Monochrome Japan

By ( 87 )

“To see in color is a delight for the eye but to see in black and white is a delight for the soul.”

~ Andri Cauldwell

 

FujifilmX-T2, Japan, Photography, Black and White, Monochrome, City, Tokyo, Kyoto, Street, Portrait, Lines, Shadows

Tokyo Imperial Palace Grounds

 

FujifilmX-T2, Japan, Photography, Black and White, Monochrome, City, Tokyo, Kyoto, Street, Portrait, Lines, Shadows

Tokyo International Forum

 

FujifilmX-T2, Japan, Photography, Black and White, Monochrome, City, Tokyo, Kyoto, Street, Portrait, Lines, Shadows

City Rain

 

FujifilmX-T2, Japan, Photography, Black and White, Monochrome, City, Tokyo, Kyoto, Street, Portrait, Lines, Shadows

Temple Roof

 

FujifilmX-T2, Japan, Photography, Black and White, Monochrome, City, Tokyo, Kyoto, Street, Portrait, Lines, Shadows

Rush Hour

 

FujifilmX-T2, Japan, Photography, Black and White, Monochrome, City, Tokyo, Kyoto, Street, Portrait, Lines, Shadows

Imperial Swans

 

“Photography takes an instant out of time, altering life by holding it still.”

~Dorothea Lange

 

FujifilmX-T2, Japan, Photography, Black and White, Monochrome, City, Tokyo, Kyoto, Street, Portrait, Lines, Shadows

Crosswalk and Umbrella

 

FujifilmX-T2, Japan, Photography, Black and White, Monochrome, City, Tokyo, Kyoto, Street, Portrait, Lines, Shadows

Ticket Please

 

FujifilmX-T2, Japan, Photography, Black and White, Monochrome, City, Tokyo, Kyoto, Street, Portrait, Lines, Shadows

Stepping Out

 

“For me, the camera is a sketch book, an instrument of intuition and spontaneity.” 

~Henri Cartier-Bresson

 

FujifilmX-T2, Japan, Photography, Black and White, Monochrome, City, Tokyo, Kyoto, Street, Portrait, Lines, Shadows

Kimono and Pumas

 

FujifilmX-T2, Japan, Photography, Black and White, Monochrome, City, Tokyo, Kyoto, Street, Portrait, Lines, Shadows

Burger Reflections

 

FujifilmX-T2, Japan, Photography, Black and White, Monochrome, City, Tokyo, Kyoto, Street, Portrait, Lines, Shadows

Tea House Pour

 

FujifilmX-T2, Japan, Photography, Black and White, Monochrome, City, Tokyo, Kyoto, Street, Portrait, Lines, Shadows

Kyoto Afternoon

 

FujifilmX-T2, Japan, Photography, Black and White, Monochrome, City, Tokyo, Kyoto, Street, Portrait, Lines, Shadows

All Alone II

 

 

FujifilmX-T2, Japan, Photography, Black and White, Monochrome, City, Tokyo, Kyoto, Street, Portrait, Lines, Shadows

But I want candy!

 

 

“Beauty can be seen in all things, seeing and composing the beauty is what separates the snapshot from the photograph.”

~Matt Hardy

Categories: Black and White, City Scenes, Photography, TravelTags: , , , , , , , , ,

87 comments ›

  2. Tom Williams
    December 10, 2018 • 10:18 pm

    Really great photos. You are an inspirational!

    Like

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  4. april kanew
    December 2, 2018 • 6:51 am

    fabulous shots Jane!! I love the monochrome…leaves me with a sense of wonder. The ‘city rain’ jumps out at me😜

    Like

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  5. prattenberg
    December 1, 2018 • 11:38 am

    Reblogged this on prattenberg. and commented:
    A stunning photo documentary of Japan in black&white. Wonderful pictures, excellently shot. My compliments!

    Like

    Reply ↓
  7. LisaDay
    November 30, 2018 • 3:07 am

    What a universal picture in that last one, Jane. I love the crispness of the tea house pour and the umbrella and the crosswalk and the forum is amazing as well. Why do you choose the Imperial palace to be black and white? Just curious.

    Liked by 1 person

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  8. anotherday2paradise
    November 28, 2018 • 5:41 pm

    These are all wonderful, Jane. Love them. 😍

    Liked by 1 person

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  9. David
    November 27, 2018 • 3:27 pm

    Beautiful B&W series, Jane. It lends a vintage feel to each photo. Your Imperial Palace image bears a close resemblance to the B&W photo of the Palace when MacArthur visited the Emperor after the war I saw in my 9th grade history book (which was ages ago). The “But, I want candy!” image translates across cultures … as so does “No!” reply he received.

    Glad to see the Bay Area is finally receiving rain. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply ↓
    • Jane Lurie
      November 27, 2018 • 10:58 pm

      HI David, Thanks so much. Happy you enjoyed this one and that’s an interesting comparison you remembered from your history books. Perfect.
      We have had a good amount of rain this week– appreciate your good wishes. It was a scary and trying month.

      Like

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  10. Jeff Bell
    November 27, 2018 • 1:00 am

    All great photos, but I there is something about the crosswalk and umbrella that Iike, The geometry and patterns and the umbrella make a nice composition.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply ↓
  11. bluebrightly
    November 26, 2018 • 12:53 pm

    You outdid yourself, Jane. I know you enjoy black and white…and it just gets batter and better. I guess Japan provided an aesthetic push? At least an inspiration. 🙂 There are so many great images it’s hard to single any out, but I will: Temple Roof, Crosswalk & Umbrella, Stepping Out, Tea House Pour, All Alone…and as usual you sussed out some pithy quotes – I love the first one. Have a good week!

    Like

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    • Jane Lurie
      November 28, 2018 • 6:30 pm

      Hi Lynn, Your encouragement means a lot to me and you are right, Japan did provide me with renewed inspiration. The images you’ve noted are faves and there are some, like these, that just beg to be converted to monochrome. You’re sweet to enjoy the quotes, too. I love pairing them. I hope you’ve been having a great week– we are thankful for all this rain. 🙂

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      • bluebrightly
        December 4, 2018 • 5:42 pm

        Japan has probably provided renewed inspiration to many an artist, right? 🙂 I’ve never been there, but I can see you just drinking it in. I’m glad you guys are under the clouds….you need it! It’s cold up here, and feels all the more so becasue it was unseasonably warm earlier…and I have a cold, so I’m laying low. Chicken stewy-soup tonight. 😉

        Like

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  13. belindagroverphotography
    November 26, 2018 • 11:26 am

    Your photos offer a wonderful glimpse of life in Japan. Very nice in black and white.

    Like

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  15. Susan Gutterman
    November 26, 2018 • 7:42 am

    Wonderful B&W images, Jane. One really does look at them differently than when looking at color!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply ↓
  16. Linda Wyatt
    November 26, 2018 • 5:29 am

    Love the effectiveness of the black and white… loved the little person in the kimono

    Like

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  17. Madhu
    November 26, 2018 • 5:11 am

    What a remarkable galley Jane! Love every evocative image, but ‘Crosswalk and Umbrella’ is a particular standout.

    Liked by 1 person

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  18. paula graham
    November 26, 2018 • 2:11 am

    Jane, every one shot a winner, in my book.

    Liked by 1 person

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  20. Noortje Russel
    November 25, 2018 • 10:27 pm

    Very impressive, you photograph like a professional. And it must be an incredible experience going to Japan!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply ↓
  21. Alison and Don
    November 25, 2018 • 9:15 pm

    I’m not usually a fan of B&W – but you won me over. I must experiment with it more! Wonderful photos Jane.
    Alison

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply ↓
  22. pommepal
    November 25, 2018 • 8:15 pm

    This is definitely photographs and not snapshots. Well seen Jane I was surprised how few people were in the rush hour photo, I thought everywhere would be crowded

    Like

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    • Jane Lurie
      November 25, 2018 • 8:24 pm

      Thanks so much, Pauline. What wonderful cities to photograph. We expected the streets of Tokyo to be more overwhelming but really just felt it in certain markets and neighborhoods. We didn’t ride the subways where I am sure we would have felt it! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply ↓
  23. pattimoed
    November 25, 2018 • 7:06 pm

    Wow. You truly have an eye for beauty and capture such telling details. (I love the Pumas and the kimono!)

    Like

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  24. Eliza Waters
    November 25, 2018 • 2:00 pm

    What a treat it is to see the world through your lens, Jane. Many superb monochromes here. The International Forum is particularly awesome!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply ↓
  25. Leya
    November 25, 2018 • 12:31 pm

    A delight for the soul – it could not be better described…Glorious shots, Jane, and they all benefit from being shown in monochrome. If I were to chose one of them for a favorite, it would be the umbrella crossing.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply ↓
    • Jane Lurie
      November 25, 2018 • 12:37 pm

      Hi Ann-Christine, Happy you enjoyed these in monochrome. I love how black and white changes the feel of an image and it’s interesting to figure out which photos will work well in B&W. Glad you like Umbrella…that was a good moment. Thank you so much.

      Liked by 1 person

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  26. Allan G. Smorra
    November 25, 2018 • 11:53 am

    I love your photos of Japan and the Tokyo International Forum blows me away.
    Ω

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply ↓
  27. blhphotoblog
    November 25, 2018 • 11:46 am

    Very nice Jane, may I ask what settings you used for ‘All Alone II’

    Liked by 1 person

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  28. Tina Schell
    November 25, 2018 • 8:53 am

    Terrific Jane. Loved Forum and Crosswalk especially!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply ↓
  29. Jet Eliot
    November 25, 2018 • 8:30 am

    These photo knocked my socks off, Jane. You drew me in with the patterns from the start. The Imperial Palace especially, endless patterns and shapes. The shapes you see and bring to us, much appreciated. Then the people photos were astounding–I loved Rush Hour, then the crosswalk, ticket-taker, tea ceremonialist, all exquisite. Crazy shoes, perfectly highlighted. Kyoto Afternoon and All Alone. All great titles and quotes too. I really enjoyed every single one of these masterpieces, Jane, but I always ask myself, what is my favorite? I couldn’t narrow it down to one, so my two favorites were Rush Hour and Kimono and Pumas. Warm thanks for this descriptive, fascinating visit to Japan.

    Liked by 1 person

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  30. Steve Schwartzman
    November 25, 2018 • 7:52 am

    Your “Crosswalk and Umbrella” is an excellent polygonal abstraction.

    Liked by 1 person

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  31. camerapacker
    November 25, 2018 • 7:12 am

    This is a great set of photographs.They support each other and are internally consistent as well as having their usual high technical quality. Great stuff !

    Liked by 1 person

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  32. sharonbuehler
    November 25, 2018 • 6:16 am

    Crosswalk and Umbrella along with All Alone II (very clever) are my favorites, but there are several runner ups.

    Like

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  33. Buster Baum
    November 25, 2018 • 5:01 am

    Bless you and your work Jane. Several of these images were pure showstoppers.

    Like

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  34. Mari
    November 25, 2018 • 3:49 am

    Glorious. You are an amazing photographer.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply ↓
  35. rabirius
    November 25, 2018 • 3:41 am

    Wonderful collection of pictures. The b&w works very well here.

    Liked by 1 person

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  36. Joe
    November 25, 2018 • 3:33 am

    To see in B&W is a delight for the soul Jane 🙂 There is also something special about the black and whites that the Fuji’s produce. Masterful job on these images.

    Liked by 1 person

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  37. Jane Iwan
    November 25, 2018 • 3:16 am

    Striking post, Jane. Especially loved the play of light and shadows in City Rain and Kyoto Shadows.

    Liked by 1 person

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  38. robinwriteon
    November 25, 2018 • 2:53 am

    I love this so much and Japan is so amazing** my Aunt went there had a great time. My son loves the Shiba Uni that where they originated they are beautiful so sweet I wish those dogs were in this picture or pictures to come you would make my son so happy Blessings

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply ↓
  39. mihrank
    November 24, 2018 • 11:18 pm

    amazing and cultural introduction…

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply ↓

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