Owning the A7R is, in some ways, like being in a "British pub" in Japan.
Read MoreLike a Leica
in Blog, photo-journal
akihabara
Afternoon (de)Light
in Blog
Today was another splendid day in Tokyo. It's on days like this that I really wish I was working outside, or rather, was just outside (sans the work). I made an effort to take my camera out with me when going to buy lunch, as tomorrow's forecast is not favourable.
Read MoreThis dude is the equivalent of the head of the FA in the UK, at least in terms of job title (whatever it is)
Watching Over You
in Blog
A small selection of night photography on the streets of Akihabara in central Tokyo
Read MoreWhatcha makin'?
Wandering [what to do?]
in Blog
Though my destination is usually the same each night (same train line, same final stop), I try to walk through different backstreets to increase my chances for inspiration.
Sometimes, I see something "new" in an object or building I've seen hundreds of times. Other times, random situations present themselves.
Can you guess which photos are taken with the RX1 and which with the NEX-7?
If I am not in the mood or the weather isn't favourable, I won't bother even taking my camera out of my bag. Sometimes I walk the entire distance with my camera in hand, looking for things, but not seeing them.
Sparky
I think my message, if there is one, would be to not force yourself to take photos, or capture a moment. Some moments are better described verbally, and others visually. Whatever happens, keep the picture taking as a fun activity.
Happy snapping :)
Behind closed doors
in Blog
This striking red building really stood out down the backstreets of Bunkyo, as I walked to meet Charlotte in Akihabara (click the photo for fullscreen). If it weren't for the メヂィアミクス研究所 laminated sign above the postbox, one may not expect this photo to have been taken in Japan. Incidentally, メヂィアミクス研究所 reads as "media mix laboratory" which is the name of this cute little company. When framing this shot, I didn't really care what this building was, I just wanted the photo. Now I can't help but wonder what's inside, behind closed doors.
Akihabara Panorama
in Blog
Akihabara Panorama │ NEX-7 & SEL16F28 & UWA │ 16mm, ISO 1600, f/2.8, 1/500, Panorama
Akihabara (know colloquially as either "Akiba", "AKB", or "Electric Town") is a great place to visit in Tokyo. Located just a few minutes from Tokyo station, anything with a wire inside can be bought here. It's also the place to get household goods, camera equipment, bags, climbing gear, and to visit a maid café (more on that another day).
The area used to be almost entirely dedicated to games, back in the 90s, when SEGA, Sony and Nintendo, dominated the world. Since then, there has been a slow drift into the more "otaku" (lit. geek) culture, who idolise the girl group AKB48 (a super group of 48 girls performing nightly in Akiba), who've had so many #1 singles I have lost count. There are also 24 hour manga (comic book) stores, maid cafes, and shops dedicated to erotic games and "literature" (comic books). Comic books aren't typically read by adults outside of Japan, so unless you know the culture here well, it seems odd at first. So in turn, the anime characters, with huge ... eyes, small bodies and squeaky voices, could be nothing other than Japanese.
The above panorama was taken on a very dark night [higher res], but the night is as bright as the day, in AKB.
