RobertLynn > it's in my list I'll try to arange a special photo session when I'll be in Tokyo - for the moment I live too far away
(for those who don't know it's the headquaters of Judo)
Grognard > you're putting pressure on me beware I allow myself to post crappy images
JustinD > thanks
Richard > thanks to you for the comment and the question, you're the first to ever ask me
the answer is simple : many many many people inspired me ... I like many kinds of photography work, and sculptures also. I have a huge collection of pics I gathered on the net and try to learn a lot from them, I visit a lot of different photographers website and exposition. I am totaly unable to reproduce the talent I've had the chance to see.
But there is a lot that comes from contemplating beauty in all its forms. Then I try to make my own way of seeing it.
The only photographer style who's really close to mine, and from who I got inspiration, is Gorazd Vilhar, one of the three photographers who made a gorgeous photography about Japan called "Japanscapes".
This photographer have published very little images, and only some of them are made in a detail-oriented way. But I really felt in love with those few images, and it get me convident that with some work I could get closer to what I want to produce.
AlainPhoto wrote:
Richard >
...
The only photographer style who's really close to mine, and from who I got inspiration, is Gorazd Vilhar, one of the three photographers who made a gorgeous photography about Japan called "Japanscapes".
This photographer have published very little images, and only some of them are made in a detail-oriented way. But I really felt in love with those few images, and it get me convident that with some work I could get closer to what I want to produce.
Yes; I had not heard of the book or of Gorazd Vilhar but, from my limited quick searches yesterday and today, I see ready similarities between his work and yours. An example might be the cover shot of "Matsuri: World of Japanese Festivals", Gorazd's work published in 1995.
How did you encounter his work? Have you viewed and read his latest published work, "Tokyo, Tokyo, Tokyo"? Does he have any work on the web?
Richard > you're right, most of the similarities can be found in his early work. I've got two of his books, the one on Matsuris and the Japanscapes one.
I've found his work because there are very few photographic books I really like about japan, so I noticed his work quickly. Most of the photo books of japan available mix modern and past images to play with the so-called "constrast", or offer tourist-like images that don't go deep into the country itself. In fact japanscapes is inho the best try I've seen this far to show the country reality and beauty.
Anyway, this photographer did not made many books, most of the old books are sold out, and I don't like this much the new ones (he made postcards, "Tokyo Tokyo Tokyo", and "Kyoto Kyoto Kyoto"). The new ones feature a part of old pictures and the new ones give a more genreal view, it's not going into details like he did before. Too bad, but I guess he needs to make a living and editors and public don't really like a detail oriented book. Too bad he has the talent and clearly deserves it.
If you're interested in photo books from japan, I can search my collection a bit (it's in europe but with internet I should be able to find most of the title), the is a very good book about traditionnal shapes in japan that I love too ... tell me if this info can be useful for you.
sjms > yes, it's clearly the early 90s or before
deepbluejh > I simply shot 24x36 and cut the bottom and top parts, just like someone who want to take square pics would cut right and left.
My 20D did not have 16/9 grid option, but as I almost only shoot in this format, I got used to "think" 16/9 in the viewfinder very quickly. No I would not take a 16/9 grid viewfinder, I just don't need it.
thanks Ernst nice pictures by the way, love the bugatti details
gear is listed on my website faq, but past gear is mostly 20D and sigma 70-200 2.8, this year mostly 1D3 and 70-200 2.8 IS (and 85 II when I am free to move)
AlainPhoto wrote:
Richard > ...Most of the photo books of japan available mix modern and past images to play with the so-called "constrast", or offer tourist-like images that don't go deep into the country itself. In fact japanscapes is inho the best try I've seen this far to show the country reality and beauty.
Interesting; Japanscapes is a relatively new publication; perhaps it is part of a trend to publish away from tourist-like images?
Anyway, this photographer did not made many books, most of the old books are sold out, and I don't like this much the new ones (he made postcards, "Tokyo Tokyo Tokyo", and "Kyoto Kyoto Kyoto"). The new ones feature a part of old pictures and the new ones give a more genreal view, it's not going into details like he did before. Too bad, but I guess he needs to make a living and editors and public don't really like a detail oriented book. Too bad he has the talent and clearly deserves it.
Also interesting; do you think he exhausted the subject matter in his earlier shoots?; or do you find there is always something new or something to improve on?
From your post, I surmise he has not posted or published to the web; yes?
If you're interested in photo books from japan, I can search my collection a bit (it's in europe but with internet I should be able to find most of the title), the is a very good book about traditionnal shapes in japan that I love too ... tell me if this info can be useful for you.
Thank you for your offer; I will keep it in mind; as you might guess, I'm very interested in applying techniques found elsewhere to my primary photography: sports; I'm not sure I'm a very good student; but I'm pushing myself hard to acquire a higher skill set; I like 'thinking outside the box' and the study of non-sports images is very helpful to me; with sports, so much happens so fast; and the control over the image is very limited; but, I can control a number of variables; so I have some impact.
I look forward to seeing more of your images, Alain. Thanks for your post.
Connor > there are so many people at Tenjin matsuri ! I had no time to go this year anyway
Richard > Japanscapes is not that new, I got it years ago ... maybe it's from 2000 or 2001 .. I don't feel that japan photography book are rally changing, they get better pictures and text but talking about this country is still a difficult excercice ... personnaly I don't buy "japan" books, only some specialised ones (shapes, houses of kyoto, etc etc)
about Villar no I don't think he exhausted the subject, I hope my images proove that. It's just that his published work is not showing much more (there are, but only a proportion). and yes he has no website, online gallery on even email that I know of - too bad I'd like to send him a mail somethimes.
anyway I think it is great that you try to improve your sport images buy looking at completely different photographs, the result will be very interesting
Grognard > Hymas' work about japan country side is very good, one of the best I believe.
He is one of the photographers in Japanscapes (who features 3 points of view, from 3 differents photographers, Villar for tradition and Hyma for nature). No wonder why they choosed him !
And a book is comming, someday. It is just something I've always wanted to do and do not wan to rush. It has to be good enough.
Very nice pictures - One comment only, I find the white too bright for "on-screen" viewing. Perhaps you can try with a less harsh matte to put more emphasis on the pics.
I'll try to arange a special photo session when I'll be in Tokyo - for the moment I live too far away 
for the comment and the question, you're the first to ever ask me 