52 Week Photography Challenge: September
Photo Walk — Same But Different — Forever Young — Heavy Metal
The first topic Rodrigo chose for this month’s Challenge is “Photo Walk: Take your box for a stroll.
If you don’t know already, one of my favourite activities is to take street shots of people, places, and things, often similar or the same but under different conditions, during my daily Tokyo commute. In fact, I enjoy this style of photography so much, and I find the activity so therapeutic, that I’ve kept it up continuously (If not always daily) for a couple of decades now. Anyone familiar with my Tokyo Kills Me photo series has seen the results of this labour of love.
All of the pictures for this month’s challenge are taken from these daily photo strolls. Some I shot intentionally, recently, with this month’s challenge in mind. Others are from my back catalogue.
As always, thanks to Rodrigo for this month’s inspiring topics!
36. Photo Walk. Take your box for a stroll.
I chose this picture in part because I wanted to show the photographer as stroller, as flaneur, making his way through the city. I also like the sombre but bold contrasts in colours.
And, not least, I’m sick of this record-breaking summer in Tokyo and can’t wait for a little winter chill back in the air :-)
As you can tell from the out-of-focus cross-hatching and melted snow, I shot the picture through a plate glass window in Shibuya Station.
37. Same But Different. Interpret that as you will.
For another recent challenge, I have been playing with the idea of shadows — and a shadow world parallel our own. In that spirit, I chose this image as a kind of imaginary x-ray of the world of colour we inhabit. Just apply a little imagination, and you can see it, too. The bones under the flesh of our daily lives.
38. Forever Young. Like Bob Dylan, or not.
Jizo statues are ubiquitous in Japan, especially on urban side streets and in the countryside.
These small stone or bronze figurines depict Jizo Bodhisattva, a compassionate and beloved deity within the Buddhist pantheon. Jizo’s primary role is to aid and protect children, travellers, and pilgrims.
Jizo are often placed along roads, paths, and mountain trails to provide spiritual guidance and protection to those on journeys, both physical and metaphorical.
People often offer small gifts like toys, clothing, or food to Jizo statues as a gesture of respect and gratitude. These offerings are believed to please Jizo and secure his continued protection.
39. Heavy Metal. Keep it light…
If I were frontman of a famous heavy metal band, which I am not, I would build a tower like this to house myself, my band, and my fans. Of course, the entire building would be one giant speaker and, as a god of rock, I could send forth waves of music from my magic axe guitar in the healing key of D.