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want to meet at fmd_good Forno Centrale
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How much are photographers paid?
not sure if anyone mentioned this but 170k after tax for a beginner is basically the floor in tokyo, like you could get more stacking konbini shifts honestly. but the real value here is the experience and the connections, so if the studio is decent and you're learning, it's worth it for a few months.
big thing though is what kind of photography is it. if it's commercial or studio work, that's a solid resume line. if it's like events or school stuff, it's meh. also check if they want you to edit in-house or if you're doing that at home, cause that's usually unpaid time that kills the hourly rate.
also one thing nobody said: ask about the payment schedule. some places pay monthly, some pay after the project ends, and if it's a long project you might be waiting 2 months for that 170k. that's a cashflow thing that surprises a lot of people here. i'd ask upfront when the money hits your account, cause some agencies drag it out.
one thing that hasn't been mentioned: check what kind of camera they expect you to bring. if they want full-frame plus a couple of lenses and a flash, that gear alone is worth way more than 170k. some studios will try to pass that off as "standard" but it's not, especially for a beginner. if they're providing body and glass, you're good.
also, 170k net for a month is around 1100-1200 yen an hour if you're working 8 hour days, which is under what a konbini pays. so if it's a month-long thing, you're basically trading your equipment wear and tear for exposure. i'd ask for a shorter trial period, like 2 weeks, and see if they bump it up after. that's a normal ask in japan, nobody thinks it's weird.
honestly 170k after taxes for a beginner is on the low side but not insulting. most photo arbito gigs here start around 150-180k net, so you're in the range. the real question is what you're shooting and how many hours. if it's events or product stuff, that's easy money. if they're asking for retouching or editing on top, that's a different story.
check if they cover your train pass or if that 170k includes it. some studios cheap out and expect you to eat the commute. also ask if you're getting paid for the prep day or just the shoot day. that's where they usually try to save.
for reference, i know a few guys doing wedding photography freelance and they pull 30-50k per session, but that's after they've built a portfolio. for your first real gig, 170k is fine to get your foot in the door, just don't sign anything that locks you into a long contract at that rate.
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Where can I find crispy, pan-fried bacon similar to a certain international style?
if u have a costco membership the kirkland thick cut is the move, 4 packs of 500g for around 2500 yen and it crisps up proper in a cold pan. for smaller runs, precce in azabudai hills & the basement at isetan shinjuku both carry imported US & danish brands in the chilled case, just read the label for "thick cut" or "smoked" and not "loin". also worth knowing japanese bacon is often wet-cured so pat it dry before frying or it steams instead of crisping
kaldi coffee farm is hit or miss but their smoked bacon from denmark shows up pretty regular, the 200g pack runs about 600 yen. what actually works better for me is asking the butcher counter at peacock or life to slice the block bacon thick, like 5mm, they do it for free and it crisps way better than the pre-packed stuff. also fwiw cheap bacon crisps faster, the fatty supermarket kind at 300 yen a pack works fine if u cook it from cold in a dry pan and pour off the fat as it renders.
tbh the gyomu super store brand bacon is surprisingly decent for crisping up, its not thick cut but if you cook it low and slow it gets pretty crunchy. the key is the dry cure vs wet cure thing, wet cure steams. also check hanamasa if you have one nearby, they sell big packs of american style bacon thats actually smoked and firm.