August 17th, 2018 marked the 10th anniversary of Tokyo Camera Style.
The image above is the very first picture on TCS- it’s now the 5,643rd post on this Tumblr. Adding the 3,485 individual posts that comprise the Tokyo Camera Style instagram account, that comes to a grand total of: Guys, I’ve taken a lot of photos of cameras.
Tokyo Camera Style is the original Japan camera blog in English and what started out as a simple interest in sharing my views of the photographic scene in Japan has actually remained just that. I’m just a guy with a full time job who does all of this as a hobby in my spare time. I want to sincerely thank anyone and everyone who’s found enjoyment in these pictures. I’m happy and humbled that you’ve taken part of your day to experience the pictures I post.
I don’t really know what “success” is, but follower counts it certainly ain’t. To me it’s simply creating something original that resonates and interests and inspires others. Tokyo Camera Style isn’t really about cameras, or style. Its charm comes from the fact that the photos celebrate photography on an individual level. The subject might be a camera, but it’s always more about the person who is holding it. Viewers then bring their own memories, desires, or ideas to each picture. But what’s impressed me the most over the years has been the interactions I’ve had with all these people- many that have led to friendships along the way. Admittedly, Thames & Hudson emailing one day asking to put out a book was pretty nice, too.
Looking back, I can’t help but notice how different internet and social media are 2018 compared to 2008. Internet ideas of “success”- centered on commercial and attention-gain are the driving forces. So many blogs and accounts beg for submissions or pay for followers, (whoops, I mean “boost” posts )- or simply repost (swipe) original work to repurpose for their own “brand building”. There are more opportunities than ever to construct a digital persona that’s only as deep as the surface of a smartphone screen- seriously, these are shallow times. Sure, I’m simply posting photos of cameras- but hopefully, more than gear lust, what I want you to take away from Tokyo Camera Style is this:
Do your own thing, do it yourself, do it well, do it consistently, and then keep on doing it. Don’t. Stop.
If you do it long enough, you’ll have something that’s undeniably real.