About three and a half years ago, I took this photo of the terribly sad looking cowboy below. An image that at the time seemed much better suited to black and white.
Returning to it last week, however, when choosing photographs for my new portfolio site (leechapman.photos), I wasn’t nearly so certain that monochrome was the right choice. And, after re-editing it and seeing the poor fella’s forlorn face as I originally shot it, I became completely convinced that colour was actually the way to go. Still am in fact. But there again, what seems definitive now may clearly not be the case several more years down the line.
Tyler says
Wow, it feels like each photo, color and the monochrome, tell a different story. Quite interesting Lee.
Lee says
It is, isn’t it? Amazing what a difference colour makes. Or indeed vice versa.
YTSL says
It’s interesting to see in the color photo that the man’s choice of clothing is mainly black, with a little bit of white, bar for the bright red cowboy hat which *really* sticks out now. Where did he get it from, I wonder?
Lee says
That is a mystery we’ll probably never solve, but it really does stick out, doesn’t it? A hat to be noticed and no mistake.
Al says
Can I ask you what part of Tokyo you took this photo? For my curiosity mainly. I have some guesses, but I think I’m wrong.
Lee says
Of course. It was in Ueno. Across from the main exit of the station and looking in the direction of Ameyokocho. Is that where you were thinking of?
Al says
Thanks! No, I was totally off.
John says
He reminds me of the cowboy in Toy Story. Perhaps he is waiting for someone to play with him.
Matt Talbot says
Knock knock!
Who’s there?
Woody.
Woody who?
Woody rather be doing something other that holding that sign?
Lee says
Hadn’t even thought of Toy Story, but yes, there is certainly a resemblance.
And there’s no way I can beat the knock-knock joke!
AF says
I know what you mean… Black and White doesn’t produces the same interpretation of colour images for the colour photo inserts a new class of meaning because colours have individual interpretations according to each person culture. For instance, yellow brings energy and happiness, green is a calm colour, etc…
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They say in Japan that manga art chose black and white so that people can use their imagination and give personal meanings towards about what possible details would be hiden in the real life event.
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The next step on the scale comes with “moving coloured images” and then we would have 3 analisys existing at the same time (contrast/monochrome, colours and live/real time actions).
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Also as technology progresses images tend to become even more sophisticated walking towards things previously unimaginable like telepathy. And then an image would be so detailed that it could begin to convey smell, taste, and the person would start to feel the weight of the elements and even discover the hidden history behind all of them.
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I think that future technology could look like an overload/overflow of information to the brain (Have you already watched the movie Lucy from Luc Besson?). Image info would sometimes be painful like the impact of a shock wave, or sometimes be gentle, depending on the public and subjects.
Lee says
Haven’t seen the film, but it’s certainly interesting to think about where technology will take us in all walks of life, and of course photography. Personally I think regular images, albeit taken with far better equipped cameras, will still have huge importance, but changes such as the one introduced by Lytro will mo doubt alter how a good number of of people actually take photos.
AF says
Yeah, I agree, the human element will remain essential. I hope artists will never forget the possibilities of both worlds past and future.
d. minnis says
Oh this is ALL about the red cowboy hat to me.
Lee says
Completely agree. No idea why I thought otherwise when I first took it…
Squidpuppy says
Do you remember what the sign he’s holding was hawking?
I figured, back when you first posted it, that the hat was an attraction device, and not a fashion statement. He’s otherwise so well kitted out with crisply pressed, pristine duds fastidiously arrayed. Those gloves are blindingly clean. The color really makes the whole story pop another way. A great example of mood composition, comparing the two.
Lee says
No, afraid not.
That’s a very good point. Despite the mundane nature of his job, he is immaculately turned out. Like you say, right down to his perfectly white gloves. Thinking about that certainly adds another dimension to the photo.
cdilla says
It sure is a characterful photograph. Smoldering resignation is how I’d describe his face.
It is interesting to see how you vary the presentation too.
In the colour one I would have no idea what he’s doing, but the black and white version shows enough of the top of the sign to make it clear.
Following the little threads of information in your shots is fun for me and I learn more about Japan each time. The top of the sign says 5F. On the corner building, the one with the Okano sign, the 5th floor is an Izakaya food place called Yuzu and also something called a Cookery and Art Space. The arrow on his sign does point to the entrance to the building. So maybe he was advertizing that. There doesn’t seem to be anything else with 5 floors down that street. I was kind of hoping it would be an Argentinian style food place as that would explain the outfit.
Anyway, I’ve explored a little more of Ueno and have earmarked another area to visit should I get the opportunity – I only made it to the park on my first visit to Japan.
Lee says
That’s a very good description of his expression. I’ve never seen him there since, so considering how he looked, I’m presuming that’s a good thing.
It could well be that place. I have no recollection of what it was, so that’s as good a guess as any.
The little streets near the tracks and particularly Ameyokocho are well worth exploring. It’s one of my favourite places to shoot when the sun is shining. A gritty area with lots of interesting people and really good light. Unfortunately gentrification seems to have started, so it’s old school charm may not last forever. But for now at least it’s a fascinating place.
MrSatyre says
After faking his death, Spike Spiegel retired to a little known suburb of Tokyo, pretending to be an urban cowboy, manfully internalizing his endless delight at the double entendre.
Lee says
Haha, not sure that’d make an especially interesting new series!
John says
I went and looked at the leechapman.photos site. So many great photos that I remember seeing here. A couple that I thought I’d see there but weren’t. The Bonsai master. The Bass player in the park. Japanese-women-contrast. And a couple more with smiles. (I love the one of the 3 guys in the hot tub! That one makes ME smile every time.)
/a-bonsai-master/
/a-double-bass-player-in-a-tokyo-park/
/japanese-women-contrast/
/japanese-girls-and-a-window-into-a-different-world/
/the-loveliest-of-lovely-old-ladies/
/cheap-and-cheerful-tokyo-beers/
/shogi-tokyo-street-style/
And while I’m having fun – I just like this contrast:
/a-kimono-clad-commute/
/shichi-go-san-celebrations/
Lee says
Thank you. And thanks also for the reminders. It was tough deciding what to include, and a few definitely slipped through the net. Namely the Japanese girls in the window and the cheap and cheerful boozers. Those will definitely be added soon. Very glad you mentioned them.
Also, the bass player and the bonsai master are ready and patiently waiting to be placed. Just not sure where to put them yet. A new category is needed I think.