Why Photograph

[@johnvienna3422]

"I don't know - I just want to." That's another great takeaway quote here (and, like the entropy quote, it also works for life in general).

[@EYExplore]

Yeah, I was kinda stating the obvious haha, but it's the truth!! :)

[@NishantSamant19]

"Photography is a battle against entropy." That's a quote I'll remember for a long time.

[@EYExplore]

It kinda is life itself too. :)

[@lim2001burger]

That's pretty much what got me into photography...freezing moments in time that won't happen again

[@NishantSamant19]

@@EYExplore So true!🙂

[@spektrograf]

Let's appreciate the great work of the video camera op on these videos. Love how he frames and composes when Lucas comes to a stop to take a photo. Shows a lot of care in his craft-no slop here. 🍻

[@EYExplore]

Thank you so much!! Axel is the man behind the cam and he does an amazing job! :)

[@SatanSupimpa]

I take so many mental pictures while watching the streets in your videos.

[@EYExplore]

That's great!! :)

[@nettmanoz]

photographing in public area is for me a way to therapy myself.

[@EYExplore]

For me as well! :)

[@BenCowles]

‘A dance with entropy.’ Love it

[@EYExplore]

Thank you!! :)

[@farisimadifik]

You’re the only street photographer from Japan that I can watch non-stop. Probably because you didn’t put any music on top makes it sounds like podcast

[@EYExplore]

Thank you so much!! And yeah, we made a conscious decision to not put music. We want these videos to feel like we are out there for a walk and chat together. :)

[@-grey]

Preserving the things that fall apart with photos, is kind of why I regret taking the present for granted so often. Things that didn't seem so interesting now, because they feel like they will always be. My dog is old and she's on her way out. She was an absolute beast of a pit bull in her prime - an absolute belligerent fighter. It was a constant pain in my ass keeping her in line, but now she's weak, frail, and often cries about joint pain. I miss her verve even though it was obnoxious at the time. I wish I captured it more. It seems so much more valuable now that it's past.

[@EYExplore]

Yeah, this is why I now shoot an absolutely crazy amount. Part of me thinks I'm overdoing it, but another part is saying, screw it, you can always delete the photos, but in 10 years time you may be happy you took them! This is the harsh reality of our lives... we take so much for granted in the present and often learn too late to savor those moments. At least we have our memories! :)

[@louisyong2905]

I go out to take photos because I enjoy the few seconds through the viewfinder when I become present to what’s happening in the scene. I leave my worries and anxieties aside, for those short moments. Thanks for the videos.

[@EYExplore]

Yes, that mindfulness experience is so refreshing. It's the best medicine in our modern, complicated world. :)

[@rbn1528]

Excellent video! Why shoot street photography - it's the variable reinforcement of getting a satisfying shot and exploring different parts of a city.

[@EYExplore]

Totally! It's healthy, like good food or exercise! :)

[@BartoszTBB]

I'm doing street photo to leave my comfort zone. Plus I really like unstreet photography.

[@EYExplore]

Those are good reasons! :)

[@maxanderssonphotography]

My family love Komagome and like to stay there while we visit Tokyo. The location is great with a station at the Yamanote-Line and its so calm and relaxed. And the best park in Tokyo is Rikugien Garden in Komagome in my opinion. Great video as always from you!

[@EYExplore]

Yeah, I visited the park more recently. It's a gorgeous garden! :)

[@Insomnia_Central_]

New place new inspiration

[@EYExplore]

Yeah! :)

[@Gaqon]

I really liked the comparison to roguelike games, how taking the same photo walks or shooting the same thing can be a completely different experience with different results. Loved the video!

[@EYExplore]

Thank you very much!! :)

[@kennyj604]

I like going out taking photos in the city because I become a part of the city. With camera in hand I can stroll for hours at a time. Zero stress, zero distractions (I rarely look at my phone). I compare street photography to golf. Some rounds you don't get a good shot. Some rounds you do. It's those good shots that makes one want to tackle another round over and over again. Good shot or not every round is always a good healthy walk.

[@EYExplore]

I like the golf analogy. I never played but can totally see what you mean! :)

[@williamchan8866]

I find street photography is just plain good for the brain….keeps my reflex sharp and keeps my brain thinking and anticipating. I actually have foot pain so every step hurts….but I just find an interesting spot and keep my mind open.

[@EYExplore]

I agree! It's great brain exercise. :)

[@metrostills]

Loved your comments about motivation. I also like how SP gets me walking around my city, and the gambler’s chance of a pic only makes it more fun. Humbly, I also like to think I’m capturing what life is like in my city in this era - like an even lesser known Vivian Maier.

[@EYExplore]

I think there is much value that a humble local street photographer provides! :)

[@pdlagasse]

I think what motivates me the most is light. I feel compelled to go out when the lighting conditions are unusual or distinctive, say a drizzly gray day or bright moonlight. I see differently, if that makes sense.

[@EYExplore]

That is also true. Any kind of unusual thing gets me out. For example, in Tokyo is rarely snows, but when it does I drop everything and go shoot haha. :)

[@TheScarnak]

Loved this video, these are my favourite types from you guys. Though I love them all, keep up the great work!

[@EYExplore]

Thank you so much! :)

[@lovedanielperalta]

Excellent! I love the personal, accessible feel to this video. Honest, spontaneous and humble. The walk through an ordinary, off the beaten track neighborhood keeps it real. No flashy neon lights, no big screens like in Shinjuku, just you and cameraman (Axel - interesting that he's never in front of the camera). I appreciate listening to your relationship with photography. Photographs, while many can be intimate, are mostly distant. You say yourself, "Street photography is capturing fleeting moments that don't exist for more than just a second. Without the camera they would just disappear." Too often the humanity of the photographer is never seen. We can sense it through the photographs taken but never really know for sure. This video format shows us the life behind the camera. This gets philosophical (your poet), and you share that sometimes you do don't always get what you want or anything you consider good. Any one who has seen your work knows otherwise. I love the casual style of the video too. What I appreciate most is that it's not technical. It's about the human who takes pictures and tells us why he does it.

[@EYExplore]

Thank you so much Daniel!! I'm glad you enjoyed this one so much! :)

[@TryingtoLearntheuke]

Always enjoy your videos and this one didn't disappoint.

[@EYExplore]

Thank you so much!! (BTW those prints are on their way!!!!!)

[@TryingtoLearntheuke]

@@EYExplore Thanks. 🙂

[@awildcyclistappears]

"Successes are rare and failures are common." I really like what you said there. I often get down because I took a lot of pictures and 99% of them are garbage and maybe 1% is acceptable. Now if I get one good photo in that 1% I feel happy and discouraged at the same time. I remember your words for the future - thanks.

[@EYExplore]

Over time you will grow the 'acceptable' pile, getting even up to something like 90%, but the 'good/great' piled never exceeds .1-1%. It just takes time. But it's time not waste because it's spent in enjoyment! :)

[@justindurnen3828]

The reason I photograph has honestly changed over the years. When I first started I wanted to shoot landscapes, portraits, and these days I love documenting places, people, and even writing stories about them. I guess I like to consider myself a bit of a faux photojournalist if you will haha. I live in a city as well, and where I live is constantly changing, sometimes it feels like a week has gone by and a prominent building in the area has been torn down and replaced. Honestly, for what it's worth from a stranger across the globe, I think it's cool that you use a "big camera" for street photography. Big cameras are fun to use especially if you're someone like my self with large hands haha.

[@EYExplore]

Yeah, in simple ergonomic terms I also prefer a big camera. It just sits well in my hands. But anyway, yeah I feel that photojournalist mentality. I think of what I do as literal 'journalism' in a sense, as in I am taking visual journal of my forays around town. :)

[@justindurnen3828]

@@EYExplore Actually I’ve been meaning to ask you, have you ever thought about creating a photobook?

[@EYExplore]

@@justindurnen3828 Yes, I will... eventually. I actually do have a small one out through a friend's publishing house but just haven't promoted it much. I plan on making a video about it soon.

[@justindurnen3828]

@@EYExplore That's awesome. Whenever you decide to sell it point me in the direction. I'd love to order one.

[@mathewtoll6780]

About 10 minutes in your make photography sound like therapy for death anxiety. Yet, maybe that's just me

[@EYExplore]

I think it is for me. In fact, photography is therapy for all kinds of anxiety haha. My mental health would suffer without it. :)

[@emanonmuc7762]

i Like these relaxed walks to explore and shoot. Greetings also to your cameraman. He does an very good job also.

[@EYExplore]

Thank you so much! Yeah, Axel does an amazing job! :)

[@tims8305]

I enjoy challenging myself with photography because, as you've said many times, we should be shooting for ourselves. Plus its enjoyable, right? Without sounding too "wanky" its a record of a particular time or day in my life, as well as of a particular subject or place. Later its cool to look back at images taken several years ago and look back on what was going on when I was shooting something somewhere. BTW I actually like some distortion in some circumstances (13.30)! Thanks for the videos!

[@EYExplore]

All good reasons! I feel they are true for me as well! :)

[@maltesejoe]

I like to go out and take photographs because its relaxing, makes you look & see the world at a different way/light, as you say it's also like gambling, either you gonna win or lose but its a win just to get out and about for me, going to defferent places, I love looking at photographs be it mine, yours or others, learning new techniques, getting that happy feeling when you get home and you have a good day out and have a good photograph or two at then of the day.

[@EYExplore]

I wholeheartedly agree. Just the excitement of the 'possibility' of getting a good shot, on top of simply being out there and exploring, is all the motivation one needs. :)

[@AikoiEmil]

Always appreciate your videos! Hope you will get a lot of clients after Japan opening to tourism!

[@EYExplore]

Thank you so much, Emil!! I hope so too! :)

[@jamessorby7688]

I took a photography class way........back in the early 1970's. There were two instructors, and they encouraged us if we were so inclined to take photos of older things and places. This was in Chicago which has a long history of fine architecture. But of course, not all buildings can even remotely be labeled "fine". So, we had some assignments to go out and shoot architectural features, such as doors and doorways. It was fun seeing how different photographers would approach the task. In my estimation they taught us some of the most important aspects of photography, such as composition and the expectations of the photographer. They told us that it was not unusual to take a hundred exposures before we took one that we might be really proud of. A 'great" pic. So, I've always kept that in mind whenever taking photographs.

[@EYExplore]

for me it's more like 1 in 1,000! I'm also from Chicago and love the architecture there, even today! :)

[@GrainyWorld]

This video is good. It's like I'm watching a good movie. The vibe, environment, color grading...

[@EYExplore]

Thank you so much!! Glad you like the grade!! Editing the Z50's output is rather limited but I like the results with a few subtle edits. :)

[@Nicgerry]

Really enjoy the vibe of this video, venturing into mundane back alleys

[@EYExplore]

Thank you so much!! :)

[@lightloving683]

My motivation to photograph is to print. I don’t shoot, I don’t print. Plain and simple means to an end.

[@EYExplore]

Ah nice and simple! :)

[@chilledm.136]

Nice analogy between street photography and roguelikes, I love them both!

[@EYExplore]

I am majorly addicted to roguelikes haha. I love Risk of Rain 1/2, Hades, Spelunky, Synthetic, Dead Cells, the list goes on...

[@garyoverton6222]

I always have the shutter silent on my Nikon and Samsung phone camera

[@EYExplore]

Me too. :)

[@TomVestvik]

My cameras have been gathering dust for years now. Only my GR gets out once in a while. But I love following your trips around the neighbourhoods in Japan. Looking at the architecture, the daily life, and all the photos I could’ve made.

[@EYExplore]

Thank you so much!! :)

[@leunga]

Japanese architecture is just so appealing. The mix between the old and new. Been there a few times and would love to go back again. You feel so safe with a camera there unlike in Europe (where I am from).

[@georgedavall9449]

Why so Tom?

[@karrasch-feler]

Another brilliant video that is an amalgamation of at least three profound and simply enjoyable aspects: (1) an insightful meditation on the meaningfulness of (street) photography (and its preservational functions), (2) a very interesting guided tour around a special district, (3) a display of effing good shots. - Thanks a lot - and keep it up, please!

[@EYExplore]

Wow, thank you so much!! Glad you enjoyed this one. I was kind of on the fence about it, but it turned out pretty good. :)

[@feklee]

Thanks for the inspiring video! I try to limit photography to communication, like with friends and family, and for projects that I'm working on. But it's also fun to just fool around and get some special shot, even if it's not shared with anyone. Practice is important to get the shot when it's actually needed. Loading the raw images into ACR and adjusting them is something I start to appreciate too. I was afraid of this part before. But your videos on editing made it look less intimidating. Unless I'm missing something, they're all about pictures taken at night. Could you show us how you process pictures taking during the day? I like that clean look, for example of the truck at 10:47.

[@EYExplore]

Thank you so much! As for editing day time photos, I don't really do anything differently. I follow the same principals that I explain in those videos. The same tools, same ideas (color contrast being very important to me). :)

[@Mudganon59]

Sticking to game analogies it always occurred to me that japan in general and major cities specifically, have such a strong game vibe going. Compare that to eastern europe, japanese cities seem like they are game locations. Every square meter is so detailed and well integrated. I dont know how to convey that feeling with words, but walking in japan FEELS like you are playing game where everything made for you to study and explore.

[@EYExplore]

Yeah it does. It make me want to go into certain doors to see if I can find a hidden area and get some good loot, haha. :)

[@Bautaen202]

A true inspiration for street photography you are. And I learned a thing or 5 on my Nikon Z6II from you. Thanks and keep up the good work. Cheers from Norway🇧🇻👍😊📸

[@EYExplore]

Thank you so much!! I really appreciate it!! :)

[@robertleeimages]

I always look forward to your new video, in between i watch what takes my fancy of the Ricoh videos. Oh and I've been following Lee on twitter since 1st seeing his stuff through this channel, got a nice surprise a few days ago when he followed me back

[@EYExplore]

That's great!! I like that we're building a nice little eco-system haha. I honestly wish Axel and I could make 100% of our living from this channel because it is the most fulfilling thing I do. :)

[@robertleeimages]

@@EYExplore that's so nice to hear, you never know what's around the corner so i hope you guys get to live that dream

[@alhOOO2O]

Here’s my literally thought process as you went towards that blue pipe and sign: ‘Oh, that’s weird…oh well, guess he’s into capturing the little details of Tokyo, it’s probably meaningful to him’ ‘I wonder if it he will put the photo up on the screen. Prob not because it’s a bit boring compared to his other scenes’ *photo on screen* ‘Omg that’s one of the coolest photos I’ve ever seen. The colours, the geometry, the framing - absolutely perfect.’ *recognition that I would never be able to see or achieve that* ‘Oh dear’ 😂

[@EYExplore]

Hehe, it surprises me too sometimes. But you definitely could, though spotting the 'good' things is the hard part. Developing a 'taste' for the extraordinary in the ordinary takes some time. But after 10,000 hours in the streets you start to notice these things more than the more obvious beauty. :)

[@hendrixg]

People who prescribe a camera as 'the best' or the 'worst camera' I find often miss the point. Gear matters until it doesn't. More power to you if you're rocking the Nikon. Whatever works for you. And if they see your portfolio and results I'm sure they'll keep quiet. No hate for those who criticize but people often forget that a person will pick a camera for different reasons. I like hearing their attachments to gear for the images/experiences they produce not about megapixels and size. Great video and discussion as well. Photographing is indeed gambling, feel like I've been losing lately but know the big pay out is coming soon hahaha. Motivation = seeing something new, practicing the craft, self reflection, getting lost and coming back.

[@EYExplore]

All good points! The nice thinking about photo-gambling is that you never really lose. You're always out enjoying photography! :)

[@nerwin]

I'm not sure why I even take pictures anymore to be honest, I feel like less and less people care about photography. It's like everyone wants TikTok short form videos, A.I. generated fake photography and presets that simulate your photos to look like film so they look like everybody else's photos just for likes. I'm having a hard time finding the inspiration and motivation to take photos in this crazy rapidly changing world. I got rid of my social media thinking it would help but the truth is, I hardly take pictures now because I feel like there is no reason to if nobody will see them. I don't have any friends, next to no family so it's just me that sees them generally. Social media was a way to share my work with the world but at the same time, it started to change the way I see and I felt like my work was becoming less authentic because I was subconsciously making images just for likes. It's been a huge struggle for me and I feel alone but I'm sure there are others out there that feel the same and going through the something. I like the way you make your videos, easy to follow and laid back approach. Keep up the great work.

[@EYExplore]

I think if you're extrinsically motivated (meaning you need someone else to see them) then it's already an uphill battle. You need intrinsic motivation. Be selfish, shoot for yourself first and foremost. If you get nothing our of the act of creation yourself, then yeah, there is no point to bust your ass making good pictures. You must get enjoyment out of it for yourself. I love looking back on my photos, whether I took them yesterday or 10 years ago. I love being our there shooting them, at home editing them, printing them, looking at them. I could do all of that if I was the only human on earth. You need to be selfish! That can free you to show what and how you want. No need to please the fickle masses. :) I once wrote about this very topic: www.lkazphoto.com/blog/becoming-a-hermit-in-the-woods

[@audioman99]

What shoulder bag do you use? I like the small size ;)

[@EYExplore]

It's a regular messenger bag from a company called Squalo Works. :)

[@imac3355]

Great video as always Lukasz! Do you have a prefered aspect ratio 3:2 or 4:3 etc?

[@EYExplore]

I basically stick with the camera's 3:2 but sometimes crop to 16:9 for that nice wide feel. These days I also sometimes experiment with 2:1 for a truly cinematic widescreen effect. :)

[@dansuzukiphotography]

About that house, Tokyo "...is a city where integration does not require synthesis". (Ulf Meyer).

[@EYExplore]

That's a cool quote! :)

[@MarkPuke13]

Yay new video!!

[@EYExplore]

:)

[@orbital2001]

Hi The pictures that you show us in each video - are you edit them or they are SOOC? After your photowalk - do you edit each photograph or just chosen ones?

[@EYExplore]

I always edit all of my photos, usually not so much. But they are never SOOC. After a walk, I go through and delete like 50% or more and then select maybe 20-30% for editing. After editing I maybe post 10% of those, and maybe .1% is truly good, haha.

[@orbital2001]

@@EYExplore Thank you for an explanation

[@Localtraveler2376]

I’m really enjoying all your videos and learning A lot. Don’t worry about the outlier trolls. You can’t make everyone happy.

[@EYExplore]

I agree!! We get so much love in the comments. I always look forward to them! :)

[@paulm8157]

Thought provoking topic, Lukasz. My guess is that folks have quite different reasons for doing photography. My own are combinations of creativity and discovery - capturing the “extraordinary” in the “ordinary”. There are good and bad images to be had all around us - takes skill and practice to sort them out by eye. (Some motivations entail blackmail, but that’s another story😂.) Neat images at 9:28 (facade) and 10:11 (coin locker). Not many people around in this one. Cool lion t-shirt, BTW. Shutter sounds might make for a separate vid topic - seems to be a quality highly prized, or at least rated, with “muffled” click more favored that “slap kerthunk of old DSLRs” - sound provides at least a satisfying “got it” feedback, IMO.

[@EYExplore]

I like this: capturing the “extraordinary” in the “ordinary”. It's the foundation of street photography, I feel. My sister got me the shirt. It's one of my favorites. In general I like shirts with animals on them, hehe. As for the sounds, the best sound ever was my D3 and it was LOUD and POWERFUL. The D4 has a good sound too. But yeah if I had more cameras at my disposal it might be fun to do a comparison video. I've gotten used to the Z9's absolute silence and I quite like it too. It's almost magical. :)

[@justbob8691]

Great video. What are you using to hold your water bottle?

[@EYExplore]

It's one of these little gadgets: www.amazon.com/s?k=water+bottle+carabiner&sprefix=water+bottle+carabin%2Caps%2C278&ref=nb_sb_ss_deep-retrain-50-ops-acceptance_1_20

[@bocatatun]

photography is the dead cells of live :D

[@EYExplore]

Wow, that's a cool way to put it! It's like the universe 'sheds' photos. Wait, I just realized you meant DEAD CELLS the game. Haha, yeah it is! I was really into Dead Cells for a while. :)

[@bocatatun]

@@EYExplore yeah i mean because you told about roguelike games was like starting over everyday with the camera and wait somenthing to come over from ground up every day :P

[@benmartin6690]

I think it's interesting watching this video, it's able to feel both spontaneous and dynamic when comparing the photography and the cinematography. I wonder what your thoughts are when people don't have these environments. Saying this despite you saying these environments were slow or unimpressive, where I see them as very opportunistic environments. Maybe the cinematography shows what was missed.

[@EYExplore]

I mean, compared to a place like Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ikebukuro... the absolute downtown heart of the city, yeah this area is slow. As for unimpressive, that's a bit subjective I guess. To me, it's not impressive, but it is interesting. And on my own, without the camera rolling, I am happy to spend hours in such neighborhoods shooting nothing particular and sometimes just walking more than shooting. :)

[@nakata4713]

What roguelike games are you playing :)?

[@EYExplore]

The last one I played a ton was Synthetic. Looking forward to the sequel. I also sunk waaaay too many hours into Risk of Rain 1/2, Hades, Spelunky, Dead Cells, and probably some others I'm forgetting right now. :)

[@matthewriley3778]

Commenting just to boost the algorithm

[@EYExplore]

Much appreciated!! :)

[@alexcasaresOracleAZ]

Wow, that looks like a huge camera to be carrying around going to end up with back problems. I'll stick to my Fuji 😜😂

[@EYExplore]

Thanks for the medical advice doctor. ;)

[@jackofblades6736]

truckun ready to take you to side quest

[@EYExplore]

Hahahah yeah. Man, I would love a ride-along. I had the right lens for it too, just chill in the cab, chat and shoot. The day in the life a trucker....

[@jackofblades6736]

@@EYExplore just ask I bet they’ll be excited to have partner along the trip. Going to the country side with it would be sweet.

[@lukaskosc6410]

In my case its replace my concentration from inside thinking to outside percieving. Hope it makes sense. Help me to rest.

[@EYExplore]

I understand! Me too! Photography encourages mindfulness. :)

[@lukaskosc6410]

@@EYExplore exactly ☝️🙂

[@ManchmalGaming]

It's some kind of dance like everything else in life. Why dance? Why music?

[@EYExplore]

Because it's fun! But why is it fun?? :)

[@ManchmalGaming]

​@@EYExplore It's a very good question! Just experiencing and being a part of reality can be a joy in itself. Patterns moving and connecting with eachother. :*)

[@EYExplore]

@@ManchmalGaming True! To me, as I say in the video, the sense of 'rolling the dice' is what makes it fun and addictive. :)

[@whfowle]

What most street photography is today is way different from the old pictures I see of city life from the past when people, cars, trucks, street cars and trolleys, buildings, tons of electric and telephone lines seem to be what was captured. At the time these pictures were taken, all that was modern and only looks quaint now. That is my problem. I have trouble trying to figure out what to capture that will look quaint 40-50 or 100 years from now. It just doesn't seem to interest me even though the old pictures do.

[@EYExplore]

I think we never know what will look quaint. I think we should all just shoot whatever interests us now. I have many things that interest me but I know are quite boring to anyone else (the huge truck I shot in this video is a good example). :)

[@ThorenTravels]

I just want a reason to be alive

[@EYExplore]

I think going out and exploring the world (with or without a camera) is one good reason among many! :)

[@SEKunkle]

Excellent video! Quite compelling. Only disappointing thing I saw was the "Denny's" sign. Why must America export the worst of our culture?

[@EYExplore]

Ha, that's funny. Also Denny's here is totally different than in America.

[@SEKunkle]

@@EYExplore That's good to know. Why should innocent Japanese people suffer unnecessarily? ;- )

[@patrickroe5926]

Why photography? Why race cars? Why collect stamps? Why follow sports teams?

[@EYExplore]

Yeah, but those all have different answers to the same question if you go deep enough. The surface answer, 'because it's fun' does not lead to any insight about the craft.

[@TheNitebinder]

I've been thinking the same thing. With that #AI garbage mid journey and others have created, why bother buying a camera, lenses, filters, memory cards and speed lights. Better off saving that $5,000 to 6,000 dollars instead. Don't get me started on cell phone photography what a waste of energy.

[@EYExplore]

I mean, I know you're being sarcastic, but maybe you didn't watch the video? The question is just a starting point for a fun conversation (or I guess monologue since it's only me). It's mean to be food for thought, not a bashing of photography... obviously. :)

[@craig_m_mi]

Horse meat? 🤢

[@EYExplore]

It's good!!!