Madrid on Fujifilm x100v
Madrid | Pedram Farjam | x100v
As photographers, we're conditioned to believe that more gear means more possibilities.
A wide-angle for architecture. A telephoto for portraits. A fast prime for low light. Maybe a drone, just in case. Before long, traveling starts to feel less like an adventure and more like carrying a mobile camera store.
When I recently traveled to Madrid, I decided to do the opposite.
I packed just one camera: my Fujifilm X100V.
No extra lenses. No heavy backpack. No "what if I need this lens?" moments.
Just one camera, one focal length, and the city.
It completely changed the way I photographed.
Less Gear, More Freedom
Madrid | Pedram Farjam | x100v
The first thing I noticed wasn't about the images—it was about how I felt.
Without a heavy bag constantly on my shoulders, I walked more. I explored longer. I wandered into side streets without thinking about the weight I was carrying or whether it was worth unpacking my camera.
The camera became part of the experience instead of getting in the way of it.
When photography feels effortless, you're naturally more present. And being present is where the best photographs usually begin.
Creative Limits Are Surprisingly Liberating
Madrid | Pedram Farjam | x100v
The X100V's fixed 23mm lens (35mm full-frame equivalent) means you don't have the luxury of zooming.
At first, it feels limiting.
Then something interesting happens.
Instead of changing your lens, you change yourself.
You move closer. You step back. You crouch. You climb stairs. You wait for the right subject to enter the frame.
You begin composing differently because you're forced to.
Some of my favorite images from Madrid are photographs I probably never would have made if I had the option to simply zoom in or swap lenses. The limitation pushed me to see scenes differently rather than photograph them the same way I always do.
Spending Less Time Editing
Madrid | Pedram Farjam | x100v
One of the biggest surprises was how little time I spent thinking about post-production.
Fujifilm's color science has earned its reputation for a reason. The film simulations produce images that already feel finished.
Instead of building every photograph from scratch in Lightroom, I found myself making small refinements rather than complete transformations.
That shift is refreshing.
Editing becomes about enhancing what was already there—not rescuing the image.
It Encourages You to Get It Right in Camera
Madrid | Pedram Farjam | x100v
This was probably the biggest lesson.
Knowing I wasn't relying on endless editing options changed the way I shot.
I paid more attention to the light.
I waited for cleaner compositions.
I thought more carefully before pressing the shutter.
It reminded me of shooting film, where every frame carries a little more intention because you can't simply "fix it later."
Ironically, having fewer options made me a more deliberate photographer.
Photography Is About Seeing
Madrid | Pedram Farjam | x100v
As professionals, it's easy to become obsessed with equipment.
We compare sensors, chase sharper lenses, and convince ourselves that the next camera will somehow improve our work.
But Madrid reminded me of something much simpler.
Photography has always been about observation.
It's about noticing the way afternoon light falls on a building, the rhythm of people crossing a street, the quiet moments between the obvious ones.
The camera is simply the tool that allows you to preserve what you've already seen.
If You're Traveling This Summer...
Take less.
Whether it's a Fujifilm X100V, another compact camera, or even just your phone, consider leaving the extra gear behind.
Travel with intention.
Walk more slowly.
Observe before you photograph.
The best travel photography rarely comes from having the most equipment. It comes from being present enough to notice the moments everyone else walks past.
Sometimes, carrying less allows you to see more.
