Photography

On some days, regardless of how many kilometres I wander, the end result is no interesting images whatsoever. Fortunately other outings can work out way better, and while it’s highly unlikely any of these will become long term faves, they are nonetheless photographs that nicely document a recent Tokyo meander. One that took in some old and familiar locations, along with a few previously unseen spots surprisingly near to them.

I don’t shoot a lot in the rain — my usual excuse being I need to manually focus, and trying to hold an umbrella between one’s shoulder and neck when taking a picture isn’t the most elegant of approaches. It’s not exactly the most ergonomic either.

To be honest though I’ve become something a fair weather photographer, and the issues mentioned above are more than manageable. Something these photos hopefully prove. All of them taken on a recent walk when at times the rain turned out to be much heavier than forecast. They are also results I like, so maybe, just maybe, I’ll be a little less inclined to stay indoors the next time outdoors is a bit inclement.

Oh, and as a side note, for more old vending machines, my latest newsletter contains a whole host of them.

These are photos from a walk I did that included a huge public housing complex just south of Tokyo. A network of once futuristic buildings that have always fascinated me, so in one of my future newsletters I’ll compile a full series of the photographs, along with some historical background and the societal changes such structures brought about.

For now though, these are just a small set that document a meandering walk that while not entirely intentional, resulted in photos showing the quiet, faded and increasingly empty scenes one often sees in Japan. Sights that, as these amply prove, are in no way limited to more rural areas.

Old Tokyo buildings and businesses are a constant theme of my work. Faded backdrops that say so much about the city’s past, as well as the countless stories connected with them.

That said, the addition of a person in the frame is something I always hope for. Not just any old person either, but someone with at least some kind of visual association — no matter how tenuous that may be. It could be age, demeanour, or simply the colours they are wearing. An element that in one way or another complements the overall image.

These then are recently taken shots along those lines. Several of them feature places I’ve photographed before, whereas others are first time finds.

There are numerous before and after posts on these pages, with the most poignant being this one involving both people and places. The kind of documentation I never really thought about when taking the initial photos. Instead, they were simply scenes and moments that for one reason or another I found appealing. Nowadays, however, I’m very aware that each time I photograph something, or indeed someone, it might be the one and only chance I get.

These then are images along those lines. Quiet frames that give at least some sense of the changes Tokyo is going through.