The Freedom to Create
X-Photographer, Daniel Malikyar, talks us through why he thinks the new FUJIFILM X-T4 forms the perfect bridge between the worlds of photography and videography.
Fresh off the set of a new short film where he has been using X-T4 to illustrate the unique diversity and creativity of Los Angeles as a city, Daniel reflects on his own creative process and how he became the hybrid photographer he is today. “Growing up here sparked my entire interest in pursuing art, so this project is my attempt at shedding light on the different subcultures that have inspired me,” he tells us.
Originally a stills photographer, Daniel feels the transition he made into videography was totally organic and the challenge has only brought positivity to his development as a creative. “It felt natural because both disciplines share a lot of the same foundations: storytelling, composition, lighting,” he explains. “Exploring both art forms is really important, because it pushes you creatively. It forces the question: how do I tell this story in a single frame versus a longer form video?”
“I would highly recommend this camera to any hybrid creatives interested in photography and video”
And for him, X-T4 is the perfect tool for the job. “This is a great camera system for hybrid creatives, because it allows you to switch between high-quality photography and video in seconds using the on-camera dial,” says Daniel. “Also, the battery life is strong, offering 600 frames per charge and the five-axis in-body image stabilization (IBIS) allows you to create smooth handheld shots that have the same look and feel of a gimbal.”
Daniel goes on to praise the vari-angle 1.62M-dot LCD touchscreen, which, when combined with the camera’s compact size and sleek design, made it easy for him to frame a number of challenging takes on location.
In addition to X-T4’s exceptional all-round capabilities as a hybrid camera, there is also no compromise on features that are specific to stills or video. In fact, you could call this camera a master-of-all-trades.
On the stills side, Daniel loves its mechanical shutter capabilities, saying: “The 15fps continuous shooting feature on X-T4 is really impressive and a key indicator on how technology is pushing boundaries.” Equally, he highlights X-T4’s super slow-motion video function as a favorite. “The Full HD/240p video capability is a game changer as well. Having the ability to capture moments at such a high speed opens up amazing possibilities,” he explains.
“I would highly recommend this camera to any hybrid creatives interested in photography and video,” concludes Daniel. “I think it is the perfect mirrorless camera of its size and another indicator of how FUJIFILM continues to innovate and set new standards with its systems.
“Whatever side of the image-making spectrum your foundation comes from, X-T4 will give you a great tool to help push your work further.”
“I think it is the perfect mirrorless camera of its size and another indicator of how FUJIFILM continues to innovate and set new standards with its systems.”
About the Photographer
Daniel Malikyar is a photographer, filmmaker and creative director based in LA with a strong reputation for finding the perfect balance between commercial refinement and raw authenticity.
Website: https://www.danielmalikyar.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dmalikyar/
