Tokyo after twilight

In Tokyo opposites; the old and the new, east and west; blend in together so easily. The man is choosing his drink from a vending machine in the middle of an "old world" lane in the heart of Shinjuku.

The mood and tone of this composition reminds me of this one I had taken last year.

Somehow, sepia seems to add that special touch to urban night shots which I don't seem to get with black and white.

(edit)
This one hit #2 on Explore!

Tokyo, Japan
2006

Arjun Purkayastha • travel & fine art photography •

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Comments

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(152 comments)

original_ann says:

This is a stunningly gorgeous image!
Posted 42 months ago. ( permalink )

~Reshma~ says:

I find sepia a tad flat. What I like is "warmified" black and white.

Nice shot as always, btw!
Posted 42 months ago. ( permalink )

sanoi says:

great atmosphere!
Posted 42 months ago. ( permalink )

solarider says:

Great shot - love the feel of this.
Posted 42 months ago. ( permalink )

Nil! says:

fantastic shot.
The light are incredible.
Posted 42 months ago. ( permalink )

Andreas Reinhold says:

amazing, subject, composition and atmosphere. fave!

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Posted 42 months ago. ( permalink )

Rodrigo Osorio says:

Tks for your comment. You have a great work too. Many beautiful photos!!
Posted 42 months ago. ( permalink )

svenwerk says:

really great use of tone and light! very interesting atmosphere.

you have some excellent photos in your photostream. i really like them!
Posted 42 months ago. ( permalink )

Photo_Freak says:

This is undoubtedly a genuinely professional looking photograph. This could easily be accepted into a number of magazines.

I really liked that you added your personal thoughts on this photograph. It is always nice to read what the artist was thinking.
Posted 42 months ago. ( permalink )

photofool says:

sepia tone works wonderful here. another subtle juxtaposition between east & west culture: kanji writtings vs "hot pepper".
Posted 42 months ago. ( permalink )

maat108 says:

.... two (or more worlds) ....
Posted 42 months ago. ( permalink )

Sushma Sabnis says:

i love this..
Posted 42 months ago. ( permalink )

Dan65 says:

This image is one of enormous quality. The light, the composition, the focus. Perfect, perfect.
Posted 42 months ago. ( permalink )

victor_nuno says:

In one word: beautiful!
Posted 42 months ago. ( permalink )

LaserGuided says:

Very nice, I like the sepia tones here. Great lights and shadows work!
Posted 42 months ago. ( permalink )

>>Jass<< says:

SePiA rOCks! Nice Shot !
Posted 42 months ago. ( permalink )

*Perikita says:

Right you are... the sepia here works nicely... and makes your picture evocative...

Lovely picture :)
Posted 42 months ago. ( permalink )

aunty vanya says:

very beautifull and athmospheric!
Posted 42 months ago. ( permalink )

Iliyan Hristov says:

your photos are great! i love the colors and atmoshpere of this one especially. wonderful shot!
Posted 42 months ago. ( permalink )

jot.de says:

wonderful mood and catch of a moment full of life!!!!!!!
Posted 42 months ago. ( permalink )

margabr says:

Great photo! I like very much the constrast and composition!
Posted 42 months ago. ( permalink )

Hughes Léglise-Bataille says:

Great mood... Maybe sepia works well on this because on a night shot, it brings more luminosity, and also it suits the artificial light ?
Posted 42 months ago. ( permalink )

IrenaS says:

I just love these dark sepia tones. Gorgeous!
Posted 42 months ago. ( permalink )

Is this Graham? says:

A very sublte, atmospheric photograph. Cool =)
Posted 42 months ago. ( permalink )

七一  says:

nice ambiance
Posted 42 months ago. ( permalink )

Vinícius Santa Rosa says:

fantastic!!!
Posted 42 months ago. ( permalink )

haikulinde says:

Absolutely fantastic!
Wonderful presented in sepia!

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Posted 42 months ago. ( permalink )

Gunnella says:

I love how Tokyo seems to constantly present these opposites!! Great shot and I agree with the sepia :-D
Posted 42 months ago. ( permalink )

slow guns says:

What a wonderful shot! :-))
Posted 42 months ago. ( permalink )

Second2Ngan says:

Two thumbs up! I like the sepia - wouldn't change a thing.
Posted 42 months ago. ( permalink )

baby7 says:

My fav..-Really beautiful scene
Posted 42 months ago. ( permalink )

T Glow says:

great light & tones. excellent work!!!
Posted 42 months ago. ( permalink )

jaxybelle says:

It's funny but when I first got to Tokyo these kind of contrasts were some of the things I loved most but I do have to say that after living there for 8 years my thoughts changed and instead of contrasts I found them to be contradictions, which were some of the things that I couldn't stand the most. However, this photo reminds me of the good and I like the sepia.
Posted 42 months ago. ( permalink )

LucaPicciau says:

I like the light in this one!
Posted 42 months ago. ( permalink )

Varyamo says:

Bellísima. Una foto maravillosa. Muy buen trabajo. Excelente!!!
Posted 42 months ago. ( permalink )

wonderfulhorriblelife says:

great atmosphere and light
Posted 42 months ago. ( permalink )

manna from the heavens™ says:

I love it :) wonderful light and warm tones, and also really enjoy the details of the signage and lettering/characters. beautiful sepia.
Posted 42 months ago. ( permalink )

Sergio Lubezky says:

Thank you for rating all the images in the pool and posting in the 100 Points group!!!
Posted 42 months ago. ( permalink )

a11sus says:

Nice.

Spotted in Fave Me (please don't forget to comment or fave.)
Posted 42 months ago. ( permalink )

AnnuskA - AnnA Theodora says:

sometimes i wonder how i manage to end up in such a perfect gallery!! congratulations!!
Posted 42 months ago. ( permalink )

PhiIip [deleted] says:

gorgeous!

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Seen in the interestingness archives. (?)
Posted 42 months ago. ( permalink )

nuruL H. says:

Rating #1:

oh yes! SEPIA definitely works well here! it evokes a brooding feeling to it and yet its so alive! i love it! :)

Rated 10 out of 10 in the 100 Points group.
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

MicheKerr says:

Nice mood, rich tones.
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

Kevin Lelland says:

Like the photo journalism aspect of the picture. The sepia works well and adds to what already is a very atmospeheric shot. Minor point is how dark the top right is (and therfore lacking detail) but I am not sure what you could have done other than crop it slightly.

Rating #2:

Rated 9 out of 10 in the 100 Points group.
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

alerib says:

What an aesthetically pleasing composition. Everything seems to be in its right place, you managed light and shadows very well, and your choice of sepia added to the picture as if it was a "film noir" from the last century. Very good, touching, emotionally appealing. It's nice when we see somebody turning an ordinary everyday scene into something so special.

Rating #3:

Rated 10 out of 10 in the 100 Points group.
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

Kentuckiana (In & Out of Flickr) says:

Brilliant lighting
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

LA Lassie says:

Rating #4:

Right off, I totally agree with "alerib" and her comments on this photo. I find little wrong with the shot. The sepia merits the extra points to me on the photo's rating. I found it very eye pleasing and most interesting to have the present mingled in with years gone by.

Most interesting to me; because in less than 2 weeks I'll be in Tokyo.

Rated 10 out of 10 in the 100 Points group.
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

Sir Isaac Lime says:

Great picture. The lighting is nice, the composition pleasant, and the subject interesting enough to keep you looking at it for a while and exploring. I might like to see just a little more space on the right and the bottom. The "Hot Pepper" is distracting for me, maybe largely because my American eye is drawn to the English words, but also because the contrast there is so strong.

Rating #5:

Rated 9 out of 10 in the 100 Points group.
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

ThePres [deleted] says:

Gorgeous image!
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

MaiKoh says:

I love the busy-ness of this composition!!! The lighting, the writing, and especially the sepia tone really really really makes this a strong composition!!!
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

Quod says:

This is wonderful photo!
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

leesure says:

Rating #7:

Rated 8 out of 10 in the 100 Points group.

I like this, but I'm not as big a fan as some others. I can't help but feel it's tilted to the left a bit. The mood and photojournalistic feel are nice.
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

Farl says:

unforgettable. this is a photo I reallllllly will like to come close of taking someday.
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

nathan_saksena says:

Lovely capture. The ccolor tones are so natural and is so well taken and composed. Truly a classic. Love it!
Nitin, Sydney
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

Sravan Nerella says:

I like the jounalistic style. But the blacks are too dark.
Rating #8:

Rated 8 out of 10 in the 100 Points group.
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

kumo36 says:

very warm and calm atomsphere... somehow nostalgic.
great work!!
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

t i n y e y e s says:

Great atmosphere !!
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

liad rozen says:

nice mood
7/10
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

poonomo says:

arjun... ur fotos always leave me "S.P.E.L.L.B.O.U.N.D." .... :o) ... terrific snap...!!! n i simply love d mood u've created here with sepia...!!!
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

LA Lassie says:

OK.......... and again I say......this should have been a #9 from LIAD ROZEN.

*** Note:

"liad rozen" is not putting the number on his comments.
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

Sergio Lubezky says:

Sorry Judy, that comment might not even be from the group, and we cannot recognize it as one without the 100 Points template. It will be ignored by members in this group.

Next rating should be Rating # 9
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

skycaptaintwo says:

I don't think I would have picked up on the "opposites" if you hadn't pointed them out in the caption. The vending machine isn't really recognizable as such; in this shot it simply provides a pleasing light source. Part of what makes the shot interesting is the fact that it is difficult to tell what the man is doing, giving it a sense of mystery.
The combination of Japanese print and English add to that effect. The darkness and the glare that some complain about, along with the sepia tone, make the shot look exotic. I don't have any suggestions for improvement. My only criticism is that it doesn't suite my taste, but still you deserve credit for some good work.

Rating #9:

Rated 9 out of 10 in the 100 Points group.
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

nivlekgant says:

I love your light play on this.
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

soylentgreen23 says:

Excellent photograph. I love how, with the sepia tint, this looks like a really old scene from Japan, but when you look closer you see the drinks machine (actually it might be a cigarette kiosk, I can't quite tell) and realise this is a scene from the present day, it really is very powerful.

Rating #10:

Rated 9 out of 10 in the 100 Points group.
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

Carmelo Aquilina says:

Rating #11:

Rated 10 out of 10 in the 100 Points group. I think this is wonderful. A night shot is always difficult, and the man is mysterious. The contrast between light/dark, chiense/western is handled very well and the sepia tone adds an olde fashioned feel. Wonderful !
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

Ingiro says:

WOW!!!
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

Sergio Lubezky says:

Final rating in the 100 Points group is a massive 91 Points.

Super Well Done !!!

Please request entry and publish this photograph in the 90-99 Points group and thank you very much for participating.
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

tanyvonne says:

very melancholic shot, i feel. it is something like 'the past in the present' or 'the present in the past' atmosphere..cannot decide which...- like the feeling this picture's transporting very much..!
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

ercy says:

this looks great in sepia! i like the effects of the lights too.
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

Janet Leadbeater says:

lovely mood and lighting. i like the mix of writing
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

Tiquis!【ツ】 says:

What a stream you got!

Congratulations for your style. Your pics are great!
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

pj58 says:

great photo.... sepia really works.

(seen on explore)
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

cuzuco says:

Japan is Japan is Japan is Japan
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

Photochiel says:

The atmosphere is excellent.
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

Tampen says:

Extraordinary work.
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

dobar says:

fantastic image. Love the tones.
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

★ mewot ★ says:

great scene + atmosphere !
congratulations on explore hit # 3 !
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

... Arjun says:

original_ann, ashwink, sanoi, solarider, Nil!, , Andreas Reinhold, Rodrigo Osorio, svenwerk, Photo_Freak, photofool, maat108, Sushma Sabnis, Dan65, victor_nuno, LaserGuided, >>Jass<<, Perikita, heavenuphere, aunty vanya, Iliyan Hristov, jot.de, margabr, IrenaS, Is_this_Graham?, 七一, Rastro, haikulinde, Gunnella, slow guns, Second2Ngan, baby7, T Glow, LuPi75, Varyamo, wonderfulhorriblelife, manna from the heavens, a11sus, AnnuskA Hjärta, philipinperu, MicheKerr, Kentuckiana, thepres6, MaiKoh, Quod, nathan_saksena, kumo36, tinyeyes, liad rozen, ickypoo, nivlekgant, Ingiro, ercy, jayjuice, tiquis_magallanes, pj58, Photochiel, Tampen, dobar, ★ mewot ★ - Thanks a lot.

Hugo* - Yes, I think so.

jaxybelle - Travelers and dwellers often have very different perspectives to a place. Thanks for sharing yours.

Farl - Don't be so modest. You take amazing shots yourself :-)

100 Points Folks - Many thanks for the overwhelming response to this shot. 91 is my highest score to date!

Sergio Lubezky - Have added it to the pool.

tanyvonne - Thanks for your thoughts on this.

cuzuco - It sure is!
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

Kris Kros says:

You are invited to add this great Explore Front page picture to

Explore Top 20.
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

paose73 says:

wonderful photo!
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

... Arjun says:

Kris Kros - Thanks for the invit.

paose73 - Thank you.
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

Paul Sparks says:

Another fantstic image. I love the sepia tone and I agree it works well with the night image. I really like the 'hot pepper' in english right in the middle of all the Japanese writing. Well seen and executed.
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

rajue says:

Extraordinary shot!
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

cool_pikz says:

ab fab i love it
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

stellalee523 says:

Wow...I really love this image！
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

Z0rk says:

This is a very nice shot! Great tones and the sepia on that bulb light really puts life into this image. Nice work.
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

aarthyr says:

love the contrast
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

Mardellina says:

Great work, I agree sepia could be more expressive that black and white
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

hipcat says:

Very good. The composition is powerful. And the light beautiful.
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

art director says:

Marvellous! so ... Arjunistic :)
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

kurto says:

Stunning, great shot !
Everything looks so perfect that it looks like a scene which have been worked and setup for hours, for a movie for example. Bravo !
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

!Lauriin says:

love it... end of.
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

... Arjun says:

Paul Sparks, Z0rk - Thanks for sharing your perspective on the shot.

rajue, cool_pikz, stellalee523, aarthyr, Mardel24, !Lauren - Thank you

art direktor - *bows*

kurto - And I was lucky to get there in time ;-)
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

Lida Martínez says:

really beauty composition I love the tones and ligth

Lida
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

nolando says:

This would be perfect for Lost Japan: www.flickr.com/groups/21573148@N00/
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

Ye Santenko says:

The colortone, light and japanese writing makes it all
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

RadicalWacko says:

Stunning image. Great tone. Really sets a mysterious mood.
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

prawnpie says:

as an aside:

This is the most popular image with the tag "with"
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

Rene2104 says:

I love this shot! Great composition, great tone, great mood!
Posted 39 months ago. ( permalink )

Tine Kozjak [deleted] says:

beautiful ligtening, nice feeling
GREAT PHOTO
Posted 39 months ago. ( permalink )

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Additional Information

Taken in Tokyo, Tokyo Prefecture (map)
Taken with a Nikon D70s.
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Taken on July 12, 2006
Viewed 12,321 times

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