Photos and comments as I explore my passion for photography. Written to and for myself as a journal to track major moments and minor observations as I continue to evolve my visual art.
Printing and framing have become my end result in photography. Not posting to IG or FB, still fun but my real finished work is in the print.
2016 | San Jose, Japantown Studios
Pro tip: Finding the right size, quality frame and mat is a little challenging. Now I am using IKEA Ribba frames, they look good and come with a hight quality mat. But limited sizes, all trade offs.
Well it looked like no rain, then as soon as we were ready for photos it started to come down. So off to the studio and the back deck high roof location, it worked perfectly.
San Jose, Japantown Studio
Pro tip: How much would you pay for this photo? How much would it be worth in 20 years? I would say priceless. Hint: print to keep it alive.
We have been pretty lucky on the weather this year as there has been early rain, but some good clear windows to grab more family shots.
Los Gatos, 2016
Pro tip: I try to have 5-7 set ups to use on a 60 minute photo session, mainly to try different light and posing opportunities. On these shots I used my "54321" countdown to keep the kids moving and having fun. A delightful family to work with!
When the kids are home from school for Thanksgiving break it is a good time to get photos done!
Los Gatos, 2016
Pro tip: With groups you have to shoot a lot to make sure you get a shot where everyone is looking at the camera. This was a fun family to work with, all easy with the Fuji Xt2
Each year I try to push myself further.
Los Gatos, 2016
Pro tip: On every commercial photo job, I try to shoot a few creative shots, fun to see what comes out.
I am now on my annual social media break and it feels GREAT! I do this every year about this time for 2-4 months to get away from the instant desire to check in on IG, FB, etc. Now with the election news taking over, even a better time to check out.
San Jose, 2016
Pro tip: I still lurk as there is a good deal of photo community news that comes on these social media platforms. But not posting and not following is good for my soul...
My core commercial business is crafting great head shots. It is always an honor when another photographer asks me to capture their shot.
2016 | San Jose, Japantown Studios
Pro Tip: Shoot tethered in the studio. Works on a lot of levels.
I took a quick day trip to Denver and used it as an opportunity to look for light.
Denver, 2016
Shooting here with the 14mm and looking for a complex photo that had multiple elements. A fun way to spend downtime in the airport.
Pro tip: Cool photos exist everyday, everywhere. Slow down, look for the light. Then frame composition, wait for the gesture, hit the shutter. Repeat!
It was fun shooting Nami san and the family for their 2016 holiday card, our fourth year for this together. Nami is the founder of Just One Cookbook and does a remarkable job of running this global business everyday.
Los Gatos, 2016
Pro tip: I shot this with the Fuji 50-140mm zoom and delighted with how well the shots turned out. Let's keep shooting this one for Fuji portraits!
It was fun shooting with Sophia this weekend as she was looking for new senior photos for yearbook, announcements, social media, etc. Shot with the Fuji XT2 and the 56mm lens. Great color SOC and sharp as needed even when shot wide open.
Los Gatos, 2016
Los Gatos, 2016
Pro tip: Have a great wardrobe, a real desire to get a great photo and a fun positive attitude make this an easy shoot for me.
A valuable review with Jiye this week in reviewing my prints as I work towards publication and gallery exhibit. Plus a bonus lunch at Google, nice!
Tokyo, 2016
We discussed flow and editing overall shots. She had some great insights as just back from a three week workshop on book/project publication. I made direct changes to the project after we worked together. There is an entire art to photo presentation that I need to drill into further.
Pro tip: Emotional impact is a great bar for picking shots. It let's the snapshots fade away. She suggested to do this edit process as a group to even further remove any personal bias.
Last night I went to the Koenji Awa Dori dance festival and it was awesome with thousands of dancers. A real street party with vendors for food and beer, and a little light rain thrown in didn't dampen the fun.
Tokyo | 2016
Pro tip: I was tired, still jet lagged and had to drag myself out in the rain to attend. As I get older I have to double down to keep mentally and physically sharp and not take advantage of these unique opportunities. Shooting also just makes me happy, regardless of the outcome.
Adorama sponsored a photo walk in Shibuya yesterday and it was a lot of fun. About 45 photographers showed up, maybe 90% local Japanese and then a few global shooters. It rained off and on, but we got a few shots and a chance to meet new people.
Tokyo | 2016
The above shot is a reflection of the hard partying that happens in Shibuya until dawn. The street was full of people staggering home, still drinking and stumbling towards the morning train. This guy was barely dressed and still awake, but not the only one in this shape.
I am not interested in making images of homeless people unless there is a bigger story to be told. This guy was not homeless, just too much party! Maybe a harsh image for my next project but it captured 7am in Shibuya pretty well.
Pro tip: For most photographers, shooting and editing is an individual life. Getting together in community is fun and doesn't happen too often. I was the oldest guy there and it was a kick seeing the younger "hipsters" doing their thing. Rock on whatever works for you!
I have become more conscious of working the shot, getting multiple views of the same subject. When you think about a movie director, they will often show you three looks: wide for context and environment, "normal" for action and then tight/real tight for emotion. I can do the same thing with the 28m lens on the Leica Q by moving my feet.
Here I saw the great AM light first and then a bike with a shadow. So start with the wide shot:
Kyoto, 2016
Then walk up with a 50m kind of look/distance, but still with the Leica Q at 28m:
Kyoto, 2016
Then tight, really tight with the traditional 28m lens view:
Kyoto, 2016
Pro tip: take all these shots when I see a scene develop. Just like looking at the contact sheets from film shooters, you can see how a new view/story develops. It also gives me a range of shots to use in editing and publications. I usually take one or two different views, but need to take at least three.
I had a most productive afternoon with Joe Aguirre and Emilio Banuelos today at the JapanTown Studio. We went through my print portfolio (about 120 shots now) and did an edit, another edit, another edit and got down to about 10 shots. After digesting this flow for a few minutes, Emilio did another flow, even better. At the end we laid out 3 potential projects that may emerge over time. Joe was spot on as usual with pairing shots together.
Tokyo 2014
Some notes to myself from the conversation:
1. My basic photos skills are fine: understanding exposure, composition, light/dark/shadows. etc.
2. For the next level of work, continue to let go of the snapshots and postcards.
3. Photos are like notes in a song, words in a story. Each one is key, but how you put the flow together tells the story, sings the song.
4. Emilio was sharp on pointing out that many of my ++ photos all look the same: rule of thirds, strong geometric lines, one person, same horizon, same point of view. This is actually a good thing as it shows consistency, but it is like using the same adjective over and over again in one sentence or paragraph. Joe suggested a slight camera tilt to help change this POV.
5. Keeping shooting, keep printing, let the projects evolve. Work on content, but with intention of what is missing.
6. But ask myself, what other parts of the story do I want to tell? Currently my work has a strong female and loneliness vibe, is there something else as an artist I want to share in these stories. More shots with 2+ people, etc.
7. There were some specific suggestions for my trip next week to Japan: Take the dozen prints that stand out and review them on the plane. Touch, hold, build muscle memory on how these shots feel. Write up a card on each shot with some details but also my feelings and emotions around the photo. Acknowledge the type of shot and then start thinking about what is missing for the flow.
8. Specifically I can start shooting with more emotion and feel, OK to drop rule of thirds for every photo. Bring more people into the shot. Look for that small gesture as I try layered shots. Track the gesture, take multiple exposures, see what happens.
9. Get three shots for each set up: big, close and REAL close.
10. Tilt camera just slightly for new POV and new horizon views.
11. Continue to shoot film as it slows the process down and also let's you think more (or less!).
12. Check my shots to make sure they all don't look alike, i.e. no additional umbrella shots needed!
13. No trite, gimmicks, postcards or snapshots. Need emotional connection.
14. I really need to start shooting in town, maybe starting another project?
15. Joe also made a good point how it takes a team effort to pull together, edit and publish a book. Who is on my team?
Over all a great afternoon together. We also discussed the SJ Southbay art community and opportunities to collaborate. A good photo day, actually more than I can process in one sitting!
Joe has been a killer mentor, highly recommended as I look forward to publishing this work.
Pro tip: I enjoy shooting alone but it makes sense to involve a team in the selection/publication process.
Had a fun two hour photo walk in SF as part of the StreetFoto week. 17 people to start with as we walked around SOMA. Fun to chat with other photographers and compare notes.
SF, 2016
Pro tip: I was set up well for the walk, but need to replace the inserts in my "street photo" shoes. Also I need to reformat cards just before starting a shoot.
Nayo wanted some new photos and we got about 35+ cool shots she can use. Great eyes, hair and smile, she was a delight to work with.
Tokyo, 2016
Pro tip: Smart to shoot in 4-6 locations as the light is going to help/hurt the shots. I love this look above with natural window light.
So great to connect with Mami san when I am in Tokyo. She has been so helpful as we have worked together now for many years. A fun shot of her:
Tokyo, 2016
Pro tip: Mami san was a good model as she also tried some new poses with the hands, face etc. Part of the creative process is trying new things, tweaking and expanding. I will post a few of these creative shots on IG.
Miho and I had a fun time getting her some updated portfolio shots. She has done both TV and runway work, so she did a very professional job in front of the camera.
Tokyo, 2016
Pro tip: Miho brought her son Rin to the shoot and he was adorable. We got some super shots of mother and son. These shots are even more important than the portfolio shots. I hope to work with Miho again!
In Tokyo I stopped by Totem Pole Gallery and saw a cool set of prints by Keijiro Kai "Down to the Bone".
Tokyo, 2016
Keijiro did a good job of taking a concept all the way to prints in a gallery show. About 20 shots of one event. A tight edit let all the shots hang together. He had the key elements in each photo: Light, Color and Gesture. In the end they told an interesting story of this historical event. The flash shots in a snow storm were just so cool! The Totem Pole Gallery was also a nice set up, well done.
Pro Tip: Think Project, backwards from a print gallery show. Doesn't have to be a lot of shots, but a theme, story or poem to hold the viewers interest and emotions.
