A lot of attention is being paid to the effects of over-tourism in Gion Kobu, but I haven’t seen any discussion of the causes. This post describes some of them.
Kagirohi is an excellent photobook with shimmering black-and-white photographs of cherry blossoms, Kyoto, and tayu.
Maiko and geiko are not the only ones who perform Kurokami…
Today I’m posting photos of every step in my lighting process, and I’ll explain my thinking behind each one. You’ll learn how I go from the image of me (one light) to the image of Kohana (four lights).
Although these portraits of Toshikana and Mamefuji share several similarities, the real story is in their differences.
Sometimes the stars align in your favor, and my fourth time photographing the maiko Kohana of Gion Kobu was one such time.
I have been blogging about geisha, maiko, and Kyoto for ten years now and have written almost 300 posts. It’s my tenth anniversary! Thank you for reading!
This month’s post is going out to my newsletter subscribers. If you’d like to subscribe, you can sign up at the bottom of this post.
If you are interested in color theory, this image of Toshikana and Toshimomo performing “Harusame” is a perfect example of the art of combining colors!
Although photographing two maiko might be more visually stunning than photographing just one, it probably takes more than twice as much work!
In a dark year like 2020, it helps to stay positive by remembering better and brighter days, like the day I photographed the maiko Yuriha amidst the vivid colors of Kyoto’s fall foliage.
I’d like to invite all readers of my blog to visit my Etsy shop, John Paul Foster Prints.
Although I never met the maiko Komanryo, I feel a connection to her through the tea house she owned and that I have used for my photo sessions for more than a decade.
Photographing crowded events like Hassaku is always challenging, but sometimes a little magic (and light) happens.
My early days as a street photographer in Gion Kobu were memorable because of poignant and frustrating encounters I had with a small group of photographers who came to the district
Finding out that a painter had copied two of my favorite photographs, pretended they were his own, and tried to sell them has led me to feel some anger, some pain, and some compassion.
The maiko Kohana of Gion Kobu brightened up a dark time in my life just by waiting to say hello to me. Little things really do mean a lot!
Natsuko was one of the first geisha I met in Gion Kobu, and also one of the kindest. It’s time I finally wrote about her!
Out of respect for the geiko and maiko and everyone else who lives in Gion Kobu, I won’t be among the crowds at major public events like Hassaku and Shigyoshiki.
I’ll be adding several new prints to my shop on January 31. I will also be increasing the prices of prints currently in the shop on February 1, so you can save some money if you purchase a print before then.
The book Change Your Schedule, Change Your Life really has changed my life for the better. If you’re looking to change your life in 2020, I heartily recommend it!
Why was photography banned in Gion Kobu on October 25? Read on to find out one of the many reasons!
It’s been a long time coming, but my print shop is now open. Read more about it here!
Friday, October 25, was a very happy day in Gion Kobu! Can you guess why?
Shadows can conceal or reveal, especially in the case of the maiko Mamefuji of Gion Kobu
