Profile ｜写真ポートフォリオ｜360度パノラマVRツアーは集客効果大｜美しい日本の風景への出会い、ドローンによる空中散歩も

PROFILE

Kazushige Wada

Birthplace: Tokyo, currently live in Tokorozawa.

Alma mater: Doctor of Science, Tokai University Graduate School of Marine Science

Employment: Over 35 years as a geophysical exploration engineer at a non-ferrous metal consulting company (MINDECO), engaged in domestic and overseas underground resource surveys, overseas mining master plan projects, and also new geophysical equipment development projects etc. In 2008, he assumed the position of representative director of subsidiary firm, and then came back to MINDECO as president in 2015. He retired at the end of March 2019. He has been still working as a technology advisor for MINDECO.

In December 2019, he launched TerraPictures, a portfolio site for landscape photography and time-lapse video works. In August 2020, the 360 panorama photo site “Panorax” was launched, but it was canceled in about half a year. February 2020 Google Street View Professional Photographer Certification. In April 2023, the number of Google Street View accesses are now reaching 3.5 million.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fuzzykazu/?hl=ja

Favorites: 2001: A Space Odyssey, The Professor and the Madman, The Music of the Primes by Marcus du Sautoy, Homeland (US TV Video), Gipsy Kings, Illapu, The Undertaker, JURA DIURACHS' OWN, Jared Diamond.

My interest in and reverence for nature began when I was in junior high school, and it greatly influenced my choice of major at university and employment. With that in mind, I would like to introduce myself, focusing on how I have been involved with photography.

My love for photography begins with drones. Initially, I enjoyed flying over the hills and riverbeds, but I was particularly interested in panoramic photography. I still vividly remember the excitement I felt when I stitched dozens of 360-degree photos together to create a panoramic photo.

Alongside the drone, I started shooting 360-degree video with GoPro Fusion and fell in love with the manually steered footage after stitching. Initially, it was hand-carried, but soon it was mounted on a drone and a video was produced.

After that, I began to feel the need to acquire full-fledged photography skills. I mainly self-study from various sites and books, but at some point I came across a site called Photography life, where I learned a wide range of related technologies such as photography principles, photography techniques, evaluation of peripheral equipment, etc. It has become a bible for learning for me. Additionally, I want to put my favorite books here regarding photography, which are 'The HDRI Handbook 2.0' by Bloch and 'Understanding Photography' by McHugh.

Ever since I bought my mirrorless SLR camera, I have been shooting in different locations, seasons and times, with a particular focus on landscapes. Shooting methods include panorama, HDR, focus stacking, long exposure, and time-lapse. Luminance smoothing (Holy grail) for different time-lapse photos, etc. I was puzzled by the wide range of technology required, but I enjoyed overcoming it.

I'm also interested in time-lapse photography (hyper time-lapse) while moving the camera, and I started using a rotating motion mount. In addition, we have introduced a support device for Holy grail photography, which has traditionally been manually operated, and we are fascinated by its power of expression. Again, posting 360-degree panoramic photos taken with a single-lens reflex camera on Google Street. I worked to contribute to the public at Tokorozawa Memorial Aviation Museum, Sayama City Museum, etc. I decided to challenge the star-scapes in August, 2022.

On this site, I mainly introduce photos and videos, I also write down technical items on blog, and I decided to write down my experiences and goals in the hope that I could share them with like-minded people. I would appreciate it if you could comment on the work and make requests.

Started in December 2019, updated from time to time (latest version on April 24, 2023)