Recently, I had the chance to work with Samuel L. Streetlife on a video during which we shot around Ueno station one rainy evening in Tokyo. It was super fun to create this film with him and I'm quite happy with how it turned out! It gives a glimpse into the way I photograph and the places I frequent. Check it out!
Read MoreStreet Photography YouTube Channel Update
For the past couple months I’ve been working along with the some friends to create a series of videos which are meant to be a sort of tutorial into my style of photography. Currently, they focus on street photography, but we will cover more topics soon!
The videos demonstrate the creative process and technical details of various photos that I’ve taken around Tokyo. Also, they should provide a glimpse into our teaching style at EYExplore, which should be useful for those of you who are interested in joining a workshop.
But the main purpose of this YouTube channel is to get photographers thinking outside the box, or at the very least, differently than they usually do, about their photography. My goal is to spur your creativity and provide you with ideas for ways to shoot that you may not have come across before. Think of these street photography tutorial videos as prompts for getting you out there and challenging your eye!
A Cyberpunk Street Photography Workshop in Tokyo
It is no secret that one of the major inspirations for photographers in Tokyo is cyberpunk media. Although, the relationship is better seen as a feedback loop, since most works in the cyberpunk genre were, at least in part, inspired by Tokyo, particularly back in the 70s and 80s. In fact, I had the pleasure of seeing the original Blade Runner (1982, Final Cut) in IMAX just last week. It was a magical experience for me as the film has long been a key inspiration for me (as it has for so many others), both in its themes and content, but also in its cinematography particularly the film’s use of lighting and color.
Read MoreHow to Take Better Street Photos - Work the Scene
I have a new video up for your enjoyment on the EYExplore YouTube channel! It's been a long time coming but I finally have more online video tutorials on the way. In this first video, I go into how to 'work the scene,' which is all about going beyond the initial shot and searching for something deeper.
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A Tokyo Origin Story
Neon light bathes the rooftop in a red shimmer, the dinge of machinery and ductwork set ablaze against the grey night. The sign glows in the distance, a circle of crimson neon surrounding a single burning character: 源 — ‘gen’ … ‘origin.’ I stare at the glyph, gently flickering against the neo-gothic façade of its building, casting hues of pink and vermillion on nearby structures, and think back to my origin. How did I get here, on top of this rooftop, one like any other, amidst the concrete forest of Ginza?
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I Don’t Care About Cameras (Mostly)
I don’t care about film, or megapixels, or raw files, or mirrors (or lack thereof). And I certainly don’t care about cameras. I’m not a ‘camera operator’ — I’m a photographer. I care about photographs. I care about seeing, noticing, paying attention, conveying mood, feeling, and conveying narrative through still images.
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How to Get Better at Street Photography
It goes without saying that if you want to get better at something you have to practice. Simple, right? The thing is, that unlike more structured pursuits such as sports or music, the idea of practicing street photography seems a bit hard to wrap one’s head around. But before we get into that, we should establish the best methodology for practice in in general.
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Optimizing Your Night Street Photography
Ah, the night, what a wonderful time to go out and do some street photography! As a photographer who got his start in the streets of Tokyo, it was inevitable that I would end up photographing mostly at night. To me, the city becomes its ‘true self’ when the sun sets, and the artificial lights come on and illuminate the metropolis. But let’s save my romanticism for another time. I hope to share with you my methodology, some tips and tricks, for night street photography. First off, please don’t expect any magic tips or secrets. I keep my photographic approach pretty simple, but fundamentals used well lead to great photography!
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