A young Japanese photographer (edit: who shoots film!) by the name of Asada Masashi has put out a book that is going out of stock fast around Tokyo. In fact, it is already on its second print run in less than 6 months.

photos from auracross.net/asada

What makes the book so great is the humor in the photos. He has taken a very simple idea, the family portrait, and brought a new twist on a tired old Japanese photo icon. He took his family and set them up in myriad situations (as firemen, electric workers, mobsters, drunks) and photographed them fulfilling the Japanese stereotypes of these groups. The pictures are beautiful, funny, and a little bit nostalgic.

What I admire of his work most is that he was able to get these set-up shots in so many locations with so many ideas. It can't be easy to convince a fire-station to allow you to use their truck in Japan. Once you have the technical skills and some creative ideas, 99% of success is just getting it done. He did in spades. A great book.

Asada's gallery site