Tokyo Times

Apr 21 2026 6 Comments

More Tokyo people and places

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.

Apr 14 2026 11 Comments

The disappearance of old Tokyo businesses

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.

Apr 07 2026 10 Comments

Abandoned Japan on film

The vast majority of my work, both personal and professional, is shot on a digital Leica M — arguably one of the most film-like experiences it’s possible to have with a non-analogue camera. Still, regardless of old-school styling and a comparatively limited set of technological capabilities, it remains a fully digital process. An experience I thoroughly enjoy too, as the M is a camera I simply love using. A piece of kit that even on days when I don’t feel especially creative, encourages me to go out and take photos.

All that said, I also appreciate the look and imperfections of film, so I generally carry an old school camera in my bag as well. One that admittedly may not get used all that often, but one that is nonetheless always there. And so these then are some film photos taken in various abandoned places in and around Japan over the last 6 months or so. Moments when I remembered the camera was there, felt the shot was worthy, or simply had a day when I wanted to shoot more film.

Mar 31 2026 4 Comments

Tokyo people and various places

In a city on such a scale, it’s not the least bit surprising that there’s an endless variety of Tokyo people and places to be seen. All of which are even better if there’s a potential photo to be found as well. So these then are just some such scenes encountered on recent Tokyo Photowalk Tours.

Mar 24 2026 4 Comments

Old Osaka shopping street changes and continuity

There are lots of photos on these pages documenting the changes Tokyo is going through, but only a single example from Osaka. It is though a very poignant one. The end of a truly wonderful old coffee shop.

Sadly that doesn’t mean old Osaka isn’t gradually disappearing, because it is — I just don’t get to revisit the same places as regularly as I do in Tokyo. That said, this particular scene caught my eye on a recent-ish walk there. It was the lady I recognised first. Stood in exactly the same spot as when I last saw her. Only this time, the old stationary shop on the corner wasn’t there anymore. The space it once occupied already being readied for its modern replacement.

On this occasion, however, there was still continuity, with the presence of both the woman and her fruit, vegetable and pickle selling near neighbour. The first three photos being before, and the latter three now. A now that will hopefully persist well into the future.

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