Monthly Archives: April 2013

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Morning Calm

Between work and apartment-hunting, I seem to have less and less time to work on my photos, which gives me the sads 🙁

This image was taken on a weekend trip to the Mt. Fuji area a short while back with +adithya anand , +Agustin Rafael Reyes , +Jason Arney , +Meg Y. , and +Tim Buerger .  We'd hoped to get a once-a-year image of the sunrise over Mt. Fuji, but cloudy skies prevented us from getting anything more than a peek of the mountain.  

Still, despite zero-degree temperatures, staying awake all night, and missing the sunrise, I still got some shots from the trip I was happy with.  

This was one of them.  🙂

For the near future (at least until I find a new place and move by middle of May), I guess my post rate is going to continue to be fairly slow, but I'll be around!

Good night from Tokyo folks.

Settings: D800E / 180mm / ISO 100 / f8 / 1/25s

#tanukiko   #mtfuji   #japan  

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The Fishermen

April has proven to be one heck of a busy month at the office, so much so that I haven't had the energy/mindset to process the tremendous backlog of images on my harddrive 🙁

However, last weekend (I can't believe this week is already more than halfway over..) I did have a chance to get out of Tokyo with some fellow photographer friends.  We did NOT get the shots we were hoping for (it ended up raining and snowing), but I still got some shots I was happy with.  Lemonade out of lemons, right?  🙂

I think fishermen can be just as crazy a breed as photographers.. maybe even more.  They do make very cool subjects to photograph though!  😉

Good night from Tokyo!

Settings: D800E / ISO 100 / 200mm / f2.8 / 1/320s

#blackandwhitephotography   #fishermen   #japan  

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She's in the groove

Work has been kicking my butt the last couple of weeks, but I did have the chance to hang out with +Mark Esguerra last Sunday on a short photowalk organized by +Jeff Austin.  It was a fun, casual walk, just hanging out around Omiya, even getting to play with a strobe/softbox that Jeff carted around.

We ended the day with a stop at this small bar/izakaya.  One of the young waitresses at this place was a very cool girl, and completely up for posing for a bunch of random photographers.  I guess she was just one of those people who doesn't mind being in front of a camera – luckily for us.  🙂

Off to bed.. up bright and early tomorrow.. 
G'night folks!

Settings: D800E / 60mm / ISO 500 / f2.8 / 1/60s

#streetphotography  

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Some horrible news coming out of Boston this morning – my thoughts and prayers go…

Some horrible news coming out of Boston this morning – my thoughts and prayers go out to everyone there.

Despite the horror, there some inspirational stories coming out as well, of runners who crossed the finish line and continued running to the hospital to donate blood for the injured.  

So screw the evil SOB's  who triggered these blasts, injuring and killing dozens of innocent people – you've proved nothing aside from the fact that you're heartless cowards, and that good people will pull together, come what may.

If you're looking for information on someone (or have information ABOUT someone), Google has a site here that may help: http://google.org/personfinder/2013-boston-explosions

#boston   #bostonmarathon   #peoplefinder  

Edit: Apparently this was the result of 2 bombs, but reports are coming in that they have found FIVE additional unexploded bombs.  It is unbelievable..

Embedded Link

Terrorism strikes Boston Marathon as bombs kill 2, wound dozens
Two bombs struck near the finish line of the Boston Marathon on Monday, turning a celebration into a bloody scene of destruction.

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holger feroudj and 6 others were tagged in Jeff Matsuya's album.

holger feroudj and 6 others were tagged in Jeff Matsuya's album.

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* +Google Japan Photography Talk with Trey Ratcliff *

* +Google Japan Photography Talk with Trey Ratcliff *

I had the chance to attend +Trey Ratcliff 's Photography Talk at the Google Japan offices this afternoon, and had a great time.

Trey is remarkably down to earth, and very easy to talk with/listen to.  He shared some of his experiences with photography, followed by a Q&A session, and finally demoed a quick run through of his post-processing techniques.  I enjoyed listening to his stories and my only complaint is that I may never get to hear the other stories that were teased about onscreen!

After the talk and mingling, a group of us gathered for an impromptu Drink and Click get-together.  All in all a pretty fun way to end the week!  🙂

#googlejapan   #techtalk   #TreyRatcliffJapan  

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This is not something that happens everyday – +Trey Ratcliff in Tokyo!

This is not something that happens everyday – +Trey Ratcliff in Tokyo!

Not only that, but giving a free photography talk at the Google HQ this Friday!

Given that I got started on G+ because of Trey, it's a given that I'll be there, and hope to see some of our fellow Tokyo photographers there too!  🙂

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Free photography talk at the Google HQ in Tokyo – Join me this Friday!

??????Google+ 470????????????????????????? ???Tech Talk ????????????????????????????????????????????

Want to come, just fill out this handy bilingual form at https://services.google.com/fb/forms/techtalk04122013/ and then I will see you there! 🙂

The Google offices are located at 6-10-1 Roppongi, Minato, Tokyo. The building is called Roppongi Hills Mori Tower and the Google reception is on the 26th floor.  All are welcome – this will be a fun event!

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Harajuku Crowds

Most people who have visited Japan are familiar with this street in this photo – Takeshita-dori in Harajuku.  Lined with dozens of small boutiques, stands, fast-food stores, and cafes, it's a popular destination for the younger crowd (and tourists) in Tokyo.  

I actually took this image on the day of the yellow sand storm a few weeks back – fortunately I was not caught in the middle of this crowd when the storm brewed, and I scarpered as soon I saw the clouds building up.

It's been an odd weekend for me – most of it slept away.  Had to go in to work on Saturday, then came home and fell asleep around 5PM to next morning.  This morning went out for taichi, then came home and slept again!  And I'm still tired, not sure why… I'm actually looking forward to getting back to bed as I type this out.

Tomorrow's back to work, so enjoy the rest of your Sunday, wherever you are.  🙂

Settings: D800E / 105mm / f4 / ISO 100 / 1/200s

#Tokyo   #Japan   #Harajuku   #Takeshitadori    #????   #??  

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Passing glance

This week has been raining like the dickens here in Tokyo – I'm glad I was able to get out the previous 2 weekends and shoot the cherry blossoms before they were all washed away.

This shot was taken in Yanaka, the site of a fairly large cemetery in the Nippori area.  It's usually a quiet and peaceful place, but the crowds come out during the time of the sakura/cherry blossoms.  However, you can still find some moments of quiet if you venture off the main road.

Settings: D800E / 260mm / ISO 200 / f5.6 / 1/250s

#cherryblossoms   #sakura   #japan   #tokyo   #yanaka  

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