Fan ho - japanese photographer

​https://fanho-forgetmenot.com/ 


The Japanese love their paper and are incredible printers, consequently they know how to frame each shot (with a print in mind) very nicely. I can see this straight away with Fan Ho's work, contrasty black and white images in which there isn't any part of the frame that doesn't aid the composition or feel of the photograph.

I think the reason I am so interested in this type of work is because there is a professionalism that can be seen on the surface even with an untrained eye. I get inspiration from his work because I aspire to take and create photographs that resonate the same sort of feel. 

composition to me is the photographers confidence and experience with taking photos on film for years but also being a printer they know what needs to create the edges and shapes and so on... Looking at this work tells me this photographer is committed to photography and print but also lives within strict confines of judgement and critique. This doesn't mean that there is a correct way to taking photos on film and printing them correctly, it's just I like them and they seem to have many many shots that are very formal in style, this guy has been looking at the world a lot and taking a lot of photos. 

What I also love about Japanese photographers is that they use and abuse film and all kinds of equipment, ranging from half frames to ultra-large formats. The Japanese made a lot of amazing equipment, many still make cameras today but certainly they are all still put to good use out there. It seems to be embedded in their culture a lot more; almost being at one with the process of making photographs chemically - being happy with it and doing it for fun... I guess the Western mindset is leant on acts of consumerism that is far more progressive and the content that people want to see.