Walk through miniature Tokyo with a master of tilt-shift photography
Photographer Ben Thomas first visited Tokyo in 2008 and was simply amazed at the scale of this Asian metropolis. “The local culture and architecture is just incredible. Tokyo can be scary, fun and challenging at the same time." Thomas decided that the city might be ideal for tilt-shift shooting, which allows you to selectively focus on objects, creating a sense of miniature scenes. In 2012, he returned to the Japanese capital to take some more photos for his book Tiny Tokyo. “Anything that allows you to look at something familiar from a new angle is simply amazing. To look at a shot that feels familiar but also a little strange is to dig a little deeper and look at the scene with fresh eyes.”
1. Thomas started using tilt-shift lenses about seven years ago when he moved to Melbourne and wanted to find a unique way to capture the city. Pictured: Shibuya 109 junction. (Ben Thomas)
2. “At the time, tilt-shift lenses were mainly used in architectural photography. I was attracted by the fact that with its help you could get such an incredible effect. Shooting Melbourne in a new way, in miniature, I realized that the picture can tell a whole story. Pictured: Tokyo Sumo Championship, Ryogoku Kokugikan, Sumida. (Ben Thomas)
3. Thomas spent three weeks in Tokyo filming the city from above. Before starting the project, he spent three months looking for rooftops, bridges, and towers to shoot from. In the photo: the artificial island of Tsukishima, Chuo. (Ben Thomas)
4. “It wasn't just about finding places that I liked, I wanted to show all the aspects that I think make up the beating heart of Tokyo. Logically, I needed the right location for filming. Tilt-shift shooting is usually done from above, so it took a lot of planning.” Pictured: Takadanobaba stores, Shinjuku. (Ben Thomas)
5. When all options were exhausted, Thomas rented a helicopter to take such pictures as he intended. It was an unusual experience: a combination of adrenaline, speed and the urge to vomit. In the photo: tugboats, Ochanomizu. (Ben Thomas)
6. “Unfortunately, I get motion sickness in vehicles, especially when I have to look through the camera lens while on the move.” In the photo: night intersection, Oshiage. (Ben Thomas)
7. “For the Tiny Tokyo project, I spent about an hour in flight with two assistants.” In the photo: wet street, Chiyoda. (Ben Thomas)
8. Tilt-shift shooting has long ceased to be an innovation. There are now numerous apps and filters for smartphones, as well as special plugins for Photoshop, that recreate this effect. In the photo: different types of transport in the Tsukiji market. (Ben Thomas)
9. Thomas is sure that now the main thing is to find a special approach to tilt-shift, which will help to reveal the peculiarity of this or that place or person. Photo: Commercial dock in Koto. (Ben Thomas)
10. “A successful shot will always depend on the subject and the technical side - light, shapes and colors. However, the subject must also have some kind of charisma.” In the photo: a bar on the back of a street in Shinjuku. (Ben Thomas)
Keywords: Tilt-shift | Tokyo | Japan