Journey into the Art of Knife-making Photography in Nara
Client
Kikuichi, New York Inc.
Year
2022
Services
Photography, Architecture & Interior
Videography
Capturing the Art of Shadows in Nara, Japan
As an Osaka-based photographer, I recently had the pleasure of working on a project for a knife maker in Nara city. Over six months, I developed a unique lighting technique to capture the essence of their craftsmanship, taking inspiration from “In Praise of Shadows.” In this blog post, I’ll share my approach to this project.
My goal was to control light perfectly, creating striking images through the interplay of shadows and highlights. To achieve this, I made three crucial decisions: 1) the key light should come from behind the subject; 2) most of the subject’s surface should be as dark as possible; 3) use a combination of positive and negative lighting techniques.
For equipment, I used flags with black covers and an Aputure LS 60x, a portable light source with variable color temperatures. The shooting crew consisted of just myself and my assistant, using a small, run & gun camera setup for flexibility and efficiency.
My style was influenced by several trends in videography, including the use of small cameras and gimbals, slow-motion shooting, and fast lenses with a 35-50mm focal length. I also utilized diopters and polarizers to manage contrast and enhance the images.
In post-production, I worked with s-log2 and LUTs to color correct and optimize exposure. I relied on waveform tools and noise reduction software like Neat Video for the best results. The lens choice was a standard focal length, which I believe fosters a closer connection between the photographer and the subject.
In conclusion, this project was a fascinating exploration of the interplay between light and shadow. The final images showcase the extraordinary craftsmanship of the Nara knife maker, captured through a delicate balance of darkness and illumination.
C0 M0 Y0 K100
#000000
#1A1A1A
C0 M0 Y0 K90
#333333
C0 M0 Y0 K80
#4D4D4D
C0 M0 Y0 K70
⸺ Embracing Shadows
In this project, the photographer was inspired by "In Praise of Shadows" and sought to create visually striking images by controlling light and emphasizing the interplay of shadows and highlights.
⸺ Unique Lighting Techniques
Three key decisions were made for this shoot: using a key light behind the subject, keeping most of the subject's surface dark, and employing positive and negative lighting techniques to achieve the desired effect.
⸺ Portable Equipment
The photographer used portable equipment such as flags with black covers and an Aputure LS 60x light source with variable color temperatures, allowing for greater flexibility and adaptability on location.
⸺ Minimalist Crew
The shooting crew consisted of just the photographer and an assistant, using a small, run & gun camera setup to save time and efficiently capture images in various locations.
⸺ Post-Production Techniques
The photographer utilized s-log2 and LUTs in post-production for color correction and exposure optimization, as well as waveform tools and noise reduction software like Neat Video to achieve the best results.
⸺ Fostering Connection Through Lens Choice
A standard focal length lens was used to create a closer connection between the photographer and the subject, resulting in more intimate and genuine images that truly showcase the craftsmanship of the Nara knife maker.
