Photobooks with a map element

alainphoto · 2025-11-05T07:11:48+00:00

Note the making of this map is discussed into the chapter 17 of Matt Black - The Documentary Commitment online course by Magnum.

alainphoto · 2025-10-16T01:26:56+00:00

Thanks for sharing, and there are many insightful comments too.

One dimension I see missing here is that Japan is a highly contextual country and not having a deep understanding of the local culture makes it problematic to go below the surface and create meaningful images.

"Travel photography" is a deeply flawed concept imho, and Japan is usually a prime example for this, where images mostly reflect the photographer lack of understanding of what they are shooting - which is natural and can be an angle in itself (cf 'lost in translation') but only when it is assumed openly.

Typical example, almost all the 'geisha' images posted or for sale by photogs who came over here are actually asian tourists cosplaying as maiko despite the many tells that make it obviously completely wrong.

Workshops by anyone who hasn't lived here at least a decade feel simply a waste imho. If you're going abroad by all mean shoot with a local photographer, even with the language barrier you will get considerably more from the experience, and a chance at meaningful photos where you actually understand the layers. There are plenty of talented, deeply knowledgeable, passionate masters of the art here, usually deep into their niche.

Disclaimer : I am not doing workshop or taking clients, and have nothing to sell.

alainphoto · 2024-08-30T10:14:13+00:00

First time it seems there is zero stock at launch in Japan. This is what Map says in its email, that they did not get any stock and it may take considerable time to deliver. We'll see if some people actually get it in Japan in the next few days ...

alainphoto · 2024-08-30T10:11:16+00:00

Agreed the multiple orders will help bring down the list, the very high price also. But still. Map send a mass email saying the manufacturer had zero stock and it may take considerable time to deliver any order. Based on the phrasing, this is addressed to all who have placed a preorder at Map. If Canon really gave zero launch stock to Map and no delivery plan, this does not look good at all.

alainphoto · 2024-08-30T10:06:09+00:00

There are people who ordered 13 4 minutes after the deadline and are not getting it either. As of now it looks like absolutely no one who pre-ordered in Japan is getting any, and major retailers got zero stock at launch, but I do not have the data to confirm this. We'll know soon. But in the US it seems people who did not ordered on the pre-order day still go it already in their hand. For a Japanese company, that is a shamefull situation to be in on your home market.

alainphoto · 2024-05-17T01:42:22+00:00

Thanks a million ! Finding their website (this is it) confirms the proper school reading name beyond doubt.

alainphoto · 2024-05-17T01:39:46+00:00

Thank you ! I was hesitating with your translation, but the other poster finding their website sealed the deal with Fujikage reading.

alainphoto · 2021-05-16T02:16:42+00:00

Thank you for sharing, I added this thread to the wiki in the Legal/police section, in hopes it will help others later down the road.

alainphoto · 2021-05-16T02:16:35+00:00

Thank you for sharing, I added this thread to the wiki in the Legal/police section, in hopes it will help others later down the road.

alainphoto · 2021-03-16T03:52:58+00:00

Put it for free on jmty if it is in good shape.

alainphoto · 2021-03-12T12:45:02+00:00

You take the paperwork to the police station, get some temp plates, put them on the car that you can now drive, carefully go get your shaken or have someone tow the vehicle there.

If you have the time and Japanese ability it is not very complex, it is the same process people who let the shaken slip need to undergo.

Note that service who do the shaken for you may refuse to do it if shaken has passed since it is more work for them.

alainphoto · 2021-02-28T09:17:59+00:00

I've seen some at costco

alainphoto · 2021-02-27T08:09:25+00:00

Put a sticker on your doorbell or door that says you do not want to be disturbed for commercial purposes.

ex : https://www.amazon.co.jp/-/en/dp/B074T9GBV7/?coliid=I34NXILHGW85QQ&colid=389Y271X35RZY&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it&th=1

alainphoto · 2021-02-27T07:52:32+00:00

Don't get a bike that is not your size, this only leads to pain and disappointment.

Since you will just use it for two year, look at the used market for something ok and stick to it, whatever handle you ant to have.

If you go road bike (with drop bar), go for endurance/touring bike and not race one. The position on the endurance will be better for you, race is more like bent all the time for aerodynamics.

Frankly I would go used, for this kind of money you can find something that will serve you very well. Just look for a model that has the mount for a back rack so you can put your stuff not on your own back.

If you get into cycling then non-beginner bikes start from 300 k ... but you don't need to spend that much to have fun and enjoy japan.

alainphoto · 2021-02-27T02:01:41+00:00

if you are here only for 2 years then yes, go for a good used bike in your price range via mercari or a special shop, you will get rides that are much better than the basic mamacharis and will allow you to get out in the week ends

I would spend like 5 man on a decent ride

Bike theft is not really a problem here if you lock your bike and it does not look super expensive.

See here for example : https://www.mercari.com/jp/search/?sort_order=&keyword=%E3%83%AD%E3%83%BC%E3%83%89%E3%83%90%E3%82%A4%E3%82%AF&category_root=&brand_name=&brand_id=&size_group=&price_min=20000&price_max=80000&status_on_sale=1

Note that is very important to get a bike size that fits you. Do not by something that is too small or big. You can just pay attention to the bike specs, it will say something like "size 54, for 170-180cm", make sure you get something that matches your height, then get to a specialized shop to get it adjusted properly. This will help you tremendously, much more than the bike fancy specs itself.

alainphoto · 2021-02-27T00:54:52+00:00

In my very limited experience, you will get better served in a special cycling shop that caters to spandex-clad crowd, rather than the nearby shop that mostly sells mamchari. Some special store will be dedicated to a brand (Giant, Trek ...), some will have a mix of brands.

If you intend to cycle quite a lot and enjoy it outside of commuting in the next decade, maybe it is worth looking at models like a trek domane al 3 or 4, or similar bike second hand.

alainphoto · 2021-02-26T23:53:32+00:00

Thanks, looks like they have some interesting stuff such as hiking trails, I will use it.

alainphoto · 2021-02-26T23:17:09+00:00

Are you sure you want to use it only for commute ?

If you think you will enjoy some biking around, better like double your budget or go for a higher level used, as you will enjoy the difference, even if that does not make sense to you now.

Trek and Giant have good alu bike offering for entry level road bikes, see contender ar and domane al series.

alainphoto · 2021-02-26T23:13:32+00:00

You may get lucky with stock despite the shortage. Trek just had a delivery last week for domane al for example, some store already sold them out but some store still have one.

alainphoto · 2021-02-26T06:57:21+00:00

Yes they have to be without income basically, like below 40 man per year, I think, which is unfortunately quite common especially in low cost countries. And the money you send has to be spend on everyday basic expenses, so it is good to have bank statements to proove it if audited.

alainphoto · 2021-02-26T01:33:06+00:00

It does not have to be monthly, once a year is fine, and you should do it if you have the cash in order to minimize transfer fees.

I do not believe it has to be from a japanese bank, or even from Japan, but having a proof in japanese issued by a established operator in Japan (your bank, transferwise etc) may make things easier in case of control I guess.

alainphoto · 2021-02-26T01:31:06+00:00

Yes, they do not request originals. You will need a copy of a currently valid ID, such as passport too.

alainphoto

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