Today, had the pleasure of going to Honke Owaria (oldest Soba Restaurant in Kyoto), and meeting up with Sean Lotman, one of our good friends, and one of the most talented photographers I know. We talked about color photography, his book ‘Sunlanders’ — and the beauty of making color photographs.
Sean showed me a color photography book of Rene Burri he found at Arles Photo Festival (he got it only for $10) — and it has re-invigorated my interest and passion for shooting in color.
Today I also reflected how blessed I am to have Cindy — my creative partner and the director of HAPTIC. She was the one who has truly given me the confidence to call myself an artist– and to explore different forms of art (like poetry, film, and seeing photography as art). Thank you Cindy.
I am also so grateful to have our sisters Annette and Jennifer. They have brought so much joy and meaning into our lives, and who knows– maybe this might be the last time we can be together like this again. Working together on creative HAPTIC projects, talking about life, eating fried chicken and ramen, and enjoying nice conversations by the river. Today, we just grabbed some snacks and drinks from 7-11, and went to the Kyoto river, sat on the concrete, and chatted about our cultural values, what it meant to be Asian-American, and how we use the internet to empower us.
Today we also went to a coffee shop/book cafe called “Cafe Bibliotic Hello!” and I saw all these old art photography books, typography books, and Japanese design books. To me, it is another reminder to myself– BUY BOOKS, NOT GEAR. Especially, investing in old photo books and art books. All the great design (usually) comes from the past.
To me, walking the streets of Kyoto has been so spiritually uplifting. To see this preservation of the past– but also the integration of the new, truly gives me hope and optimism for the future.
I love the new. I love novelty. Yet, I have deep reverence for the past. To me, Kyoto marries the two both beautifully together.
The downtown is popping and exciting. The ‘Gion’ area is traditional, and still has that mysterious, exotic, Japanese old-school vibe. The buildings aren’t very tall– so from most of the city, you can see the entire sky.
Also, it has been fun just shooting with a phone, borrowing my sister’s Nexus 6P and shooting HDR+ mode (it is phenomenal). Earlier today, I did some more research on ‘computational photography‘ — and this is my theory:
The future of photography isn’t going to be in the hardware, but the software.
For example, we don’t really ‘need’ better hardware in photography anymore– in terms of lenses, sensor, etc. However, we need better in-camera image processing, for high-dynamic range images (that don’t look ugly and cartoony), and we need more aesthetically-appealing color renditions. Google’s HDR+ camera does this quite well. I am excited and optimistic for the future– I think this technology will keep getting better and better.
Also the pure ease of just uploading photographs quickly — without having to use a computer. Thank God for WiFi and VSCO.
Only got a few more days with Annette and Jennifer, until they go back home. I’m going to miss them.
If you plan on traveling– definitely bring family along. Also another idea– perhaps choose some creative project you guys can all work on together. Bring your laptops, phones, and digital tools– and collaborate together. Or just take a bunch of pictures, and when you get back home — put together a photo album.
HOW TO TRAVEL AND PHOTOGRAPH WITH FAMILY >
MEMENTO MORI PHOTOGRAPHY — life is short. Enjoy your time with your family and loved ones. Love life, never stop exploring, never stop shooting– and never stop being creative everyday.
Always,
ERIC
KYOTO DIARIES
