Landscape photography isn’t something I usually do. Probably my most conventional approach was in the Japanese alps last year. The results of which I was happy with, and the overall experience a thoroughly enjoyable one. Generally though it’s the country’s more rundown and less conventionality beautiful views that appeal the most, and the same goes for Japan’s autumn colours, meaning there’s no real desire to head off in search of natural vistas bursting with seasonal changes. Scenery I can fully appreciate, but at the same time have no desire to photograph. It’s also something so many people do far better than I ever could. People I know too.
Much more interesting are the same hues in less natural settings. Like the wonderfully vivid foliage I was fortunate enough to capture through the windows of a long-abandoned apartment building a year ago. So in a similar sort of vein, below is a series of very urban autumn scenes along with some suitably matching colours from one of my favourite areas in east Tokyo. A place where the decaying buildings and slowly disappearing elderly residents are also similarly suitable in regards what the season traditionally symbolises.
Sean says
Awesome as always. I’m loving the plants growing inside the building and the liquor store (?) at night is just perfection!
Lee says
Thanks a lot. It’s a very special neighbourhood, so it was good to put these together. Yes, a liquor store., and I couldn’t agree more. So much character.
Richard says
There is a poignant loneliness in some of these photos. The fall colors underscores those feelings for me.
Thanks.
Lee says
You are very welcome, and I couldn’t agree more. Definitely the feeling I got. A sign of change in so many ways.
cdilla says
What a marvelous gallery.
I love overcast damp days when the last few leaves cling on. The dimness, the quiet as mizzle, mist and damp leaves muffle sound. Watching your reflecion on the wet pavements, feeling the weight of a heavy coat. Perhaps that’s why I love the writings of Ray Bradbury. Or are his books the reason I like the things I do.
“That country whose people are autumn people, thinking only autumn thoughts. Whose people passing at night on the empty walks sound like rain… .”
― Ray Bradbury, The October Country
Lee says
Thanks a lot. That’s interesting. Are we naturally drawn to such things, or guided towards them by outside forces? Presumably a bit of both, but that answer seems like a bit of a cop out.
Cheers for the quote too. Both very fitting and incredibly beautiful.