Day 25/365 – Inspired by Fan Ho: Street Photography in Tokyo's Gotanda
I've just arrived in Tokyo for a week, and Day 25 already feels like a breakthrough moment. This morning in Gotanda, I captured an image that represents something I've been chasing for years: the aesthetic and soul of Fan Ho's street photography.
The Influence of Fan Ho
Fan Ho is one of the photography greats. His work from the 1950s and 1960s—primarily shot in Hong Kong—represents a pinnacle of street photography. What makes his images so compelling is his mastery of light, shadow, and composition. He uses backlighting, high contrast, and geometric framing to create images that feel both candid and carefully orchestrated. There's a timelessness to his work that transcends the era in which it was shot.
I've been a long-time admirer of Fan Ho, and I'll be honest: I have yet to come close to the beauty he created. But that doesn't stop me from trying. His influence guides how I see light and shadow in urban spaces. It shapes the way I frame moments and think about contrast.
This Image
Shot on my Leica in Gotanda, this image captures two figures with umbrellas, backlit by bright sunlight. The high contrast between the dark figures and the bright background creates that signature Fan Ho aesthetic. The umbrellas become graphic shapes, the figures become silhouettes with just enough detail to suggest life and movement.
It's not a perfect homage—it's not meant to be. But it's an honest attempt to understand and learn from a master.
Tokyo: A Week of Possibilities
I'm here in Tokyo for a week, and I can already feel the energy of the city. The light is different here, the pace is different, the way people move through space is different. Every corner feels like a potential photograph.
This is what I love about travel photography: the opportunity to see familiar themes—light, shadow, people, geometry—in new contexts. To be inspired by the masters while developing my own voice.
If you're interested in learning how to photograph people and urban scenes with intention and artistry, I offer photography workshops throughout Taiwan. We can explore how to use light and shadow, how to find geometry in chaos, how to capture the essence of a place. I also offer global and online mentoring for those who want to develop their street photography skills and learn from the greats. Join my Patreon for exclusive behind-the-scenes content from my travels and explorations.
Watch the full video: https://youtu.be/oB_5ijVpcIQ