Lensbaby

Why do you like to shoot with a Lensbaby?

I like Lensbaby because it creates infinite expressions of subjects. On top of this, it allows a large amount of light to play freely within a small frame. I want to continue shooting pictures of everyday life all around the world with this lens.

What other equipment do you use?

Mainly I use EOS 5D Mark II. With 5D, you can easily adjust the color and it works well with a Lensbaby. I also use a Tilt lens, a mirror, and handmade filters.

What inspires you artistically?

I feel that my works might not be considered as art. This is because I am simply outputting unconscious memories of my childhood and results of experiments I had in my head into photographs and videos. In reality, a camera takes photographs of 'the present moment.' However, what I imagine when I press the shutter is unconscious memories of my past. And a camera is a very attractive tool for me since it can save those memories for the future. My works may appear as the past and also as the future.

Where were the videos of the fireworks shot?

They were shot at a small amusement park near Tokyo. You can only see the fireworks during summer, and I enjoy going there to watch them every year. Up until two to three years ago, I was using Sony HC1 with a handmade DOF adaptor and a Lensbaby to video the fireworks.

What was your path to becoming a photographer?

Only in the past few years have I started shooting photographs seriously. And, it was only to post them on my blog. Even though it began as a hobby, with digital SLRs becoming widely available, I found myself addicted to the world of the camera more than I ever imagined.