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TOKYO GLANCES

CINDY NGUYEN

Photography, poetry, film, concept by CINDY NGUYEN

Made at Tokyo Eric Kim Workshop, 2017

Do you still remember how to
rustle, shake, and dance to the melody of
wind and sky?

Or do your concrete mirrors only know how to
stand
still, bitter, and silent?
—

Can I hold you forever closely
in this tender moment?
Ah but forgetting you will make
finding you oh so much sweeter.
—

A morning whisper
mechanical steps lead me
somewhere I once was.
—

Walk swiftly
breathe gently
pause abruptly.
Where am I going?

A second glance
through the looking glass to ponder,
who are you?

Postcards from the Darkroom II

SEAN LOTMAN

II.

In spring, 2012, there was a partial eclipse over Japan. My wife and I were staying by the Kamo River and were able to view it for a few minutes with special glasses, but I was more interested in seeing the crowds staring up at the sky. So I rode down the river, marveling at the many sorts of people pausing in their day to absorb a cosmic event. It was a harmonious moment, so many different walks of people doing as one, almost genuflecting at the phenomenon. I must have photographed two dozen on my journey, but this one of a salaryman in his 火の鳥 (firebird) glasses resonates most, so much so that it is included in my photo book, Sunlanders.

“Postcards from the Darkroom is a new feature on Haptic Press by Sean Lotman. All images posted will be scans of his color prints handmade in his darkroom. A lover of narrative and color and travel, Sean hopes to tell a story or at least convey a feeling. He is the author of Sunlanders (available for a limited time in the HAPTIC SHOP.)”

Postcards from the Darkroom I

Haptic Logos

ANNETTE KIM

“Becky” by Takashi Nakagawa

TAKASHI NAKAGAWA

Becky was born in a small town of China and moved to the big city when she was young. Since then she had many hardship in her life like discrimination, social stress, family problem. She is now studying and working hard to get a chance see more about outside of China. Her new challenge recently is swimming because like other Chinese people, she doesn’t have much experience. Her dream is to be a great teacher to change China better.

Photo by Takashi Nakagawa

www.takashinakagawa.com

Postcards from the Darkroom I

SEAN LOTMAN

Postcards from the Darkroom Series

“Postcards from the Darkroom is a new feature on Haptic Press by Sean Lotman. All images posted will be scans of his color prints handmade in his darkroom. A lover of narrative and color and travel, Sean hopes to tell a story or at least convey a feeling. He is the author of Sunlanders (Available for a limited time in the HAPTIC SHOP).”

I.

Who is this driver? Is he waiting for us? Where would he take us in a town like this?

After I secured a publishing deal for my photo book, Sunlanders, the most challenging aspect of making the book was not selecting the physical materials or deciding where to print, but how to structure the photo book so that it had two particular strengths (which I believe all good photo books share), that is: a) an aesthetic vibe, and b) a narrative. While it was tough deciding on whether to include or dismiss many images, I was always certain this image, “The Taxi,” would be the first picture of the book. It establishes the mood with its wild colors, the Technicolor light, the moodiness. Importantly, it establishes the narrative as well. I tried to put together an otherworldly Japan, a surreal place that is more dream than reality. The taxi is there to pick us up, to take us on the ride. It’s the opening act of a story.

The image itself was shot in a remote town called Noheji in Northern Honshu, Japan’s main island. I was on my way to somewhere else and had 20 minutes to idle while changing trains. I’d stepped out of the station just after a woman had disembarked.

The light was perfect, the streets eerily empty, the driver mine. There is so much good fortune in street photography, but you need to believe in it.

TAKASHI NAKAGAWA: Regaining My Childhood Memories in Kyoto

TAKASHI NAKAGAWA

HAPTIC FEATURED ARTIST presents visual storyteller TAKASHI NAKAGAWA:

Takashi Nakagawa: In 1981, I was born in Kyoto. In 2005, I left my hometown, to travel around the world. 10 years later, I returned to Kyoto decided to photograph my family in order to learn more about my own hometown, and to regain my childhood memories.

Introducing Visual Storyteller Takashi Nakagawa

TAKASHI NAKAGAWA

Sunlanders by Sean Lotman: Interview with Eric Kim

SEAN LOTMAN

Sean Lotman just published the most incredible color street photography book — titled Sunlanders.

HAPTICLABS Kyoto Visual Diary IV

ERIC KIM

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.

DOUBLE CINDY - on grey — DOUBLE CINDY – on grey

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.