The Japanese version of the article on NPS website:

NPS (Nikon Professional Services Japan)
http://npsjapan.nikon-image.com/magazine/worldphotographer/index.htm

The English version is:
http://nps.nikonimaging.com/members/

Please let me know what you think!

An article and photos of my sincere thoughts, in the NPSG website:

NPSG (Nikon Professional Services Global)
http://nps.nikonimaging.com/members/

Please enjoy!

Welcome to my renewed site! (Starting 14th of Dec., 2011)
Hope you’ll enjoy it as I will be upgrading it from time to time.
Looking forward to hearing your comments and opinions.
Thank you for visiting.

Just updated information on the next coming exhibition in March, 2012. Please see “EXHIBITION” page.

Also updated information on workshops and lectures for the beginning of next year, 2012. Please see “WORKSHOP” page.

Essay of “MY PHOTO LIFE” series, in Nikon’s mobile site would be ending after the last one, coming up on the 1st of December. The theme is illumination.
Thank you for your kind attention.
http://n-img.com/
(Only for mobile phones within Japan. Cannot be seen on smart phones and computers, unfortunately.)

At Jimbocho, my professor at university is having a one man photo show on the Indigenous people of the Chiapas in Mexico.
I took a role in helping him set up the exhibition.
La Vida y La Tierra, by Toru Shimizu
Nov. 15-20, 2011
10:00-19:00
Art Gallery Corso
http://www.uyo.co.jp/lithApCorso/index.html

“My Photo LIfe” essay on Nikon’s mobile site, this time is on landscapes.
The title is; The Mesmerizing Clouds
Please enjoy!

“Close-up” is this month’s theme for “My Photo LIfe” essay in Nikon’s mobile site.

http://n-img.com/
(Only for mobile phones within Japan. Cannot be seen on smart phones and computers, unfortunately.)

It took some working to get these photos, but I really enjoyed it and adore the story myself!
Please have a look at the back numbers from the site map.
The next is coming up in early November.

This month, for the “My Photo LIfe” essay, it was the “Sweets”!

http://n-img.com/
(Only for mobile phones within Japan. Cannot be seen on smart phones and computers, unfortunately.)

Shall be renewed early October as well. Please have a look at the back numbers as well!

This time the theme for the photo essay “My Photo Life”, in Nikon’s mobile site is “Color”. Giving you some hints when you go for snapshots.
Please also find the back numbers from “site-map”.

http://n-img.com/
(Only for mobile phones within Japan. Cannot be seen on smart phones and computers, unfortunately.)

The next renewal is early September.

Nikon’s mobile site renewed with some photos playing with the slow shutter, since the theme is “movement” this time.

http://n-img.com/
(Only for mobile phones within Japan. Cannot be seen on smart phones and computers, unfortunately.)

Go to “My Photo Life” corner from the site-map. Other 6 previous essays with the photos could be seen as well, in the back number section. The next one shall be coming up on August 4th.

I am honored to be participating in the 2011 IPA / Lucie Awards as one of the jury.
The voting would be done on-line.
It will be my first time taking part in a photo contest out of Japan, and I’m really looking forward to seeing the submitted works!
www.LucieAwards.com
www.PhotoAwards.com

The theme of the photo essay on the Nikon mobile site this time is “water”. I’ve written something about what you would be taking photos of when it rains.

http://n-img.com/
(Unfortunately only for mobile phones in Japan. Not for smart phones or computers.)

You can find “My photo life” from the site map, and back numbers also available.

Judging of the Kitamura Photo Contest; Autumn-Winter 2010 finished.
I was in charge of the “Nature” category for beginners.
Some photos were moving thinking that they were taken before the disaster in past March.

The results and my comments would be published in the magazine “Photo-Con Life” autumn edition and winter edition.

The Nikon Mobile Site updated. The 6th article and photos are of sunsets and early evening.

http://n-img.com/
(Unfortunately only available in Japanese, and is for mobile phones only- not able to see on smart phones, computers and on Internet, probably not accessible from abroad.)

Back numbers are also available: from the site-map, find ‘My Photo LIfe’. The articles about different lenses that I wrote last year are also there, called ‘Let’s try different lenses!’.
The next one will be ready early June.

Photos and messages to those who are suffering the situation after the recent and great earthquake in the Tohoku area, a site created by the Fukei Shashin editors:
http://www.fukei-shashin.co.jp/1000messages/
(My photo and message is no. 0339)

They also have a site for a donation:
http://www.fukei-shashin.co.jp/1000messages/

Nikon’s mobile site updated for the 5th time.
The theme is “Spring” and I have photos of my favorite flower, tulips in close-up, and an article about them.

I am hoping that it helps you somewhat, at least, to take a break from the continuing perturbation at the moment, after the triple disaster of the earthquake, the Tsunami, and the Nuclear Power Plant issue.

http://n-img.com/
(Unfortunately only available in Japanese, and is for mobile phones only- not able to see on smart phones, computers and on Internet, probably not accessible from abroad.)

Back numbers are also available: from the site-map, find ‘My Photo LIfe’. The articles about different lenses that I wrote last year are also there, called ‘Let’s try different lenses!’.
The next one will be ready early May.

Nikon’s mobile site updated.
The 4th edition of a series called “My Photo Life” with 2 more other photographers.

http://n-img.com/
(unfortunately, it is for mobile phones only- not able to see on smart phones, computers and on Internet, in Japanese, probably not accessible from abroad)

This time we were trying out a new compact camera; COOLPIX L120 I went to a local zoo and took close-up portraits of animals. The photos shown are: the lesser-panda, african gorilla, a bird, and the tail of a giraffe.

The next one is on the way and will be shown early April!
Back numbers are also available: from the site-map, find ‘My Photo LIfe’. The articles about different lenses that I wrote last year are also there, called ‘Let’s try different lenses!’.
Please enjoy!

Nikon’s mobile site updated.
The page is called “My Photo Life” and the 3rd and latest photos & article (in Japanese) are from my recent trip to southern Africa.

http://n-img.com/
(for mobile phones only- not able to see on smart phones, computers and on Internet, unfortunately!)

The next one is on the way and will be shown this coming early March! Back numbers are also available: from the site-map, find ‘My Photo LIfe’. The articles about different lenses that I wrote last year are also there, called ‘Let’s try different lenses!’. Please enjoy!

New photos & articles in Nikon’s mobile site starting this month:
(in Japanese)

http://n-img.com/
(for mobile phones only)

The page would be called “My Photo Life” and the themes vary as is updated every month.
The previous that are already being read are:
1. about myself (Jan/13)
2. food and meals (Jan/20)
3. will be updated 10th of Feb.

Photo Exhibition
“SA-gumi” Sayaka Ikemoto and the Group
2010.12.17(Fri.)-23(Thurs.holiday)
10:00-19:00 (17th,Fri. from 12:00 / 23rdThurs. until 17:00)
Frameman Ginza Salon Ambition II
03-5638-2213
http://www.frameman.co.jp/ginza_salon.html

A series of my students’ work, whom we met in a Nikon College class. A fantastic collaboration of 15 people, including myself.

In a magazine: “Photo-Con Life” Autumn 2010 edition (issued 10th, Sept.)
(Super Mook Series from Futabasha)
Pages 34, 35
An Interview and a couple of photos of underwater.
Pages 62, 63
The first half of the results and comments on the selected photos from the Kitamura Photo Contest. The rest will be in the Winter edition of the same magazine to be issued on 10th, Dec.

From your mobile phone, some pictures and an article about lenses in the Nikon’s mobile site:
http://n-img.com/
(for mobile phones only)
http://www.nikon-image.com/mobile/?cid=IJD06MJNIJ02
(Introduction on the mobiel site on computers)

In another Mook Book of Cameraman Series from Motormagazine Co. Ltd. “OLYMPUS PEN Owners’ Book”
Photos of flowers and insects in pages 60-61.

In pages 134-135 photos seeking the feminine part of myself, in a Mook Book of Cameraman Series from Motormagazine Co. Ltd. “Weekend Photographers” (the book is mainly on landscapes).
In pages 128-129 also appearing as a model in outdoor activity attire!

In the photo contest held by the KITAMURA KK, will be one of the judges for the nature photos division.
http://www.kitamura.jp/contest/info/2009/autumn_winter/
Looking forward to seeing photos of excitement and wonder of this planet.Application period is till 15th of March, 2010.

The last of the 12 photo essays in the magazine “Cameraman, monthly” December edition, now available in bookstores.Thank you for your kind support throughout the year.

An interview page in the website of Bausch&Lomb, contact lens maker:
http://hd.medalist.jp/medalist/interview/vol01
(in Japanese)

Original prints and postcards are purchasable. For details and information, there is a page in Japanese, or you can write an e-mail from the CONTACT page.

For the first time, dove in an aquarium; a wonderful experience! For a shooting of a TV program on ch.8 (Fuji TV), went to the EPSON AQUA STADIUM in Shinagawa, with Banana-man guys, Mr. Himura and Mr. Shitara.

On Air on Thursday, 15th of October, 2009
19:00-20:54
It’s supposed to be one episode of the whole program, so I might be on the screen for a few minutes!

Nikon Photo Contest International Winning Works 2008-2009 Exhibition
Sep 9 (Wed) to Sep 22 (Tue)
10:00 to 19:00 (Last day: 10:00 to 16:00)
Open every day during exhibition period.
Nikon Plaza Ginza
1F, 2F, Strata Ginza Bldg., 10-1, 7-chome, Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 104-0061, Japan 03-5537-1469

http://www.nikon-image.com/jpn/activity/salon/exhibition/2009/09_ginza.htm#02

As judge, it was nice to see the photos on the wall. Really worth visiting the expo! A report on how we did the judging! :
http://www.nikon-image.com/jpn/activity/npci/npci2008-2009/judging.htm

A magazine of Haiku; Haiku-kai Monthly August edition (from Bungaku no Mori Ltd.) has also 6 pages of my underwater blue images. Please turn to see page 83!
http://www.bungak.com/haikukai/

There is an essay page with my photo in the maagazine; Cameraman Monthly August edition (from Motormagazine Co.).
You will see an image of a Manta-ray. Please have a look!
http://www.digi-came.com/jp/

The photos I took in Spain this past May, will appear in the magazine; Cameraman Monthly (from Motormagazine Co.). Featured articles of a comparison between Nikon D90 & D5000.
In stores on the 20th, Saturday this week.
Please have a look at the page where I have my photo & essay as well.

One of my favorite programs on TV called “The Professionals” on NHK is featuring Mr. Ikuo Nakamura, underwater photographer next week.
NHK(Ch.1) June 16th. (Tue.) 22:00-22:48

http://www.squall.co.jp/works/index.html

To those who came to the exhibition, I would like to express my deepest gratitude, and even not, I’ld still would like to thank you all.
Mr. Ikuo Nakamura, underwater photographer, and my former boss, also came and gave me advice:
http://nakamuraikuo.cocolog-nifty.com/
A big gratitude (more than I can express) to him, too!

Overall, I think I was able to do one of the things that I wanted to, and how I wanted. It all owes to the support of everybody around me directly, and indirectly as well.
Once again, thanks to everyone and wishing to see you again soon in the future.

The Great Flow of Time, Underwater
Some photos of the exhibition

Please see the EXHIBITION page for the up coming solo show with black and white underwater photos. Starting on the 28th this month.

Click the WORKSHOP page for photography classes.
Information on courses starting this spring are available.

The judging for Nikon Photo Contest International (NPCI) 2008-2009 took place this week. After deciding with the other judges the general prizes, as a judge invited by Nikon Imaging Japan Inc., have selected the Emerging Talent Award of this region.

We spent most of all the 3 days in a meeting room but it was really interesting to discuss our thoughts amongst the other judges and I enjoyed seeing many photos that had come from different places of the world.

However, I thought it was a pity and did not like the fact that I saw many that were apparently imitating the previous awarded photographs of the past (how would we ever choose the same kind of images as before), and it was really a shame that we saw a lot of manipulation in the photos afterwards with the computer software that were deceptive (trying to create and make the scene look better is different from creating a false story).

Additionally, being very honest, I did not encounter something that really made us astounded or had impact on me. Though it was a relief to see more naive and innocent feelings in the photos of the 29 year-old and under participants. I look forward to seeing photographs that are not copying someone else’s work (it is not bad to start photography by trying to imitate) but is something that you could say it is your own, your original. The prize winners are (planned to be) announced at the end of July 2009.
http://www.nikon-image.com/jpn/activity/npci/npci2008-2009/index.htm