Why do I love shooting in Japan?
First, there’s so much exotic stuff to see despite the ultra-first world surroundings.
Which means you’re clean, safe, and well fed but you still get to shoot exotic subjects (like this meiko, or geisha-in-training, from the Gion district of Kyoto, who performed at our farewell banquet).
D90, 70-300mm at 300mm, ISO 1600 1/125th @f5.6
It’s such a high tech place that you can feel like a real hick just trying to use the bathroom (every hotel toilet I encountered in Japan had a control console that offered a variety of comfort and,um, cleaning options guaranteed to blow your mind, not to mention blow dry your bottom!).
When I first came here in the 80’s, using the bathroom was a challenge because you had to figure out how to use the hole in the floor with the footrests.
Now, it’s similarly challenging, but only slightly less involved than programming a VCR. That’s progress!
And when you’re out shooting, you know right away that you are in photography’s epicenter, a nation of camera buffs.
I saw enough exotic Ricoh point and shoots, micro 4/3 cameras, and ingenious mini tripods and camera clamps to make a B&H salesman’s head swoon.
And nobody looked twice at me, an oversized gaijin, with my two DSLR bodies and largish camera bag. In a nation of serious shooters, I’m just one (albeit a big one) of the crowd! It’s refreshing.
More coming from the Silk Road. I’ll keep you posted.
Paul Dymond
22 Apr 2010The thing I love the most about photographing in Japan is that you’re not treated like a freak. Ask someone if you can take their photo and you’re not treated like a pedophile or deviant. Photography is considered an art form and it’s practioners artists. Not many places in the world that happens any more
Bob
22 Apr 2010Amen Paul. You’re a lucky guy to get to spend so much time here! Bob
Robert McClintock
22 Apr 2010Bob,
I had the opportunity to visit Japan in 1976, in the semi-rural area north of Tokyo. At one shrine, I found an empty camera case on the ground. Picking it up and waving it, I yelled (politely) “Sumimasen, sumimasen.” (Roughly, “Excuse me.”) A Japanese tourist ran over to me, smiled, thanked me, and bowed as I gave the case to him. He promptly put it back on the ground, and ran off to get take more photos.
It was a different world, and one I dearly miss.
Great shots, as usual.
Bob
Bob
23 Apr 2010Great story, Bob, thanks for sharing it! Bob