New York City becomes Japan Town

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Because I use film rather than digital photography, and because I am lazy, it often takes me a very long time to schlep myself to the drugstore so that I can develop my film and actually see the photos I take. Although it is somewhat annoying that I cannot just plug my camera into my computer and see the photos instantly, this is also one of the reasons why I love film photography. Each photograph is a surprise, the rebirth of a forgotten memory.

I had originally planned on doing my street photography project on the interesting buildings, people, and events I pass on my walk to work. I snapped over sixty exposures while I dawdled down the sidewalk. When I developed all the film I had accumulated since August, however, I found those photographs did not really have any substance or presence for me. I probably thought too much about the image, trying to imagine what would look most aesthetically pleasing for my assignment. Because of this, the photographs came out with a total lack of authenticity. They had no feelings or emotions put into them.

The photographs that seemed most genuine, and also held the fondest memories, were those I had taken during my visit to Japantown’s Soul Food Festival in September. Previously known as the NYC Japan Street Fair, this festival displayed a huge array of Japanese food, art, and traditional wares. Looking at my photographs, I remember the positive energy that resonated through those two closed off blocks of Lexington Avenue. There was a large sense of unity and pride in the air that I could feel as I snapped each photograph.

Japan is a country that prides itself on its culture; its tradition; its history. Some people may be turned off by the somewhat nationalistic opinions that Japanese people seem to hold, but I am intensely drawn to it. Growing up with hardly any cultural traditions or values taught to me, I am incredibly fascinated by the deepness in which Japanese people pride themselves on the values of their society, even while they are not living in Japan. While Western society usually promotes individuality, Japanese society is based highly on collectivism. Many people do not find collectivism appealing. They believe it stunts personal growth. I found myself, however, filled with admiration for the all-encompassing unity that surrounded the street fair.

The pride that Japanese people take in their culture, and their desire to share it with those who will listen, is what I feel my photographs have captured. At the time I took them, I was simply trying to capture scenes that appealed to me. I realized only after looking at them almost two months later, that the scenes were appealing because of the feelings of my subjects. Everyone always happily agreed to my request for a photograph; I thought nothing of it at the time. I feel now, however, that maybe the reason they were so willing, and the reason the photographs came out so well, was because of my subjects’ strong desire to show how proud they are of their country and culture, and their desire to send that message through my lens.