133 ☼ Japan Japan JAPAN
GIVEAWAY: $150 gift certificate for the Moment shop
Dear friends,
In this week's letter: work I have shot in Japan over the course of four months.
Also, thank you for all the kind and supportive messages in response to last week’s issue of the burglary incident at my home. I really appreciate the love and support!
Also in this issue, a fantastic Process Giveaway with my friends at Moment who made available a $150 gift certificate to their online photography shop.
☀️ Shout out to my friends at Squarespace for helping make this issue possible ☀️
Housekeeping
Artist Residency News — This March, I will travel to Finland to be an artist-in-residence as part of the Field Studies program for a week. I’m really excited to make new work there and share the behind-the-scenes right here.
Remember the studio shoot I did with comedian Lara Ricote from Process 124? The work is now finding its way into the world in the form of posters and press.
Are there Process readers from Monterrey, Mexico? I have some questions and would love to be in touch with a local person. Hit reply if that’s you. Thank you!
Four Months In Japan
I have been lucky to spend a total of four months in Japan and I don’t think I’ve ever been as consistently inspired on a photography levels as during my time there. There is so much to witness and so much to document. The people are kind. The food is spectacular. Society feels, in many ways, elevated. Before I fall into too many cliches or attempt to write an extensive travel tips document, please allow me to share a few highlights from the body of work I made while there.
Tokyo
There is no city quite like Tokyo. It’s one gigantic living organism full of both a hectic energy and a peaceful calm. So many stories to find, including one I’ve already shared about a traditional fish market and commuting in the city.
The Pentax 67ii isn’t often described as a great street photography camera, but there I was, going on endless walks with this tank-on-a-wooden handle in my hands. Cityscapes, street portraits, surprising corners everywhere.
What struck me most was the openness of the people – our shared language? For the most part just a smile and a point of the camera and little else. Certainly not words. The result? Candid street portraits that transcended language barriers, connecting me with the heart of Tokyo's humans in a way that really enriched my time there.
Kanazawa
Our next stop takes us to the historic city of Kanazawa, where time seems to stand still amidst traditional architecture and rich history. Here to did I spend my days just walking. Wandering through the narrow lanes, admiring the delicate balance between past and present. Beautifully kept up castles, traditional clothing sprinkled in with contemporary life, fantastic museums. A smaller and less crowded Kyoto, if you will.
Kyoto
In the Nakagyo Ward district of Kyoto, I found myself at the Kyoto Art Hostel Kumagusuku, a beautifully little tucked-away spot for artists and creators. Here, I not only photographed the stunning surroundings but I also connected with the owner of the Art Hostel who is an artist in their own right. (see below left)
Hokkaido
Hokkaido is Japan's second largest island and its larger and more northern prefecture. I was there towards the end of winter when the snow had started melting and the ski tourism was done for the season. Here, I had the pleasure of meeting Midori Shintani, the head gardener at Tokachi Millennium Forest. (see above right and below)
It was really special to witness the connection between the gardener, her assistant, and the breathtaking and vast swaths of nature that surrounded them. I’d love to go back there during a proper winter to photograph the snowy landscapes.
Kowinka Waraya
Our journey concludes with a visit to Kominka Waraya, a 170-year-old Japanese home that breathes tradition. Here, I was kindly invite into the world of a young family passionately working on stunning traditional Japanese textiles. A shy young child, initially a mere observer, later stole the spotlight, becoming the star of the show.
Here, once again, entire conversations were had without having a shared language in common. A spark of the eye, a laugh, a shared meal, and a gentle and kind invitation into a traditional home being brought into the modern world by big city refugees full of desire for a calmer life.
It’s been four long years since I was last in Japan. I was supposed to go back sooner, but that pesky global disaster situation came in between. I am hoping to make it over again in early 2025, now with some familiarity but so much more to discover and learn. I especially want to return to the islands of Naoshime and Teshima. My last trip there was in 2016 and it’s still the most inspiring and calming place I’ve ever visited. I should tell you that story as well. Soon.
Additional Reading
Process 023 ☼ Tokyo Commute, Shooting From The Hip
Process 085 ☼ Tokyo Fish Market Adventure
That’s it for this week! If you enjoyed this issue I’d love for you to share it with friends.
Next Week: Exciting updates on my next book, the process of making it, and more! And more on my upcoming artist residency.
Keep shooting and take good care of yourselves and others. <3
Wesley
PS Don’t forget to sign up for the Process Projected newsletter—work by inspiring contemporary photographers twice a month.
PPS Want to support Process? Consider buying my photo book NOTICE.
Gear & Tools Used
Camera: Analog images were taken with the Pentax 67ii and the Canon EOS 1V. The digital image (can you guess which one?) was shot on the Fujifilm X100F.
Shout out to MPB.com, my go-to place to buy, sell, and trade used cameras and lenses. I love their service and am a paying customer. MPB caters to over 625,000 visual storytellers and provides a 6-month warranty. Thanks for the support, MPB! <3
Lab: All my analog work is developed and scanned by my friends at Carmencita Film Lab. They’re my favorite lab in the world. Use code “PROCESS” to get a free upgrade.
Website: Shout out to Squarespace for supporting Process. If you need a website, I highly recommend using Squarespace. I’ve been a paying customer for over 10 years (!!?). It’s an easy, professional, and affordable way to have a beautiful portfolio website and webshop. Use the code PROCESS10 for 10% off your first order.
Process Giveaway
My pals over at Moment are back for a generous giveaway! One winner will receive a $150 gift card to buy whatever you wish including film, bags, a course, and more.
To enter this week’s giveaway answer the following question in the comments:
Q: What is something you’re currently struggling with as a creative person?
Note: Your answer can be small or big, creative or administrative, emotional or practical. Everything goes!
ENTER THIS WEEK’S GIVEAWAY before 11 a.m. EST on March 9th.
The winner will be randomly drawn. This giveaway is for Process subscribers only.
What a gorgeous post. I spent a couple weeks in Tokyo + kyoto last year and can’t get them out of my mind. I desperately want to return to Japan with my camera.
One thing I’m struggling with right now is finding a balance between my creative pursuits -- I’m writing more than I usually do and I’m also regularly going to the pottery studio to make ceramics, but I haven’t picked up my camera in nearly a year.
I struggle with the “what’s the point?” question / there’s already so much good music out there, photography, art - why even bother? I KNOW this is absolutely backwards thinking, of course, but I think about it a lot.