The Tokyo Forgeries Blog
Scroll Search or Click
Shibuya Crossing: Why Street Photographers Hate It, Why I Love It.
I want a moment. That is what I shoot in street photography. It is what I shoot in all other genres of photography as well. I don’t consider what is popular, what has been done before, just the moment. It must be a fraction of time expressed in a nearly tangible format. I need to be able to taste, smell, almost touch, and feel it. I fail at this all the time.
Rediscover Street Photography in 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.
Tokyo Changes, Shoot It Before You Lose It.
Tokyo Changes
Cities are living things in a constant state of change. Tokyo is one of the biggest and most vibrant cities in the world. Its changes come fast and without warning. That new favourite shooting spot you found can vanish into thin air before returning for a second shoot.
28mm Is The Best Focal Length For Street Photography!
Is 28mm the best street photography focal length? Many say it is. I one hundred percent agree! Except when I don’t. This exception is not a complicated one. I will explain further along. However, 28 mm is a complicated. It is not a wide angle nor a standard focal length such as 35 and 50mm. This one reason is precisely why I think street photographers love it. Wide angle enough to be wide but not so wide to distort reality. Also, it is not standard, unlike the historically favoured 35 mm and 50 mm focal lengths.
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.
Shooting For Eye Contact In Shibuya
Eye contact is paramount. It resonates with everyone; it doesn’t matter if you enjoy street photography or any other type of photography—we all grasp the impact of eye contact. Why is it so hard to capture it? For me, it is fear.
Fear of the unknown, to be more specific. How will they react to having their picture taken? When I show them, how will they respond to my rendering? All these thoughts, along with the calculations, mathematical and creative to take photographs, plow through my mind instantly—the click of the shutter button is merely the result of all that grey matter processing. If the math is correct, the sum will be a good image.
Working the Scene in Tokyo’s Shibuya
One of the first lessons learned as a new street photographer is to work the scene. That is, to move around the scene you are shooting for the best image to capture. I learned this lesson very early as I only had access to a single lens, a 50mm. I would love to claim artistic instinct, but in truth, I had no other choice.
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.
Street Photography in Shibuya: A Love Affair.
Shibuya is among the most bustling places in the world. With its dazzling lights, vibrant energy, diverse commerce, exciting entertainment, and throngs of people—what's not to appreciate? While some suggest steering clear of Shibuya or Shinjuku because of the tourist crowds, it’s important to remember that people are simply people, and a great photo remains a great photo regardless of the setting.
Street Photography Silhouettes in Tokyo
I recognize that some perceive silhouettes as clichés associated with beginners or lazy street photographers. However, I've included silhouettes in my list of favourite street photography images. That said, I regard street photography silhouettes similarly to any technique: they're valuable to know, and mastering them can be even more beneficial because you never know when the ideal opportunity will arise on the streets.