Comments on: Collect your free drugs from this forgotten hospital http://www.michaeljohngrist.com/2009/04/toyoshin-convalescent-centre-haikyo-tochigi/ a Ruins Explorer and SF / Fantasy Author in Japan Wed, 08 Feb 2012 23:20:58 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: MJG http://www.michaeljohngrist.com/2009/04/toyoshin-convalescent-centre-haikyo-tochigi/comment-page-1/#comment-29263 MJG Wed, 03 Aug 2011 00:27:22 +0000 http://www.michaeljohngrist.com/?p=2261#comment-29263 Thanks George- I suppose its uniquely Japanese to just leave these things as they fall. Thanks George- I suppose its uniquely Japanese to just leave these things as they fall.

]]> By: George http://www.michaeljohngrist.com/2009/04/toyoshin-convalescent-centre-haikyo-tochigi/comment-page-1/#comment-29253 George Tue, 02 Aug 2011 20:56:10 +0000 http://www.michaeljohngrist.com/?p=2261#comment-29253 I love picture #7, it's very steampunk. I agree with tornadoes28 with the matter of abandoned places- I live in upstate NY and there are a variety of derelict structures around the area, but the majority of them were completely gutted upon closing save for the really heavy machinery. The fact that these places in Japan are left almost untouched is a miracle for explorers like us. I love picture #7, it’s very steampunk. I agree with tornadoes28 with the matter of abandoned places- I live in upstate NY and there are a variety of derelict structures around the area, but the majority of them were completely gutted upon closing save for the really heavy machinery. The fact that these places in Japan are left almost untouched is a miracle for explorers like us.

]]> By: Richard http://www.michaeljohngrist.com/2009/04/toyoshin-convalescent-centre-haikyo-tochigi/comment-page-1/#comment-2972 Richard Wed, 29 Apr 2009 17:08:47 +0000 http://www.michaeljohngrist.com/?p=2261#comment-2972 I agree with your point about using natural light. Your photos I have enjoyed the most are usually the closeups, which generally require little additional light, using the existing light available, rather than the room shots which often need more light to enhance detail as without it is just too dark. Though you have had some great room shots, one in particular with the desk and leaves sticks in my mind weeks later in Nichitsu. For instance, on this page, 6, 15, 27 and 30 are my favourites, all are closeups. The photos that have more distance seem to have either poor light or could have been taken at a more optimal angle. I hope you not mind my comments, I have been reading for months and feel you appreciate the feedback. I take the same style of photos, but rarely post them, because so few seem to appreciate it. Perhaps I was wrong and there is a market out there, with so many liking your photos. :-) I looked up Miru Kim's site and wasn't particularly impressed. Perhaps in only three of fifty photos did she add something to the photo or the scene. Otherwise, she just seemed to be in the way. Cool locations though. But if you are looking to do something similar, can you please take SY with you as model, not use yourself? No offense dude, but, you know.... haahaa I agree with your point about using natural light. Your photos I have enjoyed the most are usually the closeups, which generally require little additional light, using the existing light available, rather than the room shots which often need more light to enhance detail as without it is just too dark. Though you have had some great room shots, one in particular with the desk and leaves sticks in my mind weeks later in Nichitsu. For instance, on this page, 6, 15, 27 and 30 are my favourites, all are closeups. The photos that have more distance seem to have either poor light or could have been taken at a more optimal angle.

I hope you not mind my comments, I have been reading for months and feel you appreciate the feedback. I take the same style of photos, but rarely post them, because so few seem to appreciate it. Perhaps I was wrong and there is a market out there, with so many liking your photos. :-)

I looked up Miru Kim’s site and wasn’t particularly impressed. Perhaps in only three of fifty photos did she add something to the photo or the scene. Otherwise, she just seemed to be in the way. Cool locations though. But if you are looking to do something similar, can you please take SY with you as model, not use yourself? No offense dude, but, you know…. haahaa

]]> By: Velo http://www.michaeljohngrist.com/2009/04/toyoshin-convalescent-centre-haikyo-tochigi/comment-page-1/#comment-2661 Velo Thu, 16 Apr 2009 14:47:48 +0000 http://www.michaeljohngrist.com/?p=2261#comment-2661 The cosplay idea would probably look a bit like a fashion shoot. Although people these days are defining stuff like David LaChappelle as Art. . . I think it's great to experiment. I think that, by definition, Art, or perhaps I should say "one's aesthetic" develops slowly over time. I think if you keep maintaining this site, and just following your curiosity like you have been, an aesthetic will develop, and in fact already has. Blogging taken as a whole then becomes an Art medium. It would be the whole sum of what you're doing rather than trying to produce single discrete works of art. The cosplay idea would probably look a bit like a fashion shoot. Although people these days are defining stuff like David LaChappelle as Art. . . I think it’s great to experiment. I think that, by definition, Art, or perhaps I should say “one’s aesthetic” develops slowly over time. I think if you keep maintaining this site, and just following your curiosity like you have been, an aesthetic will develop, and in fact already has. Blogging taken as a whole then becomes an Art medium. It would be the whole sum of what you’re doing rather than trying to produce single discrete works of art.

]]> By: MJG http://www.michaeljohngrist.com/2009/04/toyoshin-convalescent-centre-haikyo-tochigi/comment-page-1/#comment-2655 MJG Thu, 16 Apr 2009 03:18:37 +0000 http://www.michaeljohngrist.com/?p=2261#comment-2655 Velo- I appreciate you sharing your thoughts, and for being honest that you'd be disappointed. I can't speak to Miru Kim's deep intent- whether she's just after the 15 minutes or not- but the way I read it is a little different. She says she started shooting herself because, after shooting the empty places for some time, she felt that she needed to add a character to them. This is something that I've felt myself, after shooting lots of locations- they start to seem a little empty, and even bland. Her idea to throw her body into the mix is- I find- the simplest and most elegant proposal. Take a shot of yourself standing and grinning in your regular clothes and it's just holiday snaps. I sometimes try the creative interactions- but they're no substitute for a character, they're just more signs of absent life. Recently I shot some people in Final Fantasy cosplay outfits in a haikyo- by random chance they were there on a game-shoot- and that kind of direction may be something I look into, though not so gaudily. I suppose we'll see. My next post tomorrow will feature a few shots including people. Velo- I appreciate you sharing your thoughts, and for being honest that you’d be disappointed. I can’t speak to Miru Kim’s deep intent- whether she’s just after the 15 minutes or not- but the way I read it is a little different. She says she started shooting herself because, after shooting the empty places for some time, she felt that she needed to add a character to them. This is something that I’ve felt myself, after shooting lots of locations- they start to seem a little empty, and even bland. Her idea to throw her body into the mix is- I find- the simplest and most elegant proposal. Take a shot of yourself standing and grinning in your regular clothes and it’s just holiday snaps.

I sometimes try the creative interactions- but they’re no substitute for a character, they’re just more signs of absent life. Recently I shot some people in Final Fantasy cosplay outfits in a haikyo- by random chance they were there on a game-shoot- and that kind of direction may be something I look into, though not so gaudily. I suppose we’ll see. My next post tomorrow will feature a few shots including people.

]]> By: Velo http://www.michaeljohngrist.com/2009/04/toyoshin-convalescent-centre-haikyo-tochigi/comment-page-1/#comment-2654 Velo Thu, 16 Apr 2009 01:58:17 +0000 http://www.michaeljohngrist.com/?p=2261#comment-2654 LOL. . . I just thought she (Miru) saw an opportunity for 15 min of fame that no one else had exploited and went for it rather aggressively, but geez, so what? Live and let live! It's kind of a NYC thing. There's a clamoring for success here that borders on the maniacal at times. As far as emulating her style, that would disappoint me, as I think your style is great just the way it is! It's refreshingly honest and accessible. Your freewheeling curiosity about things, people, and places is exceedingly enjoyable, for me, at least. It has a kind of art value of its own, but in a journalistic rather than academic way. Well, just my two cents. Emulate if you want. V. LOL. . . I just thought she (Miru) saw an opportunity for 15 min of fame that no one else had exploited and went for it rather aggressively, but geez, so what? Live and let live! It’s kind of a NYC thing. There’s a clamoring for success here that borders on the maniacal at times.

As far as emulating her style, that would disappoint me, as I think your style is great just the way it is! It’s refreshingly honest and accessible. Your freewheeling curiosity about things, people, and places is exceedingly enjoyable, for me, at least. It has a kind of art value of its own, but in a journalistic rather than academic way. Well, just my two cents. Emulate if you want.
V.

]]> By: MJG http://www.michaeljohngrist.com/2009/04/toyoshin-convalescent-centre-haikyo-tochigi/comment-page-1/#comment-2653 MJG Thu, 16 Apr 2009 00:59:41 +0000 http://www.michaeljohngrist.com/?p=2261#comment-2653 Tornadoes- Cheers on the coat props, I think it looks a little out of place though. It seems more fun to make these little 'interactions' than it is effective to shoot them. The wood- who knows? I first guessed just for firewood, then he was wrapping it up like a baby- one of life's little mysteries. Velo- As ever, thanks for your support. I'm curious what your issues with Miru Kim were- though don't want to encourage you off on another screed you'll later regret. I'm interested in emulating her style- though for that I'd need some models. I have tried shooting myself some; as in, arms and legs, of course not as full-on as she does. aspectsublime-You flatter me, for which I'm very grateful! :) Capturing light is what I'm definitely after, I basically don't use flash these days, unless there's a room I want to shoot for exploration purposes. Flash ruins the natural fall of light I think- I like to have things shadowy and unclear sometimes. Tornadoes- Cheers on the coat props, I think it looks a little out of place though. It seems more fun to make these little ‘interactions’ than it is effective to shoot them. The wood- who knows? I first guessed just for firewood, then he was wrapping it up like a baby- one of life’s little mysteries.

Velo- As ever, thanks for your support. I’m curious what your issues with Miru Kim were- though don’t want to encourage you off on another screed you’ll later regret. I’m interested in emulating her style- though for that I’d need some models. I have tried shooting myself some; as in, arms and legs, of course not as full-on as she does.

aspectsublime-You flatter me, for which I’m very grateful! :) Capturing light is what I’m definitely after, I basically don’t use flash these days, unless there’s a room I want to shoot for exploration purposes. Flash ruins the natural fall of light I think- I like to have things shadowy and unclear sometimes.

]]> By: aspectsublime http://www.michaeljohngrist.com/2009/04/toyoshin-convalescent-centre-haikyo-tochigi/comment-page-1/#comment-2634 aspectsublime Tue, 14 Apr 2009 19:23:06 +0000 http://www.michaeljohngrist.com/?p=2261#comment-2634 I'm amazed by your ability to capture light in these photographs; every one of them is just beautifully lit! The new photo interface works well -- i like it. I’m amazed by your ability to capture light in these photographs; every one of them is just beautifully lit! The new photo interface works well — i like it.

]]> By: Velo http://www.michaeljohngrist.com/2009/04/toyoshin-convalescent-centre-haikyo-tochigi/comment-page-1/#comment-2604 Velo Sat, 11 Apr 2009 02:41:27 +0000 http://www.michaeljohngrist.com/?p=2261#comment-2604 Hiya, Michael, I see your site continues to get more sophisticated. I've been laying low lately as I kind of disgraced myself with a screed against Miro Kim's art over on YouTube and decided I needed to cool it on my web comments for a while. But I look at every one of your dispatches with great interest, and look forward to them. Best, Velo Hiya, Michael, I see your site continues to get more sophisticated. I’ve been laying low lately as I kind of disgraced myself with a screed against Miro Kim’s art over on YouTube and decided I needed to cool it on my web comments for a while. But I look at every one of your dispatches with great interest, and look forward to them.
Best,
Velo

]]> By: Tornadoes28 http://www.michaeljohngrist.com/2009/04/toyoshin-convalescent-centre-haikyo-tochigi/comment-page-1/#comment-2601 Tornadoes28 Fri, 10 Apr 2009 22:13:23 +0000 http://www.michaeljohngrist.com/?p=2261#comment-2601 The pic with the white coats hanging is cool. A little eerie. I just don't get these abandoned places in Japan. The are allowed to sit there, sometimes with chemicals and medical equipment and human brains accessible to anyone. What the heck does that guy need the wood for? The pic with the white coats hanging is cool. A little eerie. I just don’t get these abandoned places in Japan. The are allowed to sit there, sometimes with chemicals and medical equipment and human brains accessible to anyone. What the heck does that guy need the wood for?

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