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Japanese Photographer Lost His Fujifilm Ambassador Status Because Of His “Offensive” Shooting Style
When you’re out on the city streets, you’ll inevitably run into hordes of people taking photos of everything and everyone in sight with their phones. It seems normal. But would your perspective change (pun intended) if those people were using actual cameras and not just smartphones? For some people, the difference is huge. And unsettling.
Japanese photographer Tatsuo Suzuki lost his status as a Fujifilm ambassador and a promotional video featuring him using the new X100V street photography camera got taken down (though you can still find it in some corners of YouTube).
All of this happened because some people complained about the professional’s “intrusive” and “offensive” shooting style which made them feel uncomfortable. Fujifilm also apologized for the backlash.
More info: TatsuoSuzuki.com | Instagram
RELATED:
Tokyo photographer Tatsuo Suzuki lost his status as a Fujifilm ambassador due to his “intrusive” shooting style
Image credits: No.J工場
Fujifilm also removed their video where Suzuki promoted the new X100V
Some people described the photographer’s shooting style as “offensive,” “creepy,” and “weird”
Image credits: No.J工場
Image credits: No.J工場
Image credits: No.J工場
Image credits: No.J工場
Image credits: No.J工場
Image credits: No.J工場
Image credits: No.J工場
However, some people believed that Fujifilm should’ve stood behind their X-Photographers member. Especially since they were the ones who decided to publish the video with Suzuki in the first place.
While others were appreciative that Fujifilm admitted to their mistake. It’s still not known what exactly transpired behind the scenes between Fujifilm and Suzuki and whether there’s any bad blood between them.
Here are what some of Suzuki’s photos look like
Image credits: No.J工場
Image credits: No.J工場
Image credits: No.J工場
Image credits: No.J工場
Image credits: No.J工場
Image credits: No.J工場
Image credits: No.J工場
Image credits: No.J工場
Image credits: No.J工場
Image credits: No.J工場
Image credits: No.J工場
Image credits: No.J工場
Here’s a video of photographer Bruce Gilden who has a similar shooting style to Suzuki
Image credits: WNYC
PetaPixel compared Suzuki to well-known photographer Bruce Gilden. He’s known for walking up to strangers, pointing his camera and flash into their faces, and taking their photos without asking for permission.
Gilden shoots in New York which has a different culture than Tokyo. What’s more, Gilden’s actions are most commonly described as “obnoxious” and “brash.” While Suzuki’s shooting style sometimes gets called “creepy” and “weird.”
What do you think of Suzuki’s shooting style?
Image credits: No.J工場
Now that you’re done reading and watching the video, dear Pandas, let us know what you think of the photographer’s shooting style. Do you agree that it’s too intrusive? Do you believe Fujifilm did the right thing by pushing the photographer away? Does art have to follow all social conventions?
Some people expressed their dislike for what the photographer does
Despite the controversy, other internet users rushed to defend the photographer
What do you think ?
Alia G. 5 years ago
they're beautiful photos, but no one should be recorded without their consent.
John C 5 years ago
For argument's sake: If we're going to agree that no one should be recorded without their consent, where do security cameras fit into that?
Load More Replies...
ShireenAin'tWoke 5 years ago
I'm sorry but this guy is clearly a troll! Look at his face when he's taking the photos, he knows exactly what he's doing! 🤣
Marcellus the Third 5 years ago
"Professional knows what he's doing" is your hot take? Sharp.
Load More Replies...
onitsuka 5 years ago (edited)
There are ALOT of privacy laws in Japan...also well established public etiquette. This type of street photography is incredibly frowned upon in Japan. Having said that, Fuji should've known what type of photographer they were signing on.
Load More Replies...
Nicholas Yu 5 years ago
If you're doing editorial photography...you get the best shots that are genuine and true when people don't realize they're being photographed. No one's hamming it up for the camera. But in order for people to act normal they must not know their picture is being taken. This means you need a zoom lens to shoot the from afar. In looking at all these shots, every person looks either caught off guard, annoyed or defensive because you're intruding on their personal space. Just because I'm in a public place does not give you the right to take my photo...especially with a s****y lens that forces you to be inches from my face. I'll admit to waiting for tourists to pop into frame so the viewer can get a sense of scale when I do travel photography. But I also make sure to flag the person down afterwards and ask them a) if I can keep the image and b) if they want me to email it to them. 00000048Re...bdc5a1.jpg 
deanna woods 5 years ago
That is really smart and kind of you. I happen to be one of my aspiring photographer sister's favorite subjects and get caught off guard quite a bit. I think in this instance it's different because we are family.
Load More Replies... deanna woods 5 years ago
You can tell from the looks on those people's faces that they don't want their picture taken and it was rude of him to take them without their consent. I understand that being in public kind of puts on display, but it still doesn't give strangers the right to take pictures of you without asking you first.
Andy Charles 5 years ago
Really don't agree with the people I've seen calling this guy a genius. I understand art is subjective and my opinion is this guy is average at best.
Pretty Pangolin 5 years ago
If I see some guy scowling at me and shooting photos, you can bet we're going to have words.
Alia G. 5 years ago
they're beautiful photos, but no one should be recorded without their consent.
John C 5 years ago
For argument's sake: If we're going to agree that no one should be recorded without their consent, where do security cameras fit into that?
Load More Replies... ShireenAin'tWoke 5 years ago
I'm sorry but this guy is clearly a troll! Look at his face when he's taking the photos, he knows exactly what he's doing! 🤣
Marcellus the Third 5 years ago
"Professional knows what he's doing" is your hot take? Sharp.
Load More Replies... onitsuka 5 years ago (edited)
There are ALOT of privacy laws in Japan...also well established public etiquette. This type of street photography is incredibly frowned upon in Japan. Having said that, Fuji should've known what type of photographer they were signing on.
Load More Replies... Nicholas Yu 5 years ago
If you're doing editorial photography...you get the best shots that are genuine and true when people don't realize they're being photographed. No one's hamming it up for the camera. But in order for people to act normal they must not know their picture is being taken. This means you need a zoom lens to shoot the from afar. In looking at all these shots, every person looks either caught off guard, annoyed or defensive because you're intruding on their personal space. Just because I'm in a public place does not give you the right to take my photo...especially with a s****y lens that forces you to be inches from my face. I'll admit to waiting for tourists to pop into frame so the viewer can get a sense of scale when I do travel photography. But I also make sure to flag the person down afterwards and ask them a) if I can keep the image and b) if they want me to email it to them. 00000048Re...bdc5a1.jpg
deanna woods 5 years ago
That is really smart and kind of you. I happen to be one of my aspiring photographer sister's favorite subjects and get caught off guard quite a bit. I think in this instance it's different because we are family.
Load More Replies... deanna woods 5 years ago
You can tell from the looks on those people's faces that they don't want their picture taken and it was rude of him to take them without their consent. I understand that being in public kind of puts on display, but it still doesn't give strangers the right to take pictures of you without asking you first.
Andy Charles 5 years ago
Really don't agree with the people I've seen calling this guy a genius. I understand art is subjective and my opinion is this guy is average at best.
Pretty Pangolin 5 years ago
If I see some guy scowling at me and shooting photos, you can bet we're going to have words.
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