On Monday, I sadly had to write an update concerning my wife’s now terminal cancer. It was an incredibly difficult post to put together, but I’m so very glad I did, as the warmth and support in the comments that followed were absolutely lovely. Responses that we both appreciate enormously.
Along with detailing my wife’s situation, I also mentioned that the time now devoted to care, and also simply being together, would inevitably mean a reduction of photographic updates from the usual three posts a week to just the one. Since then, however, I’ve realised that when the various health workers are here doing their thing, and when rest is required, I suddenly have a lot of time on my hands. Time that obviously has to be spent at home, indoors, which is something I’m really not that used to. As such, I’ve found myself going through older photos, doing some re-edits, and also thinking about different ways of presenting them. Hence the set below, and another schedule change, meaning for the time being at least, I’ll almost certainly be updating Fridays and Tuesdays. The latter with new photos, and the former with mostly older, or reworked images. The results of which will hopefully be as interesting for you as they are a welcome distraction for me.
These shots then are all from 2012. Photographically it was a pivotal year I think. After investing in a Leica in late 2011, I fully embraced the switch to a more compact camera system, and along with exploring certain themes, there was a concerted effort to get a bit closer, as well as embracing eye-contact instead of shying away from it. Approaches I’ve continued and hopefully expanded on ever since.
Xavier Caillard says
We have never met, but your photos have always been the true of reflection of Tokyo.
Wishing you and your family wife the best.
Lee says
Thank you very much.
And thanks a lot for the kind words. That’s very nice to hear. Very nice indeed.
Julien says
If I may, what camera did you use at the time ?
Also, I’m always wondering if you ask your subject first, if you take the pictures and show them later, maybe both… I’d be interested into knowing your usual process for taking pictures of persons. They usually look so natural.
Lee says
No worries at all. These were shot on a Leica M8. I really wanted an M9, but I didn’t have that kind of money spare, plus even if I did, it was a lot to spend on a system that was by no means a perfect match. The M8 definitely had its limitations. Some quirks too. But it was a great way for me to try out a rangefinder. So glad I did as it’s now hard to imagine using anything else. At least for the bulk of my photography anyway.
Thanks. Good to hear that’s how the results look. I rarely ask to be honest. Only really do so when I have no choice. In this set I did ask the Shinto priest. He was sat there, unable to leave his post, so to take his picture without asking felt wrong. Thankfully he was fine about it. As for the others, the tattooed fella was aware of me but didn’t bother, and the man carving up the tuna became very aware of me and hinted he’d start on me next if I didn’t go away!
Generally though it’s a case of being quick, not disguising what I’m dong if seen, and smiling or sometimes saying a few words afterwards if I am. The latter, up to now at least, has always just about diffused any potential awkwardness or worse. Oh, and very rarely do I show people the results. Unless they ask of course, but that’s doesn’t happen very often at all.
Julien says
Thanks for the explanation, and the added bit of trivia ^^ I’m sure this makes many of your photographs worth a tale.
ellen says
Oh they sure are interesting! 😉 The look on the face of the first guy is something special but the guy in the red hat is my favorite. He looks like he needs a hug!
Lee says
Glad to hear it! That’s quite an expression eh? I’m with you on the cowboy. One of my all time favourites I think. I only ever saw him that once which makes it even more special.
Ken C says
Photographing the guy with the tattoos took a lot of nerve!
Lee says
To be honest he was ok about it. He was aware of me but didn’t say anything at all. Very much there to be seen, so he probably preferred the attention rather than being resentful of it.
john says
Up close with eye contact – Kanzeon, the embodiment of compassion, dragon included. That’s a lot of ink!
Lee says
And fair play to him, he was suitably understanding in regards what I was up to. It is a lot of ink. Very likely done the traditional way too.
Richard says
How great that you have found a way to share your photos more frequently….for you and for us! Having just discovered your website a few months ago any photos from the past will be new to me. Thanks for doing this.
And continued best wishes, of course, for your wife and you.
Lee says
My pleasure. It’s the best possible distraction.
And thank you very much. Just taking each day as it comes.
Mario Menti says
I’m so sorry to hear this news, my thoughts are with you and your wife even though we never met. I’ve been following your photos for a while due to my love for Tokyo, and these shots are so good!
Lee says
Thank you very much. That’s really kind of you. And thanks. Glad you like them. It was interesting to go back and see what I’d taken almost 10 years go. A lot has changed, and yet in many ways not much has.