Kando Attitude

Some ideas can be difficult to translate from one culture to another. Some are easy. Certainly, the Japanese concept of ‘Kando’ is a simple one for photographers and filmmakers to understand. Coming from a word meaning ‘emotional involvement’ or ‘deep impression,’ Kando is all about the enjoyment of creativity as well as the feelings that arise from tools which make creating a pleasure.

“Connection and emotion are certainly what Sony’s Kando Trip is all about,” says Sony Product Manager Sara Carreira. “They’re a chance for creatives to come together with other makers as well as the cutting-edge technologies they need, and the people who design them.” Inspiring and full of imaginative energy, the European Kando Trip tour included 10 events across the continent, each presenting opportunities for ambassadors and creatives not only to experience natural and man-made wonders, but also to develop new and lasting creative relationships.

The European Kando Trip tour kicked off in historic Dubrovnik, Croatia, in early May. Photographers, videographers, and storytellers from Central and Southern Europe enjoyed an immersive experience, using the cultural heritage and breathtaking landscapes of Dubrovnik as inspiration for alike. “This initial event really laid the foundation for an incredible journey across the Europe,” says Sara, “with creators showing all the energy and ideas we’ve come to expect from their storytelling.”

Next up, Sony ambassadors and creators from Spain and Portugal were invited to the vibrant city of Cádiz and Costa de la Luz. From the narrow streets of the old town to its mesmerizing beaches, vibrant culture and luminous colour, creators were tasked with capturing the essence of this coastal gem.

“After that,” Sara continues “creators from Germany got to use the breathtaking backdrop of the Rhine Region as the focus for a video challenge, before the tour landed again in Marseille, where we literally dived further into nature with an underwater photographic adventure in the Mediterranean.”

Next stop was Stockholm, Sweden in August, were the Norden ambassadors and creators had the privilege of being first to try the just-launched Sony Alpha 6700 and capture some unique night portraits of LED dancing.

September saw Kando Trips in Cornwall, England, where Sony ambassadors from the UK and Ireland were immersed in a blend of picturesque landscapes, sunsets, and surfers, while heading on to Navarra, Spain, creators from Belgium and the Netherlands had the opportunity to photograph the exhilarating La Vuelta cycling event.

The European Kando Trip tour’s final destinations were Switzerland’s majestic Alps, where creators got some alpine inspiration from the pristine beauty of this mountainous region, before it ended in Jordan. There, Italian ambassadors stepped out of Europe and were greeted by a rich tapestry of middle eastern culture and mesmerising desert landscapes.

Summing up the six-month tour, “we covered a lot of miles and saw a lot of smiles,” Sara remembers. “It was great to see our community getting together for the first time and meeting all the ambassadors face to face just helped to strengthen Sony’s relationship with them. But what really stuck with me were the interactions between creators themselves. For instance, some photographers from Mother – the Sony-sponsored magazine that celebrates female wildlife and nature photographers – met others at these events and formed a beautiful synergy for the next edition.”

And as much as Sony is laying on the experiences, Kando trips are also a chance for company to learn about how its creators use their equipment, what they love and what could be improved. “All of the European Kando Trip events included one-to-ones and group sessions with specialist Sony staff members, who got to hear what our top users would love to see on new products,” Sara agrees.

“Being dedicated Sony users, the beauty of these events was that ambassadors could bring their own gear, but they also got the chance to try whatever they wanted,” Sara continues. “All events had a Lens & Camera Bar, and it was really interesting to see creators trying out kit which might not be a usual choice for them. For instance, in Cornwall we had professional videographers trying out our Sony ZV vlogging cameras, while street, portrait and landscape photographers played with the super-telephoto FE 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS.”

“Of course we want as many other Sony users to enjoy these amazing Kando moments as possible,” finishes Sara, “so our ambassadors and creators have been busy sharing their experiences far and wide. They’re gifted storytellers, so they make it easy to feel the emotions of Kando, and how Sony gear makes it happen. That connection between people, technology and experience continues to resonate on a deep level and we’re sure there’s more to come on the next Kando Trip.”