Blog for Pianist and Video Artist Anthony Tobin
This is a 90 second short taken in Shinjuku during June 2008 with the Canon HV20 HD camera. I put together a short electronic score for footage from Kabukicho, a Yakitori restaurant, and flashes of the JR railway line. Motion of people, traffic and light prevail.
I continue to be very pleased with the 50mm 1.8f lens I am using with my Nikon D40. I really enjoy composing shots in a new way and the possibilities this lens allows for light and depth of field.
This is a series of interview segments I will have translated from Japanese for my Tokyo Raw documentary:
Thomas Joiner will do the translations for me. I am eager to see the results of his work. He will be translating The owner of the hostel in Minami-Senju, a book-shop owner and his employee, a banker who takes quite stunning photos, and a photographer who is very engaging and uses the Ricoh GX100.
I took over 200 photos last night with my Nikon D40 after this new 50mm lens arrived. Many people wrote how it adds clarity, the ability to shoot better in low light ( my favorite) and “bokeh”, of the ability to blur a background.
I must say I am impressed. I must focus this lens manually, it has no zoom, and I set aperture and shutter speed manually. But it is an amazing tool that allows better control over light and depth of field. I am so glad I got it. and it was only $109. It is far better than the 18-55mm “kit lens” that came with the camera.
I found a translator and am excited to send him the interviews and see what develops.
I have been slow to edit the video from Japan but I am making progress. I still need a Japanese translator. I have worked more with the photos and have many on Flickr. I am excited to see what the end result of the film will be.
I am also excited to see what can happen with the Austin Symphony and the Debussy Project. I am not certain I can find funding to do a session with the Symphony and “La Mer” but it would be nice. Peter Bay is so engaging and comfortable with people that he and the Symphony’s demonstration of his ideas would be tantalizing.
I will make a quick trip to Rochester, Ithaca, and Upstate NY later this summer. It will be nice to see the old haunts, capture some photos and video, and perhaps investigate a situation that has taken emotional energy.
I contacted someone I believe is the father I never knew. We spoke twice on the phone and had numerous letter exchanges until a month ago. A very nice duffel bag and a small amount of money were sent to me as well. I sent a photo, DVD, CD, and a card from my Netherlands tour and never heard back.
Some people believe it is a scam to steal my identity or money or something. Others believe it really is him. I am still not certain. But I am guarded and optimistic that some future can exist. If it is a scam I am monitoring the situation and in contact with a legal advisor.
Any ideas or feedback?
I travelled to Yokohama to meet Nero, a very good photographer. But I did not find him for whatever reason and was rather disappointed I made the trip with all the equipment. I had hoped to have his tour of old and new in Yokohama.
Instead I hope tonight to return to Shinjuku to capture video and photos of the many night lights.
One more full day in Tokyo. I will interview another Tokyo photographer.
Back in Austin Friday!
Anyone know a good Japanese translator?
I have had a wonderful time so far in Tokyo. I have met many helpful people who agreed to be interviewed for my film and to share their time and experiences.
Many thanks to them all!
In the morning I will travel to Yokohama to visit Nero and see the old and new. He and Yokohama would be worthy of a separate film. Tonight I visited with a Flickr friend who lives in Tokyo but is originally from Boston. He offered an interesting Gaijin impression of old and new Tokyo. I also met again with Modern_Classic from Flickr. He operates a bookstore near Ochanomizu west of Akihabara.
I hope I can do justice to the film, that I can get the proper translations, and that the interviews were recorded properly!
I posted some of my many photos on Flickr.
