Nicklaus Walter is a writer, photographer, and founder of Decaf Journal. You can find his photography portfolio here: www.nicklauswalter.com
travel
Uji and Nara offer something different from other cities in Japan that make them standout destinations. They're more inherently relaxed, which can be a refreshing change of pace from the busy tourist hotspots in Osaka and Kyoto.
travel
From the traditional teahouse lined streets to the bustling and modern downtown core, there's a satisfying variety of things to see and do. Kyoto has a unique signature and cultural significance that quickly becomes apparent from the moment that you step onto one of its many historic landmarks.
travel
It took me a few days to find my footing in Osaka, but after I started to get a sense of the culture and the rhythm of the city, I was admittedly sad to leave. If there's something you're into, you can likely find it here.
photography
We're now seeing smartphone manufacturers incorporate a one inch sensor in their cameras as well, which only narrows the technological gap even further. The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 III provides a far more rewarding user experience however.
photography
I must confess that I even stopped using Fujifilm's legendary film simulations in favor of The Classic Presets. Fujifilm's offering has its own beauty and appeal, but these presets seem more accurate to me based on past experience with film.
style
The most compelling reason to own the New Balance 580 is for its utility. It's a shoe for off duty models and discriminating designers alike.
photography
The quality of light that the Photek Softlighter Umbrella produces is excellent, and only beaten by substantially more expensive modifiers such as offerings from Elinchrom or Broncolor. The Softlighter will get you 90% of what they will offer at a fraction of the price.
photography
I can't recall a time when it hasn't delivered exceptional results for the type of photography that I do. Yet with all the advancements of the latest mirrorless technology, does it still makes sense to use such an outdated camera body?
style
These boots are plenty grippy while impeccably maintaining the silhouette of a dress boot. Thanks to the more formal outsole, they don't explicitly look like hiking boots which might just be the best part about them.
photography
I always appreciate lenses and film stocks that offer an opinion in the way they render the world, and Kodak Portra 800 has a strong point of view indeed.
photography
There's a fine line between shedding light on an issue and exploitation, but the intention is what matters. This may mean choosing to tell a story with several images instead of a single evocative frame, but audiences will appreciate a narrative with context and you'll gain their trust as a result.
photography
The beauty of Kodak Portra 160 however, is in its restraint. If you want your color work to stand the test of time, this is undoubtedly the color negative film stock to use.