japan

Metamorphosis

How Photography Helped Me Overcome Grief

Cancer took my mother away. I was in a downward spiral until a chance encounter with nature set me on my path to recovery. I began photography as a means of prolonging the serenity I felt when surrounded by nature.

Nikon Was Almost Named ‘Nikorette’

In a documented but little-known fact, Nikon was very close to being instead named "Nikorette." The name was only changed when executives were afraid that the word sounded "weak."

Mt. Fuji’s 5 Best Landscape Photography Locations

I have been visiting the surrounding areas of Mt. Fuji for the last ten years and would have to say the easiest way to get around quickly is in a hire car. Most of the best viewing points are from the lakes and hilltops. The distances to each lake with public transport are far and not frequently available.

Leica Unveils the Leitz Phone 1: 1-Inch Sensor, B&W UI, and Lens Cap

Leica is launching its own smartphone --the Leitz Phone 1 -- that will be exclusively available through Softbank in Japan when it becomes available in Japan. While it's a Leica phone, it shares the same guts as the Aquos R6, a smartphone that boasts a 1-inch sensor camera that Sharp announced in partnership with Leica in May.

Great Reads in Photography: March 21, 2021

Every Sunday, we bring together a collection of easy-reading articles from analytical to how-to to photo-features in no particular order that did not make our regular daily coverage. Enjoy!

These Photos of Fireflies in Japan are Magical

In the summer, around June and July, firefly season kicks into full swing in Japan and watching (and photographing) the natural light show is a popular pastime. Photographer Daniel Kordan shot a beautiful set of photos that captures the magic of hotaru season.

Hands On: Street Photography with the Ricoh GR3 in Japan

I've always tried to create visual content with the highest possible quality and resolution, paying a lot of attention to detail and composition. In the beginning of my career that meant using large and medium formats, but lately, one of my favorite cameras is quite the opposite.

How Hand-Painted Photographs Helped Introduce Japan to the World

When you see the term "colorized photo" you probably imagine skilled retouchers working in Photoshop, or perhaps a machine learning algorithm that does that same work automatically. But the original colorized photos were hand-painted prints made from glass plate negatives. And, as Vox explains, the best of these images came out of Japan.

Restoring and Using One of the Rarest Cameras on the Planet

Arizona-based journalist and photographer Jim Headley recently set out on a "mission" to shoot an ultra-rare Japanese twin lens reflex camera called the Taroflex. Only 10 of these cameras are thought to still exist, and Headley is the proud owner of a fully-functioning copy in "excellent condition."

This Japanese Smartphone Uses AI to Keep Users from Taking Nude Photos

Japanese company Tone Mobile has released a very... special... new smartphone. Aimed at parents who want to keep their kids from making bad choices, the TONE e20 has an AI-powered "Smartphone Protection" feature that prevents users from shooting or saving "inappropriate" photos (read: naked pictures).

Historic Kyoto Neighborhood Cracks Down on Rude Street Photographers

The historic Gion neighborhood in Kyoto has enacted a photography ban near one of the area's most photographed streets. The law comes in response to rude tourists and street photographers who have been flocking to the neighborhood to capture photos of its narrow alleyways, picturesque tea houses, and the geishas who call Gion home.

Snowy Street Photography in Sapporo, Japan, a Hidden Gem

I always wanted to shoot Japan during the winter when it was snowing, and earlier this year I got the chance when I headed to Sapporo—the biggest city in Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost island. This city is seriously underrated for street photography.

Drunk Droning is Now Illegal in Japan

If you're planning to do any drone photography in Japan, make sure you stay away from alcohol. The country has just outlawed drunk droning, making it an offense that's punishable by up to a year in prison.

Canon #1 in Both DSLR and Mirrorless Sales in Japan in 2018

Sony has made big strides in the camera industry with its strong mirrorless camera offerings in recent years, but it has a long way to go before hitting its goal of being the top camera brand by 2021. The 800-pound gorilla in the industry is still Canon, which ranked #1 in both DSLR and mirrorless camera sales in Japan in the year 2018.

Canon is Already #1 in Mirrorless Cameras in Japan

Sony has multiple full frame mirrorless cameras on the market and Nikon is planning to unveil its first later this month, but it seems that having a pro-oriented mirrorless camera isn't a prerequisite for doing well in the mirrorless market. Case in point: Canon is apparently already the #1 mirrorless camera company in Japan even before announcing its own rumored full frame mirrorless system.