NEW YORK—You only get one first impression.
So Erik Shirai observes. He watches and watches for the shapes, colors, and textures of the subject; he pays attention to the smells and even the temperature. He looks for what makes something interesting inherently, and makes sure he captures that on camera as realistically as he can.
“So many films are overly blown up and sensationalized,” Shirai said. “There’s a gap between what’s real and what feels real.”
Shirai is best known for his work as a cinematographer, creating dynamic, stylized, and visually cinematic shots of still objects, like those in the food film series “Eye What You Eat” (which was featured at a TED conference) and his work on the Emmy award-winning TV show “No Reservations” with Anthony Bourdain.
Then last year, Shirai released his directorial debut, “The Birth of Sake,” a feature documentary about a traditional brewery in Japan. It was a turning point in his growth as an artist.
A Tribute to Toiling Workers
