From several parts of the city, Tokyo Skytree is an ever-present sight. A sight that despite being far from pretty, does offer a few photographic opportunities. There’s the chance to play about with some of the shapes it helps produce.
Plus in the capital’s eastern suburbs, there are the fascinating structural contrasts the tower creates.
And it’s in those same suburbs that the video part of the post was shot. Titled, In the shadow of Tokyo’s Skytree, it’s a short section I participated in for a CNN show called Tokyo POV. A programme that aired during August.
Below is a screen grab from the slightly shorter version that’s now available online. So if you want to watch the similarly un-pretty sights of both me and Skytree, simply click here, and it’ll take you straight to the video.
LAObserver says
As nations compete to have the world’s ‘tallest’ structure on their territory, it produces some very interesting designs. The inevitable trade between beauty, aesthetics, function, strength, cost, etc. is a fascinating study. Thanks for posting these.
Lee says
Not at all. The contrasts the tower throws up never fail to fascinate me. And when up close, the sheer size of the thing never fails to amaze. It really is a colossus.
Al says
Cool photos. Love the first one! Cool to actually see you in action too. Congrats on the exposure! 😉
drfoop says
I’ll second that.
Seeing you on film felt weirdly voyeuristic. I’ve just realised that in the same way your mind builds an images of characters in a book you’re reading, it builds an image of a photographer when you’ve seen a lot of his pictures. It’s really quite odd.
Lee says
Thank you both very much.
I can imagine. Had similar experiences. Just hope I didn’t come across as odd as the experience!
Coli says
Very cool to see this. I am glad to know that your incredible work is being picked up and admired like this. Keep up the great work and it was a pleasure to “meet” you 🙂
Lee says
Thanks ever so much. Very kind of you. Glad you liked it too. Not something I felt particularly comfortable doing, so good to hear the “meeting” wasn’t too awkward!
cdilla says
That second photograph is wonderful in it’s detail. From the rooftile ends to the tangle of cables each with their own drip loop. From those inventive drying oples over the windows to the scaps of greenery on the miniscule balcony. And beyond it all, the Sky Tree, faded subtly with the mist of distance giving away how vast it really is.
And a bonus video too. Besides the interest of seeing the man behind the lens through the lens of another, we get to see some of the areas we already know through your work. The rough land being tended by the old lady was nice to see again.
Lee says
Thanks. It’s quite a contrast, isn’t it? There are lots of similar views there to enjoy. The rough land spot is by far my favourite though.
Hadn’t though about it that way, but yeah, it shows an area where I sometimes shoot in a very different way. In that sense it’d be nice to do something similar with other places I regularly visit.
cdilla says
When I travel my first port of call when looking back are my memories. They contain by far the most experience detail, though they are subject to the vaguaries associated with wetware storage. Then comes my journal, which I keep as far as my tired self can at the end of each day – these contain thoughts and ruminations as well as an itinerary. Next up are photographs, in as high a resolution as possible. They provide accurate detail to augment the memories, but more importantly also trigger memories that have been “lost”.
For future trips I’m going to try and add video to the mix, which I hope will provide a broad, but rough, backdrop of areas through which further links to lost memories might be reactivated that stills and journals missed. To that effect I got myself a GoPro Session which I hope will do the job. Of course I still suffer from excess empathy with irritated unsolicited participants, of which there are likely to be many in Tokyo. We’ll see how it goes.
Lee says
I have a lousy memory, but what I have found it is that photos trigger memories of places and people that otherwise would have likely faded. Another reason, if indeed I needed one, to continually get out at take more.
The concern for me about video, however, is editing. Something that stops me each and every time. The CNN thing was great in that respect as obviously I wasn’t involved in it at all.
d.minnis says
Well the tables are finally turned on you Lee…..I’ve always tried to imagine you taking all these photos and now I can. That really adds to my enjoyment of the blog.
Lee says
They certainly were. Got to admit, I was very apprehensive beforehand. Hypocritically I thoroughly dislike being in front of the camera. That said, I’m happy the way it came out. Equally happy to hear it adds something to your visits here too.
john says
You’ve really nailed the exposure here :O)
Lee says
Haha! Yes, for once I actually did!
Ed says
On CNN, congrats! Now, you officially belong to the world, not only to us, your followers 🙂
Lee says
Thank you!
Haha, but I guess it all hinges on whether the world wants me or not!