Photo booths aren’t uncommon in Tokyo. Quite the opposite really, with many found in and around the city’s numerous train stations. Plenty of supermarkets have them too. An incredibly regular sight then that in many ways makes them invisible. Something you generally don’t notice unless you actually need one.
However, several weeks ago I took the first picture in this set, which piqued my interest and set me on a mission of sorts to get more, culminating in this little series. Something a bit different form my usual work, and to end the collection, there’s a similarly unusual photo of me. A portrait produced back in 2021.
Denise says
Such a fun set! I enjoyed seeing you at the end 🙂
Lee says
Thank you very much! That’s really nice to hear. I don’t like having my photo taken, but I do like that one.
Steve says
Interesting seeing a Western woman’s face prominent on several of the booths. I don’t see those booths so much in the U.S. anymore. I recall using them as a child many decades ago. They’d make a strip of four black-and-white photos. It had to have been using some wet development process. I guess now maybe the photos are taken and printed digitally.
Lee says
I was also struck by the use of foreign faces. Not really what you’d expect.
Yeah, I remember the film ones too. Sadly long gone, although I dare say there must the odd one two preserved here and there.
cdilla says
What an interesting collection. They had been invisible to me. Something new to look for.
I like the constructor-kit platforms several of them are sat on.
Did anyone ask you if you were a location scout for a Japanese remake of Amelie?
The last one is quite a deeply layered concept. I see a pod where you stop off occasionally to upload all the images your eyes have seen since your last visit. A sort of photographers confessional.
Great newsletter this month. Mrs cdilla tells me she already has the book ready for my birthday in a few days 🙂
Lee says
Thank you, and happily no questions at all were asked. Hanging around such places did garner more than a few looks though…
Haha, if only that was the case. Like a save location in a game.
Thanks a lot. Glad you enjoyed it. Early birthday wishes, and good to hear about the book. Hope you enjoy it.
scruffy says
All nice, and the sixth with bonus green pay phones! You have a good eye for this stuff, Lee. Always a pleasure.
Lee says
Thank you very much. That’s really kind. And those phones really were a lovely gift.
Ian Pattinson says
This post inspired me to design mini photo booths for model railways. The first batch have just cured, and I’ll be adding them to my shop soon.