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I did a shoot for a magazine last weekend- the editor didn’t trust me with my D90 (I didn’t either) as he wanted my “character” to come through and said I could shoot film. With a deadline looming there wan’t time for me to process my own black and white negs and so he asked what slide film I like to shoot- to which I had to truthfully answer I had never shot slide film before. A combination of Provia and my Konica Hexar RF was suggested and I ended up shooting all 10 rolls that Sunday, which considering the location and the lovely model they hired for the shoot, worked out to be just enough. I would have preferred my Leica MP but due to the narrow tolerances of slide film the editor had more faith in the Hexar’s internal meter over the MP’s. It was a great learning experience in so many ways- I can’t say much about it until February but working with a knowledgeable and challenging editor over a large light table discussing layout issues was fascinating. There were pictures that I felt were much more interesting that those which were decided upon, but they didn’t fit the theme of the piece. Being pushed outside your own photographic comfort zone is a great thing to experience.

The Herbie Yamaguchi opening reception at the Leica gallery in Ginza was a really good time. Crowded, but fun. Herbie’s greeting to the audience was heartfelt and sincere. He touched on his past and how the pictures in the show personally connected through his path in life. He ended his talk stating his desire to be the kindest photographer in the world. A look through his pictures and you’ll see that he is well on his way to this goal. A really great guy all around. Leica openings are always interesting- Guests are constantly offered free champagne and small appetizers/desserts with gold flake in them.

This is a free shuttle-bus that goes from Ueno to Asakusa. That’s about a 20min walk, but due to the convoluted route it takes around and in Ueno park, Naka-Okachimachi, Kappa-bashi, it takes about an hour. I didn’t know this until after I boarded it. It was heated though. The thing about this bus is that everyone smiles as it goes down the street. You could probably get an interesting series of photos of happy people from your seat.

Went to a year-end-party at a Chinese restaurant in Kabukicho- This alley is also part of the kitchen, I guess.

I’m no electrical engineer or anything but I’m pretty sure the wiring in this complex isn’t up to code.

Five photo gallery directors, a editor, a writer, a few photographers- lot’s of good conversation. The head of Magnum Japan was invited and expected to show up but was unable to attend. Maybe next time.

I ran into this dog and owner three times in 2011. The dog is always in the bicycle basket and always looks like it is grinning. What a creature.

“DANGER! DON’T STEP ON THIS THERE IS A HOLE”
No, that is not how traps work at all.