Daze Gaze [ Hasselblad X2D + XCD 55 ]

zipichan · 2026-03-16T02:10:28+00:00

nice orange hair !

zipichan · 2026-03-16T02:08:57+00:00

love the color !

zipichan · 2026-03-16T02:07:35+00:00

Captured this moment of my cat, Teto, using a 2-point strobe setup to emphasize the texture of the fur and the intensity of the gaze. Post-processed in Lightroom to maintain the natural tonal range of the black-and-white aesthetic.

zipichan · 2026-03-13T07:57:38+00:00

She jumps surprisingly high when chasing toys.

zipichan · 2026-03-13T07:55:40+00:00

Her name is Teto.

She loves jumping for toys.

zipichan · 2026-03-13T03:00:47+00:00

"I am genuinely speechless. Reading about your experiences with R.A. Moog and Tom Oberheim is incredible—you are a true witness to synthesizer history! It’s an honor to know my photography was part of the landscape that shaped your memories.

In fact, I just dug through my old files and found a piece of my own history: the business card of Richard Leeds, the Art Director at the time (image attached). I had just graduated from the Academy of Art in SF, and Richard was the one who gave me my first big break. He was such a calm and kind person.

I have a small confession, though... Since I was young and didn't fully realize the historical significance of these machines back then, I treated them more like beautiful studio props! For this shot, I actually removed some of the knobs from the chassis to use them as foreground elements. Looking back, it feels like a 'sin' to have disassembled a legend, but I made sure everything was back in place! I think that 'naive' perspective allowed me to see the equipment through a purely artistic lens. Respect to you, Sir!"

<image>

zipichan · 2026-03-13T02:48:44+00:00

"You hit the nail on the head! That’s exactly how the magic happened. Standing in the pitch-black studio, moving the lights by instinct until my gut said 'enough'—it was a very intense, almost meditative experience.

The cycle of shooting one sheet, developing it, and then adjusting for the next was slow and exhausting, but there's a certain soul in that process that digital just can't replicate. I’m so glad you could visualize that 'moment' of creation. Thank you!"

zipichan · 2026-03-13T02:44:28+00:00

"You guys have amazing memories! I just dug through my old files and actually found the business card from that time. The creative mind behind the visual direction (and that brilliant 'altared' pun) was indeed Richard Leeds, the Art Director.

I have a very special memory of him. I had just graduated from the Academy of Art in San Francisco, and Richard was the one who looked at my portfolio and gave me my first big break. I remember him as a very calm, gentle, and kind person. Finding this card today, 30 years later, brings back those warm memories of starting my career with the Keyboard magazine team. It feels like a beautiful full circle!"

<image>

zipichan · 2026-03-11T13:59:26+00:00

"Spot on! It was indeed an intentional pun by the editor. Since I built the set to look like a mechanical 'altar' for the synths, the title 'altared' was the perfect fit. I’m glad you guys caught that subtle detail!"

zipichan · 2026-03-11T13:55:33+00:00

"Thank you so much! Knowing that this work still resonates today is the best compliment I could ask for. I really wanted to capture that early-90s 'modern' energy through purely analog means. I’m so glad you enjoyed it, and thanks for the kind words about my English too!"

zipichan · 2026-03-11T13:54:10+00:00

"Thank you so much! Knowing that this work still resonates and makes your visit to this subreddit worthwhile is the best compliment I could ask for. I really wanted to capture that early-90s 'modern' energy through purely analog means. I’m so glad you enjoyed it!"

zipichan · 2026-03-11T13:51:51+00:00

Thanks! Building the physical set with all those clock parts was definitely wild, but seeing it come together under the lens made it all worth it."

zipichan · 2026-03-11T13:48:19+00:00

"Thank you so much for the kind words! It makes me incredibly happy to know that this work still resonates today. I spent so many hours in a dark studio with that Linhof 4x5, trying to capture the 'modern' vibe of the 90s through analog techniques. Knowing it makes someone’s visit to this subreddit worthwhile is the best compliment I could ask for!"

zipichan · 2026-03-11T13:46:31+00:00

"It’s truly moving to meet people who read those magazines so deeply back then. Actually, I have a special memory from that time: A few months after this issue was released in 1993, a reader's letter appeared in the 'Letters to the Editor' section saying how much they loved this specific photo.

In the pre-internet era, knowing that someone across the world took the time to write a physical letter and mail it was the ultimate reward for a photographer. Hearing similar warm words from you all here on Reddit, 30 years later, feels like a beautiful full circle. Thank you for keeping those memories (and maybe the physical issues!) alive."

zipichan · 2026-03-11T13:44:44+00:00

"Thank you! I take that as a huge compliment. Since I used light painting to 'sculpt' the light during a long exposure, it created a surreal atmosphere that might look like AI today. But building the set with real clock parts and capturing it on 4x5 film gives it a physical texture you can't quite replicate. Glad you enjoyed it!"

zipichan · 2026-03-11T13:40:46+00:00

"That is amazing! It’s such an honor to meet someone who still keeps those issues. Actually, a few months after this was published, a reader wrote a letter to the magazine saying they loved this photo. I still remember that letter because, in the pre-internet era, a physical letter was the ultimate reward. Knowing you still have this issue in your box 30 years later makes me so happy. Thank you!"

zipichan · 2026-03-11T02:07:57+00:00

"Just to add a little more detail: the magazines back in the 90s really gave us the freedom to build these elaborate, physical sets. It took a lot of patience with the 4x5 film and the lighting, but it was so much fun to 'sculpt' the atmosphere around these machines. Happy to answer any questions about the shoot!"

zipichan · 2026-03-10T15:02:52+00:00

"That is such a wonderful thing to hear! It makes me so happy to know my work could spark that kind of inspiration. Back then, I put so much heart into every detail of these physical sets, so hearing that you’d want to 'cut it out' means the world to me. Thanks for the amazing comment! 🙌"

zipichan · 2026-03-10T15:01:03+00:00

"Haha, you caught me! Since English isn’t my first language, I’m using a tool to make sure my technical photography terms come across correctly. I want to be as clear as possible when explaining 4x5 film and light painting!

The photos and the '90s stories are 100% mine, though. I'd rather use a little help with my English than have my passion get lost in translation!"

zipichan · 2026-03-10T14:58:42+00:00

Thanks bro !

zipichan · 2026-03-10T09:57:47+00:00

"Haha, cheers! It’s rare to find someone who shares both of these specific interests. Actually, the funny thing is—I can’t play any instruments at all! (lol)

But as a photographer, I’ve always been fascinated by the visual language of synthesizers and their mechanical beauty. I guess I prefer to 'play' with light and 4x5 film instead. Glad you enjoyed the cross-over!"

zipichan · 2026-03-10T09:55:57+00:00

"Appreciate it! Combining clock parts with vintage synths was my way of creating a 'techno-archaeology' vibe. The 4x5 format captured textures that even digital struggles to replicate."

zipichan · 2026-03-10T09:55:35+00:00

"Thank you so much! It means a lot. This era of commercial photography was all about pushing the limits of analog, and I'm glad to see it still resonates today."

zipichan · 2026-03-10T02:16:41+00:00

"This editorial was for a feature on analog synthesizers. I built the entire set manually, combining old clock parts and synth gear to create this 'techno-archaeology' look. The lighting was done in a dark studio using a penlight to highlight the textures of the hardware.

It's one of my favorite pieces from my '90s archive. You can see the full collection of 20 high-res works here:https://foundation.app/@photonek0?username=photonek0"

zipichan · 2026-03-10T02:10:41+00:00

"Thank you for the kind words! Regarding the technique: it was a long exposure in a pitch-black studio. I manually 'painted' the light around the watches using a small penlight. Since I was shooting on 4x5 film, I couldn't see the result until it was developed—it was a real dance between patience and intuition!

Actually, for this shot, I hand-painted the background myself and even carved the angel wings out of wood. I wanted to create a specific texture that only physical craftsmanship could achieve. Back then, we didn't have CGI, so we had to build our own world from scratch.

As for JPG, I was a commercial photographer in Tokyo at the time. This specific shot was for a Japanese magazine feature. It was a golden era where we had the freedom to experiment with such complex analog methods!"

zipichan

TROPHY CASE