About Danz in Tokyo

Danz in Tokyo's flickr score: 3755


About Me
"For me there is something about finding the living spirit in a still moment. I really enjoying studying human nature and reactions."

I am still very much learning how to shoot, and understanding photography. I discovered Flickr over 13 months ago. And have been shooting also for 12 months in my life. There is alot of inspiration people who I have met and works that I have seen, that motivates me to shot every day. I am a designer here in Tokyo, who decided to try photography for stress relief and a way to finally capture my memories for when I do happen to leave, I had no idea that others would like my photos.

My Goal
What I am learning to do is, documenting the real face of everyday people in Tokyo, and detail it so that you all know how we live here. And understand the lost moments that escape in every day that people don't notice because our lives are too quick to notice. This is the real everyday face of Tokyo. No posing, no setup.

As for my shooting style, I usually shoot candid, to try to capture the true face of Toyko, alot of my photos are close, that is because thats how we are when we live here. Trying to show the clustered feel of japan in my shots. There is no way to show that in zoom lens mode.

As of late I have tried a few different styles of shooting so I can learn how to shoot better. You will see be seeing some experimentation in the near future. But candid street photos are my first love.

Journey of Light
As of recent the most fascinating persuit is to capture and bend light to create moods and atmosphere. whether it it outdoors or indoors. Constantly amazed on how subtle lighting can create an powerfully emotive photo. That is what I have been focusing on more this past month or so.

My Camera
My camera is a Panasonic Lumix FZ-30 its a non SLR camera, all work I do is digital. One thing I like about this camera is the response time. There is no delay from turning it on to getting a shot in. I have a .7 wide lens for it as well.
It is very light but sturdy to I can turn quickly to shoot candid.
I shoot in Shutter Speed mode, at 100 ISO or less, at about 1/40th of a second. No flash and no tripod, and almost no zoom. I rarely convert from color to BW.
The camera is the tool you are creative drive.

My Shooting Style
This is probably the most common question I get. I dont go out of my way to shoot people, all my shots are taken on the way to work or to go home. I don't wait for ages for a shot, things happen around me and I shoot. When I shoot someone close its because thats where they were when I got on the train. I spend 3 hours a day on the train commuting.
I shoot the photo where ever I have my camera. And I always have my finger on the shutter button. Most of my shots are one handed , walking or turning around. The best shots is when you are close and you feel the moment while capturing the moment.
Sunday is the only day where I shoot non-candid shots in Harajuku. I am learning fashion photography as well.

Post Processing
Something that I get asked often. I spend about a minute and half per photo. Mainly due to time. I try to keep the photo intact as much as I can. As tempting as it is, I only spend 2 minutes per image. The borders are something that I add in. I feel that images deserved to be framed. The borders I made by hand. I use Photoshop CS to export my shots out. I have been using photoshop for 17 years.

Gratitude
I would really like to thank everyone who has commented, both positively and constructively to my efforts, it definately inspires me to shoot more.
Special thanks goes to Jim Occonel, MKYG, Ying, Eamon, Phuong, Nate and Misa, Camilla, Candice and to the countless others who have been there with me.

My Efforts with the Homeless
Currently I am helping out Homeless organizations. By donating my time and photos for thier publication free of charge to create awareness here in Toyko.

My Studio Work
In the past 2 months I have been experimenting with Models in Studio with controlled lighting. I am really enjoying working with someone. very new experience from shooting candid. Its a co-creation of 2 people to create an image.You can find my studio work here . Working with controlled lighting really opens up new possibilities for photography. Really love spending time with models, performers, artist and musicians to co-create images.

My Book
Before I say anything, I would like to say that this would never of happened without the wonderful support of my friends on Flickr, and my very close friends here in Tokyo from Flickr as well as my models.

I recieved copies of my new book today, publised by Lulu. Both Hard Cover and Soft Cover version of the book can be found online. It contains 500 pages that holds 1000 photos.

But as I have said before none of this could of been done without your words, thoughts and time. So many people to thank along the way. First of all I would like to thank Jim Occonnel who turned me onto Street Photos in the 1st week I of owning my camera. He provided me the vision for shooting on the street, and from there I developed my style. Then came Nate and Misa-chan came along. From the moment I met those 2 I dreamed about taking photos of models. Also Ying who spent many nights with me helping me critque my work.

Then in late October disaster hit, I realised I was losing my vision. Hoping that it was fatigue from working on the computers, but I was getting to the point where I couldnt even see the computer screen. A wonderful and caring women called Miki aka MKYG, stood by side through the most frightning time of my life. She went to the eye doctor, and constantly reminded me to put drops in my eyes. Her love and care pulled me through when I felt like giving in. And all your comments and words everyday helped me shoot even when I couldnt see what was going in front of the lens. The first day where I could see clearly was the U2 concert, they played "window in the sky" Seemed so appropraite.

Below in my comment is a scan of my eyes so you can see what is going on.

Things are slowly falling into place. I will be having my first exhibition early next month, and I am recieving more and more paid photography work in the fashion field.

Eamon, Sam, MikeG, Don Baird, Watari Goro, Paul, BC, DSide, Mink-Mink, Tabu, Mike W, Melissa, Candice, Nico, Ruth and Andy. Mika, HTC, , KC, Quacky Duck, Hari, Acosta, Mincey,Aecla, April_May, Nicole,DiscoW, Jen, Hengbok, Melb Mermaid, Pesky, Irvas,Moxie, FarfallaS, Skipper, Amy, Hawken and many thousands of others, this couldnt of been done without you all.

Thankyou for being there with me for the journey




Flickr Tickr
17,000 Views - 1st Month
45,000 Views - 2nd Month
81,000 Views - 3rd Month
122,000 Views - 4th Month
150,000 Views - 5th Month
187,000 Views - 6th Month

300,000 Views - 12th Month



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http://www.danzintokyo.com
Tokyo, Japan