Hunting for the BEST Street Photo Spots in Tokyo

[@EYExplore]

Hey guys, like a bozo I put a broken link to the map. It's now fixed: www.eyexplore.com/adventures/digital-products/tokyo-photo-spot-map/ Also, I'll free invite to the first person who can correctly identify the sound effect I used for the zooming in on the map (hint: it's from a movie). :)

[@andrewanyplace]

It's from Blade Runner when Deckard uses the device to enhance the photographs!

[@EYExplore]

@@andrewanyplace Ding ding ding!! Send me a DM on IG (@lkazphoto) with an email address so I can invite you to the map! :)

[@andrewanyplace]

@@EYExplore Done. Thank you!

[@shadeofblue84]

Hi, i want to take the cyberpunk workshop. I have an entry level of english, is that any trouble ?

[@EYExplore]

@@shadeofblue84 We have no problem with basic English skill. We get people from all parts of the world regularly. :)

[@alteregothehi-qs5774]

Great! Great way to prepare for my Tokyo visit and your workshops!!

[@EYExplore]

Thank you!! We look forward to it! :)

[@alexxx4434]

Props to video camera man! His work is great.

[@EYExplore]

Axel always does an amazing job!! :)

[@sumidatechno]

It’s a really cool product, you can tell that a lot of work went into it. It’s evolving, too. Tokyo is a beast, the map is definitely an amazing tool for photographers who want some amazing underground stuff captured. And yeah we know. You looove bikes 😊 we do too!

[@EYExplore]

Thanks man!! I really appreciate that! :)

[@MarkPuke13]

Always a great time thanks guys big ups lukaz❤

[@EYExplore]

Thanks!! Glad you enjoyed it. :)

[@TokyoGritandGrain]

I know people would love this map! I have to say, that joint up Dogen slope is the best - 9:37 is a fave spot of mine and always a great time shooting there. Keep on keepin' on!

[@EYExplore]

Thanks!! And yeah, I'm sure you know a lot of these spots haha. :)

[@Kayo3am]

Like you said exploration is the fun part. Purchased to support a great channel.

[@EYExplore]

Thank you so much!! :)

[@fishmonkeycow9246]

So good. Makes me want to come back to visit again and shoot some film!

[@EYExplore]

Great! I hope you do! :)

[@Mixail747]

What is a good place to start looking for a first camera along with some basic photography tutorials?

[@EYExplore]

I'm not sure. I guess a good first camera is second hand so you save money and try something out! :)

[@michaelgannon2358]

The 28mm it also a peach. Might I add.

[@EYExplore]

I love this lens!! :)

[@Mixail747]

Cool map, if I'm ever happen to be in Japan, I'll buy it for sure!

[@EYExplore]

Awesome! Thanks! :)

[@floroemi]

Looking at this is like a throwback to the night we spend together in Shibuya... Have to admit, that I am still not confident that I would find a lot of those spots with the map, as navigation in Shibuya is not that precise and some are kinda hidden. Maybe next time we do the workshop together with the map 😉. Anyway, a pleasure to watch

[@EYExplore]

Well, it's not a perfect resource, but we do our best. Of course, a workshop is the real deal! :)

[@marving1416]

Yeah, I love bikes too! I have to stop and take one too if it's interesting to me.

[@EYExplore]

It's an obsession! :)

[@steefen]

the zooming sound effect is actually from blade runner lmao what an easter egg 😁

[@EYExplore]

Haha nice!! You got it! :)

[@davidwallace8183]

Thank you for sharing.

[@EYExplore]

Thanks for watching! :)

[@andrewgraham4372]

I had a great meal in that Yakitori place but wasn't too happy with the photographs I took. I used your map and it's a great resource when in Tokyo.

[@EYExplore]

Yeah, I love the food there! Thanks! :)

[@OscarVasquez-b8m]

Love the video, bought the map, paid for and looking forward to a tour when I’m in Tokyo in a couple of weeks! One question: in the video it shows the detailed EXIF data For the photos, and at the bottom, it shows a plus or minus on the EV, however, I don’t see him adjusting to intentionally over or under expose the shots on the camera as he takes them. Do you intentionally underexpose shots of bright neon signs in order to avoid highlight blowout and then just correct later and post if necessary?

[@EYExplore]

Thank you so much!! Yeah, the EV that's written in the video is the camera setting. So it's -1, then the camera was set to -1. But then in the edit, I may bring the -1 image back to 0 by adjusting exposure +1 in the editor, so it looks the same as another photo shot at 0EV. But the difference is exactly as you point out: the highlights will be dimmer in the -1 photo. Sometimes this makes little difference though. But in general, I'm often -1 or -.7 at night.

[@JimEmbury]

Bought the map. Thank you.

[@EYExplore]

Awesome! Thank you! :)

[@RayLombardi]

Hi Lukasz, Ray here. I've been a massive fan of the channel and have watched every single video several times, I even have your book! May I suggest a video idea? I want to go to Tokyo and do a workshop with you and with Lee Chapman. However, it is pretty daunting! Where do I stay? For how long? What kind of food can I get? How do I get from A to B? There are so many aspects to a trip like this! And when you add the language barrier, it gets really difficult. Perhaps it is much simpler in real life than in my mind, but, COULD YOU PLEASE make a video explaining, in as much detail as you dare, how to plan to go to Tokyo so that me and potentially many more, can actually go? I'm sure you could give great information that will make our life so much easier. Anything from what to town to stay at, what hotels, cheap places, transport, prices, travel cards, language considerations, times of year, le list goes on and on. You decide what to include, but the more info you provide, the easier you'll make it for us to actually get there. I know that you're not a tourist guide! But it could be a fun video that will provide vital info for those, like me, that seriously intend to take part in one(or two) of your workshops. Thank you so very much! Cheers, Ray from the UK.

[@EYExplore]

Hi Ray! Thanks for watching all our videos! I'm glad you enjoy the channel. I think such a video is a good idea but it's easier said than done. It's a lot of disparate info to put together! But I'll add it to the list of video ideas. Maybe Axel can help with this since he knows much more than I do about the travel industry and the typical traveler's experience. But don't hold your breath, haha, we're very slow to put out videos, though I promise, it's on the list! :)

[@Thezzie]

I don't own a good camera, most of my pictures are taken by a rather crappy phone camera, however this video is so enjoyable and inspiring, even if I just go to the spots for people and spot watching! Thanks!

[@EYExplore]

Thank you so much! I'm the video is inspiring! :)

[@iam_nick]

Do you think Shinjuku has more locations for street shoots or Shibuya?

[@EYExplore]

I would say so, because there busy area around Shinjuku station is just much larger. Walking away from Shibuya station quickly leads to more residential areas.

[@kurotaka007]

Great video! I’ve never done a workshop before and have restarted my photography shooting. Having moved to Japan from Chicago, I’d like to begin documenting my life here. I’m interested of course in the map, but more taking a workshop or two? Just picked up new camera system and want to learn more. Can workshops be customized?

[@EYExplore]

Oh you're from Chicago too? That's where I moved from when I came here in 2008. And yes, our workshops can be customized. Please check our site: www.eyexplore.com/location/tokyo-photo-workshops/

[@DanaBot]

I have the map and just came back from Japan/Tokyo...now I regret that video didn't come out earlier because I didn't know about that red neon sign...next time🙂

[@EYExplore]

Thank you for getting the map!! Yeah, I added the sign recently, but everyone who has access to the map should see any new locations. Next time! :)

[@adrianmuino3412]

Ciber-punk places are the best IMO

[@EYExplore]

Totally!! :)

[@rasc-images]

I do have the first version of the map. Is it still valid, that the new spots you’ve added appear in there as well, or would I need to buy the 2.0 version? BTW we are about to come to Tokyo soon and are excited to explore the city with the help of your map. Thanks.

[@EYExplore]

Yep! Any time we add spots it's to the same map. So you can just open it up and see all of the new stuff. I just called it 2.0 to emphasize that it's been updated. Hope you enjoy the city! :)

[@rasc-images]

@@EYExploregreat stuff! Many thanks!

[@vrapan]

Link to the map doesn’t unseen to work or is it just me?

[@EYExplore]

Ah sorry! A bunch of people pointed it out. What a stupid mistake on my part! It works now. :)

[@birdville300]

man those shots into the smoking box feel really invasive. Maybe because it's peering in through a window

[@EYExplore]

Yeah, I agree, but it is what it is. There are other photographers that shoot this close WITHOUT a hazy piece of glass in the way. People who've noticed me usually throw up a peace sign or smile. :)

[@nicholasdavidsmith]

BTW, the smoking box was recently re-decorated (I guess that’s the most appropriate adjective I can come up with at the moment), but you can still get similar shots.

[@EYExplore]

@@nicholasdavidsmith Oh really? I haven't been there in a couple of weeks. Things change fast in Tokyo! :)

[@splendidindifference]

Enjoyed the video, but the link to the map doesn't work - there are some extraneous characters in there...

[@EYExplore]

Yeah sorry! I just noticed and fixed it! Thank you! :)

[@liamrose117]

They must have changed the smoking area walls recently, they aren't nearly as interesting anymore.

[@EYExplore]

I heard that they did! I haven't been back since the change.

[@satay71]

Useful video, but please don't encourage taking photos of Japanese people smoking. And especially don't show them publicly. I'm sure those people aren't proud of their habit and wouldn't want it shared to the world. Some might even be trying to keep their addiction a secret.

[@EYExplore]

Thanks! Then they shouldn't do it in public lol.

[@williamdinitzen6755]

@@EYExploretaking photos of people in public here without permission is illegal, i do it aswell, but when people criticize you atleast show a bit of grace and humility about what you are going. Also having a map telling people where to photograph is absolutely moronic, perfect way to streamline everyones photography in Tokyo.

[@EYExplore]

@@williamdinitzen6755 It's totally legal in Japan. Check your facts. Glad you think I'm a moron though. Have a nice day. :)

[@paulm8157]

Nothing wrong w/shameless plug.😊 Map could be valuable resource - a prototype for other YT channels to emulate. (Haven’t seen one yet, however.) Was going to ask about the nature of the map and if it interacts w/Google maps, or is PDF. Explanation came way too late in vid, IMO, possibly causing some viewers to prematurely lose interest. Suggestion: offer a free “excerpt/sample” map - small subset to entice larger purchase. Does the map include the shutter sound effects, as well?😊 Cool escalator shot and elevator “invisible man” pic.😊 So our host makes a living, in part, by photographing smokers killing themselves - nice.😂 Cheers!

[@EYExplore]

It is a google map! Yeah, I should have probably emphasized sooner that you can access it on desktop or mobile easily via google maps. A small free map is a good idea! Ha, actually the sound effects are NOT shutters.... they are a reference to one of my favorite movies... can you guess which? Hahah, yeah the smokers thing is funny to me too, I think it's terrible and everyone should stop, but if they're gonna do it and look cool, I will continue to make pictures of people smoking. :)

[@paulm8157]

@@EYExplore Can’t guess the sound effect, or movie - sorry. One last thought about the map. My guess is that lots of folks who are familiar w/Google maps are not up to speed on shared maps. So a short “how-to” vid might be welcome.

[@EYExplore]

@@paulm8157 That's great feedback. Thank you! :)

[@rothschildianum]

If a person is not interested in selling the photos, I cannot figure out what the purpose of doing street photography.

[@JanThomasPettersen]

Some of my reasons: 1. Thrill of the hunt. The satisfaction of shooting that perfect random moment. 2. Skill. Taking a great photo takes a lot of training. And street photography gives endless possibilities throughout a year for training. 3. Explore urban environments. I love cities and street photography is a great way to explore. 4. Exercise. Get my 10 000 steps in while enjoying my hobby 5. After 10-15 years I might have enough bangers to make a book or two. 6. Make art.

[@Faerdder]

Just for the fun of it and about having a nice picture afterwards. It's the same as hobby musicians make music or hobby painters painting pictures.

[@rothschildianum]

@@JanThomasPettersen Thx

[@rothschildianum]

@@Faerdder Thx

[@EYExplore]

Well, it's mainly something I enjoy. There are lots of hobbies people do that don't make money haha. :)