Visual Annotations: A Window to My Soul
Writing a blog feels a bit like opening a window into the parts of my photography—and myself—that usually stay tucked away. I’ve always known that sharing this kind of intimate work could be exposing, but that’s the whole point. This blog isn’t just about me showing off photos; it’s a place for honest reflection, learning, and hopefully for sparking a conversation with anyone curious about photography, creativity, or just life’s moments.
Visual Annotations is where I’ll share the photos I take just for me—the random snaps, the family moments, my travels, and those aimless wanderings around London. Some pictures are from years ago, others may be fresh off my phone or camera. Some (rare ones) shot on film, others digital. It’s all about sharing what catches my eye and sparks my curiosity.
Japan, May–June 2024
This Japan trip was my fourth. To be honest, I almost didn’t bring my camera. I was still trying to reset, recovering from burnout (something I’ll probably write about at some point); however, I packed it, just in case, and I’m glad I did. I didn’t take many pictures, but the ones I did felt honest. Maybe a little random, some imperfect, but still a reflection of what caught my attention at that moment in time.
I hope you enjoy this little photo journey!
Gear: Nikon D750 - Nikkor 35.0 mm f/1.8
There’s something about how neat and intentional Japan feels. The photo above shows some elementary school kids walking in line, on the pavement, between a yellow-painted line and aligned trees. Felt like the perfect metaphor.
Gear: Nikon D750 - Nikkor 35.0 mm f/1.8 - Nikkor 50mm f/1.4
In Osaka, I couldn’t resist taking pictures of those little kids in their tiny yellow hats and the teenagers on their classic school trip combo, Osaka-Kyoto, dressed in their uniforms and backpacks. I blame shoujo anime for this!
Gear: Nikon D750 - Nikkor 50mm f/1.4
I spent a couple of days in Tokyo again, and this time I happened to be staying just behind Ryōgoku Kokugikan, Tokyo’s national sumo hall. It was the final day of the national tournament, so the streets of Ryōgoku were quite busy, with lots of sumo wrestlers heading to the stadium early in the day. I stood outside the venue for a little while and, by chance, I spotted the amazing Kaisei Ichirō-san! [men in the white shirt in the picture above] and (with all the courage in the world) I asked to take a quick portrait of him. If you don’t know his story, feel free to look him up on Fandom.
After meeting this legend, I kept walking along the main street and came across another sumo wrestler. I took a deep breath and asked if I could take his portrait too — he smiled and gently said "hai!" (yes!). These men might seem intimidating at first, but they had such kind and joyful energy, and that’s the real beauty within the Sumo wrestlers.
Gear: Nikon D750 - Nikkor 50mm f/1.4
I wandered around Akihabara on a Sunday, looking for camera gear, and ended up stumbling across a full-on wrestling match. There was a proper ring, ropes, an announcer/MC/singer (she did it all), and a handful of wrestlers giving it their all. The crowd wasn’t huge, but they were properly into it (including me, suddenly in full event-turned-sports photographer mode!) It was wild, brilliant, and full of heart (and respect).
Gear: Nikon D750 - Nikkor 50mm f/1.4
In Harajuku, I spotted a man in a beautifully kept, older Mercedes— I think it was a Mercedes-Benz W123, from the 70s. He spotted me, looked back straight at me, glasses on, cigarette; there was something slightly decadent and old-school about the whole scene, it felt very movie-like.
Later, I photographed two schoolgirls and two lolitas. Both pairs walked in sync, almost like twins. Different times, different styles, but the same strange harmony.
Gear: Nikon D750 - Nikkor 50mm f/1.4
There are still temples, monkeys, and many other pieces from this trip but I think I’ll share another time. For now, this is all, till the next one, ‘ja ne’!