12-16-11 Entering the world of iPhoneography

When I moved to Japan in April 2005, I immediately fell in love with the amount of electronic stores at my disposal. It was within my first month that I bought a whopping 5 megapixel compact digital camera to upgrade from my 'paltry' 3 megapixel version. Still have that camera, somewhere in the closet, I think.

Two years ago, my wife and I made the big jump from clamshell-style cell phone (Japanese standard at the time) to the Apple iPhone 3GS. A smart-phone with a camera capable of so many great things. Upload pictures to facebook, emailing pictures with ease to family back in California. A cool phone with a 'good' camera, but I still was in the market for a higher quality compact camera.

Last week, my wife and I again made another jump forward and upgraded to the iPhone 4S. HOLY (insert chosen expletive here)!!! This camera cell phone could very well replace my need for a high-end compact camera, for now.

I have spent the past week reading up on "iPhoneography" and the people who have created awesome work with this device (check out Jack Hollingsworth, @photojack on Twitter). I spent a few more bucks on some apps for processing, minor gear and just went out shooting. Is it as good as a DSLR? I don't think it's meant to be, It's a breed of its own. Here are some images:

The apartment is an exapmle of the stand-alone camera (no apps used). The bicycle image was made using the the iPhone's native HDR setting.

Camera+ is a very popular app with many good effects and filters. The black and white "Friend" pub image was made using a filter effect known simply as "Ansel". Very cool!

The Grungetastic app turns everything bleached and gritty, like it belongs in a Nine-Inch-Nails video. A lot of fun and great in black and white.

Tonaltopia (a free app when I got it) can really boost contrast and allows you to put an "over the top" vignette on the image. I love the mysterious look.

SlowShutter is challenging to use and requires a tripod of some kind. I use the Joby Magnetic GorillaPod with a Glif adapter for the iPhone 4 and 4S.

I have finally discovered the appeal of iPhoneography. At times challenging but always fun!

See you next week!

Mike

12-3-11 Tokyo Motor Show 2011

Every two years, the Tokyo Motor Show (TMS) displays the latest in cutting edge design and technology in the automotive industry. However in recent years, with the current global economic situation, the TMS has undergone a few changes. Some good, some....well....

One major change, the venue. In years past, the single floor and enormous acreage of Makuhari Messe in Chiba provided adequate space for vendors, dealers and exhibits. But in 2009, it was clear that many companies had pulled out from the TMS and a lot of the space was vacant. An unsettling sight. So this year, the venue was relocated to Tokyo Big Sight. Seems like the right thing to do as it's, well... in Tokyo. 

West Hall view from 2nd level

Spread out over multiple floors and buildings, this new venue certainly made things tricky when trying to find certain exhibits. A very interesting building though, without a doubt.

As for the "motor" at the TMS, well, there is no shortage of cool automobiles. The theme of this particular TMS was "Mobility". With the aging population growing in Japan, many companies displayed cars with easy access and various safety features (electronic or hydraulic lifting seating and proximity sensors). Very futuristic and sometimes strange but still fun to see.

From commuter to exotic to mind-bending concept, the TMS did not disappoint:

The "Ordinary"

The "Extraordinary"

The "Future"

Motorcycles, as well

The ladies of TMS are always popular

The Tokyo Motor Show wraps up on December 11th and will return in 2013. As a lover of cars, it's a long two years but well woth the wait. Here's to hoping that many companies return. It's strange to go to a car show and not see a single American made car or motorcycle. Thank you Japan and Europe for your contribution to my car fix.

Thanks for stopping by. See you next week!

Mike

12-2-11 Staying Local (Ground Level Challenge)

Photographers, writers, musicians and other artists all experience the same problem at some point. A creativity roadblock. Recently, a friend of mine mentioned having this particular creative drought. This gave me an idea. I enjoy going places to take pictures but sometimes it's fun (and helpful) to try something out of one's comfort zone.

A majority of photos are taken at about an average height of 5'7" (roughly the height of a standard tripod). Funny, that's how tall I am (depending on my shoes that is). Last month, I took some pictures in Tokyo Station while putting my camera on the ground. This opened up some new points of view that I wanted to try again.

On this day, I went to a local park near my home, armed with two lenses and a small GorillaPod. These tripods can get really low to the ground, my goal of the day. It was very cold and overcast outside so most of the pictures posted here have pretty over-exposed (too white) skies. However, with the camera closer to the ground this problem can be eliminated dealt with. Also, these pictures have not been edited in any way. These "in-camera" images will be edited later.

This is just one post in a series of "challenges" I have planned for the future. Preparing for a rainy day kind thing. I hope this idea is helpful to others experiencing a "rut". 

As for next week's post. Hint: The Tokyo Motor Show starts December 3rd.

Cheers!

Mike 

11-25-11 Ameyoko: A visual assault (in a good way)

I have lived in Japan for almost seven years, but by no means do I consider myself any kind of expert about Tokyo. Last week, I wrote about revisiting an old favorite of mine. This week, I ventured to an area I have only walked by (about 100 times) but never entered. The vibrant and unique shopping area near Ueno Station known as Ameyoko.

The busy and hectic nature of this place during the day has it's charm, I'm sure. At night however, the amount of color here is truly awesome. The abundance of neon is only part of it. The numerous shoe, accessory and backpack shops (and one army surplus store) provide enough color to rival some botanical gardens.

Arno (my shooting partner with Ameyoko knowledge) and I shot this area for only about two hours. I went prepared with a couple of lenses, flash and compact tripod but used only one item. A 30mm prime (no zoom) lens. Visual documentation below.

This place is a maze! Thankfully Comrade Arno (costume by the army surplus shop) has a better sense of direction than I do in this technicolor labyrinth.

Thanks for viewing, reading or glancing at. Be back next week!

Mike

11-18-11 A Stroll Through The Park - Koishikawa Korakuen

Last week's entry was kind of a memorial of sorts for myself. This week, is more of my true intent of maintaining this blog. Every Friday, rain or shine, I intend to be out there taking making pictures. Different locations, different gear or different techniques. I like to wander to new places or revisit favorites. In this case, I chose to return to one of my favorite spots in Tokyo, Koishikawa Korakuen Gardens.

This place is always a nice change, since here I can work on landscape and wildlife images. Quite different from the street photography I've been doing as of late. A very refreshing, quiet and peaceful place where it is easy to spend a few hours of your day. If the weather is fine, that is. Luckily, yesterday turned out great. A bit overcast at the start, so a few of these images (unfortunately) have really white skies. But that's better than rain, I guess.

Koishikawa Korakuen Gardens

Pondside Maple with Stone

Closer view.

Shooting another shooter.

Letterbox View.

Mother and Daughter pondside.

Leaves! That is all.

Less leaves.

Ducks are my entry-level bird photography subject.

Thanks for stopping by to have a look/read. I'll be back next week. Cheers!

Mike