Learning

Photography is more than just pointing and shooting—it’s about capturing the world in a way that tells a story or evokes emotion. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced shooter, there’s always something new to learn. From choosing the right gear and mastering light to nailing composition and post-processing, these tips will help refine your skills and make your photos stand out. Dive in and explore practical advice to take your photography to the next level!

Tokyo Tower Panorama

Tokyo Tower Panorama

Tokyo Tower panorama: It’s been a while since I last went to the top of Tokyo Tower, but it’s always worth it. The view of the city is breathtaking, especially at dusk when the lights of Tokyo start to shimmer. A perfect spot for capturing wide, stunning shots of the sprawling metropolis, blending the colors…

Platforms Ghosts
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Platforms Ghosts

Having fun on JR platforms with an ND filter mounted on the GX-85, turning people and trains into ghostly figures. The long exposures blur the bustling movement into ethereal streaks, creating an almost surreal scene. It’s a fascinating way to capture the energy of Tokyo while revealing a hidden, dreamlike layer to its everyday chaos.

Long Exposure Shibuya

Long Exposure Shibuya

Had a bit of fun in Shibuya with the GX85 and an ND400 filter, capturing the bustling streets in a whole new way. The long exposure turned the sea of people and cars into ghostly trails, while the iconic Shibuya Crossing remained sharp and vivid. It’s always exciting to experiment with light and motion in…

Lake Tahoe Aperture
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Lake Tahoe Aperture

Same spot at Sand Harbor, but captured with two different apertures—and the difference is striking! With a wide aperture, the background melts into a soft, dreamy blur, drawing all attention to the foreground details. Switch to a narrow aperture, and the entire scene comes into sharp focus, showcasing the crisp textures of the round boulders…

Lake Tahoe Composition
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Lake Tahoe Composition

Lake Tahoe: capturing the same spot and view with different compositions truly transforms the scene. Don’t hesitate to move around, experiment with angles, and play with aperture settings whenever possible. A wider aperture can isolate elements like the round boulders, creating a soft, artistic focus, while a smaller aperture keeps the entire frame sharp, highlighting…

Tokyo Tunnels
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Tokyo Tunnels

Impressive results with a slow shutter speed using the Panasonic Leica DG Summilux 12mm f/1.4 on the GX85. This little camera continues to amaze me—compact but packed with features. The 5-axis in-body sensor stabilization is a game-changer, letting me capture sharp shots even in challenging conditions. Honestly, it outpaces many DSLRs in this regard. Canon,…

Okinawa Swim
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Okinawa Swim

Sometimes you’ve got to take a few risks for a great shot—this time, it meant my 5D getting splashed with seawater! Totally worth it for the dramatic results, but I’ll admit, my heart skipped a beat. Fingers crossed the camera’s none the worse for wear! 😅

Baikinman
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Baikinman

Put my daughter’s Baikinman toy to good use while setting up my tripod, flash, and umbrella. It made the perfect stand-in subject for tweaking the lighting and angles. A fun and oddly effective way to test the setup before the real shots!

ANA Lounge
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ANA Lounge

Tried out the WiFi remote on my GX85 in the ANA Lounge at Narita, capturing a woman quietly reading a book. The reflection on the polished table added an elegant symmetry to the shot, complementing the serene atmosphere. A simple yet compelling subject, perfect for expanding my Getty collection.

Shibuya Rain
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Shibuya Rain

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again—I absolutely love the colors straight out of the L lenses. This shot with the 50mm f/1.2L is no exception. The tones are rich and vibrant without feeling overdone, and the lens’s rendering at wide aperture adds that magical, buttery quality. A joy to work with every…

Shibuya Crossing Girl
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Shibuya Crossing Girl

Took the Nocticron 42.5mm f/1.2 out for another spin, keeping it wide open at f/1.2 in daylight thanks to an ND4 filter. This time, I focused on moving subjects in the lively streets of Shibuya. The shallow depth of field was incredible for isolating individuals in the chaos, especially the last person crossing—it’s where the…

Shibuyette
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Shibuyette

Taking the 135mm f/2 for a spin in Shibuya delivers stunning street shots once again. The lens captures the lively essence of Japanese fashion and style, with sharp details and creamy bokeh that makes each frame pop. Perfect for isolating subjects against the bustling backdrop of Tokyo’s streets—timeless results every time.

Nocticron
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Nocticron

Testing out the beastly Panasonic LUMIX G Leica DG Nocticron 42.5mm f/1.2 ASPH Power OIS Lens—arguably with a name as epic as its specs! The rain kept the session short, and Tokyo’s pricey parking didn’t help either. Still, those few initial shots hint at the lens’s potential. Tomorrow’s office trip should provide more chances to…

Side Mirror
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Side Mirror

A timeless frame: the reflection in a car’s side mirror, shot wide open for a creamy, blurred background. The shallow depth of field pulls focus to the mirror’s details, whether it’s a stretch of road, a colorful sunset, or city lights glowing in the distance. Simple, yet endlessly captivating.

Roses and Rain
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Roses and Rain

A delicate close-up of rain-kissed roses in Hakone, their petals glistening with water droplets. The Panasonic Leica Summilux 15mm @ f/1.7 paints a dreamy bokeh backdrop, softly blurring the lush greenery and rain-speckled surroundings. The colors are rich but need a bit of tweaking—Adobe’s RAW handling strikes again. With some fine adjustments, though, it’s all…

Platform Girl
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Platform Girl

A dynamic shot capturing the contrast of stillness and speed: a person standing motionless on the platform while a train rushes past, leaving behind a sleek motion blur. The blurred lines of the train create an energetic flow, highlighting the serene figure in the chaos of urban life.