Happy
Peace
Myth of Tomorrow
Hello Kitty?
Gyoza Greeter
The Crew Awaits
Celebrating
Ice Cream Time
Train Conductor
Shibuya Crossing
Neighborhood Walk
Techies
Torii Gate Crowd
Red Umbrella
These images were made in Tokyo and Kyoto with my Fujifilm X-T2 and 18-55mm f/2.8 lens.
Really love the way you shoot the activities, great images ๐๐
Thanks very much, Reistiw. Japan is fascinating. I see youโve spent time there. Glad you enjoyed this series. ๐
I love them all!! My favourites are Peace, Celebrating and Techies!
Thanks so much, Michael. So glad you enjoyed this set. The street photography in Japan was a thrill. ๐
This reminds me of my trip to Japan at age 15. My Boy Scout troop sent me to the 13th World Jamboree in 1971. We camped at the base of Mt. Fuiji with 24,000 other boys from all over the world. I bought myself a Kodak Instamatic Camera – that’s all I could afford! We even had a bit of a typhoon and had to be evacuated to nearby Osaka. Lol! I gave my first slide show when I returned.
What a wonderful memory, Michael! Shows how life-changing childhood experiences are. Thanks for sharing. ๐
So many great photos in this set. Red umbrella is probably my favorite but Peace is surreal.
Thanks so much, Jeff. The street photography was such fun in Japan. As Iโm sure you know. Glad you enjoyed. ๐ค
Very nice Japan pictures !
Thanks very much, Dirk. Sorry I missed your nice comment earlier. Happy New Year!
So much joy. What beautiful moments captured.
Thanks so much, Lisa. It really was a joy to photograph. Happy you like them.
Nice pics ๐
Thank you so much. ๐
Authentic and beautifully composed street photography! My favs are “crew”, “conductor” and “kitty” compositions. Love the overhead composition too.
Thank you, C.S. What a wonderful country to wander and photograph. Happy you enjoyed this series. ๐
Just wwwwwoooowwwww! Wunderful! Letยดs fly to Japan!
Thank you, Daniel! Glad you like them….you need to go! ๐
Wonderful portraits Jane! Fascinating introduction to the country and its people.
Thanks, Belinda. Such fun to photograph. ๐
The “crew” one reminds me of Wes Anderson!
Yes! Totally, Jay. You nailed it. ๐ I died when I saw them line up like that.
Gorgeous and heartfelt.
Thanks so much, Manja. Very interesting time in Japan. Glad you enjoyed.
What a wonderful gallery of people, Jane! Your shots really help me understand the people and places better. I haven’t been to Japan yet, but hope to go!
Amazing as always Jane! Fabulous shots.
Thanks, Nicole. Happy your well-trained eye enjoyed them. ๐
Thanks for sharing!
“Don’t tell me what you know, tell me where you’ve traveled” most certainly applies. Thanks once again.
Thank you so much, Bob. I really appreciate your reactions to my photos. Japan is amazing. ๐
Wonderful images, Jane! What’s with that train crew? Bizarre! That was one terrific moment to catch. I like the Neighborhood Walk photo, too, for the expression in her face, really her whole body. And Peace – love the symmetry. The Fugifilm is a great street camera, isn’t it? (No, I don’t have one, I just read about them!) You did it justice.
Thank you, Lynn! I was thrilled to catch that train crew…actually, it wasn’t too difficult since they were lined up well ahead of the train arrival. ๐ Great photo opps throughout the trip and the Fuji worked very well for street with its smaller and lighter size– much stealthier than my Nikon– so glad you like them.
Amazing pictures. Japan is really n amazing place . Canโt wait to bring the family back in the future.
Hi ZLS, Glad you enjoyed these, thank you. I hope we go back again sometime, too. Loved every minute.
Loved this series ๐
Thank you, Joshi. That means a lot. ๐
Toss up between red umbrella and Tori gate. I like that you got thee crowd grouped contrasted with the yellow(ish) pillars and beams. And you must be excellent at telling Japanese jokes(first photo) . The Japanese joke jester Jane.
Hi Abrie, I had them laughing! Happy you like those shots. Torii Gate is quite a scene. Thanks so much and hope all is well with you.
Marvelous captures Jane! I loved this post very much. People are interesting, and challenging to photograph. There’s so much life in your photos.
Thank you, Maria. Street photography really is a fun challenge. Pleased you enjoyed this collection- they were exciting to find.
Hi, Jane, I loved this post so much I reblogged it on Surprising Lives and added a few comments. This is the link; https://surprisinglives.net/2018/11/08/japan-people-culture-contrasts/
Have a great day. ๐
Thanks so much for sharing, Amanda. Happy you enjoyed it. ๐
My pleasure Jane.
Greatly enjoyed your compositions in “Peace” and “The Crew Awaits.”
They perfected the blending of technology with the traditional … along with “Hello Kitty” and “Maneki Neko San”. ๐
Thanks, David. I found that amusing. Such fun to explore. BTW, had to look that one up…didn’t know that’s what the waving cats are called. So smart. ๐
Wow, I love the contrasts that you caught both in your shots as well as in the Japanese culture.
Thank you, Amanda. There was a push/pull of modern and traditional. The graciousness of the people is stunning and wonderful.
Such a fascinating country and people.
They are all happily exciting but I love “Celebrating” – the one with the beautiful 2 children the best.
Thank you, Dor. There was a wonderful children’s day at one of the shrines and there were many families in traditional kimonos celebrating. Such fun to see.
I love your captures of everyday life in Japan, Jane!
Thank you very much, Arv. This type of photography is very exciting to do. Glad you enjoyed!
How is your experience with X-T2 vis a vis DSLR that you were using?
Love seeing the world through your lens, Jane. Marvelous!
Thank you, Eliza! Makes me happy that you are enjoying them. Japan was absolutely marvelous! ๐
fabulous shots….just loving ‘happy’….so much FUN๐
Thanks so much, April. That group was thrilled when I asked to take their photo. ๐
Love them all. And the umbrella.
Thanks so much, Ann-Christine. Much appreciated. ๐
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The train conductor and the red umbrella photos are my favorites this week, Jane. I can see a man who is committed to his profession and an aerial photo that could be classed as Modern Art. Outstanding entries.
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Thanks so much, Allan. That means a lot! Japan was truly fascinating and it was wonderful to experience the gracious culture.
What a wonderful experience for you. Thanks for sharing these photos with us.
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Very nice collection of street pictures. (Suzanne)
Thank you very much, Suzanne. Have you been to Japan in your travels? It was a marvelous trip all around.
We have yet to make it to Japan. It is fairly high on the list but we have a few constraints right now that doesn’t allow us to go that far. But we know we will make it eventually. I did travel a bit through your pictures.
I particyularly like the Red Umbrella.
Thanks, Bruce. That seems to be a winner. I was obsessed with the overheads when it started raining. You may see more… ๐
So much the same, so much different. You have a wonderful eye for detail (I might have said that a few times before) and quirky images. Love the red umbrella! Well spotted.
Thank you, Jude. And, you get my humor, too, which I really appreciate. ๐
Great photo’s from a crowdy place, still you catched an quited moment with the train conductor. love this photo because of the colors, lines, and textures.
Hi Ellen, Thank you so much. I loved the trains…so many great lines and colors. (Plus they were super fast.) Japan was wonderful to explore.
Wonderful shots!
Thank you very much, K. Glad you enjoyed them!
Love seeing Japan through your creative lens
Thank you, Jane. We had a marvelous time and it was such fun to photograph there.
Wow! While viewing these photos, I felt like I am present at those places. ๐
What a wonderful compliment, Moazzam. It’s what I hope for when people view my images. Thanks very much.
I love your diverse collection of images. There are some that are recognisable in any setting, like with the schoolgirls, in which we see our own lives. And there are those that are so obviously of a place, like ‘Celebrating’ and ‘The Crew Awaits’.
Thank you, Ali, for your astute comment. I found the contrasts fascinating and such fun to hunt for interesting photographs. Happy you enjoyed these.
Love the rushing commuters in myth of tomorrow, and that red umbrella!
Thanks so much, Sue. I thought that would be a cool contrast. That mural has been compared to Picasso’s Guernica.
I can sort-of see why…
Yep, great series! ๐ Thanks for sharing.
Thanks very much, Harrie. Happy you enjoyed them. ๐
Great set Jane. Love the kids especially. Your love for little ones always shines through.
Thanks, Tina. We lucked out with Sunday children’s celebrations at the shrines. Lots of beautiful kids and kimonos. Glad you enjoyed them.
In Tokio with a Fuji-Camara ๐ Great Images…the red umbrella is wonderful!
Exactly, Petra! Haha. We even passed a big Fujifilm headquarters there. Glad you enjoyed the images…thank you!
Hi Petra, Ha! Yes, so perfect. I even saw one of the Fuji headquarters. Glad you enjoyed the images, thank you- I had a marvelous time making them.
Amazing Street scenes.
Thanks so much, Rabirius. It is an exciting place to wander and photograph. ๐
Love the vibes you caught here. As usual youโve made it tough to pick a favorite, but I think Iโll go with the red umbrella. Looks like you had a great time!
Thank you, Gunta. I was rather obsessed with those umbrellas on one of the only rainy days. ๐ It was a fantastic trip all around.
Well seen love the vibrant colours
Thank you, Pauline. What a beautiful country and people.
I love, love your Japan collection, Jane. Japan is on my travel list since I was very young.
Thank you, Cornelia. So glad you like these. It was a wonderful trip full of fascinating people, places and delicious food. I hope you visit soon and experience the gracious culture.
The photographs are wonderful as usual.
Cordially
Anne Camner
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Thanks very much, Anne. So happy you enjoyed them. Great to hear from you.
Hello Jane,
These are beautiful images. I’m glad you enjoyed visiting some areas of my country ๐
Regarding some of the “close-up” images — did you ask the subjects for permission to take their photo?
Many Japanese are sensitive to privacy (especially with children and minors), and often become frustrated when tourists snap photos and share publicly without their knowledge. Unfortunately, many cannot express their feelings in English, hence, many visitors misinterpret to say it’s “OK” to take photos.
I hope you don’t get offended. I enjoy your photography very much. Which is why I wanted to offer my personal thoughts as a Japanese.
Best wishes,
Takami
PS: It’s considered to be perfectly OK to take photos of public officials (for example: the policeman in your second photo “Peace” – a wonderful shot!)
Thank you, Takami. The policeman was a really fun scene to see and photograph! ๐
Hi Takami, Thank you for your terrific comment. I share your concerns. In most cases, I am shooting stealthily, however, in the images, Happy and Celebrating, I asked for permission and it seemed to me to be clearly granted. Your advice about misinterpreting the response is a good one and I hope that I didn’t overstep bounds.
I am not offended at all, and appreciate you sharing your thoughts. I found your country to be magnificent and the Japanese people I encountered gracious and friendly. And your cuisine delicious. I loved every minute.
Hi Jane, thanks much for your reply – much appreciated.
Ah, now I understand that you had asked for permission. Then, everything is fine ๐
I’m glad you am not offended (I didn’t want to give the impression you had overstepped bounds) and that you enjoyed your time here. As you know there are many different views of Japan, and do hope you can see more of them soon!
Thank you, Takami! I hope we visit again sometime in the near future. ๐
Good timing with the one red umbrella amidst the black and white!
Thanks so much, Sharon!
Wonderful again! The picture ‘celebrating’ and most of all the umbrella’s are my favorites.
Thank you, Peter. I hit a great day at one of the big temples…families celebrating their children. And I sure was happy when we had one afternoon of rain. ๐ Glad you enjoyed.
Great images. Really like this kind of photograph and you do it so well.
Thanks so much, Jack. That means a lot.
These great images highlight what a talent you have for graphic design within each photo. Nice work, Jane!
Thank you so much, Ken, for your wonderful compliment. Much appreciated.
hi jane wonderful, interesting and variable pictures my favorit is the 2nd, 4th and 14th.
greetings robert
Thank you, Robert. You enjoy images that are a bit more graphic, too. Glad you like them…it was a marvelous place to explore.
You have such a wonderful eye. Love the adorable children!
Thank you, ML. I lucked out that there was a children’s celebration at one of the shrines we visited. Many beautiful kimonos and faces!
Beautiful collection of images Jane ๐ It looks incredibly colorful over there. I think you were right when you said I wold love it.
Hi Joe, It’s a vibrant place, certainly with its people, but also for the fascinating shrines, temples and architecture. The food is also superb! Glad you enjoyed these street images…such fun to find.
Sometimes when I see posts like this I wonder how photographers grabbed these shots! Like the crew in line – did you arrange them blue pink blue pink!
And the guy (2nd from right) looks like he is holding a tool my friend uses called a fascia blaster (by Ashley Black)
And like the “hello diversity”
But also the “everyday people” vibe
Laughed at the “techies” one and just some interesting shots here –
Hi Yvette, Thanks so much for your enthusiastic reaction. I had such fun photographing different people on the streets. The pink, blue crew was simply a gift. The trains run so efficiently in Japan that the cleaning crews get in and out when the train stops…and this is how they line up! The others are a combination of luck and asking permission. Glad you enjoyed this collection. ๐
that is cool that they line up like that.
and that photo reminded me of so many things (could be a good writing prompt).
—
the other thing about this post – is that I went to Tina’s lens-artist 18 post right afterwards and I was feeling a sense of awe with the way the two posts had some commonalities.
I think you two even use the same cameras (Fuji) either way – I was going to ask both of you if I could post about the two of them – just a little post on my blog –
Thatโs funny. You know we are good friends, donโt you? We lived in the same town for many years and have traveled together. ๐ Happy for you to do a writing prompt. And yes, I got Tina in the Fuji bandwagon after we were both Nikon shooters for years.
Well I knew you were friends but had no idea such tight pals in real
Life –
How cool
We live on opposite coasts now….
Yeah – I knew you were west coast (right?)
Yes. ๐
Beautiful!
Thank you so much, Saymber. ๐
What a fabulous collection of images. Every one says Japan! The first two and ice cream time are my faves.
Alison
Thank you, Alison. The city streets were so exciting to photograph. Happy you enjoyed these images coming from your well traveled eye! ๐
Love that red umbrella…. great crosssection of so many people! Terrific!
Thanks so much, Linda. I was happy for some rain one day… the people on the streets were wonderful.
fun to see Japan (and your trip adventures)thru your lens (and eyes) Love the people, the kids are darling, and the red umbrella scene
Thanks so much, Camille. Glad it brought back good memories of this wonderful country. Such fun to photograph. ๐
Lovely images. Thanks for sharing
Thanks very much, Sadje. Happy you enjoyed them.
You must have taken a gazillion pictures, what with so many things being different from the way they are at home.
Hi Steve, I sure did! Have hundreds more to cull through. Haven’t even started on the amazing temples and shrines. The Japanese people, however, are the highlight of my experience. Glad you enjoyed- thanks so much.
Wow I love these photos Jane, so much colour and smiling people. A very different culture. Must have been a fabulous trip! โค๏ธ๐
Thanks, John. Wonderful people and fascinating country. Loved every minute and I’m happy you enjoyed these portraits. ๐
Great set of images. love the bright colours and captions.
Thank you, Conspicari. Such an intriguing and vibrant place. Glad you liked the captions, too. ๐