The Camera That Saved My Creative Soul: Fujifilm X100V

Apr 13

I remember when photography was just a spark—a pure, unfiltered passion. But as many of us discover, there is a double-edged sword to turning your hobby into your paycheck. What started as a "passionate job" slowly morphed into just... a job.

For a long time, the gear I once obsessed over became a burden. I went from being the kid who couldn't wait to unbox a new lens to the professional who dreaded the weight of a camera bag. The excitement was replaced by a singular, cold objective: get the job done and go home.

Ironically, looking back at my amateur archives, the work was more soulful. When I lost the "need" to create for myself, I lost my creativity. This post is about how I found that spark again through a specific little camera—and to celebrate that shift, I’m sharing a collection of my favorite recent photos taken on the X100V.

Pedram Farjam | X100V | Kite Beach Dubai

The TikTok Rabbit Hole and a Leap of Faith

Like many of you, I fell into the TikTok algorithm’s obsession with the Fujifilm X100V. At first, I resisted. I even borrowed a friend’s X100F for a few days to test the waters, but the "pro" in me argued it away: "I don't need this for a gig, so why buy it?" That was the trap—only valuing gear for its utility in a workflow.

But one day, during a particularly rough patch in my life, I decided to ignore the logic. I found a clean, used X100V on the market. I didn't have much in the way of savings at the time, but I had a gut feeling that photography was the only thing that could pull me back to the surface.

The First Walk: Rediscovering the "Boy with a Camera"

I’ll never forget that first photo walk. The weight—or lack thereof—changed everything.

It wasn't "gear": It felt like an extension of my hand, not a heavy tool for a client.
The Design: It’s a beautiful object that begs to be picked up and taken out the door.
SOOC Magic: The photos looked stunning straight out of the camera. For the first time in years, I didn't feel the "debt" of a Lightroom backlog. I was just capturing moments.

I felt like a young boy exploring the world again. It wasn't about "the job" anymore; it was about the light, the shadows, and the simple feeling of the shutter.

Four Years Later: A Constant Companion

That leap of faith was four years ago. Since then, the X100V has lived in my pocket or around my neck. Some days I take fifty photos; some days I take one. But I’m always looking.

Getting this camera wasn't just a gear purchase—it was a mental health investment. It reminded me why I picked up a camera in the first place. To show you what I mean, here are a few frames from my recent walks. The Fuji colors and the way it handles light really brought my environment back to life.