Exploring Tenerife's most beautiful town with the FUJIFILM x100f
A photo guide to La Orotava - the European Havana, captured with the best travel camera, the Fujifilm x100 series
Located in the north of the island of Tenerife on the slopes of Mount Teide, La Orotava is one of the oldest and most beautiful towns in the Canary Islands. It was founded in the early 16th Century after the Spanish conquest; this colonial town retains a rich architectural and cultural heritage. My first impressions of La Orotava were as if I was suddenly transported to Cuba, in the middle of Old Havana. It is an incredibly picturesque town, bursting with colour, culture and warm sunlight for most of the year, which makes it the perfect photographer’s playground. So I packed the little Fujifilm x100f in my bag and headed out early in the morning to explore La Orotava’s streets.
I often find that the smaller the camera I carry or the fewer lenses I take, the more enjoyable my shooting experience is. But, of course, this isn’t a rule or everyone’s preference, just something I’ve realised with practice. I’ve owned the Fujifilm X100F for a few years now, but even though its successor, X100V, is a great update with numerous worthwhile features, I don’t see a reason to part with my X100F just yet. It has 24MP, a great f2 lens and great autofocus. Many favourite memories have been captured with this little camera as well as photos I’ve had published in travel magazines.
But, of course, working as a professional photographer, there are many projects where a bigger camera with a variety of lenses is essential. However, to me, the FUJIFILM X100 series is still the best travel camera on the market because it allows me to be in the moment. Instead of thinking about various technical settings or changing lenses, I can notice my surroundings better, focus on the story and enjoy the process.
Places to Stay in La Orotava:
Hope you enjoyed this photo journey through the old town of La Orotava. If you’re ever travelling to Tenerife, I recommend including a day or two here.
A bigger travel guide post is coming very soon on the best places to visit on the whole island of Tenerife. Stay tuned!