When taking photographs on Tokyo’s streets, discretion is always my watchword. For starters I don’t want to make people feel uncomfortable, and more importantly — at least in relation to the resultant photo — the aim is for an image that’s natural; a moment of day-to-day life caught, uncontrolled and totally unselfconscious.
However, even with the best of intentions, it’s simply impossible to go unnoticed all the time. And yet even though I fear this look may be much nearer a glare than a glance, it’s a photograph that at the same time quite inadvertently contains far more character than it could have.
papigiulio says
glarnce! She misses a piece of her ear O_o
Lee says
Thanks. Nah, it’s an earring!
[Gm] says
Don’t worry, when bad comes to worse, you can always run :D…
Lee says
Yes, but heaven forbid it should come to that!
winnie says
She is natural yet cool in the picture.
No worry , it’s a glance!! hahaha
You can show her the picture if she really mind. 🙂
Lee says
Thanks for the reassurance!
Lizzy says
The black and white makes her look more weary, but I don’t think she’s quite reached glaring. Yet?
Lee says
And I didn’t take any more photos, so happily that was it!
dochimichi1 says
The ambiguous look gives the photo extra depth… Cool! 😉
Lee says
Cheers. Yes, her expression really did make the photograph.
Teresa says
It looks like a glance with some sadness in it.
Lee says
Yeah, that’s very true…
Biggie says
aw, the bitch stare. Sexy!
Lee says
So that’s what they call it!
Jeffrey says
I think you’re safe, Lee, as you weren’t under a staircase this time.
Actually, the multiple piercings notwithstanding, I think it’s something of an insult to peg her as a “Shibuya Girl.” With that beret worn just so and the long natural looking hair (doesn’t appear orange of “blonde” in the photo), she all scene and not herd.
Lee says
Good point Jeffrey. Yeah, she’s not your typical ‘Shibuya girl’, she just happened to be in Shibuya when I took the photo.
Winnie_dc says
I really like this! Not so much of a glare in my opinion, it’s a really lovely photograph.
Lee says
Cheers! Yeah, whatever look it was, I was pleased with the way it came out.
WP says
This is a lovely photo…I think she was just wondering what you were doing! Really natural, which is what makes the photo great 🙂
Lee says
Thanks, glad you like it. Yeah, just that briefest of moments that would otherwise have been lost — forever.
Axel says
Hello, i really enjoy your photos. So its the same situation as in my country – Poland. I want to make a natural picture of people on the streets, but when somebody sees me, he covers hes face, or starts geting angry. Its hard to find happy people, who pose and start smiling.
So anyway, to visit Japan is my dream, sorry for my bad english, you have a fan in Poland! 😀
Lee says
Thanks Axel!
To be honest, street photography is generally a pleasure in Japan. Walking round with a camera never really draws that much attention, and provided you are somewhat respectful, it’s very rare people get genuinely angry.
LA Observer says
Lee it doesn’t look as much like a glare as suppressed surprise. I think you interupted her text messaging. Nevertheless, she is an attractive model: just look at her beautiful hands.
Lee says
Hope you are right. And yes, she really did make for an attractive subject.
Janine says
Japanese girls, especially from Tokyo just always seem to glare when alone. If they’re with friends, they are more animated and smiling.