I'm a creature of habit. I am happy to do the same things, read the same type books, watch the same TV shows, eat at the same places, go to the same places with the same people. I have been trying to mix it with up my photography lately and shoot more film, use different lenses and different settings. It is a great thing to do if you want to find some new inspiration. I enjoy the pleasant surprise that comes with learning something new I like.

I tend to shoot wide open but I have been trying to shoot at f/8 or f/11 lately. I love the new details I am finding in my photos and the reflections that I am pulling into my photos.

I'm also trying to find some new locations or perspectives on existing locations again. I had the same commute to Shinjuku for 10 years and needed to constantly be on the look out for new things to photograph on my old commute.

The Hachiko Bus...

Today’s configuration: Portra 160 film shot on a Leica M6-J with a 28mm f/2.0

The famous Shibuya crossing... not very crowded this early Saturday morning.

The famous Hachiko Exit waiting area... I love how evenly spaced everyone quietly waits.

Every Saturday morning I go for a walk around Jiyugaoka to pick up a coffee and get relaxed to start my weekend. I typically don't eat breakfast. I know there are many schools of thought on breakfast but I am just not a breakfast person.

The 'Thanks Nature' Bus...

I can only assume this cone is here to prevent people from walking into the pole...

My local wine shop moved into a bigger place. I am a huge believer in signs and assume this is a sign I should be drinking more wine. I am not one to challenge the powers that be so I think I'll just go with it. In my wine refrigerator/film storage I have a few bottles that have been waiting to drink:

Wine:

2007 Opus One

2007 Magari

2005 Silber Oak

2007 Domus Aurea (2)

2009 Stag's Leap Artemis

Now I know that many of you are much more sophisticated with wine than me. There is no need to critique my choices in wine. With Christmas and my birthday coming up you have the perfect opportunity to educate me by sending me the correct choices of wine.

I also have a lot of film that I have been meaning to shoot:

Film:

22 Astia 100

19 Portra 400

13 Ektar 100

13 Portra 160

10 Velvia 100

7 TX 400

5 FujiColor Pro 400

5 Provia 100

5 TMAX 400

3 Acros 100

2 Delta 400

2 X Tungston 64

2 Natura 1600

2 Color Print Film

2 Slide X Pro 200

2 AGFA Pan 25

1 Presto 1600

1 Presto 400

1 TMAX 100

1 Ektachrom E100 vs

1 AGFA Super Pan 200

1 ADOX 50

1 Portra 800

It is amazing what I am able to fit into this very small 12 bottle wine cooler I keep next to my desk in my home office. I clearly need to spend the New Year break drinking wine and shooting film. It would be irresponsible not to...

It has been a really long year so I really do plan to reconnect with my photography over the break and get a lot of shooting in.

This house has been consumed by its garden...

I could help but to notice this beautiful S8 sitting around. I LOVE the Audi S series. I had previous owned 2 sliver Audi S4s. They are amazing fast and fun to drive. My Audi sales guy in Japan is trying to seduce me into a new car. He knows I am sucker for year end deals. If he is a good sales guy he is being proactive and researching this but he know he needs to dig deep to get me to buy... math wins over lust every time.

I'm currently be seduced by the S5 Sportback. Audi does an amazing job of creating amazing yet understated cars. The S5 is 0-60 in 4.8 seconds. The one thing I really miss about my S4 was the stereo system. The current model comes with a 505 watt 14 speaker Bang & Olufsen stereo. You can feel your music...

The one thing I really miss about living in New England is the fall. I think that is my favorite time of the year. It isn't too hot and not yet too cold. It is just right.