Last week, with the help of a friend who has both the means and the experience, I produced some gallery quality archival prints from a handful of selected photos. The aim, when shipping from Japan finally returns to normal, being to try and sell a few.
Having someone there to not only help, but also guide me through the selection of paper and so on was invaluable, and in the end, the monochrome matte prints in particular stood out. Results that needless to say I couldn’t be happier with, prompting me to immediately start thinking about other photos that might work just as well. And as the bar scene below possibly fits the bill, as well as being an image I have a real soft spot for, I thought I’d post it.
Shot eight years ago in a place that was demolished a month later due to the building’s age and general disrepair, it now has the added element of nostalgia. Not only for the remembrance of a setting that’s long gone, but also in regards the much more recent period before the pandemic. A time so simple that the only precaution one needed for a night of beers and yakitori was to know when the last train home was.
Coli says
I remember that picture! 🙂 that is great that you are getting your wonderful work printed out. That is one thing that I would like to try to do as well. But I suppose I should first try and put my pictures on a website first 😉
I hope the new process is a success:)
Lee says
The fact you remember it means I did something right!
Thanks a lot. That’s very kind of you. Hopefully it’ll work out.
You really should. It’s a good way to show your stuff, and something to look back on and see changes, similarities etc. Plus publicly showing your work pushes you a bit harder I think. So go for it. Let me know when you do as well.
mike says
I’d buy that.
I remember one several years ago of an older woman sweeping the street in front of her house. It was , as I remember, an older traditional style neighborhood. I would buy a good print of that.
Lee says
Cheers, that’s very good to hear.
Can’t recall that off the top of my head just now, but I’ll have a think. Sure it’ll come back to me. Will let you know when it does,
Stephan says
This is such a cool photo. I’d be happy with a print of that in my man cave! 🙂
Lee says
Thanks. It was definitely a memorable moment. That’s very good to hear too. Photography is incredibly subjective, so to know other people also like an image is very encouraging.
cdilla says
Excellent to hear that you are making a move into offering prints. If there is any just reward for talent you will do well from it. I look forward to seeing the selection in full.
This photograph really does have that nostalgia feeling, but more than that it centres on the lady who is breaking the fourth wall and asking something of you (and the viewer). I’ve been reading a fair few Japanese novels this past year or so and it could be a scene from many of them.
It reminds me a little of another photograph you know is a favourite of ours … https://www.tokyotimes.org/dolls-are-for-big-boys-as-well-as-little-girls/
Lee says
Thank you. Choosing is difficult, but at the same time it’s an interesting process.
Yeah, there’s a lot going on with the different people and groups, but similarly it’s the woman looking straight at the camera that makes the photo for me. It’s something that often works well, but especially so in this case. She’s integral to the photo, and yet somehow detached from everything else.
Ah yes. I’d forgotten all about that one. That was an interesting moment to say the least.
john says
I think she’s heard the one about the escaped alligator drill at the zoo, but it’s good that there is someone there to catch him.
This looks like it was during your earlier ‘jaunty angle’ phase? Good luck with the plan, and good to hear to have experience to call on.
Lee says
Haha, it certainly seemed like a story she’d heard too many times to suffer again.
A jaunty angle phase. I like that. I think though it could simply have been a not yet perfected ‘shooting when somewhat inebriated’ phase.
Thanks. Hopefully it’ll work out, and yes, having help from some one with bags of experience in that area really is invaluable.