Blog

The photographic blog of Sean Wood (aka motionid)

Oleg

So my friend Oleg came to Tokyo for a week of work and a few days off recently. I'm very glad he could make the trip. I didn't really take the chance the last time he was here to get a decent shot of him but I couldn't let him escape this time.Now that 400b has gone I'm shooting 3000b and carrying an ND4 or 8 filter with me when it's required. Nice thing about 3000b is the neg that you get from the shot. And this shot is from the neg. I only hope instant film for the Hasselblad stays around for a while.

Mirror realities

I started to shoot this series and felt it lacked depth but it has been siting on my computer for a while and I thought it should see the light of day. Inspired by Jon, it's trying to find a different way to look at the same space I use to visit many times a week. Anyway, now that it's out I can leave it alone and get on with trying to find a new subject (which is seeming to take a very long time).

Dog's on the beach

This is a shot from a long time ago. I must be the ultimate procrastinator when it comes to choosing what to post.Everything about this photo is wrong but I can't help loving the atmosphere and spontaneity. It's starting to dawn on my I might have something for beaches. maybe i should spend some more time on them :-) (obviously this whole post is a note to self)

Sakura Polaroid

It seem every year I have to do flower shots. I'm sure I'll do more but this year I ran out of energy. It seems you can only do the same subject for so long before you need a rest.Fitting that I chose to take a break and make the last of these shots a chocolate Polaroid. The colours somehow seem to fit the subject.

Gathering

I have not shot a lot of candid street images for a long time. I've needed a break and a steady income to be able to have time to spend for this part time. This shot literally fell between the cracks. I missed scanning the whole roll and it's about 2 years old. Nothing else really worth keeping. I think I'm posting this for nostalgic purposes more than it being a shot of any substance. I might have to make a regular attempt to shoot a bit more of this once my other series' are done.

The Old Man and the Sea

Well, the image does not do the original story justice but what else am I going to put?Another shot from the scouting mission. I think I am going to need at least a day to re-think my scanning strategy.  Not sure if this is before or after I finish all these rolls I have backed up for development.

Can anyone comment on their approach to scanning? I find that dust is a constant issue, followed by flat film and streaks in the film when I scan colour negs.

Suggestions?

Shibuya back streets

In the recent past I have had a bit of a discussion with a follower of the blog. Conversations through the comments system that I have enjoyed have culminated in him sending me reference pictures of what he has suggested I shoot or post. This image is a reply to his recent mail.

I'm hoping (but not sure) that this shot hit's the mark. I might have to go digging in my archives a bit to find some more (or just go shoot a few new ones).

The Englishmen

Adrian and Jon – The Hub, Shinjuku.

And I'm going to use this photo as an excuse to talk about the demise of the 400B Fuji Instant film. Can't believe they have taken it off the market. Right in the middle of a series I was doing using it. This impossible project better get it's act together and start producing peel apart film asap @400 asa at least.

3000 asa! I'm going to have to use a pure black filter just to shoot in the afternoon and still have the background out of focus. Having said that, 3000 asa at night...hmmm, very tempting to do a series with this in the dark.

Impossible

Jon, Cory, Brian and myself went to the launch of The Impossible Project here in Tokyo. All very flash and what seemed to be extremely trendy. Araki and Diado photo's amongst others were on display in Polaroid form in a nice chocolate flavor (which Jon doesn't seem to like). Nice that the film is now available and more affordable than being shipped from Europe. We didn't stay that long but we all came out of the exhibition space / store and asked - how the hell are they going to afford to pay for the space!

Here is hoping customers find the store and any additional exhibitions they have don't end up being too trendy and high end - or they'll risk alienating their customer base.

One request I have (as I'm sure a few others do as well) - Can we get a bit of 669 and other 100 films so I can get my Hasselblad going with this stuff?

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Parallel parking

car-1.jpg

Another photo from my cycle to Yamanashi. I completely forgot this was there. The route I took is filled with photographic opportunities. The next time I go (this weekend?) I'll be leaving a lot earlier. It's one thing to just ride the route but something different to be stopping regularly to photograph scenes (makes the ride take forever).

Otsuki mountains

[gallery link="file" columns="1" ids="1851"]I finally managed to take my Hasselblad for a ride on the weekend. 100km and a very sore back later I had finished about 2 rolls. My late start and being not as fit as I would have liked clearly affected the number of shots I could get but despite this round of pain I think the area deserves at least a second look. I'll just have to train for it.