Ginza, Japan.
Hidden in this cardboard box is one of
many homeless persons taking shelter at the gates of subway stations in Tokyo, long after the lights go out and tourists return to their hotels. Looking for warmth, provided by the warm air which still leaks from the closed entrance to the underground systems.
It was a cold, rainy night. I missed the last train back to my stay in the suburbs, and so I strolled down the surprisingly empty streets of this megalopolis. With all the noise and flashy-colorful commercial banners turned off, it looked like a totally different place. It was unbelievable.
Then, as I lost my way, I started noticing people, mostly men, sitting in the corners of the streets. In front of a building's ventilation system, under an arch, in gangways. Covered in cardboards, plastic bags and newspapers to stay warm. Dozens of them.
Shooting photos of poor people is not my favorite part of photography. I felt bad, walking past those people with a 600$-camera in my hands, snapping pictures of their misery without giving them anything in return. Not a very proud moment. But I really wanted to show this to somebody, especially to those who only see shiny lights and smiling faces when thinking of Japan.
Next time I visit this country (I wish to stay for a couple months), I'd like to join one of the NGOs that organize shelter and food for homeless people. To do
something. Naive, maybe.
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`anmari has been spreading her infectious positivity throughout our community for over 6 years. Throughout this time Ana has been at the core of all things devious, passionately developing an eclectic gallery, helping organise devmeets, participating in chat events and also recently completed dedicating her time as a Community Volunteer. We are absolutely delighted to bestow the Deviousness Award for May 2013 to `anmari, congratulations! Read More
Sta.sh
(actually I totally 'idealize' the countries I love, hiding myself the possibility of iner problems like homeless people]
Thank you.
same with mentalities
I talkted with a men in ueno about 3 hours..
the situations get worse, day by day. And the most people are sitting in their homes... and ignore that problem. even if he did ask them... some of them just turned around, donīt know how to deal with the situation.
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this picture... its great in is meaning.
Please donīt have such a bad conscience.
I now that feeling.
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Its great that you did the shoot. just the thoughts you had within doing the shoot.
thats what should matters.
The everyday Japanese person needs to see more of this kind of photojournalism in order to raise the awareness of the problem and in turn help out those who have fallen upon hard times. Sadly however, I don't believe this will happen anytime soon as most newspapers and/or magazines I have seen do not often cover this situation in depth. Therefore the public will continue to cast a blind eye on the entire situation.
The guilt you felt as you walked by has been a hot topic lately especially with the catastrophe in Haiti. As photographers we feel responsible to capture the moment so others may understand what is happening yet are we being inhuman by not lending a hand or doing what we can to help out?