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.

Adorama Photo Walk

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.

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!

Get the Shot x3

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:

Then walk up with a 50m kind of look/distance, but still with the Leica Q at 28m:

Then tight, really tight with the traditional 28m lens view:

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.

Emilio and Joe

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.

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.

Street Foto SF

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.

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

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.

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.

Mami

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:

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

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.

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!

Totem Pole Gallery

In Tokyo I stopped by Totem Pole Gallery and saw a cool set of prints by Keijiro Kai "Down to the Bone".

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.

Leica Kyoto

One of my favorite stops in Kyoto is to drop into the Leica Kyoto store. Located right in the heart of the historic Gion food/entertainment district, the shop in housed in a remodeled historic machiya styled home. Think old wood beams, white plaster walls, sliding shoji doors and then full of the latest Leica cameras and lens. The team there is always helpful and I bought my Leica Q there last June.

Here is Yuko san, she is #1 in the shop for customer service.

Pro Tip: Having a good camera support team is critical for a professional photographer. I continue to support the local Leica shops (vs online purchase) as the relationships built are helpful and fun!

Friends in Tokyo

Just back from another good trip to Japan. I spent time in both Kyoto and Tokyo, flying out of Osaka both ways. A two week trip, so jet lag coming home this week was especially tough.

One of the things I always try to do on these trips is to reconnect with friends. This time I got to hang out with Dave Powell from ShootTokyo. We have know each other for years, with many common interests and shared challenges. It is particularly nice as we know and appreciate each others families also.

It was Dave that got me to move into the world of Leica. Actually he also saved me from moving away from Leica as the first few months were tough for me. Using manual focus, all manual settings was interesting as I had come from a razor sharp, auto everything Nikon set up. There was a pivotal day when Dave and I did a photo walk together in Tokyo, where he patiently helped me get the Leica M rangefinder dialed. From that day on I have been shooting Leica exclusively for my street type photography.

On this trip we had a chance to take some photos, have a few beers and eat some awesome yakitori.

Here is Dave having fun on the YouTube set in Roppangi Hills. Note the cap still on the prop beer bottle!

Pro Tip: It is good to be proactive on maintaining relationships. It had been awhile since our schedules worked out, so really nice to see Dave again.

Prince

Such sad and unexpected news of the death of Prince. He was a true creative and oozed sexuality. Here is my take if he asked me to make an album cover for him.

My version of the master Moriayam san style photos.

Pro tip: It is fun watch other's styles and see what you can then make your own. I particularly like the 1960-1970 high contrast Japanese images.

A Range of Looks

When I shoot executive portraits in the studio I always try to get a range of shots that the client can rotate across social media, websites, marketing material, etc.

Pro tip: Bring 4-6 tops from fun to business casual to your photo session, all clean pressed and well fitting.

Projects

I am working with Joe Aguirre to help develop of couple of projects as I stretch myself creatively. He is just back from a solo show in Paris and brought me some super cool zines that remind me of older Japanese photography, my favorite!

I will update this post as we spend more time together, using these notes as a reminder of working points we have discussed.

1. Pick two camera set ups and shoot those most of the time. I will go with the Leica Q 28mm and Leica M-A film with a 50mm set up.

2. Blog posts only need a date/location and a one liner.

3. As the shooter I know the context of the photos and sequence shot, but the viewer does not. It is up to me to create that story for the viewer. Time for me to grow out of the timeline approach and move into the creative side. Let go of the linear.

4. Change it up: shoot new people, new locations, different light (but with the same camera and post set up).

5. Let go of my studio mindset when shooting on location with the Leica. Good to carry over all the lighting experience I have learned but also need to shoot more than just head shots on location.

6. There are rules and there are no rules.

7. For a shoot have a specific plan and set of shots, just like a wedding. Then you have room/space for shots that happen in the moment.

8. My editing and post production is fine, not to worry.

9. Now shooting film is fun, not to worry.

10. Let go of the snapshots, although I can do these pretty well now. Best shots are the ones no one has seen before.

11. Check out Model Mayhem for different set of models, different looks.

12. Probably just using 1-2 shots of the same person in a project, unless the focus is just that subject.

13. Projects don't have to be big or small. We picked and sequenced 6 shots that flowed together beautifully. Project done, move on.

14. I should learn some basic InDesign skills as it seems that is the go to platform for publishing.

15. But there are also design people that do books/zines that can help. Pay for it for best quality.

16. Some shots are just great single images, some can be help for larger projects, some are mainstream in a project. All good.

17. No need to delete any shots.

18. Printing is good for developing book layout, etc.

19. With model there is a flow based on the overall dynamic, but it might be thought of as a conversation punctuated by snapshots.

20. For his Paris show he printed 16x20 with some space so they fit into wooded frames from Ikea, no mat required.

21. Having some zines for sale or give away is a good idea to promote your work.

22. For an intial zine may either matte or glossy, 100 or 120 wt paper all the same with uncoated white paper. Spin to USB or finished PDF.

23. Mundane photos need to be really mundane, not postcards or snapshots.

Pro tip: Working 1x1 makes good sense for me at this point, Joe has been super to work with.

Layers

Shooting more now in CA and trying new ideas and approaches. This shot has a nice set of layers, not always easy to do but lets the viewer linger longer in the image.

Pro tip: What is the definition of a good photo? Maybe it is as simple as a memorable photo, one where the viewer looks twice, looks more than 1/2 a second in todays insta world. Making images where people look longer is a good goal.

Film

I just got back my first real set of scanned film shots and couldn't be more pleased for this first effort. I am shooting the Leica M-A camera and my friend Joe turned me on to the external light meter that worked great. You always hear that film looks different than digital shots and it is really true.

This was B/W TriX 400 pushed to 1600. I need to sort through the post processing work as it is different than digital.

Pro tip: Just shoot. These rolls have given the me confiedence technically on shooting film. Exposing for the blacks is key, where in digital you are constantly watching the highlights.

Feedback

I spent the afternoon with Faran this week, a long time friend who is an outstanding photographer. He just came back from an extended shooting trip in Iceland with some incredible photos. We caught up on a range of topics including some feedback on my recent Japan prints.

Pro tip: Have a small group of trusted friends that provide honest, constructive feedback is invaluable. Feedback on social media is always great, but this 1x1 trusted advisor discussion is key for my photo growth. As a side note he had the new large iPad and it is super for reviewing images.

Impermanence

In just a few days the beautiful cherry blossom trees will be in full bloom and loved by all. The concept of impermanence is materialized in front of us as the season is short and as the blossoms fall away we are reminded of how fleeting beauty can be. But isn't this cold, dark and stark cherry blossom tree also beautiful? Waiting for the blossoms in your life stops you from seeing the beauty in each moment, light or dark.

Pro tip : Some times the best shots appear when your "done" shooting. Letting go of expectations, lets the shot and world unfold in front of you.

Family Photos

Capturing family memories are one of the true delights of my job.

Pro tip: Close counts. Get everyone together in the photo. Group hug!

Friends and Fun

A fun time shooting a group 17 year old kids at a birthday party tonight.

We did a bunch of group shots and then set up a little studio to get some individual shots. The kids loved it and we were pretty quick, less than an hour. I used the ring light and then an umbrella for the portraits.

Pro tip: I printed off 10 copies of the above shots for each girl to take home. Also put together a slideshow they will see when back from dinner. A nice birthday package for a special girl.

BTS from an Executive Photo shoot

A fun day in the studio!

A busy week in the studio with really great clients and support team.