Sunday, January 25, 2009

Week 41

Typologies and The Traffic Cones

I read another book by the Bechers a few weeks ago and was inspired to try a typology of my own in Tokyo last week. The Bechers were very particular about lighting, the weather, time of day, film and camera placement before even taking the photo. I, on the other hand, went for spontaneity.

I decided to go on a walk and the first repetition I started seeing on the street were the traffic cones. They were on nearly every street I turned down and came in so many varieties and colors. I tried to maintain some balance and correlation with the framing and camera settings, but other than that, I just kept walking, finding more types of cones and shooting. I'll definitely go back and do color someday, but you can almost tell what color they are even though they are black and white. An ignored urban eyesore or tiny cityscape peaks of potential street art that goes unnoticed?













All photos are the property of Tyler Ensrude at
www.tylerensrude.com

Sunday, January 18, 2009

Week 40

The Tree near the Train

This tree caught my eye this week. Thought it looked like something out of a Tim Burton movie.






All photos are the property of Tyler Ensrude at
www.tylerensrude.com

Saturday, January 10, 2009

Week 38

The Dazai Osamu Overpass over the Chuo Line

This train line overpass between Mitaka and Musashi-Sakai was apparently used by Dazai Osamu in his time living in Mitaka. He supposedly drowned in the Tamagawa Canal which flows past Mitaka and Kichijoji, but is now nothing more than a shallow creek. I followed the map of the other famous sites he frequented in the area.



The steps and bridge were built in 1929 and have remained the same since. The above picture of Dazai was taken in 1947.










Due to the holidays, the week 37 post was delayed. So two posts this week for the second week of January. Happy New Year!
All photos are the property of Tyler Ensrude at
www.tylerensrude.com

Friday, January 9, 2009

Week 37

The Candid Starbucks Shots

Just before Christmas I secured my camera on the table at Starbucks and randomly took shots of passersby.

Although most of these shots look eerily candid, the majority of Philip-Lorca diCorcia shots were meticulously staged and the lighting thoroughly planned.



I wish I had the time and patience to do the same...unfortunately these were not staged, but somewhat interesting.








All photos are the property of Tyler Ensrude at
www.tylerensrude.com