Motion in Shibuya

The Tokyo constant is motion.  I have yet to practice street photography in New York, but I assume she is no different.   I take advantage of motion every chance I get.   Not for trend but for sincerity.  It’s how I feel in the city; I am just like this girl, an observer, not a participant.  

People in motion at the Shibuya 109 building

I am at home seeing images like this and love making them. However, it does seem to go against the grain of the traditional street photography trope of small aperture, fast shutter speed, and depth of field with action frozen. I am not one to disregard history, but we shouldn’t be afraid to reinvent it—at least try to.

The lady was in a world all her own, lost in thought and time, beating to the hum of Shibuya. Taking an image of her without the context of her surroundings seemed more like taking an image than creating one.   

The technique required for this image is quite simple. I dropped my shutter speed between 1/15 and 1/30th of a second with the corresponding aperture, which I believe to be around f8 or f11. Finally, I focused on the women at the base of the Shibuya 109 building. Hold focus and wait for the frame to fill up. This situation only allows for a few shooting moments; use every moment not to fire 100 shots rapidly but to consider what you want in your frame. See it first, then shoot it. My simple mind saw her framed with people in motion. This frame is the one I liked the most. Perhaps 6-10 shots were made, with the whole experience only lasting several seconds.  

This is by no means a masterpiece, but it is definitely a step in the right direction For me, that is what street photography is all about: one step forward will ultimately yield the most significant results.