Jeff Austin 3/27/25 Jeff Austin 3/27/25

The Fallacy of Focal Length in Street Photography

The conversation frequently revolves around which lens is best suited for street photography. While focal length undeniably influences composition and perspective, overemphasizing it can lead us astray, creating a fallacy that can hinder our creative expression.

Jeff Austin 2/20/25 Jeff Austin 2/20/25

In Tokyo, Colour Is Best For Street Photography.

I love to shoot in black and white. I love it so much that I purchased a camera that only shoots in black and white. That camera is the Q2 Monochrom by Leica. That is how much I love black-and-white street photography. This blog is almost entirely in black and white. Why suggest Tokyo looks best in colour? I think that it does.

Jeff Austin 2/14/25 Jeff Austin 2/14/25

Shibuya Crossing: Why Street Photographers Hate It, Why I Love It.

I want a moment. That is what I shoot in street photography. It is what I shoot in all other genres of photography as well. I don’t consider what is popular, what has been done before, just the moment. It must be a fraction of time expressed in a nearly tangible format. I need to be able to taste, smell, almost touch, and feel it. I fail at this all the time.

Jeff Austin 2/12/25 Jeff Austin 2/12/25

Rediscover Street Photography in Shibuya

Twenty years and three kids later, losing the confident innocence I once shot in the streets of Shibuya with became too easy. So much that I didn’t even realize it was gone. I love to shoot in all genres, but I am especially fond of street photography. I practice it daily, even when I don’t have a camera. Complacency can creep into any man’s life if you let it. This idea is the concept behind my namesake, Tokyo Forgeries—a daily reminder to strive for originality.

Jeff Austin 1/23/25 Jeff Austin 1/23/25

A Beautiful Night of Street Photography in Shibuya

What constitutes a beautiful night of street photography is italicized below. Though it is written in the formal language required for another publication, the highlighted text provides insight into not only how to approach teaching street photography but also how I practice it.

Jeff Austin 1/22/25 Jeff Austin 1/22/25

The Joy of Sharing Street Photography.

Most of my day as a street photographer is spent scouting new locations rather than shooting them. I do this not by choice but through instinct. I spend just enough time exploring an area’s potential, capturing something I am happy with, and moving on. I have many favourite spots in Tokyo. I revisit them often but never consider any particular place to be mine. If anything, they belong to the city, and I have only carefully observed their potential.

Jeff Austin 10/24/24 Jeff Austin 10/24/24

Is Every Image We Take a Self-Portrait?

Do you take self-portraits? I think we all do. I know we all do. From a certain point of view, we all do. At least, I think we do, don’t we?

Jeff Austin 12/3/21 Jeff Austin 12/3/21

One Month Off, Any Keepers?

I went into the day with low expectations and a plan. It was sunny and I planned to photograph commuters shadows near Kawaguchi station. The large pedestrian causeway and high foot traffic in the area provided ample opportunities for success.