Rediscover Street Photography in Shibuya

Shibuya 109 Selfie. Me at the end of a great night, still stoic, but happy stoic.

I spent many years working in Shibuya during the early 2000s. I was still shooting film and was fortunate to walk through Shibuya on my way to work. All the shops were closed, the energy coming from those racing to work. I strolled along, camera in one hand and often a coffee in the other. Happily taking pictures of whatever came my way. I had no less than six different routes to work. The return walk was the same: a happy young street photographer snapping pictures in what now is a vibrant and lively 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.

This week, I attended a gallery show in Shibuya. The show featured many up-and-coming artists and some well-known street photographers. After visiting Shibuya several times for tours, I decided to shoot just for myself, not with concepts, books, or social media in mind. I arrived several hours early, in the late afternoon. I had the Leica Q2 Mononchrom and comfortable shoes. I was ready to go.

The first hour was a struggle. I was forcing every shot. I realized that I had lost something: joy. The choice to give up and enjoy one of Shibuya’s excellent cafes before the show or to keep going was at hand. I choose through action, no internal dialogue. I kept walking, and the shots began to come. Spot after spot, there was no need to camp out. The fame just filled itself up.

I decided just to ride the wave and keep shooting. The gallery wasn’t going anywhere. Several hours later, I had finished. The show was amazing; I loved it. There were so many great shots and so many incredible people. There was one particularly striking image by a young hobby photographer. It made me realize that if I hadn't gone out to shoot before the show and pushed myself, I would not have been able to appreciate this image and the artist who captured it. As the drinks began to flow, I slipped out into the Shibuya night for a nightcap.

It can be easy to work so much you lose sight of the most needed work. As an artist, taking care of yourself creatively is most important. I lost sight of that but rediscovered it in Shibuya.

You cant take the street photographer out if the boy, Shibuya 109.