Jeff Austin 9/20/24 Jeff Austin 9/20/24

Photographing Strangers in Tokyo

Photographing People in Tokyo

The fear of photographing people is real, but it is also the most rewarding type of street photography, from the image created to the experience shared in its capture.

Jeff Austin 9/20/24 Jeff Austin 9/20/24

Refelctions of Shibuya

It is so simple to shoot a reflection. There is as much glass as there are people in Tokyo. One could make a career of it if they were so inclined. Like any trend, reflection shots are "Romanticized," but as a photographer passionate about it, there is much to explore.

Jeff Austin 9/18/24 Jeff Austin 9/18/24

Motion in Shibuya

The Tokyo constant is motion. I have yet to practice street photography in New York, but I assume she is no different. I take advantage of motion every chance I get. Not for trend but for sincerity. It’s how I feel in the city; I am just like this girl, an observer, not a participant.

Jeff Austin 9/17/24 Jeff Austin 9/17/24

Eye Contact

Eye contact makes an image stand out. Some of the most outstanding shots in fashion, sports, portrait, and journalism are centred on eye contact, and street photography is no different. Whose eyes connect with who is often overlooked.

Jeff Austin 9/12/24 Jeff Austin 9/12/24

Collections: Texture

One way to sharpen skills is to create image collections, such as texture. Any city is full of texture, and Tokyo is no different. Texture can be literal, like grime on a brick wall or an abandoned bicycle leaning against an old building. I see the texture in a city as history—a layer behind all the beautiful things that make a great neighbourhood.

Jeff Austin 9/11/24 Jeff Austin 9/11/24

Tokyo Contrast

Scene contrast is all the contrast within a given frame. Some of it obvious, highlight vs shadow or complimentary color for example. While other contrast is well, more complicated. Ideas of contrasting elements such as stationary vs an in-motion subject, or the weight of each image element. The goal here is not preach a particular style over another but to be aware of multiple concepts in order to create the contrast each image demands.

Jeff Austin 9/10/24 Jeff Austin 9/10/24

Happy Accidents in Street Photography

The Happy Accident is a merger of previsualization and happenstance. It was taken at JR Akabane station, Tokyo.

Tokyo’s frenetic pace leads to a number of both moments, often simultaneously. A happy accident occurs when these moments collide.

Jeff Austin 12/3/21 Jeff Austin 12/3/21

One Month Off, Any Keepers?

I went into the day with low expectations and a plan. It was sunny and I planned to photograph commuters shadows near Kawaguchi station. The large pedestrian causeway and high foot traffic in the area provided ample opportunities for success.

Jeff Austin 10/29/21 Jeff Austin 10/29/21

Color Reflections 2

Kawaguchi city has a number of working phone booths. Their large glass exterior makes for a perfect canvas. A reflection of both the character and characters of the city. This was the main goal of the day, aside from a couple of spots I check on each visit. The plan was to shoot primarily in color, though some black and white does make an appearance.

Jeff Austin 10/21/21 Jeff Austin 10/21/21

Reflections in Color

Kawaguchi city has a number of large nostalgic-looking phone booths. The glass booths allow me to shoot through as well as what’s reflected in it. Combing the two realities in one image can be difficult. A great deal of patience is required.

Jeff Austin 10/19/21 Jeff Austin 10/19/21

Shooting 1:1 in Warabi

Why shoot in a 1:1 ratio?

Embracing the difficulty sharpens the creative edge. In order to become the best street photographer, I can be, accepting that some days are practice is an important lesson. This was a practice day.

Jeff Austin 10/16/21 Jeff Austin 10/16/21

No Time? Lunch Shoot!

Jeff Austin 10/14/21 Jeff Austin 10/14/21

The Location Project

Jeff Austin 10/10/21 Jeff Austin 10/10/21

A Digital Contact Sheet?

The contact sheet allows me to see the day’s images objectively, free of the emotion tied to the experience of taking them. Furthermore, it helps to visualize trains of thought, images to be culled, mistakes made, and how to fix them.