Japan: The Art of Motion

A workshop with Michael Clark

OVERVIEW

NOW FEATURING NEW LOCATIONS AND EVENTS! REGISTRATION IS OPEN!

Not just a travel photo tour, not just a workshop, but a unique opportunity to photograph Japan in Motion: Martial artists, traditional performers, bustling cities, bullet trains, and more to create a strong, dynamic body of work that will have your friends and colleagues in awe of your photography, while learning invaluable lighting techniques courtesy of Michael, and diving deeply into the beautiful Japanese culture .

Japan is a country constantly on the move. With the fastest bullet trains in the world, and sports old and new, there are ample opportunities to create ambitious images of both the modern and ancient Japanese culture in motion. In this photography workshop with Michael Clark, we will push ourselves to create dynamic images that impart motion into the world of still photography. Using a combination of natural light and artificial lighting techniques (not to worry if you are new to lights—Michael will be there to help you), incorporating motion blur, and featuring both fast-moving and slower-moving action, we will set up a wide variety of scenarios to practice and produce stunning images.

Michael has spent the entirety of his career capturing images of athletes in motion in remote locations for some of the most prestigious clients in the world including Apple, Nike, Nikon, Fujifilm, Red Bull, Nokia, National Geographic, Sports Illustrated, and many more. In Japan, we will adapt his techniques to a wide variety of traditional sports, performances, culture, and events in stunning locations. The aim of this workshop is to craft images that are dramatic, unusual, and out of the norm—images that stand out and grab the viewer’s attention but are unmistakably Japanese.

The TRIP

We will start off with a BANG as bright and early on May 17th we will travel to Nikko for the day to witness the Yabusame Event (Archery on horseback wearing traditional attire) and the first day of the famed Spring Festival. We follow that up with two days in Tokyo, where we have a dynamic variety of locations planned: everything from bullet trains whooshing by to motion under the neon signs at night, digital light museums and more.

For the second part of the workshop, we will travel to the beautiful countryside town of Takayama, known for its well-preserved old streets to work with martial artists, such as swordsmasters, kendo athletes and more.

Finally, we’ll travel to the highland resort area of Karuizawa, combining waterfalls and volcanic landscapes with portraiture and performers. The time in Karuizawa will coincide with the closing weekend of Karuizawa Foto Fest, with a wonderful confluence of Japanese and overseas artists with evening talks and more.

Throughout the workshop, we will have plenty of time to get creative and explore the possibilities in each location, while also taking most meals together and enjoying the amazing food Japan has to offer.

Michael will also share his extensive knowledge of digital workflow and show participants how he works up his images to a very high level. Each day will find us on location capturing powerful images in addition to image critiques, discussions on various techniques, and thinking through the types of images we hope to create that day.

***All lighting equipment will be provided by Michael who will be there to help fine-tune and set up the lighting for all participants.

Class size:

Exclusive: Limited to 5~6 participants

itinerary

• 3 nights in Tokyo* (May 17, 18, 19) Note - an extra night in Tokyo May 16 is required as the workshop starts early morning on May 17. This will be booked for you if you wish, but is not included in the price of the workshop.

• 3 nights in Takayama (May 20, 21, 22)

• 3 nights in Karuizawa (May 23, 24, 25)

• 1 final night back in Tokyo (May 26)

  *Dates are subject to slight changes so please plan accordingly.

Included

• 10 nights hotel accommodations

• 10 breakfasts

• 5 lunches

• 7 dinners

• All domestic transportation by bullet train and local train and van.

• All admissions, location fees, model fees

• Instruction and guidance from Michael Clark, George Nobechi and team

• Detailed information package and full itinerary in detail

• One shared portable WiFi device for the group

• Bilingual support during the trip

Not included

• International airfare

• Extra hotel nights on front and back end

• Meals not marked in the itinerary

• Alcohol

• Travel Insurance

• Incidentals

• Extra seminars at Karuizawa Foto Fest (A festival pass will be available)

If you are interested in attending a workshop in Japan with Michael Clark, please fill out the form below.

meet your teacher

About Michael Clark