Alternate title: another day, another dollar. As otherworldly as some bits of Tokyo might be to the casual visitor, like every city – there are more than the fair army of salarymen keeping everything running below the surface. The job is thankless, uncelebrated, mostly unnoticed, but necessary to keep the big wheel turning. We do it because we have to, and in doing so, a sort of Stockholm syndrome emerges: not exactly love or affection, but we still take pride in our work. Are they happy? Sad? Indifferent? Perhaps the sort of bittersweet melancholy that comes from celebrating small triumphs and mourning little losses. Individually our problems are our own; collectively, they’re the mood of a society. Every time I visit Tokyo, the word that sticks in my head is ‘stoicism’ – even if there are little escapes here and there. MT
This series was shot with a Canon 100D, 24STM and 55-250STM lenses, an X1D-50c and 90mm, and a H6D-100c and 100mm. Post processing was completed using the techniques in the weekly workflow and PS Workflow III. Travel vicariously and make the most of your trip with How To See Ep.2: Tokyo, or T1: Travel Photography.
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Prints from this series are available on request here
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More info on Hasselblad cameras and lenses can be found here.
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Images and content copyright Ming Thein | mingthein.com 2012 onwards. All rights reserved
Ming Thein | Photographer 
Wow! These are brilliant. I am wondering how you were able to snap that runway pic with the taximan in the frame. Here in the US, if I did something like that, I would be asked 99 questions. It’s touch, but I’m glad I clicked on this article. Love it.
Just aim the camera out of the airplane window…? 🙂
If I did that, the crew would be the ones asking me the questions. It’s a mess, really.
I travel on business in the U.S. and shoot out the window all the time. I’ve never been questioned.
I agree. Actually, nobody has even noticed or said anything even when I use the Hasselblads…
Very nice. These colors seem a bit more vibrant than usual, especially the blues and reds. Random question: Have you ever shot in South Korea? You seem to be all over East Asia, so I’d be curious to see your output from SK.
Thanks. SK: Nope, haven’t been yet – no spare time and no work that’s taken me there…