One Thomas Alan

photography

Time, light, stories Simple pleasures. Elements that shape our life.

Like many photographers, I have a habit of collecting cameras, books, and watches. There’s something about the way timepieces and cameras sit together—both designed to capture or measure the passing of time. Both poetic in their own way. Add a good photo book and it adds depth to this quiet ritual of time, light, and stories.

📷 Leica D-Lux 8, taken w/ Ricoh GR III ⌚️OnePlus Watch 2 📚New York Street Street Diaries @philpenman

#ricohgriii #leicadlux8 #photography


Written by a creative technologist, photographer, and an evolving human living in Japan—enhanced (and tangled) by technology.

Leica recently released a limited edition (only 250 available worldwide) Leica M Edition 70 film camera that includes a 50mm Summicron APO f/2 lens, a Leicavit fast winder, and a matching silver film canister with film. Leica M Edition 70 Now Shipping

Screenshot above is from Leicarumors.com – source link above to the article.

I will most likely never own such a masterpiece, but I’m grateful limited special edition cameras like this exist—no matter their cost. It reminds me someone is still dedicated to the craft of photography and the gear we love, and it reminds the rest of us to never stop dreaming of owning such things.


To good light and moments that matter. ✌️

#photography #leica #film


Written by a creative technologist, photographer, and an evolving human living in Japan—enhanced (and tangled) by technology.

I love this quote from a recent documentary I watched:


To good light and moments that matter. ✌️

#quotes #photography #philosophy


Written by a creative technologist, photographer, and an evolving human living in Japan—enhanced (and tangled) by technology.

My attention has been mostly on my new Leica D-Lux 8 lately, but I still pick up my Fujifilm X100V occasionally. Each time I do, I’m reminded of how much I love the way it feels in hand. It also takes pretty decent photos too. ;)

Eterna film simulation - f2.0, 1/30s, ISO 1250Click here to view more Okinawa sunrise shots in my Snap Okinawa Sunrises gallery

As always, if it speaks to you, great—just sharing what I see. ✌️

#photography #fujifilmx100v #japan #okinawa


Written by a creative technologist, photographer, and an evolving human living in Japan—enhanced (and tangled) by technology.

Leica just dropped an interesting new accessory to pair with their Leica Lux app—a MagSafe Bluetooth grip for iPhones, with half-press to focus and function shortcut buttons.

As functional as it looks, I have to wonder: how many people will shell out $329 for it, even with the included one-year Lux app subscription?

If it was a universal grip that I could use with my iPhone and my Android, maybe I would consider it more, but then again, I care a regular camera with me everywhere I go, so it’s probably not for me.

I still love that Leica and others are releasing modern accessories like these.

As always, your mileage may vary, so use what’s helpful. Discard the rest. ✌️

#leica, #iphone, #photography, #mobile #technology


Written by a creative technologist, photographer, and an evolving human living in Japan—enhanced (and tangled) by technology.

Common night scenes in Okinawa.

I love how this parking machine anchors the shot, with a bar (izakaya) in the background. Highlight-weighted metering makes shots like this effortless.

This spot used to be packed with popular clubs back in the day.

okinawa-night-parking

View more in the Okinawa at Night Gallery →

📷 Nikon Zf • 40mm f/2

As always, if it speaks to you, great—just sharing what I see. ✌️

#photography #japan #okinawa #nikonzf


Written by a creative technologist, photographer, and an evolving human living in Japan—enhanced (and tangled) by technology.

About

Welcome to my blog—a journal and scrapbook for my mind. This is where I document, think out loud, share photos, and reflect.

I’m a creative technologist and photographer living in Japan. Half technical, half artist, I shift focus depending on the day. I love the new—and I’m often distracted by shiny objects.

Portrait of author

I enjoy a good coffee and a conversation about philosophy and technology just as much as I do one about art and photography. Politics? Not so much—I mean, like never. 🙂

Most of my life has revolved around Japan, creativity, and technology. I’ve lived here on and off for decades. This site is where those threads come together—a place to share photos, quotes, reflections, and whatever else inspires me.

Which version of me you know probably depends on when our paths crossed. For years, I worked full-time as a commercial and editorial photographer. Before that, I spent nearly a decade as a university web designer and developer. And before that, I was an account manager for a U.S.-based company operating in Japan.

These days, I’m a marketing manager with perhaps an overzealous interest in artificial intelligence and robotics—but I never stray too far from my cameras.

I’ve lived through decades of technological evolution, beginning with my first computer, an original Macintosh, in 1986, which I purchased from my boss when I moved to Tokyo.

Where my technology journey began, with an original Macintosh that I purchase used from my boss in 1986 when I moved to Tokyo.

Even today, I remain amazed by how technology continues to transform our world—often in ways that still feel like magic to me.

Although I’m proficient in digital marketing and understand modern engagement principles, I’m not enamored with the algorithms driving our world. I do post occasionally on social platforms, but I still prefer the simplicity and control of a personal blog—a space to focus, reflect, and share without chasing the algorithm.

If others find what I write helpful, that’s great. But this is mostly a journal and scrapbook for my mind—a way to document my thoughts and experiences as they unfold.

Everything here—including me—is a work in progress.

My writing will evolve, probably in ways I can’t yet predict—in fact, I’m counting on it.

To good light and moments that matter. ✌️

#photography #japan #okinawa #technology