Zōkyō

When Tokyo Photographer, John Sypal isn’t literally eating, sleeping, and breathing photography, he is out serendipitously stumbling upon an exquisite little ism in Tokyo that piques as much curiosity as does a two-headed prairie dog. Its called “Tokyo Camera Style,” the notion that cameras are as much as personalized style accessories as they are “tools with which [their wearers] can express their personal taste and private sensibilities”…[and that]…”the relationship one has with their cameras affects their approach to making a picture.”

I was always eh, kinda like consider myself kind of a pioneer of the pentaprism, a camerateur if you will. I’ve wined, dined, sipped and shopped in some of the most demonstrably beamer epitomable camera shops in the Tokyo metropolitan region. Yeah, I’ve bought strange looking Fujipets at Alta. I’ve had dangerous pinholes from the the Camera Box. Well what you get is a gaffer-taped Holga in a UFO catcher loaded with a provocative roll of expired Velvia, and uh, rust. Processed with Campbell’s tomato soup. See I have kinda of a uh…well I ordered my Leica Titan, Christ it was so tough it left the box and it walked down to the end of the counter, camera gal wearing those rhinestone glasses with the little pearl thing clipped on the sweater. My Leica come down, tried to beat the shit out of my digital camera battery. Battery just wasn’t strong enough to defend itself…

Anyway… I’d be lying if I said I didn’t love a good gadget. I managed to acquire a whole used car lot of of ‘em and drive a different one (or three) everyday depending on how I feel. And inasmuch, I’ve managed to elbow my way on to John’s site a couple of times. Here, here, here, and a few other places. Go check out Tokyo Camera Style to see what the rest of Tokyo is sporting. I guarantee you it aint your mama’s rainbow banana pudding…

Taken with this crazy camera.

New Hokkaido series up at brianscottpeterson.com

Happy New Year from Fujisan!

Happy 2010!!! 2009 has been one of the best years of my life. I have a Fuji Mountain of thanks for all I have been blessed with this year. I’ve been surrounded with people I admire so much, I’ve travelled to San Francisco, Hong Kong, Indonesia, to Kobe and Isu and Hokkaido. (Thank you to my beloved adopted home of Tokyo who hast hosted me for five years now.) I’ve taken some of the best photos of my life and learned so much. I’ve shared so many new friendships and have taken many big strides in 2009 to make 2010 one of the best years in my life. all with a woman that I wholeheartedly love.

My Family and old friends are far but close in heart. I miss them all dearly and look forward to the very moment we meet again.

Despite all the craziness in the world, I have remained optimistic about our future and tried to keep the people around me happy. As we go through life, we must learn to accept eachother’s differences and learn to live life in peace. I do have hope that we can get there and I vow this year to work towards getting us closer. 

This photo was taken just a few moments right after the clock struck midnight. This year already looks like it will be a special one. To all my loved ones, near and far, I wish you the happiest year in 2010.

Happy New Year 2010 from Fuji san.
With Love Always, 

Brian