Situated near a busy train station, this distinctive looking old alleyway was presumably once full of inebriated salarymen partaking in post-work drinks. Just one half of a block that way back when boasted numerous bars and eateries. These days, however, it’s falling apart and mostly shuttered up, with merriment now only existing in gradually fading memories.
Ron Ouwerkerk says
That is an amazing photo. The old woman makes the picture entirely, but I can’t believe you took this picture without staging. You must have been there for hours.
Lee says
Thank you!
She really does, doesn’t she? Not staged at all, but as we were walking up the alleyway, she popped out of her bar with some food to feed a cat in the even smaller alley on the right. Knowing she’d come back, I just waited. She actually returned much quicker than I thought, taking me slightly off guard, but thankfully I just about managed to get this one shot off. So very much the right place at the right time.
YTSL says
Sad. Guess there are fewer salarymen (and -women) these days — and fewer of them go out drinking together with their boss(es) after work?
Lee says
Yeah, it was a weird one. Fewer people is likely one factor, but that side of the station just seemed utterly forlorn. The other side not so much. Clearly that wasn’t always the case, but no idea what brought about such a sharp decline.
DavidT says
Such an awesome photograph! I can’t decide if the lady is angry or surprised! 😉
Lee says
Thank you. A bit of both to be honest, although probably a bit more of the former than the latter!
cdilla says
You can almost see the ghost echoes of past people filling the alley. A very evocative photograph.
Lee says
Thanks. Good to hear. And yeah, in places like that, the past often feels more real than the present.