--Nihonjin/the Japanese
These photos were taken in Japan from Sept. 2001 to Aug. 2002 while I studied at Senshu University in Kawasaki-city. I shot about 300 rolls of film through a few different cameras.25 prints were shown in the University of Nebraska Lincoln Union Rotunda Gallery in a photo show entitled "Nihonjin:the Japanese" in April 2003.
I certianly am not here to tell you who or what the Japanese are with a few dozen photos all taken within a year. That said, there are as many different Japans as there are people who have been there- I want to present the Japan that I saw. At the same time, these photos are not just about a people or a country. They are a response to how photographs work for me.
--America
Nebraska is for the most part a good place to be from. There is a certain freedom here that continues to exist as long as everyone else in the other 49 states forget that this place exists.--Portraits
These photos were all taken of people I am familiar with and who have put up with countless requests to get "just one more photo". I have dozens of photo portraits of friends but the ones which I have put online reflect something not just about the person, but they also interesting to me as photographs.
--equipment and technical aspects
I usually have either my Nikon F2 or Bessa R2 on me when I go out anywhere. I usually shoot with a 28mm (2.8) lens on my F2. My R2 is adorned with a 28mm (3.5) lens. Unless I am out to take photos for someone I usually keep my "gear" limited to simply my camera & lens, and a pocket full of film. Its easy for me to get wrapped up in the tech side of photography. However- After looking over (and over and over) at the work of Winogrand/ Frank/ Friedlander etc. I realized that a manual camera would be sufficent for the photos that I keep taking. This streamlined look at camera ownership works in theory, but somehow there is always another camera out there- a Leica M5 for example.
>>01-25-04 I have been using a Canon Demi ee 17. I got it for 30 bucks at a thrift store and it is a fine little camera. I has a 30mm 1.7 lens, 72 shots per roll- perfect for keeping with me in the car. I also recently bought an olympus XA. The Speed Graphic that I just got is sitting on a shelf, waiting patiently for me to get some 4X5 film.
-As for lenses- I am not comfortable with anything longer than a 50mm lens... Interaction with your subject diminishes as focal length increases. Don't be fooled by the travel photos by guys shooting the locals with a 300mm lens half a block and a yak away. They might look pretty (the photos, not the lenses) but don't tell you anything new.
-All film development and printing of my work is done by myself - this keeps it interesting and sometimes consistent. In Japan I used a lot of Fuji Neopan Presto film (400 asa) state side I have been buying grey market Fuji Neopan film (same thing) from www.adorama.com for a while now.
--about the photographer
I graduated as an International Studies major at the University of Nebraska Lincoln in May of 2003. For about 3 years I was an art major which turned into a strong art minor (I am going to apply for grad school though). I'be been to Japan three times totaling a year and a half. I am out of school now, working part time and waiting to see if my JET program application goes through. In the meantime I am catching up on photo theory, histoy, etc. And taking photos. Best of all, I have access to a fully equipped darkroom.As for influences: (also check out these suggestions )
-Gary Winogrand- get a hold of the book "Winogrand 1964" and read THIS and THIS. Take a gander at this here CAMERA of his as well.
-Nobuyoshi Araki, Peter Beard, and also Dan Eldon are other influences in different ways.
-I can't forget Mr. Mitsugu Onishi.
-Nor can I stress the importance of my photography teachers, Dave Read and Shelly Fuller, in their contributions in helping me get a better understanding about what photograpy ought to be. And maybe also how I might get there. If you found this site by searching for either of their names, then you probably know exactly what I am talking about.
This site was built it with an old copy of Pagemill 3 -hence the lack of any more complicated/interesting web page tricks. All images are scans from prints which are usually spiffed up a little in photoshop.
I am interested in any and all comments and would answer any questions concerning just about anything. Contact me at:
jvsypal@yahoo.com
I plan to continue updating this page so please check back again soon.
-- John Sypal
