would love to live there again someday. It’s a wonderful place for photography. I highly recommend grabbing a subscription to Arizona Highways magazine to see many wonderful pictures of the state. A fact that you might be surprised to learn is that Ansel Adams was frequently published in that magazine back in the day. Many great photographers were, and still are.

The photographs in this article were captured a few weeks ago. I used my Fujifilm X-T30 camera with a Fujinon 35mm f/2 lens and a Fujinon 90mm f/2 lens, which are both excellent examples of Fujifilm’s great glass that they’ve become renown for. I hope that you enjoy this variety of photographs that demonstrate there’s more color in Arizona than one might initially think.

Pine In The Sky – Flagstaff, AZ – Fujifilm X-T30 & 90mm

Green Leaves – Surprise, AZ – Fujifilm X-T30 & 35mm

Agave Green – Phoenix, AZ – Fujifilm X-T30 & 35mm

Cactus & Blue Sky – Surprise, AZ – Fujifilm X-T30 & 90mm

Palo Verde In The Windy Blue – Surprise, AZ – Fujifilm X-T30 & 90mm

Palm – Surprise, AZ – Fujifilm X-T30 & 90mm

Vultures In A Tree – Wickenburg, AZ – Fujifilm X-T30 & 90mm

Wildflowers & Stone – Phoenix, AZ – Fujifilm X-T30 & 35mm

Impatient? Stop & Smell – Sedona, AZ – Fujifilm X-T30 & 90mm

Yellow Rose of Arizona – Phoenix, AZ – Fujifilm X-T30 & 90mm

Little Bloom Design – Phoenix, AZ – Fujifilm X-T30 & 90mm

Yellow Blossom Flowers – Phoenix, AZ – Fujifilm X-T30 & 35mm

Splash of Red Among Green – Surprise, AZ – Fujifilm X-T30 & 90mm

Bougainvillea Bloom – Phoenix, AZ – Fujifilm X-T30 & 35mm

Bloom In The Rocks – Phoenix, AZ – Fujifilm X-T30 & 35mm

Blooming Cactus Landscape – Phoenix, AZ – Fujifilm X-T30 & 35mm

Red Prickly Pears – Phoenix, AZ – Fujifilm X-T30 & 35mm

Beginning To Blossom Red – Phoenix, AZ – Fujifilm X-T30 & 35mm

Desert Landscape – Phoenix, AZ – Fujifilm X-T30 & 35mm

Spring Saguaro – Phoenix, AZ – Fujifilm X-T30 & 35mm

Yucca Bloom – Phoenix, AZ – Fujifilm X-T30 & 35mm

Cactus Blooming Red – Phoenix, AZ – Fujifilm X-T30 & 35mm

Red Ball Fruit – Phoenix, AZ – Fujifilm X-T30 & 35mm

Barrel Cactus – Phoenix, AZ – Fujifilm X-T30 & 35mm

Cactiscape – Phoenix, AZ – Fujifilm X-T30 & 35mm

Prickled – Phoenix, AZ – Fujifilm X-T30 & 35mm

Pops of Yellow – Black Canyon, AZ – Fujifilm X-T30 & 35mm

Yellow Desert – Black Canyon, AZ – Fujifilm X-T30 & 35mm

One Barrel Cactus Bloom – Phoenix, AZ – Fujifilm X-T30 & 35mm

Red Spiky Blooms – Phoenix, AZ – Fujifilm X-T30 & 35mm

Red & Purple Desert Blossoms – Phoenix, AZ – Fujifilm X-T30 & 35mm

Salt Lake City: Temple Square Spring Splendor

Posted on May 7, 2019 by Ritchie Roesch

Vibrant Flowerbed – SLC, UT – Fujifilm X-T30

It’s spring, and of course that means spring blossoms. Flowers are in full bloom. Vibrant colors can be found everywhere. One of the more impressive places to see the spring splendor is Temple Square in downtown Salt Lake City. Temple Square is an icon of the city, and a tourist attraction, with visitors coming from across the globe. In the spring the grounds are covered with blossoming flowers.

At Temple Square you’ll find well-kept grounds and interesting architecture. It’s a religious site, and there’s a chance someone might approach you regarding that. I’ve had that happen a couple of times, but it was only slightly awkward and it only happened a small number of times compared to how often I have visited. In other words, most likely you’ll be left alone. This is the church’s property, so be respectful should someone speak with you. It’s usually somewhat crowded, so you’ll blend in with all the tourists snapping pictures.

When I captured these pictures last week, I used a Fujifilm X-T30 with a Fujinon 35mm f/2 lens attached to the front. This is a good lightweight combination that’s great for walk-around photography. I spent about forty five minutes strolling the grounds. Temple Square is a great location for flower photography in the spring. Being an urban environment, it’s a bit unexpected. If you find yourself in Salt Lake City, it’s worth visiting.

Singular Red Flower – SLC, UT – Fujifilm X-T30

Bright Red Blooms – SLC, UT – Fujifilm X-T30

Red & Yellow Blooms – SLC, UT – Fujifilm X-T30

The Color of Spring – SLC, UT – Fujifilm X-T30

Field of Flowers – SLC, UT – Fujifilm X-T30

Touch of Purple – SLC, UT – Fujifilm X-T30

Church Grounds – SLC, UT – Fujifilm X-T30

Pink Bloom – SLC, UT – Fujifilm X-T30

Thanksgiving Point Ashton Gardens (Part 2)

Posted on May 13, 2018 by Ritchie Roesch

Caladium Leaves – Lehi, UT – Fujifilm X100F

This is a follow-up to yesterday’s photoessay of the Thanksgiving Point tulip festival, in which I used a Fujifilm X-Pro2 and 16mm lens to capture blossomed flowers in the beautiful Ashton Gardens. This post has a Part A and a Part B. The first part features just a few photographs that I captured last fall at Ashton Gardens inside Thanksgiving Point in Lehi, Utah. The second part features photographs that I captured of the tulip festival last year using a Fujifilm X-E1 with a Rokinon 12mm lens and an X-Fujinon 135mm lens.

Early last fall I visited Thanksgiving Point with my family. We went to a couple different museums and then, since my wife and kids had yet to see Ashton Gardens, we made a quick stroll through it. We didn’t stay long and I didn’t take a whole lot of photographs. The camera I used was a Fujifilm X100F, which I had only owned for a couple of months at that time. These photographs are straight-out-of-camera JPEGs.

I went to the 2017 tulip festival alone because my family was out-of-town. I was using a Fujifilm X-E1 at the time (this was several months before I purchased the X100F), and I had one wide-angle lens and one telephoto lens, although I used the 12mm lens twice as much as the 135mm lens on that trip. Carrying around two lenses was much less convenient than having just one lens attached to the camera (such as the X100F or X-Pro2 with the 16mm lens), but it allowed me to capture some images that I otherwise wouldn’t have been able to. These photographs were post-processed using Alien Skin Exposure and Nik Collection software.

I shared this year’s Ashton Gardens tulip festival photographs yesterday, so I thought it was fitting to also show these other photographs captured at the same location. Enjoy!

Delicate Pink – Lehi, UT – Fujifilm X100F

Koi Pond – Lehi, UT – Fujifilm X100F

Thanksgiving Point Tulip Festival 2017:

Tulip Blossom Monochrome – Lehi, UT – Fujifilm X-E1 & 12mm

Little Blooms, Big Blooms – Lehi, UT – Fujifilm X-E1 & 12mm

White Bloom – Lehi, UT – Fujifilm X-E1 & 12mm

Tulip Bloom – Lehi, UT – Fujifilm X-E1 & 12mm

One Tulip – Lehi, UT – Fujifilm X-E1 & 12mm

Tulips By The Creek – Lehi, UT – Fujifilm X-E1 & 135mm

Garden Statue – Lehi, UT – Fujifilm X-E1 & 135mm

Tulips – Lehi, UT – Fujifilm X-E1 & 135mm

Pink Tulip – Lehi, UT – Fujifilm X-E1 & 12mm

The Secret Garden – Lehi, UT – Fujifilm X-E1 & 12mm

Tulip & Wall – Lehi, UT – Fujifilm X-E1 & 12mm

Thousand Origami Cranes – Lehi, UT – Fujifilm X-E1 & 12mm

Forest & Falls – Lehi, UT – Fujifilm X-E1 & 12mm

Colorful Floating Umbrellas – Lehi, UT – Fujifilm X-E1 & 12mm

Thanksgiving Point Tulip Festival With Fujifilm X-Pro2 & 16mm Lens

Posted on May 12, 2018 by Ritchie Roesch

Tulips In Acros – Lehi, UT – Fujifilm X-Pro2 & 16mm

Lehi, Utah, is a suburb of Salt Lake City. Within Lehi is Thanksgiving Point, which is a not-for-profit farm, garden, museum, sports, food and entertainment complex. It was founded by Alan Ashton, who invented WordPerfect software back in the late 1970’s. Within Thanksgiving Point is Ashton Gardens, an incredibly beautiful 55 acre oasis that seems miles away from the hustle and bustle of the city that’s outside the gate. The largest man-made waterfall in the western hemisphere can be found here.

Every year in mid-April through early-May there is a tulip festival inside Ashton Gardens. It’s reminiscent of spring in Holland. In fact, the nearly 300,000 tulips found at Ashton Gardens are imported from Holland. It really is an amazing sight to behold!

As you can imagine, if you are a landscape photographer or love photographing flowers, there are very few places that are better for capturing great images than Aston Gardens in the spring. It’s such a lovely place! There is so much beauty around every corner. If you are in the area during spring, be sure to plan a visit to Thanksgiving Point.

I went to the tulip festival at Ashton Gardens with my newly acquired Fujifilm X-Pro2 and Fujinon XF 16mm f/1.4 R WR lens. It’s a very good lens that I’ve been very happy to use, and its 24mm equivalent focal-length is great for this type of photography. The X-Pro2 and 16mm combination proved to be perfect for this photographic endeavor. All of these images are straight-out-of-camera JPEGs. I used Velvia, Astia, Classic Chrome and Acros film simulations for these pictures. Yes, the same recipes that I use on my X100F also work on my X-Pro2.