What is TIPS?
The Tokyo International Photo Showcase (TIPS) is an annual public gathering in Tokyo for English-speaking foreigners and Japanese interested in photography. It is a purely voluntary and non-profit activity. The first TIPS was held in Oct. 1999 at the Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Photography Hall and attended by 136 people. The second TIPS was held a year later at Yokohama Museum of Art.

What do you do at TIPS gatherings?
The first TIPS was mainly an afternoon slide show (conducted in English) where five Japan-based photographers showed their best work. The second TIPS was both a slide show and print sale.
In the future, we hope to expand program and activities to include any of the following: Lectures, a group exhibition, how-to photography workshops, or demonstrations of the latest digital-imaging equipment and software. There are many possibilities, and English will be spoken along with some Japanese.

Who is the sponsor and organizer of TIPS?
TIPS is sponsored by PhotoGuide Japan (http://photojpn.org/), a Web site dedicated to being "a guide to photography in Japan."
TIPS is organized and executed by Friends of PhotoGuide Japan, led by Philbert Ono who is also PhotoGuide Japan's Webmaster. Friends of PhotoGuide Japan is a loose group of individuals and organizations who contribute to PhotoGuide Japan or participate in TIPS.

How did TIPS come about?
It was actually inspired by the Internet. After PhotoGuide Japan went online in the spring of 1996, people started sending me e-mail. Such correspondence led to face-to-face meetings and it was nice meeting all these talented people. Through the Web site, I began to feel like a hub for English-speaking photographers in Japan. The idea of holding a gathering for all these photographer friends eventually struck me.
Everyone thought it was a great idea, so finally in the spring of 1999, we held a meeting and subsequent action was taken to stage TIPS '99. The venue was reserved, the presenters selected, and the TIPS program and postcards were produced. Despite everyone's busy schedules, we were able to pull it off. (Answer by Philbert Ono)

How were the TIPS presenters selected?
The presenters were selected from among members of Friends of PhotoGuide Japan. We felt that their work was impressive enough to be shown to the public. We also wanted foreign and Japanese photographers, both male and female.

How can I be a presenter at a future TIPS?
Contact us by e-mail. We will want to see samples of your work by Web page or in person. If we like your work, we will pursue further discussions. Also, if you have expertise in any photography-related field, we will welcome any proposals for lectures, workshops, etc. Note that everything is done on a volunteer basis and there is no remuneration. Your reward will be an enhanced reputation and some publicity. e-mail: philbert@photojpn.org

When is the next TIPS?
The date, time, and venue of the next TIPS will be announced through PhotoGuide Japan (http://www.photojpn.org/) a few months before it happens.