A Beautiful Night of Street Photography in Shibuya

The shot after a great shot. Kanda Station

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 I approach teaching street photography but also how I practice it.

Shibuya represents a vibrant destination for individuals of all backgrounds. The district provides a multitude of opportunities encompassing shopping, entertainment, gastronomy, and captivating sights and sounds for all visitors. This diverse environment renders Shibuya particularly well-suited for street photography, as individuals are thoroughly engaged in the enjoyment of life. Furthermore, this dynamic ambiance serves as the impetus for my frequent workshop sessions conducted in Shibuya.

I derive great satisfaction from encouraging my clients to venture beyond their comfort zones and consistently endeavour to cultivate an optimal environment for their success. My personal experiences using Shibuya regularly reinforce my confidence in its being an ideal location.

Recently, I had the pleasure of spending a delightful evening with six individuals from various parts of the globe. They expressed enthusiasm about visiting and photographing the renowned Shibuya crossing. We accomplished this and proceeded to the top of the 109 Magnet building to photograph the crossing from the rooftop perspective. The satisfaction among participants was palpable. Inquiring minds asked, "What shall we photograph next?"

Our next objective was to explore the premier street photography locations within Shibuya. At each site, my clients are afforded the freedom to capture their desired shots; however, I also offer guidance on achieving specific types of photographs, including framing techniques and optimal settings. With a modicum of patience, we collectively succeeded in capturing remarkable images. We then advanced to subsequent sites two, three, and four, each presenting unique photographic opportunities.

At the conclusion of the tour, all participants had not only secured exceptional photographs but also transcended their self-imposed limitations to seize these moments, resulting in a profound sense of accomplishment and pride. This experience was undeniably extraordinary.

Growth and presence on social media are prerequisites for many artists' ability to make a living. Many fine art masters, painters, composers, sculptors, and writers would have had wealthy benefactors or patrons hundreds of years ago. This gave way to private collectors, museums, and galleries. Now, we have the opportunity for support from the masses. People are happy to pay for education behind the scenes and revealing creative processes.

Maintaining creative integrity can be challenging when achieving this station, which is required for social media sales. We all love trends, and we should. Trends are experiences shared across global boundaries. They bring us all closer together. The danger lies in becoming a trend, not an artist.

Finding joy in growth can be difficult when expecting the gratification of others. The pleasure felt in growth is internal and often momentary. No sooner have we grown than we have the possibility of more growth. I believe this is an artist's existence: creation followed by growth, leading to more creation, which in turn provides more room to grow.

There is little room for the satisfaction of trends. Enjoy when it happens; use it to your advantage, but do not get stuck in its mire. Keep moving forward; just like shooting on the street, after a great shot, keep walking and keep shooting in pursuit of the next one.

The best shot of the night. Kanda Station.