Day 200

End of an era

I struggled to find the right photo for my 200th blog post and lost a day or two in feeling most of the photos I had taken were not epic enough. However, this is a photo of something which will soon be resigned to the past. For many people, Polaroids are a complete mystery, to some hipsters and photo enthusiasts they are still something that doesn't have a digital equivalent. It's the photographic equivalent of an LP. The thing is, the slip of paper in the packs that I bought say that Fuji won't be making any more. They might make some small versions still for instant cameras but this was the last model in production that was used by professionals and Polaroid lovers still. I'm going to try not to waste the last few packs I have.

Day 65

Fashionistas (Mamiya 645 Velvia 100)

Day 64

I met Ichiro while walking with my son carried on my chest through the streets of Hakata. We were waiting at a crossing as I was contemplating whether to head towards Nakasu to take photos or not but figured I had already done enough walking that day and should turn back. As I was waiting at the lights, Ichiro just started talking to me and said my son was cool in Japanese. I asked his name and what he did. He said he was an actor, singer and entertainer. I took it at face value but suspect he spends most of his time entertaining women as a bar host. I asked if I could take a photo and his two friends popped up out of nowhere and joined in. I like how in Japan interactions with people are always polite and enjoyable no matter who you might meet.

Day 63

izakaya staff (Mamiya 645, Velvia 100)

Day 62

gangsta pose (Mamiya 645, Velvia 100)

I asked this guy if I could take his photo after his girlfriend almost screamed in the street about how cute Josh was and how they should make a baby. He didn't look quite so enthusiastic. They were both actually very nice and not as tough looking as the pose suggests. I asked if I could take his photo as I wanted to get one of somebody with a mask on. Masks are so popular in Japan but I still don't know if they are for people with colds or for people who don't want to get them. They even come in cute colours and designs with bunny faces and more.

Day 56

heading back to uni (Mamiya 645, Velvia 100)

Day 55

fastest driver in the east (Canon 7 RF Fuji Natura 1600)

Day 54

Yatai worker (Canon 7 RF Fuji Natura 1600)

The streets of Fukuoka are famous for the street food vendors known as yatai that sell Japanese dishes like ramen, yakitori, oden and other delicacies at certain junctions around town. They set up in the afternoon and keep going until late at night serving food and beer to 8 customers at most sat around the vendor's cart. I've seen the before and after of their business and while Japan is usually quite strict about food preparation, I can't say it looks the most hygienic!

Day 51

Finally got film back from Japan!

Hakata Festival sign (Canon 7 RF, Fuji Natura 1600)

I only had a few hours to use up my film on the last day in Japan, so I took random shots with this film without paying enough attention to it. I like the look and colours much better than I expected.