5 ms·

Japan looks nothing like this. The second pic in the article, the entrance to Kabukicho, is about as real as it gets in that article. And that area, just a coup

Japan looks nothing like this. The second pic in the article, the entrance to Kabukicho, is about as real as it gets in that article. And that area, just a couple blocks wide, is where 99% of all “cyberpunk” photos are taken since it’s the area with the most signs and sex shops. Most parts of basically every part of Tokyo are quite grey and plain. Not even 1% as beautiful as pictures would lead you to believe. Nature and temple photos are the opposite. Even if they’re edited to the absurd degree these are, they don’t capture the beauty of the places in real life.

des429 5y ago
Well, to each their own. I find Tokyo's greenery and street gardens to be the most attractive parts of the city ;-). You're right about the lights and it's kind of hard to believe people think Tokyo looks like these pictures.
olingern 5y ago
> Japan looks nothing like this. As a former resident, I disagree. While they are edited, some of them remind of rainy nights in Ogikubo. If you're interpreting photography as capturing the most accurate version of our vision system, then you're going to be very disappointed with any photograph. I really enjoy this photographer's perspective. He captures photos as if you're viewing them from the "mind's eye." A+ work IMO.
com2kid 5y ago
> Most parts of basically every part of Tokyo are quite grey and plain. I wouldn't call it plain, plenty of beauty all around. Definitely not neon colored though. :)
RayVR 5y ago
> Japan looks nothing like this. First, the artist clearly states he's not a photojournalist. He's editing the photos to suit his aesthetic. Second, I live in Japan and have spent hundreds of nights (many of them into the middle of the night) in Tokyo and other cities. It's certainly true the edits stand out in many photos but I can tell you the feeling of walking home on a rainy evening after visiting 居酒屋 (izakaya) or 立ち飲み is pretty well captured here. Not to imply a link between Wong and Monet but no one would look at Monet's impressionist work and say that the poppy field or lily pond is incorrect. I think photographic art deserves the same approach. For me, Wong hits on some of the impressions I have in my mind from all those nights in Tokyo. Some photos are pushed too far and lose that feeling, others are 懐かしい.
jason-phillips 5y ago
> Most parts of basically every part of Tokyo are quite grey and plain. I couldn't agree less. Every alley and sidewalk in Tokyo was marvelous. But I'm accustomed to simple backpacks, possibly indistinguishable from the homeless when I travel, finding joy in the most simple things.

des429 5y ago

Well, to each their own. I find Tokyo's greenery and street gardens to be the most attractive parts of the city ;-). You're right about the lights and it's kind of hard to believe people think Tokyo looks like these pictures.

olingern 5y ago

> Japan looks nothing like this. As a former resident, I disagree. While they are edited, some of them remind of rainy nights in Ogikubo. If you're interpreting photography as capturing the most accurate version of our vision system, then you're going to be very disappointed with any photograph. I really enjoy this photographer's perspective. He captures photos as if you're viewing them from the "mind's eye." A+ work IMO.

com2kid 5y ago

> Most parts of basically every part of Tokyo are quite grey and plain. I wouldn't call it plain, plenty of beauty all around. Definitely not neon colored though. :)

RayVR 5y ago

> Japan looks nothing like this. First, the artist clearly states he's not a photojournalist. He's editing the photos to suit his aesthetic. Second, I live in Japan and have spent hundreds of nights (many of them into the middle of the night) in Tokyo and other cities. It's certainly true the edits stand out in many photos but I can tell you the feeling of walking home on a rainy evening after visiting 居酒屋 (izakaya) or 立ち飲み is pretty well captured here. Not to imply a link between Wong and Monet but no one would look at Monet's impressionist work and say that the poppy field or lily pond is incorrect. I think photographic art deserves the same approach. For me, Wong hits on some of the impressions I have in my mind from all those nights in Tokyo. Some photos are pushed too far and lose that feeling, others are 懐かしい.

jason-phillips 5y ago

> Most parts of basically every part of Tokyo are quite grey and plain. I couldn't agree less. Every alley and sidewalk in Tokyo was marvelous. But I'm accustomed to simple backpacks, possibly indistinguishable from the homeless when I travel, finding joy in the most simple things.