I’ve brought my cameras all over Japan, from Tokyo to Kyoto, Osaka to Kobe and then some. I learned a lot about how to get the best shots and avoid some common mistakes. So in the first of what I hope to be a new series of installments, I lay
Paying attention to the corners and edges of a photograph can relieve distracting visual tension. Visual tension can be good or bad. The tension I’m referring to is the nagging and irresistible pull on your eyeball away from the subject to undesirable and distracting features. Not invariably, but often, these
One of the strengths of minimalism in photography is how it’s great for capturing the glorious details of a scene. This way, you can get extra creative in drawing attention to interesting shapes, textures and patterns. A great example is the series below by Hashira Yamamoto, which is a simple
Today, OM Digital Solutions and Panasonic announced that the micro four-thirds system was the best-selling interchangeable lens mount in Japan in 2020. There are a total of 56 participating companies in the micro four-thirds system, demonstrating a commitment to the platform that is often overlooked. Four new interchangeable lens cameras
The vibrant cities of Japan are among the favorite playgrounds of street photographers, especially when it comes to nighttime photowalks. As with most cities, Japanese metropolises show a different side at night. Leipzig-based photographer Christian Kneise takes it a notch further by re-imagining three of the most popular Japanese cities
Welcome to Beyond Technique, the podcast that empowers photographers to bring their businesses to the next level. Today, we chat with celebrity, commercial, fashion, and beauty photographer Matthew Jordan Smith! We discuss how Matthew builds relationships and friendships with clients while now being based out of Tokyo, Japan. Other topics
Our most recent trip to Japan was completely different from its predecessors: We went in the winter, on a trip dedicated to wildlife photography. Seeing the best of Japanese wildlife took us to the far reaches of Japan’s northernmost main island, Hokkaido, far enough to see the off-shore islands claimed
Any single article on Kyoto’s many splendors will necessarily be an overview. In our last post, I described a potential itinerary to see highlights on the western fringes of Kyoto. If you missed it, check it out here: Traveling Photographer in Japan: Kyoto and Arashiyama The eastern margin of Kyoto
In our prior posts, I suggested starting points for exploring the sprawling metropolis that is Tokyo, modern Japan’s capital. If you missed those posts, here are links: Tokyo & Tsukiji and Tackling Tokyo Kyoto is another essential element in exploring Japan. Kyoto was the imperial capital of Japan for over a
Tokyo is to Japan as New York City is to the US: modern, frenetic, a mélange of sub-cultures; in short, a blast! You can’t do it all, don’t even try, there’s just too much going on. But it’s great fun to explore and most corners are interesting. We covered aspects
In Part 1 of this series, I wrote about WHY a photographer might like to travel to Japan. In this post, I’ll look at logistics, especially transportation. Images of commuter-jammed subways and incomprehensible-to-the-Western-eye script may be intimidating if you haven’t been to Japan before, but with a little preparation
Japan is a destination that has drawn us back again and again. We recently returned from our 7th trip over the last 25 years, the last 5 being in the past 4 years. This accelerated pace reflects several factors, including having family there (my mother is Japanese and her family
