CRIT: tokyo

since buying a rangefinder at the beginning of this year, i haven't had much time to take

any pictures. i've had a lot more time since october and reading the leica forum now and

then has inspired me to start taking street pix. i got a lot of respect for street

photographers. compared to my usual work where i have loads of time to set up for

something, it's much more challenging. especially, (i'm finding) with a rangefinder cos i'm

not used to them. i'd like to hear your comments - good, bad, constructive, abusive or

otherwise.

 

all but about 3 of the pix on the site were taken last month over about 2 weeks on the m7

with a 35mm. all full frame except where cropped square. it's a bit of a mixed bag cos

i'm just snapping at the moment.

 

cheers.

 

<a href="http://homepage.mac.com/mecan/index.htm" >tokyo - november 2004</a>

I like the one of the kid checking his bike in the station. There's a

potentially excellent shot that you must have taken in front of

Takashimaya towards Micro$oft Japan: can't you do a bit of

photoshoplifting or similar to get a little detail in the faces?

Hi steve,

 

Very nice set of images, and diverse. thanks for sharing.

 

C.

nice shots, I like many of them and the quality is very high, like the contrasts and the compositions

 

what rangefinder cam and lenses are you using? b&w film?

thanks peter. yeah, that's in front of takashimaya... prints are better and when i got some

time, i'm going to do some selects and work on them. curious as to why you think it could

be a keeper tho'....

Alessandro, it's a M7. i'm expriementing with all types, speed and makes of film. night

time with neopan 1600 which i am not too keen on although shooting some more tonight

to see what happens... mostly tri-x tho'.

Nice shots steve. What type of 35mm lens you using?

Most enjoyable.

Nice shots !<br>

They just awaken my nostalgia of Tokyo ;-)<br>

Lenny<br>

<a href="http://www.afimage.com">AFimage - Photographe</a>

That very last one most certainly -- hmm ... how shall I put it? -- rounds out the diversity that Craig correctly commended.

 

My goodness!

 

Good stack of photos, Steve. I enjoyed them.

Steve,

 

I find what you are doing interesting. A number of the shots are

striking because they are so weird. "Scrotum" and "Ass" must have

interesting stories behind them.

 

Here's what is most interesting to me. The overall darkness. It is

a lugubrious darkness. An overwhelming darkness. A chilling

darkness. I live down in Kansai and get up to Tokyo only a few times

a year. The Tokyo I've known (in passing) for 25 years seems the

opposite--bright, light, flashy. So I'm enjoying seeing Tokyo

through your eyes.

 

Much of what you are seeing on the streets is familiar to me. The

weird people, the inexplicable dirt in a place so consciously trying

to look clear and proper, and those frequent violations of laws and

regulations (the bikes locked to the wrought iron fence).

 

Also the homeless shots point to an increasingly familiar sight in

Japan. The public drunkeness--that is a perpetual sight in the late

hours. ("Salaryman" is a telling shot--you need the title to really

understand the photograph).

 

I like the weeping (?) woman on the cell phone very much.

Speaking of darkness, here is a shot from Kobe...<div></div>

Very nice! They give a good sense and feel of the moment. I really enjoyed your shots.

Steve, I'm impressed. Really really impressed. Your photos do just what

street photos are supposed to do -- capture the reality of moments. If you

don't mind I'd like to hear a bit about how do go about doing your street

photography. What are your routines?

 

I'm also envious. Really really envious. It would take years down here in

Kagawa to collect that many odd moments! On a typically Sunday morning

here in Zentsuji, I can ride up and down through the entire town and see

maybe 20 people total. And half of them will be riding their bikes to the train

station to get out of town.

 

Please let us in on your approach to "street walking."

Also which 35?

And what film for the color shots? Personally, I'd like to see a lot more of your

color street shots.

Also just for my own sanity, roughly how many rolls of film does this portfolio

represent? If you say 5 I'm going to scream!!!

 

As you can tell I'm curious. Really really curious!

Steve, the first shot in the group is one of the best Ive seen.

i enjoyed this presentation.

Man, I'm jealous Steve; that's a really impressive body of work to put together in two weeks.

 

This isn't a criticism, more of a question really; why do current pics of tokyo so often look like pics of NYC during the 80's. Dark, dirty, contrasty, or am I just projecting?

 

Re Neopan, if you need the speed you might want to trix in diafine? Rate it at 1200 or 1600.

very very nice! impressive work steve. definitely one for the bookmark.

thanks guys. a lot of questions there that i'll address tomorrow. it's 3 in the morning here

and i just got in from a night shoot. tonights' theme was people being sick. i'm ready for

bed after spending 2 hours in the police station after being chased and captured by one of

my drunk and very angry subjects. hurting all over and exhausted. this time, i kept the

film tho'. i'd like to coin a new phrase for street photography - 'short lens, short life'.

wow! last night was crazy... you just never know how people are going to react....

anyway. donald - thanks for your comments and praise - tho' i feel the pix are still

immature and i need to do a lot of refining. you like the numbers eh? well, just counted -

15 rolls. the lens is a summicron new type and colour film was probably kodak VS or GX,

not that you'd know it once i've messed with it. routines....? well, i just go out when i

have time and always shoot in pairs at night in places like shibuya. if i see something i

think will be gone in seconds i (sometimes) look thru the viewfinder and press the button.

focus, wind-on, re-compose and press the button again.

Whew! "Rockers" "Girls" "Cross" "Curtain" "Catwalk"(funny) "Pug" "Alone" "Smoker" and ""Smoker 2" were all stunners, but "Ceiling" took my breath away. Were you lying on the floor when you took that?

Only 15 rolls for almost 60 keepers. I'm impressed! It gives be hope. Even on my limited film and processing budge I can probable manage 15 rolls! You mention that last nights "theme" was people getting sick. Do you try to shoot in themes or just go out collecting?