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Commemorative Photos記念写真 - The top characters says "Ki'nen shashin." Ki'nen shashin is perhaps the most common photo term in Japan. Literally, it means "commemorative photo," but it has no real English equivalent.
It almost always show a person(s) you know and it's usually posed. They include family, friends, and yourself. It is a visual keepsake to record good memories. The picture answers the who, what, and where questions on a personal level such as travel photos, a meeting with the mayor, or at a friend's birthday party. It can be a casual snapshot or formal portrait.
This sign invites customers to have their photo taken by a pro photographer in front of this famous temple. The second line says "Ippun de dekimasu" meaning ready in 1 minute.
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Photo Booth証明写真 - "Shōmei shashin." This is another very common photo term in Japan. You often see it at camera shops, photofinishers, and on these photo booths.
This booth is emblazoned with "Shōmei shashin" in red characters. It means ID photos (for resumes, driver's license application/renewal forms, and passports). Of course, people often use it for fun too.
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Portrait Studio Services写真館 - "Shashinkan" (the last three characters on the bottom line) is portrait studio. This sign is outside a portrait studio advertising its basic services.
From top to bottom:
Ki'nen shashin （記念写真）: Literally "commemorative photo" which could be any kind of portrait--of family, children, etc., for any kind of occasion like coming-of-age day, graduation, etc.
Shutchō shashin （出張写真）: Location shoot. A photographer can be dispatched to any location for any type of shoot such as wedding receptions, children's track meets, etc.
Shōmei shashin （証明写真）: ID photos.
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Photo ServicesSign outside a portrait studio and camera shop.
From top to bottom:
1st line from top (red characters): Irrelevant (ignore it)
2nd line: Studio satsuei (portraits taken in the studio) and Shōmei shashin (ID photos).
3rd line: Irrelevant
4th line: Camera, yōhin (supplies), and album
5th line: Digital eizō shori (Digital-editing services)
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Portrait Studio写真館 - "Shashinkan" is portrait studio. In Japan, they call it "photo studio" which in real English could mean a rental studio used by a pro photographer to photograph products, models, etc. Also notice the "55-min." photo lab next door.
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55-min. PhotosThe term "one-hour photo" was once popular, but it seems "55 minutes" has taken over. Below the number "55" is the kanji for "fun" or minutes. Below that is "shiage" meaning "finished in." Thhe red katakana characters on the right says "Digital camera prints."
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Photo Lab Counter受付 - The last two characters on the large sign above is "uketsuke" meaning reception desk. This is a film processing counter inside a large camera store. The katakana characters before uketsuke say "Color Print." It's where to go to get your film processed.
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DPEDPE - Stands for Development, Printing, and Enlargement. We often find this at neighborhood photofinishers, but never at pro labs. The kanji after "DPE" is "uketsuke." The same characters as in the preceding picture.
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Self PrintingThe top characters says "Self Print" which means you can print photos yourself. On the red sign, it says that you can print from your digital camera or camera phone. However, when you look at all the little notes, there are so many things to keep in mind that you'd better ask the sales clerk to help you operate this machine. Before sticking in your memory card, better back up the data first.
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Disposable Cameras写るんです - Next to a coffee machine on the left, this is a vending machine selling single-use cameras (or film with lens).
FujiFilm was the first to introduce these cameras (in 1986). Their single-use camera brand is called "Utsurundesu" (the red characters on the machine) meaning "it takes photos." It comes from the word "utsuru" which means capture (an image). It is also the first character in the word "shashin（写真）.
Other film makers came up with their own cutsey names. These cameras, though, are on its way out as digital cameras and camera phones dominate.
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Commemorative Photo SignMt. Aso in Kumamoto Pref. This is a signboard graciously provided for "ki'nen shashin." You can stand behind this sign which says "Commemoration of Climbing Aso" with the date chalked in below it.
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Photo Galleryフォトギャラリー - This is obviously "photo gallery." Above it is "Hana to Midori"（花と緑）meaning flowers and greenery. This was at the Lake Hamana Pacific Flora expo in 2004.
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Photo Paper印画紙 - Pronounced "ingashi," it means photo paper, the kind you use in the darkroom. This is an ad from a camera magazine published in 1940. It advertises Sakura Photo Paper. The company was called Konishiroku (see bottom characters), the forerunner of Konica.
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Costume Player Area, Tokyo Big Sight会場 - The sign says "Cosplay Kaijō" meaning Costume Player area (where you can pose for photographers). They are allowed to use it from 12 noon to 4:00 pm. And they even provide a dressing room (closes at 5 pm) for these costumers who attract visitors to the comic book show held there. Taken at Tokyo Big Sight.
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