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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. 4 years ago
they're beautiful photos, but no one should be recorded without their consent.
John C 4 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 4 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 4 years ago
"Professional knows what he's doing" is your hot take? Sharp.
Load More Replies...
onitsuka 4 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 4 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 4 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 4 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 4 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 4 years ago
If I see some guy scowling at me and shooting photos, you can bet we're going to have words.
theproplayer 2016ender 4 years ago
I think he shouldve shown the photos to the strangers and told them what it was for, then asked for their consent to post it. I like the fact that it captured the rawness of the moment but again it should have a price
Darcey Young 4 years ago
I think his photography is invasive and his pictures make me feel uncomfortable; this is clearly intentional and definitely breaks Japanese cultural norms in terms of privacy and being polite and respectful.
Country Nana 4 years ago
Suzuki seems to stand aloof from the people he photographs but Golden interacts with them.
Christine Berube 4 years ago
He is WAY less creepy, offensive and weird than Bruce Gilden. Suzuki has such a laissez faire way of capturing human moments and his work shows daily life... Personally, I love his photographs.
Glynis Lailann 4 years ago
Taking in account that there are so many people taking photos with their smartphones in in-appropriate fashion and in-appropriate places, what is wrong with what this photographer was doing? Maybe it was because his photos were published and made public. The people at Fujifilm should lighten up. He is a very good photographer too.
Kim Markey 4 years ago
His candid shots are great..but wouldn't it be prudent to show the people their shots and gain their consent? Sure, he'd still get rejected by many, but if some saw the results, they'd be OK. He really needed to have better PR skills.
Dan Pieniak 4 years ago
I saw a video of him doing street photography in Germany. His style was more clownish and funny, and he was friendly to everyone..... and moving on if there was a problem. I think this was just a publicity stunt by Fuji.
Lamb Taylor 4 years ago
Sorry have to comment in 2 parts as it's long! As a photographer and a person I can understand both sides of the coin. True it's an invasion of privacy but in a public place. But to get something spontaneous sometimes you need to do things that are unexpected and it can be offensive to some and flattering to others. These guys are taking risks and I wonder how many times they have been punched or had their cameras broken. You can say if you take so many photos like this of course some will be great but I'm sure the majority go straight to the trash.
Rogério Dezem 4 years ago
Overrated work plus overrated brand camera. Period. Ps. Many people complained about his style, not “some” as you mentioned...
Phyllicia Goh 4 years ago
I find this style intrusive.. The nearest person to the camera's always scowling. What's the point of taking pictures like this when the nearest person is always going to be scowling? =/
Christoph Hillmann 3 weeks ago
I recently became an admirer of T.S‘s work.. see his first book friction, see his new book bundling water/street fotography. And I like the bio of him and every other human, who find their artistic talent later in their life. I understand the rejection about interferiing privacy - while I wouldn’t want to loose these beautifully unstaged moments, especially in this styled selfie world. I kind of hope for some automated nfc-like technology, which one day will allow us, to connect to streetphototaphers, who took our image. To mutually enjoy, or even to reject publification. Thanks for reading!
Isaac nicholson 2 years ago
I wouldn't like my photo to just be taken like that without warning, but there's no other way to get the same effect. They should take the photos and then after the photos are taken then he can ask if they are ok if he keeps it.
Viv Hart 4 years ago
You don't just grab shots of people like that, without asking 'May I?' When I first travelled, back in the Sixties, I took candid shots, but from a distance, with a telephoto lens. OK they were holiday shots, but they showed the lives of other countries, and nobody was upset.
Peter Kovak 4 years ago
His style is really intrusive, but there are here some excellent shots.
Veronica Vatter 4 years ago
Legally, in the US, you can have your picture taken in any public space whether you like it or not. There is no expectation of privacy in public. I think that street photographers capture glimpses of humanity. This photographers style much less intrusive.
Alfred Osting 4 years ago
Definitely not allowed in United Arab Emirates. He will be jailed and fined.
Lyone Fein 4 years ago
FuJi already knew his style. Their reaction is really disingenuous. As far as his subjects though, he needs to get permission post shoot.
Diana Cartwright 4 years ago
I'd punch him in the nose as hard as I could. Having said that, the result of his horrible approach is beautiful...
KT Trondsen 4 years ago
LOL wow he is creepy but then i saw his photos and the syle is beautiful
Grumble O'Pug 4 years ago
Code for: he doesn't get free s**t any more. Big deal. Buy your own stuff.
Lamb Taylor 4 years ago
2nd part. What percentage of success can justify the title of genius/artist or just lucky? Should we value the photos of polite educated photographers more? These guys are exploiting people but we are exploited every day by governments, banks, etc and we accept it. Should we judge these guys by their motivations, their personalities, their physical appearance or their results both photographic and their effect on their subjects? But you can love them or hate them but they need to exist. If not, we will be heading for a world where free speech and expression might not exist anymore.
kurisutofu 4 years ago
I believe in Japan, you can't show a street in a movie or commercial product if you don't have the authorization of each owner. That's why "lost in translation" was shot guerilla style and Google map blurs a few houses. I'd be surprised if there isn't a law allowing you to sue him and that people just don't take the time and energy to do so.
Carlota Ocón 4 years ago
Well I think his photos are amazing, very expressive. Obviously he should explain AFTER taking the pic and ask for consent
Aunt Messy 4 years ago
I take a LOT of pictures. We travel a lot, I take photos. No one's ever going to publish them, and that's all right with me. It's not something I want to devote my life to. I NEVER, ever take photos of other people. Ever. That's as intrusive as it gets. I just never do that. ...///... Stalkers do that. People who don't see others as human do that. Exploitive jerks who only see dollar signs when they shove a camera into an unwilling face do that. Grownups do not do that. ...///...
Jesse Gault 4 years ago
I'm a photographer and the next wanna be hipster "photographer" that does that to me I will break there camera. Period. You have been warned. His photos suck, all it is, is pov of what you get when you rudely stare at people. AND make it harder for others to shoot street. Thanks a******s
Jessica Billings 4 years ago
He might just be in a certain headspace when taking his pictures. For example when you draw or paint in art school, you find a disconnect with the person/object itself and you break things down mentally into light, space, color, etc. You just might be in seeing that in his face is all.
Aunt Messy 4 years ago
The photos are NOT "great". He deliberately shoves his camera into people's faces without their consent hoping to make them react - usually with anger. That's not a "great" photo by anyone's definition.
Load More Replies...
Water Bottle 4 years ago
It does look good, but having a stranger walk up and start taking pictures of you without your consent is not ok.
Load More Replies...
Alia G. 4 years ago
they're beautiful photos, but no one should be recorded without their consent.
John C 4 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 4 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 4 years ago
"Professional knows what he's doing" is your hot take? Sharp.
Load More Replies... onitsuka 4 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 4 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 4 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 4 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 4 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 4 years ago
If I see some guy scowling at me and shooting photos, you can bet we're going to have words.
theproplayer 2016ender 4 years ago
I think he shouldve shown the photos to the strangers and told them what it was for, then asked for their consent to post it. I like the fact that it captured the rawness of the moment but again it should have a price
Darcey Young 4 years ago
I think his photography is invasive and his pictures make me feel uncomfortable; this is clearly intentional and definitely breaks Japanese cultural norms in terms of privacy and being polite and respectful.
Country Nana 4 years ago
Suzuki seems to stand aloof from the people he photographs but Golden interacts with them.
Christine Berube 4 years ago
He is WAY less creepy, offensive and weird than Bruce Gilden. Suzuki has such a laissez faire way of capturing human moments and his work shows daily life... Personally, I love his photographs.
Glynis Lailann 4 years ago
Taking in account that there are so many people taking photos with their smartphones in in-appropriate fashion and in-appropriate places, what is wrong with what this photographer was doing? Maybe it was because his photos were published and made public. The people at Fujifilm should lighten up. He is a very good photographer too.
Kim Markey 4 years ago
His candid shots are great..but wouldn't it be prudent to show the people their shots and gain their consent? Sure, he'd still get rejected by many, but if some saw the results, they'd be OK. He really needed to have better PR skills.
Dan Pieniak 4 years ago
I saw a video of him doing street photography in Germany. His style was more clownish and funny, and he was friendly to everyone..... and moving on if there was a problem. I think this was just a publicity stunt by Fuji.
Lamb Taylor 4 years ago
Sorry have to comment in 2 parts as it's long! As a photographer and a person I can understand both sides of the coin. True it's an invasion of privacy but in a public place. But to get something spontaneous sometimes you need to do things that are unexpected and it can be offensive to some and flattering to others. These guys are taking risks and I wonder how many times they have been punched or had their cameras broken. You can say if you take so many photos like this of course some will be great but I'm sure the majority go straight to the trash.
Rogério Dezem 4 years ago
Overrated work plus overrated brand camera. Period. Ps. Many people complained about his style, not “some” as you mentioned...
Phyllicia Goh 4 years ago
I find this style intrusive.. The nearest person to the camera's always scowling. What's the point of taking pictures like this when the nearest person is always going to be scowling? =/
Christoph Hillmann 3 weeks ago
I recently became an admirer of T.S‘s work.. see his first book friction, see his new book bundling water/street fotography. And I like the bio of him and every other human, who find their artistic talent later in their life. I understand the rejection about interferiing privacy - while I wouldn’t want to loose these beautifully unstaged moments, especially in this styled selfie world. I kind of hope for some automated nfc-like technology, which one day will allow us, to connect to streetphototaphers, who took our image. To mutually enjoy, or even to reject publification. Thanks for reading!
Isaac nicholson 2 years ago
I wouldn't like my photo to just be taken like that without warning, but there's no other way to get the same effect. They should take the photos and then after the photos are taken then he can ask if they are ok if he keeps it.
Viv Hart 4 years ago
You don't just grab shots of people like that, without asking 'May I?' When I first travelled, back in the Sixties, I took candid shots, but from a distance, with a telephoto lens. OK they were holiday shots, but they showed the lives of other countries, and nobody was upset.
Peter Kovak 4 years ago
His style is really intrusive, but there are here some excellent shots.
Veronica Vatter 4 years ago
Legally, in the US, you can have your picture taken in any public space whether you like it or not. There is no expectation of privacy in public. I think that street photographers capture glimpses of humanity. This photographers style much less intrusive.
Alfred Osting 4 years ago
Definitely not allowed in United Arab Emirates. He will be jailed and fined.
Lyone Fein 4 years ago
FuJi already knew his style. Their reaction is really disingenuous. As far as his subjects though, he needs to get permission post shoot.
Diana Cartwright 4 years ago
I'd punch him in the nose as hard as I could. Having said that, the result of his horrible approach is beautiful...
KT Trondsen 4 years ago
LOL wow he is creepy but then i saw his photos and the syle is beautiful
Grumble O'Pug 4 years ago
Code for: he doesn't get free s**t any more. Big deal. Buy your own stuff.
Lamb Taylor 4 years ago
2nd part. What percentage of success can justify the title of genius/artist or just lucky? Should we value the photos of polite educated photographers more? These guys are exploiting people but we are exploited every day by governments, banks, etc and we accept it. Should we judge these guys by their motivations, their personalities, their physical appearance or their results both photographic and their effect on their subjects? But you can love them or hate them but they need to exist. If not, we will be heading for a world where free speech and expression might not exist anymore.
kurisutofu 4 years ago
I believe in Japan, you can't show a street in a movie or commercial product if you don't have the authorization of each owner. That's why "lost in translation" was shot guerilla style and Google map blurs a few houses. I'd be surprised if there isn't a law allowing you to sue him and that people just don't take the time and energy to do so.
Carlota Ocón 4 years ago
Well I think his photos are amazing, very expressive. Obviously he should explain AFTER taking the pic and ask for consent
Aunt Messy 4 years ago
I take a LOT of pictures. We travel a lot, I take photos. No one's ever going to publish them, and that's all right with me. It's not something I want to devote my life to. I NEVER, ever take photos of other people. Ever. That's as intrusive as it gets. I just never do that. ...///... Stalkers do that. People who don't see others as human do that. Exploitive jerks who only see dollar signs when they shove a camera into an unwilling face do that. Grownups do not do that. ...///...
Jesse Gault 4 years ago
I'm a photographer and the next wanna be hipster "photographer" that does that to me I will break there camera. Period. You have been warned. His photos suck, all it is, is pov of what you get when you rudely stare at people. AND make it harder for others to shoot street. Thanks a******s
Jessica Billings 4 years ago
He might just be in a certain headspace when taking his pictures. For example when you draw or paint in art school, you find a disconnect with the person/object itself and you break things down mentally into light, space, color, etc. You just might be in seeing that in his face is all.
Aunt Messy 4 years ago
The photos are NOT "great". He deliberately shoves his camera into people's faces without their consent hoping to make them react - usually with anger. That's not a "great" photo by anyone's definition.
Load More Replies... Water Bottle 4 years ago
It does look good, but having a stranger walk up and start taking pictures of you without your consent is not ok.
Load More Replies... 
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