Street Dance

Posted by Duncan Galbraith (kyoto, Japan) on 18 February 2007 in People & Portrait and Portfolio.

Shot this a few backs back whilst on walkabout one night with Stu. Initially we believed the guy to be doing Tai Chi, but it turned out to be his original dance style. He was occupying one of the busiest thoroughfares in the city and was being completely ignored by just about everyone. We hauled out the cameras and reeled off quite a few shots, at which point he broke off and engaged us. He was most appreciative of the attention, and he told us he'd been performing for a number of years, and had danced in Rome and Paris to name but a few cities. His english far exceeded our own second language skills and we spent about 10 minutes or so chatting with him. He seemed a complex character and said he had anger issues at peoples ignorance of his performance, of how they only stopped to look because two foreigners with cameras were taking an interest, and without our prescence they would choose to ignore. He seemed like an intelligent chap with perhaps a lot on his mind. I wish him well. He did give us a link to a site which contained images of him performing abroad...but Stu has it, I'll try and see if he can dig it up and will hopefully provide a link later today...

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Comments (13)

Alfredo J. Martiz J. from Tokyo, Japan

Really nice photo Duncan, It is common to see some performers doing interesting things being ignored by people in my opinion, I have also seen this situation, but in my case was with a painter, he had some of his paintings for sale and no one was taking a look at them, then I came and people started to gather to see everything. Great shot!

18 Feb 2007 7:15am

@Alfredo J. Martiz J.: Cheers Alfredo..Its cool how you can sometimes act as a catalyst for other people in that way. Especially if you yourself find the work interesting. thanks!

MontereyJohn from California, United States

How do you "street guys" get shots like this? I am jealous! Nice shot.

18 Feb 2007 7:50am

@MontereyJohn: Cheers John...The law of averages comes into play I can tell you...my hard drive is full of 'misses'!

Bronnie from Christchurch, New Zealand

I love the angle you chose for this shot and am soooooo jealous that there are two of you who can go out together to catch images like this! Photography can be a bit of a lonely ole sport at times! I do like the processing too, nice and deep blacks.

18 Feb 2007 8:53am

@Bronnie: Cheers Bronnie! there's quite a little Kyoto collective to be honest, I know 5 of the other shooters based here so its nice to have company for sure.

Fred from Easton PA, United States

Another fantastic shot, I gotta say your consistently up there .

18 Feb 2007 9:06am

@Fred: Thanks Fred, thats very much appreciated. although I beg to differ about the up there. I find myself in awe of so much stuff on here...theres so many great blogs. everyday i feel suitably inspired as soon as I log on and see the days posts.

Chris Sullivan from Melbourne, Australia

That seems to be the case all over the place, the whole "which box did they come out of and how can I get in it" syndrome. It's cool how he's out there doing his own thing though, an individual; nicely taken.

18 Feb 2007 10:34am

@Chris Sullivan: Thanks Chris! aye, I hope he finds his audience. Wrong location I feel for him...

Stu from Kyoto, Japan

Came out alot better than my ones mate. You've clearly got a steady hand. Motion blur all over the place in my shots. Nicely done. Love the roof perspective behind him.
Re that blog address.......aaahh hmmm. Sorry mate.

18 Feb 2007 11:22am

@Stu: aha...thought it was along shot but cheers for looking. thanks man.

Michelle Bialowas from Melbourne Victoria, Australia

Your blog makes me want to travel and see your side of the world - what a great image and great character you have captured.

18 Feb 2007 11:58am

@Michelle Bialowas: Thanks Michelle. Youre more than welcome over this way!

Pero from Kyoto, Japan

OMG...You won't believe me...I saw him 3 days ago in Osaka...

18 Feb 2007 1:18pm

@Pero: yikes...he gets around then! Hope he had a more receptive audience in Osaka.

Pedro Ferreira from Portugal

A more modern Japan, nice colors, keep posting

18 Feb 2007 7:26pm

@Pedro Ferreira: Cheers Pedro! you too!

jc from Ireland

nice one, Duncan ...great framing and angle.

18 Feb 2007 8:51pm

@jc: Cheers John!

Damon Schreiber from Toronto, Canada

It's an interesting story about performance. Perhaps if he'd chosen his venue better... just a thought, and it's interesting that he was upset that you two watching were probably at least as interesting to the busy shoppers as his dancing was. I wonder if his work is the sort that requires more patience - I'd think a shoten-gai shopping street wouldn't be the place for that. There's a great series of performances in Toronto and other cities nearby every summer called Dusk Dances where there are a series of dance performances in a large public park throughout the course of an evening, and the crowds travel en masse from one to the other. These shows are incredibly popular. I'm sure Ella if she was around these days could speak more about it. Anyway, sorry to ramble, but what I've learned from these shows is that when people dance in public, especially when the dancing is so slow that it could be confused with Tai Chi, the audience needs to be in the right mood, and I'm sure the busy shoppers of Kyoto probably aren't. Also, it's just human nature to look around and see if others are interested in a performance; if nobody else is looking, then the tendency is to assume it's not worth looking at. Anyway, it's interesting pondering this stuff. Hope he finds his happy place.

18 Feb 2007 8:52pm

@Damon Schreiber: The venue was undoubtedly a mistake. he needs a park or square, a sit down spot, heres just manic. Aye, I hope he finds his audience. Cheers Damon!