日本 Japan (2004-2009+)

alainphoto wrote in post #8712233
advaitin > well, that is not a bad start, when do you come over here to practice ?

Altogether, almost five years in the area. Korea 1962-63 with three visits in Japan, 1967 with a couple of months in Japan while traveling from a 21-month stay in India, and 1983 to 1986 I lived in Aomori-Ken, Misawa-Shi.

I would love to go back--always tell my friends if it weren't for my family, I'd go back to Japan in my old age and wander from hot spring to hot spring, sampling the regional sake.

alainphoto wrote in post #8712233
rwcheng > first let me say I do not talk much about gear because I feel it is not the most important and technique is only worth studying in order to forget it

I hope my work to speak for itself

nevertheless I fully understand the positive curiosity that gets me your questions. I have to say my exifs is taken away automatically when I use my "export for web in many size" script and it is not a personal choice to get rid of them !

it is a mix of gear, I had a 20D and moved to 1D3, who is a fantastic camera. I do not like the 5D/1Ds because of the very centered AF.

I mainly used sigma 18-50 2.8, 50 1.4 and sigma 70-200 2.8 on the 20D, and moved to 70-200 2.8 IS (for the IS, otherwise I was happy with the sigma) and most important the 85 1.2 II

Now I use the 70-200, the 85 and a 24mm 1.4 I on the 1D3 and got 200 2.0 recently.

85 is my favorite lens and I trend to use it as much as possible. When I cannot choose my distance to the subject, I used a 70-200, and now the 200 2.0, for dance, geisha, or sumo it is a fantastic lens.

I do not care about the fix lens constraint, because I have no pressure to produce images for money

Alain,

Thanks for sharing. It's definitely more about the artist and technique. But your tools are making me drool. Need to save more and eat less.

I also love the way you frame your pictures, very cinematic. I shoot in 3:2, and usually crop to 16:10 for a wider look. But I'm going to try some 16:9 after seeing your photos.

advaitin > you should really come back, there have been quite a change since your last visit

nevertheless you will find the country quite close to the one you have left, some things just do not change

rwcheng > no, do not stop eating !

it is all about pleasure and the expensive glass will come in time if needed ... with what you have you can already do very good, the key is to find your subject

and stick to 16/10 if you like it, it is quite similar to 16/9 and it is a good pick I think ... go for what is good for you, but try to stick to the format, you will see it changes the way you look at your photography

alainphoto wrote in post #8723406
advaitin > you should really come back, there have been quite a change since your last visit

nevertheless you will find the country quite close to the one you have left, some things just do not change

My shots from those years are all stored in boxes, but I do have this one image in my computer that was scanned from a 120 negative. Fishing docks at Hachinohe. I can't recall the circumstances, but I believe it was an evening shot just before sunset. Not a great shot by any means but one that evokes living by the sea in Japan.

On the other hand, I don't have to go far where I am to shoot fishing boats. The second shot is digital and reflects a balance between flash and evening light, here in the Daytona area.

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Alain,

Absolutely stunning images (composition, subject, colours). I very much enjoyed browsing through the photos on your website. Your photos really capture the beauty and culture of Japan and make me want to return for another visit.

David

Advaitin > the image is absolutely great and yes it should not be in a box ! the light is very nice and bears the best film could do I would say.

I am not a big fan of the second one, subject is not better and I do not use flash at all

you should really open your boxes some day !

Dave > thanks a lot ! I have been through a few of your images and really enjoyed the trip too, congrats !

here is a quick update, 200mm at work because you cannot get close to the statue !

IMAGE LINK: http://www.alaindavreu​x.com/index.php?page=3​-050-241-1

I keep coming back to this thread because I'm in love with every photo you've posted Alain, as well as the formats you're using I don't know that I can even pick a favourite, just wanted to say thanks for sharing!

I consider myself hard to impress, but what you have here is breathtaking. Almost every image induces some sort of awe, superb work. I adore the way you crop your images, the subjects you choose, as well as the angles.

Amazing work my friend.

I'll contribute, here's a panoramas for now.

IMAGE LINK: http://farm3.static.fl​ickr.com …03116092_508430​49f5_o.jpg

very quickly an update, DOF is not great I know ! (this is no excuse)

full description on the website, clic the image !

IMAGE LINK: http://www.alaindavreu​x.com/index.php?page=3​-049-864-1

Alain, another cool shot. Love the lighting and clean smooth background. Can you share the exif also? thx

Renant

Alain,

Another great shot although I would be tempted to crop lower just at the top of the wrestler's head or even lower to cut out the other wrestler's nose. For me the photos is all about the muscles and skin tones of the wrestler's back.

Glad you like my photos too and thanks for the comments. Still learning with a long way to go.

David

Sorry I have not been back yet to answer. For important reasons I won t be able to use much internet in the next two weeks, but I will try to post one more image.

I will come back and answer properly to every post by the end of the month, please excuse me

Alain

a bit of Kyudo to make you wait

IMAGE LINK: http://www.alaindavreu​x.com/index.php?page=3​-029-331-1

amazing shots! I agree with many of us. Your photos represents Japan and its culture really well.