I have been studying my Japanese very hard for the past few months and I am very happy that I am seeing improvements. Before I use to just try to plow through chapters as fast as I could but I have slowed way down and I am spending lots of time writing in Japanese. This forces me to think in Japanese and I think it is really what is helping me to improve. If you are studying Japanese I suggest you give it a try.
I got my film back from the lab from my Film Shooters Photowalk a few weeks ago. It takes me a lot longer to process my film images with scanning, cleaning up dust, etc but I really love the look of the images. I think all of the work leaves me much more satisfied with the images.
We all met at Nishi Nippori Station for our Photowalk.
I love Tokyo Taxis…
６月から、日本語をいっしょうけんめいべんきょうしています。まいにち日本語をかきます。かくときに、日本語でかんがえるから日本語がじょうずになります。日本語べんきょうする人はトライしてください。 いいとおもいます。
フィルムは、たくさんじかんがかかるけど、きれいだとおもいます。
私たちは、にしにっぽり駅のまえであいました。
東京のタクシーがすきです。。。
.jpg "Tokyo Taxi")
.jpg "Bicycle")
I liked this doctor’s office sign. I think the message is everything hurts.
このかんばんがすきです。おもしろいです。ぜんぶ、いたいです。
Me in the mirror…
私です。。。
Cute little Nana-chan… My favorite photowalker of the day.
いちばんすきなひと。。。ななちゃんです。
…and my buddy Pieter.
私のともだちはピーターです。。。
Fire Station…scary. I hope it isn’t a ’6 bucket’ fire.
あぶないです。
Shiny mailbox…
きれいなゆうびんうけです。。。
The one thing I love about Japan is all of the subject matter. These two beautiful women were just walking down the street but were kind enough to stop and pose for us…
日本がすきです。たくさん、しゃしんをとりたいものがあります。 さんぽするときに、きれいなおんなのこのしゃしんをとりました。。。やさしい人です。
Kabuki…
かぶきです。。。
Me in the mirror…again.
もういちど。。。わたしです。
Ojizo-san…
おじぞうさん。。。
Year of the Dragon…I think next year is the Year of the Snake.
ことしはたつどしです。らいねんはへびどしだとおもいます。
Meet Sally…
こちらはサリーです。。。
Random stranger… I love taking photos of strangers. It took at while to get confident enough to slow down and take a good photo. In NYC I took so many photos of strangers.
Cool bike…
かっこいいじてんしゃです。。。
Meet Clinton…
こちらはクリントンです。。。アメリカンのだいとうりょうじゃないです。
Photowalkers…
私のともだちです。。。
Taken by my friend David… Make sure to check out his blog. He really knows film and is gives me lots of examples of films to try. I have been shooting TMAX 400 for the last month so I can really learn how the film looks and feels but I think I will switch to a different film for the next month. Here are some great examples from David below…
このしゃしんは私のともたちのデーヴィットがとりました。 デーヴィットのブログはおもしろいです。 よんでください。 デーヴィットはフィルムがよくわかるから、私におしえます。 したはデーヴィットのしゃしんです。
TMAX 400
Fuji ARCOS 100
I love this shot…. Fuji Astia
このしゃしんがすきです。。。すごいきれいです。
Fuji Natura 1600
Fuji Provia 100
Kodak Ektar
Kodak Portra
Fuji Provia 400
Fuji Velvia
せん月はTMAX400をつかいました。こん月はなにをつかいましょうか？
Loading ...Thanks for stopping by today…
またね。。。
[...] around Nezu. I haven’t done a photowalk since last August when a group of us explored Yanaka. I really enjoy doing these and plan to hold another one when I am in San Francisco next [...]
[...] I held a Photowalk and figured it was time for another one in Tokyo. My last photowalk was in Yanaka in Tokyo and I really enjoyed the area so we will be going there again. It is packed with more [...]
[...] Welcome to Yanaka… [...]
Fuji Neopan 400 is my go to film. If not that, there’s always Tri-X 400!
Some of those posts I thought I was looking at a picture of myself. (flat cap and glasses, thoguht it was a mirror)
Thanks James. I’l add some Ilford Delta 3200 to my list.
Really enjoying visiting your blog, excellent photos and great accompanying commentary bringing context to many that would otherwise just be great photos that aren’t familiar with Japan. Would love to see some shots with your Noctilux and Ilford Delta 3200. Thanks David, keep up the good work.
Thanks Jean-Yves – Cool photos on your blog. I like the Shinjuku Til shift photo… http://www.photojyd.info/
That’s a big compliment Mike… Thanks!
Thanks Irene. I was surprised how good the Taxi driver shot came out. I am very happy about it.
I really enjoy visiting your website…Nice photos, nice moments walking in Tokyo…I really love this city. About film, my favorites are Portra and Tri-X. Thx for sharing all of this…
Looks like everyone had a terrific time. I’ve lived in Japan a long time and photography as been my hobby just as long. However, looking at these pictures makes me feel as if I’ve never looked around before; a lot of good inspiration here! Well done to everyone involved.
Hi Dave, love the photo walk shots. Your head must spin at the wealth of shooting opportunities around you. It’s great that you share them with us. I like the taxi driver and the narrow street scene….thanks again!
Hi Dave,
Great shots. Too bad I couldn’t join you.
If you like B&W, try Ilford. I like it but you would have to try to see if it’s to your taste.
Great stuff as usual, will try and join the next one!
It is there now Robert…
Dave, I definitely have to try it out then. I found the TMax 400 lacking in contrast, hence I shoot Tri-X more. But your photos turn out more contrasty. I’m not sure whether the lab affects the outcome as well.
Fuji Neopan 400 is not on your list.
Thanks Anna. Good luck with your continued study. 日本語をがんばれましょう！
Thanks AJ. I think you are the first person from Dakar to leave a comment that I know. Welcome!
Kevin – I agree. The final product has a quality that just isn’t matched with digital.
Thanks Luis. I do the same thing and only shoot a new lens or camera for a month to really learn it. It works really well for me.
Jen – The Yellow Filter makes all the difference in Black and White film in my opinion.
John – The Hong Kong one? That was taken by my friend David.
This is the first time I’m writing a comment here so first I would like to say: Great blog and amazing photos! I’m still an amateur when it’s comes to photography but looking at your blog inspires me and gives me great ideas. So thank you!
Secondly, I really like that you wrote in Japanese as well in this post. Since I left Japan now (after being there for 6 months) I really need to practice my Japanese in every way that I can and reading what you wrote really helped. あなたはほんとうにじょうずですよ！ありがとう！
Observer and big fan of photo from Dakar love what you doing…Go job Keep up the good work
AJ
I love the rich tones in those black & whites. Just beautiful.
Dave,
Beautiful work! I love the B&W’s. There is a richness there that is hard to achieve with digital. I especially love the Dragon shot.
I’ve seen several people recommend that one should only shoot one specific film for a while until one gets the hang of it, kind of like getting the hang of the gear one uses.
As for film, personally I love the Kodak Portra line and Ilford HP5+.
I really love the contrast. I gotta try shooting film with filters. Lots of great shots Dave. I like them a lot more than the M9 shots.
Nice post, love the last B/W shot.
Hey Stefan – I usually allow everyone on my walks. This one was just for film shooters so we could all focus on that. I’ll do another one in a couple of months. Let’s catch up for a beer then.
wonderful photos – I’ll have to think about film to be able to join next time… or are you considering allowing digital as well in the future? Looking forward to discussing this philosophical question over a beer sometime.