Six and a half years ago I took this photo of an old lady peering out from under the half opened shutters of her long-closed Tokyo shop. It’s now a firm favourite of mine, and it was one of those wonderful moments when I happened to be in just the right place, at just the right time.
Then, just the other day, a similar scene presented itself. A cart was involved on this occasion, and no eye contact, but there are lovely colours, a sign and a certain level of symmetry.
For something a bit different, I recently did a video with Eyexplore who I work with. It’s 26 minutes long featuring a relaxing walk around one of my favourite neighbourhoods, with conversations covering photographic approaches, and to some extent, technique. Plus towards the end, there’s the background story to the shot I linked to above, so if you are interested, the video is here.
ellen says
The shutters doors are so low……………
Lee says
Yes, they really are. She’s small anyway, but being bent over as well she looked absolutely tiny. That said, I’m happy to say it didn’t stop her heading out and up the street at a surprisingly brisk pace.
Darryl says
Great shot. Thanks for sharing, Lee. Seeing fleeting moments like this, captured beautifully, is what makes me love photography so much.
Lee says
Thanks a lot, and you are very welcome. Capturing moments like this is what I enjoy most about photography. It invariably doesn’t work out of course, but when it does, it’s a genuinely lovely feeling. And if other people get something out of the results as well, then that’s even better.
john says
I imagine she then presses a little fob. First the sliding door trundles, then the roller shutter rumbles. F.A.B.!!
I finally found the video after looking at the first link first.
You seem to take your life in your hands with those cyclists; not the sedateness of swans as your stills might suggest, more like swallows.
“Nice la-ces” (as Peelander-Z might say – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvfdvkjKipU )
Looking down, no one notices the camera!
Lee says
It wasn’t quite such a sleek exit, but she certainly had a well practiced system in place.
That’s a good call. Just so used to the cyclists I suppose. Don’t really think about them. But yeah, they are much more swallow rather than swan-like.
Haha, well spotted. A foreign face and fancy footwear adornments are good forms of distraction!
Sean says
I really enjoyed the video. Getting to see and hear you makes me like coming here even more!
There is an app I wanted to mention. Though it’s not in Japan yet, my guess is it will eventually expand there (and to android phones) https://hearhere.com/ . Basically as you travel around you can listen to stories about a place. Would be fun to have that alongside one of your photo walks/tours.
Lee says
Thank you. That’s very good to hear. Nice to know the video didn’t scare you away as well!
That’s an interesting idea. Perhaps wouldn’t work everywhere, but in would in areas like this. If that could be combined with images it’d be absolutely fascinating to actually see how things once were as well. Obviously that would work well in any city, but in old areas like this in Tokyo the changes would be massive. Pre-war, the rebuilding after the devastating fire bombing campaigns, then the slower, but still dramatic changes since then.
Coli says
I really enjoyed the video Lee:) it’s nice to see your approach and listen to your thoughts.
Has anyone ever said you have a slight resemblance to Daniel Craig 😊 Or maybe it’s just me? 😊
YouTube is filled with so many of the same POV street photography videos recently that just show someone basically shooting like they’re doing the so called prey and spray technique. So this was a great and I’d love to see more of your content!:) keep it up 👍
Lee says
Thanks a lot Coli. Really good to hear. To be honest, being in front of the camera is most definitely not my natural habitat, but the response has been very positive, so definitely a confidence booster. It was also made easier with the format, as I know Lukasz, so it was easy to walk round and chat. Felt very natural.
As for a slight resemblance to Daniel Craig — no never had that. But I’m very happy to take it. Very happy indeed! My wife, on the other hand is having none of it, but what does she know!?
That aside, it is genuinely rewarding to know it was worthwhile. Obviously I think about what I’m doing, and about the shots I take, but more than anything it’s just what I do, and certainly not something I usually talk about. So in that way it was also interesting to me — to be put in a situation where I have try and express what I do, and to some degree why I do it.
We will definitely do a part 2 at some point, but other than that we will just have to wait and see.
Richard says
Great symmetry in the photo!
Lee says
Cheers. It was all set up very nicely. Just wish I could have stepped back a little more, but the narrow nature of the street didn’t allow it!