Chasing Light, Moments and People at the Tokyo International Forum.

Tokyo International Forum:

The Tokyo International Forum is a must-visit place for any photo workshop in Japan. There are so many possibilities for great images here. I have been a hundred times, and it never disappoints. The interior is famous for its grand appearance and spectacular light. The exterior is a throughway between Yurakucho and Tokyo stations. It is dotted with trees, shadows, pools of light, and busy people doing busy things. It can be difficult to come away without something you are not happy with.

This past week, I was shooting portraits for a family friend in the nearby Hibiya Park. Before heading home, I decided to visit the food trucks often parked at the Forum for a delicious lunch. I overate and was ready for a nap, but the streets had other ideas. It was Golden Week, and it was much busier than usual. I couldn’t let this be the time I didn’t take any pictures at the Tokyo International Forum.

Farthest away from the crowds sat an older couple enjoying their lunch. Since few seats were available, they sat on posts that were just a little too far apart for a couple. I watched them for a minute and decided they were my subject. They ate, talked, stared off into the silence of an unspoken conversation reserved for those whose relationships span a lifetime. She even offered him a napkin. I captured it all and slipped off into the busy—all their love in four frames.

I continued shooting, but I knew this was the best day. I felt honoured to observe and record these moments. It is not lost on me how simple these photos are. My romantic notions elevate these images creatively beyond what they are. That said, people have seen these photos and can not help but smile. Its not the quality of the work, but the quality of the subjects.