I am only a week into blogging and I am already running out of things to say.... like I said, I am not (never was) a very good story teller....
But as quickly as that thought entered my head, a light bulb lit up the dark thought!
DING!!!!!
I have been taking photographs for almost six years now. And I still ask myself, "why do you do it, Pedro?" Is there really an answer to that?
Some do it for artistic purposes because photography is an aesthetic art form and photography is often more than just taking a photo with a camera, it is about creating something that is aesthetically pleasing. Photography is about the entire process from finding the object to photograph, framing the photograph, processing the image and presenting the image.
An illusioned aesthetic
And most, if not all, do it because photography has an economic significance, especially in terms of the industry that is associated with the products and services. Having the right connections, believe you me, it brings in good bread.... and then some!
Surely, we will hear a lot of different answers to this question. But it all boils down to what we really want, what made us see a really evocative thing and then capturing it. YOU HAVE TO FIND YOUR PLACE.
Evocative beauty
I thought at first that landscape was it for me. As a kid, I would just ogle at those Ansel Adams reproductions at bookstores. So i dabbled into it. But it's way too time-consuming and you need expensive gear for it! My 350D (my first DSLR) and kit lens was not ideal for it... tsk, tsk!
So I had to make do with what was around me. And, man, was I in for a big surprise! Beauty was all over the place! Right, left, above and under!
Every single street, everywhere i turn, every corner, is filled with amazing subjects.... and it's right outside my doorstep! How could I have missed it?!?
Then the children smiled at me...
.... and I FOUND my place.... I knew that this is where I belong....
Did you know that the earthquake that rocked Japan was so massive that it actually moved the country closer to the United States and changed the Earth's axis? The aftermath of destruction in the country is so devastating, it left the whole world in shock and grief.
Despite the country's loss, Japan's resilience and discipline is evidently restoring it's luster.
Airline food
Japan is one of the most (if not the best) beautiful place I was fortunate enough to have frequently visited. And I will always love the place and will never tire of visiting.
Shibuya
It's colorful and diverse culture, particularly the youth's fascination with Manga and Anime fashion is predominantly visible.
Harajuku
Harajuku fashion
But it is a relief to see the old culture still alive....
I would have loved to experience Japan's famous sakura (cherry blossom), but autumn's colorful flora is just as spectacular.
Hibiya Park
Autumn from Tokyo Tower
View from Tokyo Tower
One thing odd about Japanese men, they seem to be content being left alone... must be the sushi...
Alone at Hibiya Park
Alone again at Hibiya Park
Alone at Ginza
Weekends on Ginza's shopping district is a must-experience! The city closes the street to give way to swarms of locals and tourists. I was practically in heaven!
Ginza's center lane
Fashionable in Ginza
Not a care in the world, I sat myself in the center of the road and fired away!
Relaxed and at peace...
But the highlight of my trip was my most anticipated visit to the world famous Tsukiji Fish Market! I had to be at the place very, very early (3:00 a.m.!) to get the best view of the auction. Activity starts at 5:00 and normally ends at 7:00am.
Very early morning at Tsukiji Fish market
Tuna being inspected by wholesalers
Tuna auctioneers
Making a sale
A night in Tokyo
Having experienced it's culture, it's people, fashion and beauty, I am in awe at how they persevered, kept their cool and civility to get them through the tragic events. Despite the enormous loss of lives and property, they are coming back, like they always do. Such strength in a culture is inspiring and uplifting....
Let me share to you a line my Japanese golf buddy, Mr. Kurahachi, told me after a bad game some time ago.
"Don't give up. Just continuing to hold on will reveal strength and power. Continuing on after a setback is its own kind of strength. Perseverance is power."
It has since helped me go through some of my own difficult moments, and it perfectly describes the Japanese's deep faith and strong cultural roots.
