What My Neon Light Photos Say About Me
I've been fascinated by neon lights ever since I started photographing them in Hong Kong. But when I began processing photos from a recent trip, I noticed something strange — shots from completely different cities had nearly identical compositions. Was I developing a personal style, or just falling back on habit under time pressure? Here's what I discovered when I looked closer.
The Paintings and Photographs That Shaped My Photography
On a recent LensWork episode, Brooks Jensen talked about images that changed his life. I'm not sure any single image changed mine — but two came close: Edward Hopper's Nighthawks and Fan Ho's street photography of Hong Kong. It took years of looking back at my own photos before I recognized how deeply both had shaped the way I compose a scene.
Do Locations Make Photographers? Or Do Photographers Make Locations Their Own?
When an Australian photographer was priced out of Japan and moved back home, his new work looked nothing like his old. It raised a question worth sitting with: are we shaped by the places we shoot, or do we shape them — even Ansel Adams left Yosemite once in a while.
How I Scout Photo Spots Before Every Big Trip
In 2023, I returned to Tokyo for the first time in over a decade — and the photo scouting system I built for that trip became my blueprint for every big trip since. Here's exactly how I use Instagram, Pinterest, and Google Maps to find the best photo spots before I ever board a plane.
Photographing at the Right Time: How Weather and Patience Transformed My Urban Photography
Perfect composition isn’t enough in urban photography. In this post, I share how photographing in the rain—and waiting for the right moment—helped me create more atmospheric, story‑driven street photos.
Someone Has Already Taken That Photo — So Why Do I Still Shoot It?
With billions of photos taken every day, it’s almost guaranteed someone has already photographed the same places I have. So why do I still return to those locations with my camera? This is a reflection on learning, reinterpretation, and the personal connection behind every photograph—even when the photo already exists.
Is Sharp Focus Overrated? A Photographer’s Confession
For years, I judged my photos the same way many photographers do: zoom to 100%, check sharpness, decide worth. Then one slightly blurred image changed how I see photography forever. Is sharp focus really the most important thing—or have we been obsessing over the wrong detail?
Why I Don’t Chase the “Perfect Shot” — And Why My Photography Is Better for It
Photography shapes how I move through the world. I chase neon signs, quiet streets, and small details—but I don’t chase perfection. Instead, I let photography enrich my life. From missed shots to unexpected discoveries, slowing down has taught me to enjoy the moment as much as the image.
The Overlooked Details That Make Every Neighborhood Worth Photographing
Discover why your own neighborhood might be the most underrated photo subject. Travel sharpens your eye for the everyday details—signs, colors, architecture—that make familiar places feel new again.
Finding Inspiration Through a Photography Project: How Gotham Stones Was Born
After hitting a creative wall in my photography, one unexpected moment of sunlight at Brooklyn Bridge reignited my passion. That spark led to Gotham Stones—a personal project capturing Manhattan's stone architecture in soft, golden light.
your neighborhood might be the most underrated photo subject
A photographer’s reflection on capturing the beauty of Harrison and Jersey City—proof that great photography doesn’t require travel, just a keen local eye.