gion

If ever I get the chance to go back to Japan, I would love to see Gion again. It's the location setting of one of my favorite books, Memoirs of a Geisha, so it was a special moment to see it in real life.

I like how that one woman was walking fast against the flow, and outside of the railing.

Reminds me of the Grand Budapest Hotel.

My favorite shot of Gion, and of Japan. I love how the light here simply glows.

I didn't see it at first, but when I looked at this photo after months, I realized it looked like a painting. It's like the people were perfectly stationed and positioned at where they are :)

jch streetpan 400 in japan

Always curious and excited for new film, I tried out the new JCH StreetPan 400 film last month.

It was last year when the famous camera collector, Bellamy Hunt (aka JapanCameraHunter), launched his own black and white film. It's great to know how some people and companies still work hard to keep film alive. Although they always come with a price, it's very important to support the makers, because after all film doesn't grow on trees.

Early this year, I asked my good friend Gretzen, who is currently based in Tokyo for work, to buy me a couple of rolls of this film. Be grateful for friends who are willing to support your love for film :)

I thought, where's the best place to use JCH StreetPan 400? Hmm.. In Japan, of course ;)

Nipponbashi

I only had a few days to spend in Osaka, and barely had a moment to marinate myself in this city, so my approach was just to dive in and take snapshots of what's presented at me. I had very limited to time even think of composition.

Most shots were underexposed because, well, I am me. (It's frustrating when you use a straightforward P&S camera with the only thing you need to set is the aperture, and still not nail the exposure).

But in some photos where I had decent exposure, I simply like how the contrast just punch in you the face :)

Cool girls in Nipponbashi

In the narrow alleys of Gion :)

Damn, contrast!

Taxis in Gion <3

Tori gates in Fushimi Inari at Kyoto

Midnight crossing at Osaka, which brings such great memories <3

what drives me to shoot film

Dotonbori, Osaka, Japan

Depth. Character. Chemistry. These are the things that I would normally answer if someone would ask me why I shoot film.

But behind these "artistic" answers ─ lies the brutal truth: Frustration is what drives me to keep shooting film. Haha.

Frustration that comes from buying an expensive film, thinking you will shoot stunning photos with it, only to find out in the end that your vision is still the same from Day 1.

Takoyaki in the making

This is Cinestill 800T film. More expensive than the films that I shoot with, which are already expensive in the first place. Bought it for Php625 per roll (around $12), 36 shots, at Film Folk.

This is not to say that I'm complaining about how film makers and shops mark the price on their product; I totally accept it, and thankful for their existence and will to keep film alive. I'm frustrated at myself — for creating an illusion that a good film would somehow affect and improve my vision.

I cannot remember the last time I was exceptionally satisfied with my photos. Maybe I'm overthinking here, but I used to be over the moon with my own photos (lol self-absorbed much). These days, my satisfaction ratings usually are Okay to Meh to Why Did I Even Bother?

Pretty flowers in front of a temple in Kyoto.

Grilled scallops and the sungit scallop guy :p

My brain is so used to document memories, I usually just click away whenever I feel like it. I wish I could learn more to get into that creating mode.

A helpful Ate Gurl/Train Guide at a Shinkansen station

Kyoto rails

Though, when I think about it, it's not that bad if frustration is my driving factor. I keep on doing it anyway despite it. I guess, I wish that I was shooting because I'm creating photos that I like, instead of shooting away because I keep on chasing at least one good photo.

(Anyway..... Ang dami kong sinabi di ba? Pero ang ending I really do love film :) I keep it alive, because it makes me feel alive wow pinagsasabe, lol)

Anyway, on to a brief Cinestill 800T thoughts..

They're just thoughts because I'm not knowledgeable to talk about a film technically to call it a review. I mean, I literally, just shoot film.

• I did not expect the cool tones during daylight. I'm usually inclined to appreciate a photo for the warm colors, but the blues worked for me in this case.

• I feel stupid for discovering that I did not shoot an ISO 800 film during the night. I'll take note of this next time!

• I like the grain. Some shots are particularly grainy because of my miscalculation in metering, but in most shots where I think my exposure is acceptable, the grain doesn't make me want to jump off a cliff.

Japanese taxis are so elegant-looking, I could not keep my eyes off them when they're around.