The First Tokyo Times Newsletter

Hello and welcome to my new newsletter. A platform that will hopefully allow me to share thoughts on photography and Japan, along with extracts and added extras from various posts and photo series.

Currently, the plan is for monthly updates, although if it goes well, and there’s an interest, I may increase that to twice a month. We shall see.

Recent Photowalks

The opening image is one from this recent local walk series. A fabulous old building that I’d tried to photograph numerous times, but the light was never quite right. This time it was suitably soft, and even better, the little fella walking by on his way home from school made the scene far more interesting than it would have been without him.

Something similar also happened on my way to shoot a long-abandoned pachinko parlour the other week. I opted to walk the near 30km round trip instead of hiring a car — the idea being that I’d hopefully encounter plenty of photogenic stuff along the way. It was also the perfect time of year to try, as there was plenty of greenery without the soon to appear summer heat and humidity.

Sadly there actually wasn’t a huge amount to see, but this old woman peering over a hedge made the effort more than worthwhile. A single moment is all it really takes. Something I need to remember when planning future outings.

Back To Film Photography

Finally, ages ago I picked up a cheap point and shoot film camera, with the idea being to take extra photos now and again, as the look of film works well with a lot of what I shoot. The trouble is, I often forget to take the camera with me, and just as absentmindedly forget to use it when it’s actually in my bag, meaning a couple of rolls took what felt like an eternity to finish. Still, finish them I eventually did.

Unfortunately, when I got the scans back, it turns out the camera’s exposure meter is absolutely rubbish, along with added light leaks for increased, ahem, character. Both drawbacks are far from ideal, but I did salvage a few images. Sort of.

Despite results not being the best, I still thoroughly enjoyed the process. With that in mind then, I plan to get another (properly functioning) point and shoot. One that I intend to take out more, and remember to use as much as possible. So all being well there’ll be more, and ideally better quality film photos to come.

Old Tokyo Print Sale

All of which wraps up my first newsletter. Thanks ever so much for reading this far, and if it was interesting, for subscribing to future editions. As such, I’d like to offer 20% off all the prints in my store ‘til the end of June. Just add the code ‘NEWSLETTER’ and the discount will be applied. And should there be another photo you’d like as a print instead, just let me know and I can do it for the same sale price.

Thanks again and speak soon.

Cheers

Lee