The Tokyo Forgeries Blog
FORGED, NOT CAPTURED
Once a Street Photographer, Always Street Photographer
Tokyo Street Photography Hot Spot: Ikebukuro
Ikebukuro hits different
1. Tokyo Photo Workshop Highlights: Dive into Diverse
A busy week of photo workshops in Tokyo
Top Ten Street Photographs of Tokyo, May 2025
Top Ten Tokyo Street Photography Images
Explore Tokyo's Streets: A Photo Walk from Ueno to Kanda
Tokyo Photo Walk from Ueno to Kanda
Chasing Light, People and Moments in Yanaka.
Visit Yanaka for a great Tokyo experience.
Chasing Light, Moments and People In Akihabara
Chasing light and people in Akihabara
Uncovering the Top Street Photography Spot in Tokyo.
Ueno is Tokyo’s Best Street Photography Location
Exploring Ueno’s Ameya-Yokocho: A Photographer's Paradise
Ueno stands out as a top destination for anyone visiting Tokyo. Within its maze of paths, you will find food, clothing, a diverse crowd, shopping, and shrines. Numerous chances for photography are abundant. Ueno Ameyokocho is truly a paradise for street photographers.
Chasing Light, in Ueno’s Ameyokocho Market.
Ueno is the best in Tokyo, with charm, history, locals, and some gentrification. Despite tourists, it's perfect for street photography, especially with great light. I stop there whenever I can.
Chasing Light at the 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.
A Candid Street Photography View: Shooting from the Hip
Shooting form the hip in Ueno’s famous Ameyoko market on a sunny day.
Tokyo Is The Premier Street Photography City
Tokyo, Japan’s vibrant capital, blends tradition and modernity. Neon skyscrapers, tranquil temples, and dynamic street fashion make it a top street photography destination for all skill levels.
My Tokyo Street Photography Love Letter!
Tokyo is clean, safe, easy to navigate, and full of fun. I’m lucky to capture its beauty and even better to share photo tours of the city!
Shibuya Crossing: Street Photographers Hate It, I Love It.
I seek a moment in street photography and beyond—unfiltered, fleeting, and vivid. Trends don't matter; only that almost tangible instant. Often, I miss it.
Tokyo Changes, Shoot It Before You Lose It.
Tokyo Changes
Cities constantly change. Tokyo, one of the largest and most vibrant cities, undergoes rapid and unpredictable transformations. A favourite shooting spot may disappear, then reappear later.
What is the proper etiquette for street photography?
What is street photography etiquette? Do people follow it? When is it crossed, and who decides? Based on 20 years in Tokyo, I'll share my view—but etiquette is personal, not absolute.
Capturing Eye Contact: Facing Fear in Shibuya
Eye contact is paramount. It resonates with everyone; it doesn’t matter if you enjoy street photography or any other type of photography—we all grasp the impact of eye contact. Why is it so hard to capture it? For me, it is fear.
Fear of the unknown, to be more specific. How will they react to having their picture taken? When I show them, how will they respond to my rendering? All these thoughts, along with the calculations, mathematical and creative to take photographs, plow through my mind instantly—the click of the shutter button is merely the result of all that grey matter processing. If the math is correct, the sum will be a good image.
Working the Scene in Tokyo’s Shibuya
One of the first lessons learned as a new street photographer is to work the scene. That is, to move around the scene you are shooting for the best image to capture. I learned this lesson very early as I only had access to a single lens, a 50mm. I would love to claim artistic instinct, but in truth, I had no other choice.
A Beautiful Night of Street Photography in Shibuya
What constitutes a beautiful night of street photography is italicized below. Though it is written in the formal language required for another publication, the highlighted text provides insight into not only how to approach teaching street photography but also how I practice it.