Stunning Color Street Photography Captures the Spirit of Modern Tokyo

RK color Tokyo Street Photography

Street photographer RK began his voyage into the world of photography four years ago, first honing his skills on his iPhone. Now moving on the use a DSLR, his candid images taken on the streets of his native Tokyo weave a tale of the people and streets who make up this intriguing city.

RK's work blends neon-saturated evening shots with touching portraits of people immersed in their environment. His portraits of shopkeepers and restaurant workers remind viewers that it's these people who keep the streets humming and services flowing long after office hours. Their portraits draw the observer in, moving the eye across every inch of the image, one filled with detail.

“When taking street shots, I always focus on the moment and story at that time, not only the photo composition,” RK tells My Modern Met via email. “I may wait for hours in one spot just for one shot. I’m fascinated by this moment in Tokyo.”

And certainly, even though he's moved beyond exclusively using his iPhone for photography, social media plays a key role in his motivation. “Now, SNS [Social Network Sharing] has become widespread, information on the internet is always coming quickly. I want to show to the world ‘What is Japan like now?'. I want people in the world to know the unique culture of Japan. That’s why I take photographs of the streets.”

RK's street photography is varied—day and night, architectural and personal—bringing us is a slice of life from within Japan. Through his lens, he adds a new point of view on what it is that defines the fabric of a city.

Photographer RK started delving into photography four years ago, first using his iPhone and then moving to a DSLR.

RK Tokyo Street Photographer

RK Tokyo documentary Photography

RK Tokyo candid Photo

His color street photography of Tokyo gives a lens into the bustling city, both by day and night.

RK Tokyo documentary Photography

tokyo at night

photograph of tokyo by rk

tokyo rain

The neon-soaked evening streets of Japan's capital provide the perfect setting for his candid photographs.

RK Tokyo candid Photographs

RK contemporary Street Photography

RK Tokyo candid Photography

contemporary color street photography

RK also takes touching portraits of people in their place of business, showing how vital they are to the city's culture.

RK color Street Photography

tokyo shopkeepers

portraits in tokyo

portraits of people in tokyo

shopkeepers in tokyo

shopkeepers in tokyo

RK Tokyo candid Photo

tokyo shopkeeper

portraits of people in tokyo

RK: Website | Instagram

My Modern Met granted permission to use photos by RK.

Related Articles:

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Interview: B&W Film Photography Captures Raw, Candid Moments in Tokyo

Eccentric Characters of the Streets of Japan Captured on Film

Concealed Identities of Salarymen in Japan

Jessica Stewart

Jessica Stewart is a Staff Editor and Digital Media Specialist for My Modern Met, as well as a curator and art historian. Since 2020, she is also one of the co-hosts of the My Modern Met Top Artist Podcast. She earned her MA in Renaissance Studies from University College London and now lives in Rome, Italy. She cultivated expertise in street art which led to the purchase of her photographic archive by the Treccani Italian Encyclopedia in 2014. When she’s not spending time with her three dogs, she also manages the studio of a successful street artist. In 2013, she authored the book "Street Art Stories Roma" and most recently contributed to "Crossroads: A Glimpse Into the Life of Alice Pasquini." You can follow her adventures online at @romephotoblog.
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