On Record Stores, Vinyl and other Records

Today I read in the paper that Tower Records in Tokyo, Japan was opening a dedicated a vinyl-only shop inside its flagship store in Shibuya. I have been intending to do a post on record stores and vinyl for some time, and to link some of the disparate images I have on this theme. Here’s … Read more

Gotta photograph that hat!

A few days ago I went for a walk to Swains Lane in Highgate to take take some pictures and try out my new camera lens. It was a lovely autumnal day. On the way back I saw  a woman leaning against a tree waiting for the bus. Her hat caught my eye, a warm … Read more

Autumn Leaves, Sculpture and other juxtapositions

I like seeing how sculpture interacts with the environment.  The following two images were taken on a trip to Japan a couple of years ago. The first was taken in Hiroshima. A mother and child; the mother’s hair flowing behind her. They seem to be perched on a crescent moon, and are surrounded by an … Read more

Japan: tradition and modernity in popular culture

I recently saw an advert on the London Underground from the Japan National Tourism Organisation who have launched a campaign entitled Japan – where tradition meets the future and it reminded me that I’d been meaning for a while to write a post on this very theme. I wanted to examine this theme using images … Read more

is it a painting? street photography and ambiguity

A few days ago I printed and framed an image I’d taken this summer on a hot day in London. Here it is: When my husband saw it he asked me whether it was a painting. I realised I was pleased that the image had this ambiguity; that it could be perceived of as a … Read more

Smoking in Japan

Unlike in Britain and the USA, smoking is still permitted in bars, hotels and restaurants in Japan. However, things are beginning to change. Here are a couple of images I took in November of designated smoking areas in Shinjuku, Tokyo I liked this bilingual pavement sign seen in the Chuo ward of Tokyo, and found … Read more