Having more then 35 years experience as a pro photographer, and in that time I have spent more than two decades living and photographing on Japan’s most Northern Island Hokkaido, where I lead exclusive private Hokkaido minimalist photography tours and workshops, for the diehard minimalist landscape photographers. I find that blue hours, golden hours are some of the best times to indulge in Minimalist photography, unless there is a heavy snow-squall. After each snow storm or blizzard, along with low temperatures reset the Hokkaido landscapes, coating every surface with a layer of cleansing snow. The snow has naturally changed the landscape giving us minimalist scene seeking photographers a new perspective. When leading minimalist photo workshops I explain to participants this form of photography is a subjective form of art, and for some it will have a calm feel, with the deep simplicity of deep zen meditation, but for others it will be complexed. Also, each photographer will most likely have a different thought to the meaning of each scene, and some may feel uncomfortable sharing their vision, as it may differ from the majority, or they may find minimalist photography completely mundane. But I encourage participants to share to share their vision and thoughts of our scene or subject. And while discussing with visual artists about their vision, I explain my vision of minimalist photography. In my vision I always seek to reduced distractions, seeking simplicity, plus negative space is an essential, along with lines and shapes or subjects in the scene. I find by sharing my thoughts and technique about minimalism photography, helps first time minimalist photographers, open up to this form of visual art.
On all my Hokkaido photo tour itineraries, I include minimalist landscape photography, but snow alone does not meet every necessary requirement, the light also has to be just right. Along with minimalist photography, I encourage the participants to give thought to the Zen mindset. Too often, I see photographers focusing on one or possibly, two themes. As a visual arts teacher, I feel this is a catastrophic mistake. As the Zen master, D.T. Suzuki said, “I like Zen because everything is Zen.” My vision, is to explore and always experience life with a beginner’s mindset. A beginner sees myriad possibilities in each theme, scene and pursuit, which is the mindset I bring to each visual arts project I participate in. Many colleagues and fellow photographers feverishly hold onto their pride. They feel that because they are experts, they know the best expression of a theme and therefore limit the potential of the photographic subject. While teaching minimalism photography or any photographic theme, my goal is to discover the emotion, personality, and connection expressed in the scenery/visual frame for myself and broaden my workshop participant’s artistic flair and expressions so they can return home, to print, and hang those once in a lifetime shots, and always remember their photography workshop expedition in Japan with pleasantries. I photograph at countless locations throughout Japan, and across Hokkaido way-way off the beaten path all year round, without having to worry about being elbow to elbow with an army of tourists, taking snapshots and milling about walking in front of our tripods as we are filming our scene. The endless untouched Hokkaido landscapes are a product of my experience in the region. I am a Hokkaido and Japan local, and I have scouted and photographed countless regions, and every photographer who travels with me will tell you, they did not encounter other Westerners for over 80% of their adventure with me, and that they have experienced authentic Japan.