One of the many benefits of street photography is that you can regularly walk the same streets and still come away with different photos, as people provide almost infinite variety to an otherwise comfortingly familiar backdrop.
Tokyo being Tokyo, however, means that even the latter is prone to regular change, with demolition and regeneration a constant, often jarring occurrence. Yet on some occasions, the buildings remaining after the inhabitants have departed, can provide an even starker reminder of how transient life is, let alone the urban landscape.
On a different, and much more positive note, I’m very pleased to announce that my friend Giovanni and I have produced a photo book together. Tokyo Conversations is a unique, flip cover, 2 in 1 book featuring 20 colour and 20 monochrome photos. A visual, Tokyo focused back and forth we had over the course of several months.
In an attempt to get it published, we have just created a Kickstarter crowdfunding page, so if you’re interested, there is much more info, photos and also a little teaser video here: Tokyo Conversations.
Denise says
This is very sad but the photo of them looking so happy is truly beautiful. I can feel the warmth. Thank you for sharing.
Lee says
Thanks, good to hear that comes through in the photo, and you are very welcome. I have fond memories of taking that first photograph.
Günter says
These are very good documents. You have perfectly captured the beauty and reality of life.
Congratulations on your new project. I need to make an account to get my copy.
Lee says
Thank you very much. Really happy to have captured them happy both in the moment, and together.
Cheers. If it appeals, any help would be very much appreciated. Mt first time to to try crowdfunding.
Linda says
The racks for the plants are still there. Somehow that makes it extra sad.
Very excited you are doing a book! Will get right on it.
Lee says
Yes, I thought that. They seem to further emphasise what has been lost.
Thanks a lot. Been a long time in the making, so glad to finally get it on Kickstarter.
cdilla says
A great contrast set.
Whilst the latter is devoid of character/warmth/life it does look clean and tidy ready for new occupants.
Hopefully to will get the chance to see it given life again.
It would be nice to think that the couple (if indeed they were) are elsewhere together and just as happy as they seemed during the first photograph.
Gratz on getting the book up. The concept is inspired. Fingers crossed we can collect ours in person.
Lee says
Cheers. Yes, that’s a nice way of looking at it. Some new residents and the cycle can begin all over again. A saw the fella again a little while after the first photo, but then they were gone. Like you said though, it nice to think they have just moved somewhere else. Maybe somewhere easier to live at their age.
Thanks a lot. We didn’t know if we’d be able to do the flip feature, but I was convinced it’d be worth trying, especially as we planned to do both colour and monochrome. Then when we got the designer on board, we quickly found out it was indeed possible. Possible to do it quite elegantly as well. Be lovely to see, provided we reach our goal. Talking of which, thank you very much for the pledge. Really kind of you. And yes, hopefully. Things are moving in that direction at last, just very slowly…
Sophie says
Thanks Lee for this photo, the contrast is poignant. The first picture is cheerful and lively, and the plants add to these feelings.
A book! I wish you a quick funding. If it is a little slow, you should put the next announcement at the beginning of a post. Some people don’t scroll much…
Linda says
yes, I almost missed it! don’t be shy!
Lee says
@Sophie You are very welcome. It was a lovely moment, and one that I’m very happy I got to capture.
Cheers. Never done crowdfunding before, so just have to see how it goes. That’s a very good point. I do plan to do a full post soon, so this was just a little mention to begin with.
@Linda I’ll do something proper to highlight it soon, although I must admit this whole self promotion thing doesn’t come easy. It always feels rather awkward. Something I need to get over, and quickly!
Sophie says
@Lee I’ve just checked the crowdfunding and it seems that it is going very well! I’m so happy to see that! Don’t hesitate to post about it, overshooting the mark is a very good thing in that case.
Lee says
Thanks a lot! Yes, had no idea how things would go, but it’s doing really well after only a short time, so fingers crossed we’ll get there. And like you said, beyond if possible. It’d be lovely to spend more and make the book even better.
So yeah, I’ll post something proper about it later in the week.