The Shinkansen. What an amazing way to travel. I wish we had one in the US.

I’m on the Shinkansen to Kyoto as a write this. Writing in transit is now my new thing apparently. I’ve been in Japan since March 20th and it’s been an amazing, whirlwind of a trip. Met some cool people, went to a plethora of cool places and still feel like I’ve barely scratched the surface of this amazing country. Top 3 favorite places to visit by far. I think it will be my yearly travel destination. Europe for creativity, Japan for relaxation. Love the sound of that.

No cherry blossoms in Tokyo yet though. Darn it.

There’s been a lot happening in the photo world and elsewhere so I figured this a great time for some musings.

Fuji Announces the GFX 100RF

You’d think they’d at least put the Fujifilm logo on the front above lens.

Expensive. No ibis. Ugly design. Fixed lens, but slow. $5,000. A fool and his money are soon parted.

Although it’s a more expensive investment, if you want a small, lightweight medium format camera you could use for travel/street photography just get a X1D II. It’s prettier and much more versatile.

Nice try Fuji, but I think this one will be a flop.

The Dedicated Video Camera

Before I left for my trip I considered picking up another FX3. Ya know, something to have on my trips whenever I have video needs. I decided against it. While it’s an amazing camera and I’ve owned one in the past, it’s hard to justify something so expensive that will have such limited use. Unless I’m shooting video projects week in, week out, it’s just an expensive paperweight. Let’s be smart about equipment purchases going forward. Rent? Sure. Buy? Nah.

Save that money for travel and production. No more wasteful spending.

Don’t Take Their Money

Recently Disney released their Snow White live action remake. Another live action remake that no one asked for in a slew of creatively bankrupt projects the House of Mouse has decided to throw at the wall in hopes something will stick. The main star Rachel Zegler is a trash human being. Yeah I said it. Entitled, arrogant, dismissive of the past, condescending, politically divisive, and truly unappreciative of the position she’s been given. That’s the rub for many Americans with modern day celebrities. They used to represent the best of us. Now? Trash.

This person exemplifies *everything* wrong with modern day Hollywood. Trash.

Anyway, in following the film I came across a video with a compilation of all the Disney shills that are either on the Disney payroll or are willing to sell their souls in order to stay in the good graces of these companies. It was sad. Despite all the obvious reasons the film is terrible, they will do their best to spin it as some sort of success and victory. At least upon initial release. Months from now they’ll come back with a more honest, reasonable take, but they will never call it for what it is.

You see a familiar trend in the camera industry. YouTubers and social media influencers shill products that are obviously flawed. Products they’ve barely used or really put through the paces. They are willing to lie, lie, lie through their teeth in order to keep getting access to the gear and invites to the posh events. You’ll also notice a bias they have against certain other manufacturers who they aren’t affiliated with. They’ll criticize Canon to no end, but Sony will get a pass for example.

If that’s what it requires, I never want a brand to sponsor me. I doubt they will because I shoot nudes, unapologetically and I also don’t pander to fit whatever the political norms of the time are.

If you think I would be a shill for a single company or kowtow in the face of dumb political/social initiatives, I am not the person to follow. If you’re someone conflicted about going down the path of influencer/reviewer, I advise you to remain independent. Fund the acquisition of the items for review with your own money.

The minute you take the money and/or sign the contract to be an affiliate or sponsored by some company, you lose your voice. Your freedom of expression. Your ability to tell the truth. Fuck that. And fuck selling out. Oh, I also use profanity. I fancy having a broad vocabulary.

I’m above the influence because I don’t need their money. It’s not my bread and butter. I make my living actually taking photographs, not reviewing products. I can’t imagine how morally/ethically conflicted once must feel if reviewing products is your main source of income. When the access to a product will make or break you financially, you’re almost forced to play ball or bills go unpaid. Perish the thought.

Don’t take their money. Find your own way.

You Don’t Need Hollywood, Hollywood Needs You

Piggybacking off the previous point, I feel the same about Hollywood. For years, Hollywood turned their noses up at artists desperately clamoring to sit at their table. They were in an unshakeable power position for decades. It used to be practically the only way to produce a feature film of quality. Now after a myriad of scandals coupled with box office bomb after box office bomb, Hollywood finds itself facing irrelevance. Increased competition from streaming services and international films absolutely killing it, they no longer shine as brightly as they once did. It’s hard to convince the youth to even go to the movies anymore. Unless it’s a fantastic film that you recommend to all your friends and family, most people will skip the trip to the theater. Who’s going out on a Saturday night to see Snow White? Pfft.

One of Hollywood’s glaring issues is that they’ve painted themselves into a corner by preaching to the public and advocating so defiantly for certain causes that they’ve lost touch with the average person. They’ve insulted fans, pandered and catered to audiences that will never buy a ticket, and been downright lazy in terms of coming up with fresh, interesting new ideas. Remake here, sequel there. Same old faces for years. They no longer break new talent whether it be actors or filmmakers.

Attendance at theaters is in the tank. Film festivals are folding. Studios are laying off people left and right. Tell me again why I should go to Hollywood and jump through hoops to please a bunch of snobs and pseudo activists?

You know why movies were so much better years ago? Because a different generation where in charge of them. A generation with different values, thicker skin, and a focus on entertaining not preaching or offending the audience at large. Those people had vision. They wanted to make clever, thought provoking films that challenged the status quo. That challenged the ideas and long held beliefs of viewers. Now? Most of the mainstream films are run of the mill, cookie cutter, conformist tripe.

Hollywood no longer has its finger on the pulse of what’s hot. If you’re a young writer, filmmaker, you don’t need them. They need you. Build your own avenue. Fund your project independently and shop it around to the highest bidder. Or develop a platform where you can feature your work. Form a collective of passionate young artists with something to say that goes against the norm. Buck the trends! Don’t grovel and beg them to sit at their quickly shrinking table.

Their time is done.

They could have done so many amazing things in this new era with how hyper connected with are as a society. Instead, it’s been squandered because politics and pushing propaganda has superseded entertaining and creating art.

And a part of me hates to see its demise, because it used to be such an amazing place. Like Disney, Hollywood use to be a place of wonder and excitement. Where imaginations ran wild. You would sit in the theater and anticipate how amazing a film would be with your favorite star directed by your favorite director.

It reminds me of a line by one of my favorite rappers, Crooked I where he muses about the demise of hip-hop:

“Was stressed out over cashflow, hip-hop used to console my soul, now it’s a bunch of assholes.”

My sentiments about Hollywood exactly.

Then again, I can’t feel to sad for them. The below the line people sure, but everyone else? Nah. The way they’ve carried on for the past ten years should be a cautionary tale to any industry. Unbridled hubris and contempt for your customers has consequences. The chickens are coming home to roost. And as Joker so eloquently put it:

“You get what you fuckin’ deserve!”

Dealing with Flakiness

I had some tentative plans for shoots while here in Japan, but have ultimately decided against it. A word of advice, never force something. Portrait work relies heavily on people. And if people drag their feet in responding, or it’s unnecessarily difficult to confirm times/dates, don’t waste the energy. I think people on the other side of the camera(from models to clients) just think photography is some easy endeavor.

Travel costs, studio costs, backing up images, retouching costs, etc. It’s a time intensive, expensive profession. And if people don’t appreciate and respect that, as evidenced by their nonchalant behavior, don’t stress yourself. Save your money. Work with people who are passionate, appreciative, and show enthusiasm for the process. Models in particular can be flaky and very nonchalant. Don’t work with those people nor give them more energy than they deserve.

Instead of shooting on this trip in Japan, I’ll be shooting during a trip to Malaysia I’m planning for May. The model I’m shooting with is so cool and helpful, I’m excited to work with her. That’s the standard. Excited, enthusiastic, and helpful people. No divas, no unprofessional lackadaisical people.

Almost a year ago, I had a model reach out. She’s based in Miami but makes frequent trips to New York. She hit me up and says, “Hey I’ll be in New York soon, I’d love to shoot with you!” I said okay and we set up a date to do it. As the date approaches and after days of planning for her shoot and booking a studio, she goes radio silent. The shoot ended up not happening. I had to cancel the booking with the studio and get a credit to use for another time. Talk about annoying.

Recently, before my most recent trip to Europe she pops up again. “Hey I’m in New York! Are you around? We should shoot!” No apology, no “Sorry about last time.” Just, hey let’s shoot! No care or consideration of how she bailed on me the last time.

How do I handle flakiness?

Blocked. Next. I’ll never work with that person.

As George Bush, Jr. the most beloved President in our country’s history, put it: