Costa Rica 2023
In March 2023, I spent two weeks back in Costa Rica. Even though it’s home, every trip feels different, especially when I bring my camera along. I wasn’t looking for anything specific this time — just wanted to capture whatever moments I could find along the way.
One of my first stops was Manuel Antonio. I had hoped to photograph monkeys in the wild, but this time they were tough to find. I barely saw any, which is rare for that spot, but that’s part of the fun (and frustration) with wildlife photography — it keeps you guessing.
As I kept driving down the coast, I pulled over at a random restaurant for lunch. While I was eating, I spotted a surfing competition happening right out front. Perfect timing. I had my Sony 400–600mm on my A7 IV, so even from a distance, I was able to catch the action. The waves, the focus of the surfers, the energy of the ocean — it turned into an unexpected highlight of the trip.
Later, further down the road, I came across a street performance. A group of girls were performing a traditional Costa Rican dance, full of color and energy. It wasn’t something I had planned to photograph, but as soon as I saw it, I knew I had to capture it. Their movement and expressions brought so much life to the shots, and it felt good to document a piece of local culture like that.
This trip reminded me of something simple but important — sometimes, the best photos come when you’re not really looking for them. Costa Rica has a way of surprising you, even when you think you know it well.
Scroll down to check out some of my favorite shots from the trip.
Camera Settings & Gear I Used:
A few people asked me about my setup for these shots in Japan, so here’s what I used:
Camera:
Fujifilm X-T100 — super compact and light, perfect for traveling around Tokyo streets and shrines. I like it because it’s simple but still gives that Fuji color magic.
Lenses:
Fujinon XC 15-45mm f/3.5-5.6 OIS PZ — my main walkaround lens. It’s small and covers a good range for street and landscape shots.
Fujinon XF 35mm f/2 R WR — sharp, fast, and gave me great depth for portraits and tighter frames.
Shutter Speed:
Mostly kept it around 1/250 to 1/500 during the day to freeze motion, especially in busy areas like Shibuya.
Slowed it down to 1/60 or lower in shaded alleys or temples.
Aperture:
Shot a lot wide open at f/2 to f/4 for softer backgrounds.
For cityscapes and landscapes, closed down to f/8 to f/11 to keep things sharp front to back.
ISO:
Tried to stay at ISO 200-400 for clean shots, but pushed to ISO 800-1600 at night, especially around neon signs and street food stalls.
Focus:
Used manual focus a few times for precise shots, but mostly relied on Fuji’s autofocus, which is quick and reliable.
Film Simulation Mode:
Shot mainly in Classic Chrome for that muted, documentary vibe.
Also played with Velvia for vibrant colors in parks and street scenes.
Metering:
Stuck with Multi metering mode, and it handled most situations well.
Occasionally adjusted exposure compensation by +0.3 to +0.7 to brighten shadowy scenes.
Other Gear:
Wrist strap instead of a neck strap for faster handling.
Extra batteries — trust me, the XT100 needs them for a full day out.
16GB and 32GB SD cards — kept a few spares handy.
Simple Tips if you’re using cameras like this:
Pack light. A small setup makes you more spontaneous in the streets.
Play with Fuji’s film simulations — they save time in editing.
Use the flip screen for creative angles, especially low shots in temples or streets.
Charge all your batteries the night before. I killed one battery before lunch the first day 😂
Enjoy the moment. Japan is full of photo ops, but don’t forget to soak it in with your eyes too.
