I had the humbling experience of seeing proofs of Bloodwork: Bodies when I was in San Jose last weekend.  Seeing something tangible for the first time after almost two years of hard work was exciting to say the least. I can’t wait until this thing is out.

This picture of Adrian thumbing through said proofs was made with some crossed processed Velvia, that had to be ten years old, shot in my Bronica.

I got the call to make a shot of all the tomes we’ve done over the years at Bloodwork Books. The pile represents over a decade of blood sweat and tears by some very talented people; and the next addition to the family is due in October. Thanks to everyone who’s been there over the years. I’m humbled to been allowed to document your work and honored to have strived along side you. All these books are available over at Analog’s site.

Adrian Lee, conductor and all the gear on the shinkansen from Tokyo to Osaka.

Adrian put together this cool little video from our mission out to NYC last year photographing for the upcoming Bloodwork:Bodies book. Check it out full screen!

As final preparations are made to take the Bloodwork:Bodies photoshoot show to The Land Down Under, I am reminded of the simple invention that allows the wearers of the tattoos I’m photographing some modicum of modesty. I speak, of course of the 14 inch wide, 8 foot long Fundoshi. I myself am not a fan of ancient Japanese underwear. I tried one on once and it’s just not for me. Adrian and I thought long and hard on how to photograph bodysuit tattoos and keep things at least R rated, and the Fundoshi was the only solution we could agree on.

Adrian has the pleasure of getting the collectors into their Fundoshi (specially dyed black for the project). The role of Fundoshi wrangler requires a special person and in Adrian, I know I have the right man for the job.

If you’re really into this sort of thing you’ve probably already seen this…

I’m over in Europe for a couple of weeks shooting for the new Bloodwork book. This gem of a tattoo was done by Tin-Tin in Paris. Big up’s to Adrian and Marcus for all the help!

Third in a series of portraits of the active members of The Analog Tattoo Arts Kolective at work. All the photographs in the series were made with my Bronica rangefinder film camera and this shot is no exception.  The subject this time is the sovereign of the shop and overseer of tattoo operations, Adrian Lee.

On the Train to Yokohama. I made it with my Bronica. Ah la la la la la la

Along with all the other goings on on this Japan trip we had a book signing for Bloodwork:Sleeves at the 9 story mega-complex that is Tower records in Shibuya, Tokyo. I always find it a bit odd when people ask me to autograph things.

It doesn’t happen very often and when it does, it’s a little embarrassing. That aside, I truly appreciate the support and will always sign what ever people want me to. In this case it was Adrian doing most of the pen work.

I was really hoping to get the story on why there was still a Tower Records in Japan when all the stores in the states have been shuttered for several years but no one I asked seemed to understand my questions so it remains a mystery.

I’m Getting excited to head back to Japan next week with the Analog Tattoo Crew.

Last time I was there was in 2006 for the Full Coverage exhibition.

This time around we’re showing Bloodwork:Sleeves. It’ll be up at 3 Tides in Osaka on February 6th, and at Tower Records in Tokyo on February 13th. We’ll also be traveling to several top secret studios around Hokkaidō, beginning photography for the next Bloodwork book due out in 2011. I’ll be blogging and posting photos as much as possible from the road. Stay tuned.