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Tokyo Is The Premier Street Photography City
Tokyo, the bustling capital of Japan, beautifully embodies the contrast between tradition and modernity. With its neon-lit skyscrapers, serene temples, and dynamic street fashion, it stands out as a premier destination for street photography. Whether you’re an amateur enthusiast or an experienced professional, Tokyo has something to offer every photographer looking to capture the essence of urban life.
Street Photography Etiquette?
What is street photography etiquette? Is it practiced? When can it go over the line? Who decides that line? I aim to answer all these questions, not based on popular opinion, but on 20 years of street photography in Tokyo. Does that make me right? More correct than you? No. Etiquette is up to the individual.
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.
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.
Akabane: Tokyo’s Street Photography Secret
Most do not know of Akabane at all. Tokyo’s northernmost transportation hub sees the city's east and westbound trains at the same station. I first came to know Akabane as just that; with time and a little exploration, I soon learned of its secret. It is a premium street photography location in Tokyo; no one has figured this out.
Top Reasons to Prioritize Akabane for Street Photography in Tokyo
Akabane serves as the northernmost transportation hub of Tokyo and has remained relatively unaffected by the tourism boom that has transformed other parts of Japan over the past decade. Like many urban locales, taller, more modern buildings are gradually replacing older structures; however, this transformation occurs at a slower pace in Akabane compared to the rest of Tokyo, imparting a sense of timeless preservation to the local atmosphere.
Street Photography in Ikebukuro: A Love Affair (My First Time)
Plan to spend the day in Ikebukuro. I would go early on a sunny day to enjoy the changing light throughout the day. Commuters early in the day will photograph different later in the afternoon, as will tourists, shoppers and locals. It is a big place, not unlike Shinjuku or Shibuya. Plan to do a little walking and be open to the fantastic street photography experience in Ikebukuro.