And the Trees Have It!

I'm not sure what I was looking for, but nature answered.

I’m an “urban photographer”. That’s what I usually say. Some folks often throw out labels like, “street photographer” or similar, but I actually don’t think labels define me. I shoot, therefore, I am.

I’m captivated by the grime, textures, and every-day scenes that Tokyo offers up, and a favorite pastime is just wandering the streets shooting those things. Often, B&W film is what’s in my camera, and knowing that I can go home and develop the film myself, makes the adventure even more fun. There’s always a bit of anticipation, and I sometimes wonder how frames are going to turn out.

I don’t normally shoot nature scenes, but I was captivated by these majestic beings because they actually stopped me in my tracks. I was standing in a metropolis that is populated by 35M people and I couldn’t care about street photography.

It was a delight knowing that I don’t fit into any one photographic silo. I’ve shot live music, portraits, events, products, street scenes, decaying buildings, you name it, and what was delightful this day, was just remembering that I have a camera and I can photograph whatever I want.

Jason Garcia - Ilford XP2 Super b&w film

One day, the trees will die or be cut down, but what I like to think about, is that no matter what’s going on in my life, I can create and photograph something that will live forever.