Interview with Charlie Kirk: Raw Japanese Street Photographer with a Leica and Flash

"F*ck You" - Charlie Kirk

Eric’s Note: As I was cruising around Flickr to find talented street photographers, I came upon the work of Charlie Kirk, aka “two cute dogs” on Flickr. He roams the streets of Japan– outfitted with a Leica M9, Leica MP, and a remote flash for his unique work. His style is very similar to that of Bruce Gilden, except I think that he captures even greater expressions from the locals. Not only does Charlie have a great eye for street photography, but he has some major balls too. Check out this interview with him and learn how you can shoot street photography with flash on the streets.

*Due to Japan’s recent earthquake, Charlie is auctioning off prints for charity here. If you wish to support the cause, please purchase one of his prints. Also check out his coverage in Street Reverb.

1. How did you get started in street photography?

Charlie Kirk

I started out a couple of years ago.  I spent a month walking around Shikoku, a small island in Japan, with an entry level DSLR for company, and there my love was born.  At the outset I was interested in all types of photography, but my innate impatience quickly ruled out landscapes, portraiture and fine art.  Weddings and events are closed due to my day job, so I was pretty much left with street photography.

2. How do you shoot in the streets?

Charlie Kirk

I have very little interest in juxtapositions or shaft of light type shots.  I find this type of street photography a little cliched and I am too impatient to wait for the right moment.  Instead I like to prowl the streets looking for characters in interesting places, listening to techno and pausing for coffee/cigarettes/beer.  I like to get close and use a Leica MP with on camera or cabled flash and a 28mm Elmarit lens.  I try to shoot openly and honestly.  I shoot black and white as I’m colour blind.

3. Where is your favorite place to shoot?

Charlie Kirk

At weekends, anywhere that I can find drunks, kids and beautiful women.  Usually only two out of these three are present, except at the many festivals you can find in Japan.  This year I am planning to go to a lot.  So far I have shot the Sapporo Snow Festival, and the Saidaiji Hadaka (Naked) Festival.  Apart from festivals, I shoot a lot at night and usually anywhere that is close by – Kabukicho, Akasaka, Roppongi and Shibuya.

4. From which photographers do you find inspiration?

Charlie Kirk

I seldom need inspiration to go out and shoot.  But when I am in a slump, I’ll look at shots from Bruce Gilden, Mark Cohen, Ume Kayo and Jun Abe.  Gilden and Cohen are the masters of using flash, Ume san’s humour is unique and Abe san is a master of composition and natural light.  Apart from these photographers, I love the usual suspects such as Garry Winogrand, Werner Bischof, Helen Levitt and Henri Cartier-Bresson.  There are also some incredible photographers on Flickr.  Current favourites are Junku Newcleus, Tommy Forbes and Jack Simon.

5. What do you love most about street photography?

Charlie Kirk

I love to be outside, by myself, wandering aimlessly, not knowing what I’ll get.  I enjoy the discipline of trying to stay alert and the challenge in getting close, using a flash.  The more I shoot the more I learn about myself and human nature.

6.  What are some tips that you have for aspiring street photographers?

Charlie Kirk

Look at excellent images endlessly.  Buy books from the greats and devour them.  Understand what makes a great image and what makes a cliche.  Shoot a lot and from many different angles.  Get to know your gear and keep things simple.  Shoot at the focal distance you feel most comfortable with.  Know yourself, understand why you take photos and what you want to achieve from it. Watch and observe other people, know when someone’s about to sneeze, yawn, laugh or cry.  Look through the viewfinder not your hip.  Don’t be fooled by popularity on Flickr. Join Hardcore Street Photography and don’t query why your shot isn’t in the pool.  Realise that 99% of your shots are terrible.

7.  How do you shoot at night with a flash? Where did you get inspiration for doing so, and have you ever gotten any crap for it?

Charlie Kirk

There are two ways to shoot at night.  Wide open with a fast film or with flash.  Flash allows you to shoot closed down, so the increased dof allows for greater room for manoeuvre.  Shooting wide open is just a pain – so easy to miss the moment if you spend time focusing.  Flash allows two exposures in one – the subject exposure and the background and the artistic possibilities are endless. Aside from the aesthetic, flash creates surprise and some great facial expressions. I’ve been shooting flash for over a year now, playing around with cabled flash, slow shutter effects and ND filters and have seldom experienced any problems – I take the picture, smile and say thank you.  If asked, I’ll explain why I took the picture and compliment the subject.  I find that the more honest and direct you are about photography, the better people treat you.  Stand at a corner with a tele lens and you’ll be looked at with suspicion.  Do what I do, and you’ll be looked at like an eccentric.  I know which way I’d like to be seen.

8.  Any shout-outs that you would like to give?

Charlie Kirk

My mum and the burn my eye crew.

Links:

Check out more of Charlie’s work on his Flickr. Also don’t forget to follow him on Twitter and Facebook.

So what do you think about Charlie’s work? Got any more questions about shooting street photography with a flash? Show him some love and leave him comments and questions below!

Tagged as: bruce gilden, charlie kirk, japanese street photography, street photography