A pretty interesting documentary of NYC photographer Lauri Lyons, the first African American female photographer to be represented by Getty Images. Read more – ‘Lauri Lyons: In The Frame’.
For many years my workflow has been ingesting into Photo Mechanic (the best standalone image viewing software out there period) where I’ll make my selects, then drag my selections in Photoshop for editing and the final export into whatever image file format. These days, I thought it might be time for a little change in [...] Read more – ‘Lightroom 5 Beta’.
LA in March. LA in April. Both on different occasions have taken me back home last month and in this month. Of all the countries I’ve visited, there still will never be any place like Southern California. Reason is that there is a little bit of everything: blue skies, great weather, beautiful sunsets, the beaches, [...] Read more – ‘There’s No Place Like Home’.
I’m helping spread the word for these wonderful folks doing something for a good cause especially since the deadline has been extended. Read on… The Other Hundred is a counterpoint to the Forbes 100, Bloomberg Billionaires list and the countless other rich-lists that are constantly making headlines and filling newsstands. This global non-profit project will [...] Read more – ‘The Other Hundred’.
There will be times where you will get stuck on achieving a certain lighting technique especially when you don’t have the right type of light shaping tools so you just have to bang it out the best you can by trial and error. Remember that photography is about problem solving, or for the working pros, [...] Read more – ‘Lighting Nightmare’.
Back in the studio to create some images of actress/model/singer Hayuki Hozumi Ishikawa. Couple outfit changes, one light, nothing complicated. Hair and makeup done by Mina Takahashi. These are my favorites. 1/125 @ F11, ISO 100. 1/125 @ F11, ISO 100. 1/125 @ F11, ISO 100. Read more – ‘This is Hayuki Hozumi Ishikawa’.
Yesterday, March 11, marked the two year anniversary of the 2011 Japan earthquake and tsunami that triggered a nuclear crisis, causing a wide spread of panic and uncertainty for Japan. Hard to believe two years have past even though it seemed just like yesterday as not much progress has been made up until today. Life [...] Read more – ‘Those Unexpected Moments’.
Been shooting the Japan fashion week runway collections since 2006 and witnessed how much has changed not only with the fashion event itself, but with the actual details of the designs and colors of the participating fashion brands. As a photographer, the bulk of the work involved is documenting what will soon become history and [...] Read more – ‘UNIQLO in 2007’.
The Late Riser Crew down in Osaka with writer Tatsu Tsuchida. Good times with cool Honda’s and fasting moving on the streets… Read more – ‘Late Riser Crew’.
The phone rings on the mobile and at the other end of the line it’s Richard from The Times. I’m shortly out the door and off to what Japan claims to be as it’s first “cuddle cafe.” A place where both men and women of any age, young and old, can walk into this so-called [...] Read more – ‘A Cuddle with Japanese Cuties’.
Bringing you a small collection of what I have piled up over the years of the few guys and girls holding my trusty little Sekonic Flashmate L-308S light meter. I thought this would make a little fun series to look at. Enjoy. Read more – ‘Light Metered’.
So here we are, back on location shooting with Melissa, a tattoo artist from Okinawa who flew up to Tokyo for this editorial shoot. Initially the plan was to work in the studio but I had enough of boring white backs, blacks, blues and the likes. I figured it’ll be too catalogue-like, plain and just [...] Read more – ‘Inkspiration’.
After Tokyo Auto Salon closing hours with the Endless girls. This one is for all you JDM heads who couldn`t make it out to the show this year. Have to thank my friends at Endless and Car Station Marche on making all of the girls stay for me after closing. Read more – ‘ENDLESS Girls’.
It’s that time of year again during the Tokyo Auto Salon when the camera kozos come out and motor drive their cameras at a blazing 14 FPS. Read more – ‘The Return of the Camera Kozo’.
Out of all the times I’ve been traveling back and forth to Hong Kong, this was my first visit to the area known as Stanley. It’s a cool little spot just outside of the city area and is a good place to relax. You can easily get to Stanley by bus or taxi so it [...] Read more – ‘Stanley, Hong Kong’.
Congrats, we’ve all made it into another year. Hopefully a better one than the previous for many. It still amazes me how time flies as fast as a SR-71 Blackbird. Time after time and year after year goes by when some of us come to the realization that you should’ve taken that chance early on [...] Read more – ‘Into Twenty Thirteen’.
1. It’s not for most people like you. Photographer Joe McNally describes what it’s like to be me. If you can deal with it, read on. 2. Read books like these to get you started off. 3. Make friends who are older and much more experienced than you. 4. Hang out with people outside of [...] Read more – ‘So You Wanna Be Your Own Photography Boss?’.
Some of us guys from the photo agency office got to finally experience this crazy show consisting of sexy Japanese women, bright illuminated lights and robots which is better known as the robot restaurant in Shinjuku. It’s a real fun mind trip if you want to escape from reality for a moment and have some [...] Read more – ‘A Robotic Experience Like No Other’.
Working as a full-time shooter on your own is just one of those rare opportunities out there, especially in a foreign country not native to your own. It’s unique, fun and challenging. Most freelance photographers I see maintain day jobs while promoting their photography business on the side, which of course, isn’t a bad thing [...] Read more – ‘Advice from a Photographer to Photographers’.
It was around midnight last night where I was on assignment for the european pressphoto agency (epa) covering the 2012 Japan Elections. We were a team of three covering the political happenings on a late Sunday night plus had two other epa photographers covering the finals of the FIFA Club World Cup on the same [...] Read more – ‘One Last Picture for the Night’.
Goodbye November and hello December. Another quick year again that I can’t really remember stepping back for a moment to relax. It’s actually a tricky one to distinguish relaxation and work when you truly enjoy what you’re doing. Doesn’t really feel like work at all when the camera, is thankfully, still in my hands. Already [...] Read more – ‘Goodbye November, Hello December’.
The older we all get, the more our lives become occupied with the usual ups and downs as we all plow ahead to keep on moving. Although not everyone could’ve made it out for Thanksgiving dinner here last night, it was great to step back from the work stuff for a minute and sit down [...] Read more – ‘Happy Thanksgiving from Tokyo’.
It’s been a fun roller coaster ride these past couple of months making pictures in all sorts of wonderful places and meeting new people. Not just shooting one particular thing but having a nice mix of interesting assignments has been keeping my mind (and life) full of surprises. Have seen a lot of mileage on [...] Read more – ‘Photography Workshoppin’ in Hong Kong’.
With all the recent traveling I’ve been doing since the end of 2011 into 2012, I racked up a good number of air miles…60,000 to be exact, which bumped me up to Korean Air’s Morning Calm Club member. Read more – ‘Korean Air Morning Calm Club’.
Baby back ribs that is…and you can even dine in comfortably. Have to admit that Pizza Hut in Japan is just plain out expensive and the taste isn’t all there. One of the reasons why the food in Hong Kong is on top is because you generally get your money’s worth. Read more – ‘Hong Kong Pizza Hut Got Back’.
Back in Hong Kong at the moment doing a photography workshop. Tonight is the second day of the workshop which starts from 7:00pm at Central Station. If you’d like to join, please call 63166505 as earliest as possible today! Read more – ‘Siemens HK Photography Workshop’.
Met up with Melissa yesterday as it was the first time to meet since she flew in from Okinawa. Will be doing a editorial shoot with her for a U.S. mag in October! Read more – ‘Meetup with Melissa’.
Been working with a lot of talent for the past couple of months now in the studio and on location. The first here of several is actor and model Tomosuke. All hair, makeup and props done by my right-hand dude Hide, who is usually on board with me on the majority of sets involving people. [...] Read more – ‘Creating Stuff in the Studio’.
Have to thank Kuwabara-san and ENDLESS Japan for giving us the luxury of cruising in their company car for a day while trying to finish two assignments in 38 degree Celsius heat! Read more – ‘Our ENDLESS G-Ride for the Day’.
Everyone’s got their game faces on! Six agency models to shoot in a day working with an awesome crew of makeup artists and hairstylists. Read more – ‘Meanwhile in the Studio Today…’.
Finally it has arrived…8 weeks later. Hong Kong decided to give me a new name even though at the time of applying, I had to submit a bunch of documents with my name spelled correctly on all of the papers. Oh well…I can live with it. This card is definitely going to make my entry [...] Read more – ‘HKIA Frequent Visitor Card’.
Some of you may already know that I have been frequenting Hong Kong in recent times. I have a few projects cooking up over there on that side of the region for me and the people that I’m working with. So here I am all collared up on a nice hot afternoon (on my birthday) [...] Read more – ‘Hong Kong: A Sneak Peek of What’s to Come’.
Have been up on a lot of planes and different countries in this year alone. Seems like every month or so I’m in a different country, which explains why those immigration officers have been telling me off that there’s barely any room left in my passport to stamp it. Eventually I’ll make it to the [...] Read more – ‘My Ghetto International Wallet’.
Had an awesome time with the gang last night at the Nirvana New York 5 year anniversary party. Good food, good entertainment and good fun. It’s been a while where I didn’t have to think about pictures for a change and the chance for me to be in a couple of them. This photo was [...] Read more – ‘Last Night: Nirvana New York 5th Anniversary Party’.
Ever since I was a young kid, I was deep into Legos, having owned 7 huge buckets full of those brick pieces. Finally I got the chance to meet the Lego Man himself during the opening of the LEGOLAND Discovery Center in Tokyo! Read more – ‘Met my Hero…29 Years Later’.
Growing up in Southern California, I made friends with all sorts of people coming from different backgrounds. Never really fit in to some sort of group really. I was the roamer hanging out with one crew to another. My interest and curiosity in others is one of the reasons on how I got into photography, [...] Read more – ‘Time Flies…’.
One day. Millions of perspectives. Add yours. Today, May 15th, Aday.org asks you and people all around the world to pick up your cameras and picture what is close to you. In this unique photographic event, we will work together to create a unique documentation of daily life. Professionals, amateurs, school children, farmers, social media [...] Read more – ‘ADAY.org – Picture Today, Inspire Tomorrow’.
Back indoors in the studio working with Kaoru on a few different cuts. This is a favorite of mine that I shot out of some 100+ frames. Reminds me of one of those Gap ads out there… Read more – ‘Kaoru Simply Beautiful’.
(Do not copy or re-post this image in any way or form without authorization from me, the photographer, Christopher Jue.) Today, Johnny Depp touches down on Narita International Airport’s runway in his private jet and says hello to us photographers as he enters the Japan Customs area. Read more – ‘Johnny Depp is in the Building’.
Better late than never on this post. If you’re in Seoul and looking for something chill to do tonight, head over to the KT&G Sangsangmadang Live Hall in Hongdae at 8pm. You’ve about one hour from now so show some love for my friend. See you there. Read more – ‘Tonight: Light It Benefit Concert in Seoul’.
It was only on TV that I saw what those shiny gold-plated trophies are all about. Fast forwarding to 2012 and I never realized how heavy those things actually are. An important piece of history right here going way back. Oh, and don’t forget the second Grammy sitting on the other side of the room… Read more – ‘A Grammy Award Trophy Up-Close’.
I think I might of said it before, but us photographers get to meet a lot of interesting people whether it’s Hollywood celebrities, smokin’ hot fashion models, CEO’s to gang members. We get to spend time in their world for either a few minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, years, and document it. So I had [...] Read more – ‘A Real Mental Trip: Mind Over Matter’.
Did a shoot with Dora in Tokyo. More pics to come… As seen on the front cover of Commercial Photo in the February 2012 issue. Photographed by Keiichi Nitta. Read more – ‘Shots with Dora’.
Gundam is back. This time at the recently opened shopping center, DiverCity Tokyo Plaza. Gundam looking through the trees. Read more – ‘Gundam is Back’.
Now this is what I call living life to the absolute fullest. Don’t be afraid of death. Be more afraid of not living fully. Read more – ‘Do What You Love’.
About being an artist, a true artist – what is an artist? An artist is an unusually gifted man or woman with an attitude problem. They’re unhappy. Artists are unhappy people because they want something to be in the world that isn’t there. An artist comes into the world that is already full of things, [...] Read more – ‘Being an Artist’.
“Better early than later…or never” I said to myself while sitting at my desk in 2008. There’s a lot of behind-the-scenes work that I do which guided me to where I’m at today. I read a lot of business books, invest in tools/programs that will improve the way I work and most recently I’m currently [...] Read more – ‘How I Quit My Day Job at 25’.
This past week was the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Tokyo 2012-13 Autumn/Winter collection. Among the several brands showcasing their newest stuff on the runways all through out different venues in Tokyo, the brand G.V.G.V. has always been a favorite of mine to photograph. Below are some shots for you to enjoy on a Sunday. Read more – ‘Some G.V.G.V. Fashion Photos for Sunday’.
Here’s a great little infographic on how others think we photographers spend our time compared with the actual reality of being a professional photographer. Thought it was all fun and games? Think again. Read more – ‘How We Photographers Actually Spend Our Time’.
One of the fun parts about being a photographer and/or journalist is that we get to travel, meet all kinds of different people and experience new things. Such interesting things like floating around in the middle of the ocean inside a earthquake and tsunami safety capsule known as the 2011 version of Noah’s Ark. This [...] Read more – ‘Here I am Floating Inside Noah’s Ark’.
For some, it just seemed like yesterday when that devastating earthquake and tsunami hit the Tohoku region claiming thousands of lives and causing a wide state of panic in the country. Today is March 11 as we all know and many people across the country will be taking the time to reflect and pray for [...] Read more – ‘Japan March 11: One Year After’.
Was really glad to spend time with some of my family visiting Tokyo from LA and Las Vegas although my dad, cousins and other members couldn’t make it out. That means LA here I come! Read more – ‘The Family in Tokyooo’.
And this is the last set from Thailand. Hope you enjoy them. Waiting to cross the river. Those three towers you see far off in the distance on the left side of this picture is where I stayed in 2011. It was NICE. Rolling through town. Thailand represent! Dinner at Silom Village. Delicious food #1. [...] Read more – ‘Bangkok up in Here, Part III’.
Everyone thinks about their life at some certain point in time and there many out there who know they need to change something about themselves for the better. Why waste the time to do it later and not now? You only live once. Start now. Some things I see happening in today’s world… In your [...] Read more – ‘When it’s Time to Move on…’.
I’m a big fan of these types of pictures because they’re unexpected, raw, not in the shot list, in the moment, not perfect, messy, fun, relaxed and most of all – it came from the heart. Read more – ‘Outtake Shots’.
Thai food is awesome. Watch The Hangover Part II and you’ll know what this alleyway is all about. Train Station. View #1 from The Peninsula Bangkok Suite. Local Thai curry with rice. On the boat moving at full speed. Floating through the neighborhood. Drive by through the neighborhood. Water market. Lots of people enjoying the [...] Read more – ‘Bangkok up in Here, Part II’.
Thailand is a great country not only just for site-seeing but for the art and photography scene as well. Lots of great stuff out there. Spent my birthday there last year which happens to be during Songkran and although I spent most of my time in the car driving, I did get the chance to [...] Read more – ‘Bangkok up in Here, Part I’.
Meet my good friend who was the first foreigner to get on board as a staffer with Canon Japan. Here he is holding the lovely EOS-1D-X and the new 24-70 at the CP+ Camera & Imaging Expo. Read more – ‘My Friend and the Canon 1D X’.
The Temptations are back in town. It’s going to be 12 shows all across Japan from Kyushu all the way up to Hokkaido, totaling 23 days in the country on their Motor City Memories tour. On top of that, some of my family is flying in to attend and also take a tour of Tokyo. [...] Read more – ‘The Tempts are Back!’.
“Milk can help prevent stress and make you happy.” This was the after dinner dessert spot in Bangkok and thought this type of shop would benefit the people living in Tokyo instead of the usual coffee houses and bars! Read more – ‘Milk+ Bangkok’.
Had a visit over to Japanese toy collector Teruhisa Kitahara’s house where he showed off his private collection of super old school toys and even played an awesome song on his guitar! Read more – ‘At Teruhisa Kitahara’s House…’.
This was a hard one to let go. It basically came down to either getting rid of my car or take a unique opportunity of a lifetime to move to Japan not knowing what the hell I was getting into. I chose Japan and so here I am 7 years later… Cars are such fun, [...] Read more – ‘Da Whip: 1990 Honda Civic CRX’.
Tijuana, Mexico is just a few hours drive from LA and have gone there a few times when I was living back in California. The locals in Tijuana like this young cat love posing it up for pictures. Love the shirt as we’re currently living in “The Year of the Dragon.” Wish I had gotten [...] Read more – ‘Tijuana, Mexico Represent!’.
I came across a great post by writer Jeff Goins, on 3 reasons to travel while you’re young. It’s 100% on point and you should take every word for it to heart. What’s funny is I sort of used to be one of those “yea, but…” kind of person about traveling and I’m glad I [...] Read more – ‘Travel Now or Never’.
Switching gears for a day to shoot some fun fashion with Yuki Shoji. All styling, hair and makeup done by H. Miyazaki whom I usually work with on 90% of the fashion shoots that come this way. We’ve been working together since 2006 and he’s good at what he does. No drama, no BS. The [...] Read more – ‘Hot Stuff with Yuki Shoji’.
I still remember the day I officially left California to begin a new life of the uncertainty and unknown in Japan…this was back in July of 2005. Some people may think I’m nuts for leaving the U.S., especially Southern California where it’s always warm nearly all year around, and have all my family and friends [...] Read more – ‘The End to a New Beginning’.
This was back in LA when me and some other photographer friends of mine spent an afternoon shooting one of our model friends around the downtown area until an unexpected guess rolled up. Let me tell you, dealing with police is a gamble, especially in LA. Sometimes you get the ones having a good day [...] Read more – ‘A Cop Shoots Our Photoshoot’.
It’s always a pleasure working with the good folks over at Edmunds Inside Line, one of the leading sources for all things automotive and not to mention they have more monthly visitors than any car enthusiast magazine has subscribers. They have a awesome editorial team to deliver the latest, raw and uncut stories that you [...] Read more – ‘Mega Gallery: 2012 Tokyo Auto Salon’.
LOUIS VUITTON, Tsim Sha Tsui. CHANEL, Tsim Sha Tsui. Joy, Harbour City. More Joy at Harbour City. New Year’s Eve Vietnamese food dinner at Harbour City. Moving at full speed. New Year’s Eve crowd at Victoria Harbour. Read more – ‘Hong Kong Snaps Continued…’.
Picked up the new black on black Nike Free Run+ 2 shoes the other day and love how super flexible the bottom soles of the shoes are. Makes a great low angle tripod and no more worries on getting scratches under the camera! Oh, and it also makes a great shoe to walk around in [...] Read more – ‘One Helluva Nike Tripod!’.
Being a shooter, I get to make pictures of many things that interest me, travel and meet lots of interesting people. It could be a lawyer, the CEO of Nissan, a smokin’ hot fashion model, a Hollywood celebrity, technology geek, designer, poet, writer, music artist, the list goes on. This is Justin James here on [...] Read more – ‘Avex Group Rooftop with Justin James’.
Construction boat from the Hong Kong Island side. The Peninsula Hotel in Tsim Sha Tsui. I couldn’t get enough of the BBQ pork and Chinese sausage on rice. It’s dirt cheap and tasty. Dragon Image for all of your photography needs. This store reminds me of a local version of Samy’s or Calumet. BAPE! Andy [...] Read more – ‘Cruisin’ the Streets of Hong Kong’.
A spectacular view here at the Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong. Photo was taken just after the clock struck 12:00am, January 1, 2012. Had a damn great time with everyone here but it’s 4:20am as I write this and I can barely keep my eyes open. More later! Read more – ‘A BIG FREAKIN’ HAPPY 2012 TO YOU!’.
Checking in from Hong Kong here. It’s always good to be back in the mix with friends, the crowd, environment and not to mention the amazing food. Look forward to transition from “11 to the big 2012 as the countdown in HK is just one of those things you have to experience at least once [...] Read more – ‘HONG KONG in the House!’.
Actually I have been running this theme for a while now but haven’t been able to convince myself fully to be satisfied with the looks of it with most of the contents in place. There has been never a better time to do a major update to my website that I have neglected for quite [...] Read more – ‘New Website: A Fresh New Look’.
