Photographing Strangers in Tokyo
The fear of photographing people is a real challenge, but it's also the most rewarding type of street photography. From the captivating image created to the genuine connection forged in its capture, it's an experience worth embracing.
So why are we all so afraid? While people's reactions may seem unpredictable, the truth is that 99% of individuals respond positively to having their photo taken.
It's important to remember that sharing the photo with them is crucial to witness their genuine joy. However, if this isn't feasible, I prefer not to intrude on people's time.
Photographing people in Tokyo.
In the first photo, a cook is taking a break from his restaurant in Ueno, Ameyokocho market. He eagerly poses and talks but forgets to smoke his cigarette. The photo is a favourite because both the cook and the location have so much character. It took a little work to get the smoke in the correct position. Working the scene and getting a great photo was fantastic, but what was most important was the time we shared. We had a conversation in both English and Japanese, shooting and talking, shooting some more, and finally, sharing the image with him. He had a great smile when he saw the photo, and then he realized he hadn't even smoked his cigarette.
The following picture was taken near Shibuya station, in front of the famous Starbucks coffee shop that faces the Shibuya crossing. The woman in the picture was waiting for her friends and was aware of my presence. I took only a few frames to capture her without the crowd. After taking the photo, she gave me a glare, to which I responded with a smile. When I offered to show her the photo, she smiled back. All she needed was to know that I wasn't being intrusive. After a brief exchange, I returned to my original spot, and she continued on with her friends.
Photographing People in Shibuya.
The last frame taken at Akihabara station was a case of fear and almost overcoming it.
The man sitting on the back of the parked bicycle caught my attention. His posture was quite unusual, and his face had a unique character. Not to mention the fact that he was using a flip phone.
I felt a sense of fear that we all experience at times. Although I wanted to take a photo of him, I was too scared to approach him directly. Instead, I took a step back and waited for someone to walk by, hoping to include them in the frame. My attempt to be sneaky failed as I ended up pointing the camera at the man for longer than I should have. He noticed and gave me an unfriendly look, perhaps even a grunt or two. I felt sheepish and walked away without acknowledging him.
Coincidentally, we crossed paths again about ten minutes later. I was preparing to take another photo when he walked past me, still wearing a scowl. I decided to overcome my fear and insecurity by making eye contact and smiling at him. To my surprise, he smiled back and wished me good luck with my photography.
Photographing People in Akihabara.
In each situation, I felt a strong sense of fear. I aimed to capture the image I desired as quickly as possible. Most importantly, I greeted each subject with a warm smile of appreciation, not a fake friendly smile. Some interactions led to conversation, some to share the image taken, and all resulted in a good shot and a great experience.
