The Sorcerer’s Apprentice

From the end of June, Japanorama has a new team-member.

“Hey guys, I’m Yuto and I’m going to be helping out Alfie with his work this summer. Actually, Alfie hasn’t told me *exactly* what I’m going to be doing, but I’m pumped to do anything photography-related and I’m excited to work with him!

So here’s how I got this opportunity: I knew of Alfie because I had been been following Alfie’s blog for quite a while and was continuously amazed by his stunning photos, just like you. Summer was approaching, and I had no idea of what I was going to do – so I just chose something I like doing: taking photos. I sent Aflie with an email, hoping that he would have some connections in Tokyo for an internship, and surprisingly he told me that I could be his “apprentice” for the summer!

Anyway, more about myself. I’m a high school junior in a boarding school in the U.S., but I’ve lived in Tokyo for a big chunk of my life, so I can speak both English and Japanese equally well (or bad). Other than photography, I like traveling, soccer, and cycling. I started taking some photos with automatic film camera in 1st grade, but I’ve only been really into it for the past couple of years. At school, most of the photography I do is for my school newspaper, shooting events, sports, and performances, but I like to do my own “art” when I have time. Feel free to check out my work at ywphotography.net.

During this “apprenticeship”, I wish to improve my photography, as well as get a first-hand look of what it’s like to be a professional photographer. Hopefully I’ll be able to meet you guys through Alfie’s lessons and we can help each other out!”

Cool.. thanks Yuto. In fact, we have put a little more flesh on what he’ll will be doing with us this summer. We’ve had some great videoblog entries so far but this summer as well as his stills skills, we’ll be putting Yuto’s equipment and video talents to good use by making at least one new video every week. Building on what we’ve done so far with the videos, the new editions will be far more geared to dealing with explaining specific techniques. Here’s a few ideas as to what is coming on video this summer, as we build up our collection of web-based learning on Japanorama:

• Video-blogs and instructional videos on….
• Getting to grips with basic camera operation
• Light-metering and exposure
• Getting ISO, aperture and speed knowledge to combine with camera operation so that you can turn the things you see into the pictures you want.
• Basic post-production and digital workflow
• Getting inside the mind-set of the photographer: following us through from first seeing a shot to the finished item
• Following us on professional jobs
• HDR workshop

Just some of the video learning you can expect through July, August and September from Japanorama.

As well as that, Yuto will be helping us roll-out our new fixed hours/topics curriculum of courses.

Hey guys, I'm Yuto and I'm going to be helping out Alfie with his work this
summer. Actually, Alfie hasn't told me *exactly* what I'm going to be doing,
but I'm pumped to do anything photography-related and I'm excited to work
with him! So here's how I got this opportunity: I knew of Alfie because I
had been been following Alfie's blog for quite a while and was continuously
amazed by his stunning photos, just like you. Summer was approaching, and I
had no idea of what I was going to do - so I just chose something I like
doing: taking photos. I sent Aflie with an email, hoping that he would have
some connections in Tokyo for an internship, and surprisingly he told me
that I could be his "apprentice" for the summer!

Anyway, more about myself. I'm a high school junior in a boarding school in
the U.S., but I've lived in Tokyo for a big chunk of my life, so I can speak
both English and Japanese equally well (or bad). Other than photography, I
like traveling, soccer, and cycling. I started taking some photos with
automatic film camera in 1st grade, but I've only been really into it for
the past couple of years. At school, most of the photography I do is for my
school newspaper, shooting events, sports, and performances, but I like to
do my own "art" when I have time. Feel free to check out my work at
ywphotography.net.

During this "apprenticeship", I wish to improve my photography, as well as
get a first-hand look of what it's like to be a professional photographer.
Hopefully I'll be able to m