Shots and Thoughts

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.

Good Bye, Hello.

2015 wraps up and 2016 arrives. As time goes by in the blink of an eye, I am finding people also pass in the blink of an eye.

But new people, new relationships arrive in a blink of an eye. For 2016 I hope to cultivate my existing and new creative relationships for mutual enjoyment and growth.

Pro tip: Relationships do not start or maintain with out energy and commitment. This is a quality not quantity game.

Gesture and Emotions

Shooting with emotion can lead to emotional shots. Adding in gesture makes it all come together.

Can you tell all the above subjects have a special emotional connection? I think it jumps off the page.

Pro tip: Once again I have some of the kids direct and position the shots, a lot of fun and worked on every level. Keep doing this.

Community

One of the things I love about photography is the community you can enjoy. Inside of the community are relationships and one that I really value is with Faran Najafi. He has mentored me over the years including studio set ups, lighting ideas, Lightroom workflows, creative layouts, etc. It is nice to have relationships where you are free to discuss your creative and technical ideas together.

Today we hung out and went through photo selection, sequencing and some camera body discussions as there is a new Phase One body out that seems significantly improved.

Pro tip: It feels good to have long term creative friendships. I learn but also share so they become special for both of us.

Get That First Shot Done

For me it is important to start off the day with a quick shot, it seems to set me into photo mode and gets my mind looking for the light and gesture.

Pro tip: In focus, nope. Good shot, nope. Did I see that light and subject and then compose? Yup. Then quickly tweak the shutter speed for the next set of shots. And I am off shooting for the day.

Yodobashi Camera

I have mentioned Yodobashi Camera before in these notes, but it is always a treat to spend a few hours (!) walking through the largest camera store in have ever seen. Yes bigger than B&H in NYC!

Hundreds of camera bags. Kind of like shoe shopping for guys (ha!).

And row after row of paper for photo prints. I stick with Epson paper although Fuji has super color.

Kodak! Remember when they were the undisputed leader in photography?

I just love that there are always a lot of printing kiosks where you can insert you SD card and print on the spot. I think it says something about the Japanese style where they love real books, film, prints, etc.

My friendly Yodobashi sales clerk. In general they can check you out faster than you put your credit card in your wallet.

Pro tip: I like seeing all the technology camera platforms and love that I can feel and touch them. Yodobashi is also great for specialized accessories, including Art and Artisan camera straps (made in Japan). Have a shopping list in mind before you go!

Light and Composure

I found the light, then waited for the shot to come together. The bird was a great extra that made the entire shot!

Pro tip: Wait, then wait some more if the light is perfect.

Photography in Japan

One of the reasons I love coming to Japan is that there is a long history and passion around photography.

Never a surprise to see a camera in Japan. The love of photography extends to printings and photo galleries.

Pro tip: It is fun to connect with people via the camera around their neck, maybe a universal language we all share.

Emotions Make Good Photos Great

A fun party in Tokyo this weekend, got to see a lot of friends and families. It is interesting to look back at the photos and see where there is an emotional connection with the subjects and where there wasn't as much.

Yes to emotional connection in the above shot, not so much in the next shot.

The above shot is my favorite of the night. I shot some retail product photos for Narumi a few years ago as she has a shop in Tokyo, but haven't seen her in awhile. And hope to see her again soon!

Push It

As I look back at my photos, many are good but I would like to be closer, not just physically but from a connected sense. Jacob Sobol has a great grasp on this and there is one photo he has of a man looking out of bus that is just riveting.

So I thought to give it a try, come in tight through the window and yes, aggressive just to see what would happen:

So then what, how angry did she get? How hostile? How upset?

Sweet as can be, no problem.

Pro tip: Tight. Close. Low. Repeat.

Open Photos

Closed photos convey a direct, clear message to the viewer. Open photos are just that, open to the viewer to decide the story line.

How would you caption this next one?

Some days are fantastic for photos

Some days the photo gods bless you with shot after shot.

Not today, 6 hours of walking, shooting, watching and this was it:

Barely a shot. But I got some good exercise and didn't get too wet from the on/off rain. Photography and fishing have a lot in common.

Pro tip: If you are in the right place, using the right bait but still no fish to be caught, call it a day and chill out. Forcing the action doesn't work. I don't walk away easily or quickly as it takes time for good shots to come together, but just not today.

Vertical Portraits

As I look forward to publishing my next photo book, I will need some cool vertical portraits.

Horizontal shots work well for web and social media, vertical is best for magazines and books.

These shots put you as a viewer right there. Not looking in, but right there.

Thinking now as a project, a portfolio vs just individual shots. Fun to think how a story can be crafted.

Pro tip: I need to shoot everyone with this set up of Leica Q, 28mm about a foot away.

Jet Lag at 4am

So what does a photographer do when wide awake with jet lag at 4am?

It was cold and dark, perfect to "see" in black and white, high contrast.

The street lights make for interesting shadows.

I shot with the Leica Monochrom, it seems to work well for this darker, colder feeling. 35mm lens, ISO 3200.

Did I mention it was dark? cold? lonely at 4am? Good, just the emotion I was looking for.

Pro tip: Don't try to use logic in getting up and going out at 4am, just do it and see what happens. Sometimes you just have to do it with out thinking. Right?

How Did You Get That Shot?

Maybe I should hold a workshop to teach how I got this shot:

The key is to have a slow shutter speed and two Asahi beers. Works every time. Workshop would include dinner and two drink minimum.

Pro tip: Just keep shooting, regardless.

Boom!

I almost got punched today on the street and don't blame the guy at all, I probably would have had a much worse reaction that this cool, tough, Elvis type dude:

I am always easy on the street, no need for drama or hostility. If someone doesn't want a photo I just move on, plenty of other opportunities. I told this man that I thought his glasses where cool looking, he laughed and smiled so I brought the camera up for a shot. There was a micro second glitch as my sunglasses blocked the viewfinder and I thought I saw him high five me, when in reality he was waving me off. I returned the high five which ended up slapping him on the shoulder as he walked away. All my fault and it came off as pretty physically aggressive on my part. Grateful he was cool and just walked away.

Then ten feet away I met a impeccably dressed senior who was delighted to have a photo.

Pro tip: People pick up on your body language. Be confident but not confrontational. Easy to walk away if any drama. Any maybe get those sunglasses off before shooting!

Almost a Shot

Some times you wait and wait and wait and then nothing. This shot had it all except for a human element. I held out as long as possible but no one came into the frame.

Pro tip: Patience can payoff, but there is a practical and physical limit to how long you can hang out waiting. This was a fun 15 minutes looking at the composition and shooting test shots, but the heat from the sun was just too much to continue.

No Thanks

I always love going to Yodobashi Camera when in Japan, today at the Kyoto store. They have EVERY accessory and item for photographers including this cool t shirt.

But I will pass as it is about $65 USD. Too much for too little IMHO.

But I love the shirts I got from Dave Powell at ShootTokyo, great quality and fit. I wear them all the time and they hold up great.

Pro tip: It really helps when your looking at new equipment to have clarity of purpose around your photography dreams and goals. Putting all my "I want" thoughts thru this filter lets me stay on track and focused. And not buying cool stuff I don't need. But still searching for THE camera bag!

Update: I bought a sweatshirt from this line, expensive but cool with nice pockets for camera gear.

Take the Shot

Nancy was always a little camera shy around me but I got her in front of the camera about a year ago as I was shooting her grand daughter Miya senior photos. I shot a little over 600 shots that day and 8 of them with Nancy, just fun together. She didn't want a photo but I laughed and pushed her into it during the breaks.

Nancy passed away yesterday after a brief illness. These photos are now irreplaceable and precious to her beloved extended family.

Pro tip: Take the shot. Life is short for all of us. And keep track of where you store them!

Family Holiday Photos

Holiday family photos are not easy to shoot but such a beautiful moment when they turn out perfect.

Checking the light, the location, exposure (especially shutter speed), arranging a natural pose, then evoking some emotion are the basic steps to putting together a memorable shot.

Pro Tip: High ISO is fine with top cameras like the D4s, it keeps the shutter speed up to 1/250, critical when shooting kids, etc.

On the run

Sometimes the phone is your best camera available. Sometimes it is your best blogging platform. Sometimes it is all you have.

Pro tip: Horizontal shots from the phone work the best on the web.