A designer's eye behind a lens and my first steps into the world of photography.

After years immersed in the world of product design, where pixel-perfect precision and user-centric thinking rule the day, I’ve decided to pursue a new creative outlet: photography. It’s a hobby I’ve long admired from afar, often finding myself captivated by the visual storytelling and emotional resonance that a well-composed image can evoke. Now, it’s time to step behind the lens myself.

As someone who thrives on design detail and function, the process of choosing my first "serious" camera was both thrilling and rigorous. After weeks of research, countless comparison videos, and more than a few hours lost to online forums, I finally settled on the Fujifilm X-T5 paired with the Fujifilm XF 18mm f1.4 R LM WR lens.

Yes, it pushes the limit of my budget. But like any good investment in design tools, this choice came down to quality, versatility, and longevity. The X-T5's reputation for colour science, weather resistance, and tactile controls was incredibly appealing to me as a novice. I value tools that not only work well but feel good in the hand, and the X-T5 ticks both boxes.

The lens was very important to me. The XF 18mm f1.4 offers a wide field of view that's perfect for travel and street photography, two areas I'm especially keen to explore. Its low-light performance, super-sharp detail, and reliable autofocus made it a standout option. More than a few jaw-dropping shots seen taken with this lens helped seal the decision.

There’s a certain humility in starting something completely new. Despite being confident in design and visual composition, I’m acutely aware that mastering the technical side of photography will take time. ISO, shutter speed, aperture, all familiar concepts, yet foreign in practice. And that’s exactly what excites me!

I plan to document my journey, the triumphs, the misfires, the technical breakthroughs and creative discoveries. As I jump onto this learning curve, I’ll share it all here as and when I can. If you’re a fellow designer contemplating photography, or a photographer curious about a designer’s perspective, I hope you'll find some inspiration (and maybe a few laughs) in my novice missteps.

So here we go. Let’s see what happens when a designer goes analogue!