Christopher Domitter Photography

Hi. I am Christopher Domitter. Welcome to my website, which represents a small sample of my Japanese landscape photography.

All of the images on this site are analogue, i.e. taken on slide film with a Hasselblad medium format camera. I use filters when necessary, such as a polarizer to cut unwanted glare on wet green leaves, or a half neutral density filter to keep sky within an acceptable exposure range. I do not alter the images after scanning, other than to keep them as close to the original as possible -- as they look sitting on my light box.

I have close to five thousand medium format and 35 mm format images of Japan in my portfolio, covering almost every aspect of the Japanese landscape and lifestyle, during every season, across most of the country. Whether a shot of a waterfall in autumn in the Myoko highlands, a mountain sunrise in summer on the peak of Shiraumadake, an ocean sunset in winter near Oyashirazu, or a rice paddy in spring in Matsunoyama, I am pretty sure I have it. My portfolio also includes people, architecture, and festivals.

I am originally from Vancouver, Canada, but have considered Japan my home for over 20 years. I speak, read and write Japanese fluently, and know the geography of Japan intimately. (I estimate I have driven close to 150 000 km during my photography, hiking, camping and other travels). I am an expert hiker and skier, with extensive knowledge of not only the Japanese outdoors, but also its culture and topography, informed by years of travel and reading in the original Japanese the works of the great ethnologist Miyamoto Tsuneichi.

The regions I am most knowledgeable of are Nagano, Niigata, Toyama, Gifu, Fukui, Kanagawa, Tottori, Chiba, Yamagata, and Akita. Some of my favorite locations are the Noto-hanto, Sado-gashima island, the Japan Alps (Kita Alps), the Okuhida mountain region, and Yokohama. Most of my travels take me along the Sea of Japan and throughout the central region’s mountains and countryside, which I know like the back of my hand.

My professional experience includes providing photographic services and consulting for clients such as Sports Illustrated, the International Olympic Committee, New Holland Publishing, Swatch, and the City of Yokohama, as well a range of Japanese and regional off-line and on-line publications, such as Action Asia, Outdoor Japan, Ski Japan, and Tokyo Journal. The Hachijuni Bank, Patagonia outdoor wear, the Yokohama Trade and Convention Bureau are among sponsors of exhibitions of my work. I have won several national and regional awards, such as for the Yomiuri newspaper’s autumn and winter in Japan contests.

I give workshops on photography on a private basis, which focus on understanding light and composition, independent of the learner being an analogue or digital photographer.

Please contact me if you have any questions regarding my work, or are in need of advice and consulting Japanese landscape photography related matters. I am occasionally available to lead personal, customized photo-tours.