City life - my neighbourhood

[Mikes]

Some random images from around my apartment in Tokyo - a real urban environment.

[armando_m]

Impressive buildings Mike, well captured, very nice framings

[Frank Fremerey]

Life I do not see. But I see very nice architecture shots.

[Mikes]

Thanks for commenting, Armando and Frank.

Frank - here are a couple that feature humans!

Both with the little pocket-able Nikon1 J5.

[Mongo]

a very good set of images representing the urban side of Japan. Mongo has a particular like/connection with #5. Depicts the dense urban living but not forgetting the importance placed on maintaining an nature presence in the form of trees which may appear stark against the buildings but are, from Mongo's experience, in symbiosis with their surrounds.

[Mikes]

Thanks, Mongo. Despite the huge population of Tokyo (Tokyo-Yokohama almost 38 million people), authorities here seem to have been successful in recent years, by and large, in constraining the cheek by jowl proliferation of high rise residential and commercial accommodation that is happening elsewhere. I live in a high rise residential area that is enclosed by parks and gardens that are well cared for and thrive. The trees around here have been transplanted from elsewhere over the last 10-15 years, yet have fully integrated into their new environment almost in a symbiotic way. The autumn leaves around here are always spectacular, as are the spring flowers.

[John Geerts]

Impressive Mike. I like the last one especially. A pedestrian zone? 

[Thomas G]

Some random images from around my apartment in Tokyo - a real urban environment.

These are a very nice set of verticals, 2-1-4-3-5!

[Akira]

Mike, it is interesting to see the ordinary scenes from your fresh perspective.

The second image from the last was shot in Jimbo-cho which is a famous area know as the mecca of second-hand book shops.

[Tristin]

I really like the architectural shots!  Very pleasing compositions.  What lens(es) where used for these?

[Mikes]

Impressive Mike. I like the last one especially. A pedestrian zone?

Thanks, John. This is the scramble crossing at an intersection in Shibuya, a vibrant and very busy shopping precinct in Tokyo. It is a crazy place in peak time!

[Mikes]

Thanks, Thomas and Akira.

Akira - this is one of our favourite precincts in Tokyo. Also a mecca of dealers in wood block prints (reputable and otherwise!).

We recently had a fabulous meal there at a small, Michelin rated "Bib Gourmand" bar restaurant called "Den" that seated just eight people. Dessert was served on a gardening trowel!

[Mikes]

I really like the architectural shots!  Very pleasing compositions.  What lens(es) where used for these?

Many thanks, Tristin. All were shot with a D800e. Numbers 1, 3 and 4 were shot using a 28/2.0 AIs, and numbers 2 and 5 were shot using a 105/2.5 AIs. These (plus a 50/1.2 AIs) are probably my favourite manual lenses for round the town.

Mike.

[Akira]

Akira - this is one of our favourite precincts in Tokyo. Also a mecca of dealers in wood block prints (reputable and otherwise!).

We recently had a fabulous meal there at a small, Michelin rated "Bib Gourmand" bar restaurant called "Den" that seated just eight people. Dessert was served on a gardening trowel!

Mike, you are much better informed of Tokyo than I am.    Glad you are enjoying your life here.

[Frank Fremerey]

Frank - here are a couple that feature humans! Both with the little pocket-able Nikon1 J5.

Great shots and advertizing for the fact that in many situations a smallish camera can be the best choice.

PS: Scanning my behaviour I see that I tend to take cameras of all size with me. If I leave a camera at home I do so because I do not want to take photos, not because the camera is heavy.

If I really want to take a shot, I am even ready to carry my Sinar, and boy, she is really heavy.