My blog turned 8 years old a few weeks back. Thank You to those of you who have followed along my travels here for the past 8 years. I’m really happy I started this site and maintained it so long. While I can’t always maintain the pace I did when I first started ShootTokyo, it’s something I always love to return to and update every month or so.

I’m surprised the traffic that continues to come to the site each day. One trend I find interesting is when I first started I would post and get a good amounts of comments on the post. Now when I post I get only a few comments but then I get a lot of emails, tweets, and direct messages. I guess it speaks to the distribution of the content but interesting to me.

I decided to review some of my photos of recent years. I pulled out my favorite 60+ photos from the past 3.5 years for this post. It’s fun to go back and review and see how I’m evolving as a photographer and what subjects I’m gravitating towards.

I’ve always wanted to go to Dublin so was really happy when I had a trip to Ireland. I was lucky enough to have a few extra days to explore before continuing on to London.

A few hours exploring the markets in Mumbai before a late night flight back to Tokyo…

A beautiful Cherry Blossom tree near my house.

My RS4 during Cherry Blossom season. I think I will have this car for a very long time. I absolutely love it. My only complaint/wish is that it had Apple Car Play in it. I really wish Audi’s MII was upgradable.

My neighbor Fukuda-san the day we went to MAP Camera in Shinjuku so he could pick up his first Leica. He joins my unofficial Leicaphile club. Like so many before him this was just his ‘starter’ Leica and many more have followed since…

A few days exploring NYC while on a business trip. This is the fire station that is located directly next to the World Trade Centers. These were the first responders on that day. When the buildings collapsed the fire station was filled with 3 feet of debris. Sadly 5 firefighters from this Ladder and Engine Company were in the towers when they collapsed and died along with the many others.

Just another scene in NYC…

My favorite sneakers of all time - Paul Smith Rabbit. While they are super white when brand new they last forever and still look pretty good even when worn in and dirtied up a bit.

My niece Emily…

When the Doraemon surrounded my office.

And the night Tokyo surrounded the Diet Building (Japan’s House of Representatives and House of Councillors) to protest Article 9. Here is a good summary of the issue from the US Library of Congress. This demonstration was one of the only times in Tokyo I didn’t feel safe.

My good friend Steve. Make sure to check him out on Instagram and Twitter .

Me too…

This shot and the next two are from the days shooting around Tokyo with SmugMug to make their profile video of me; Point Click, ShootTokyo. This was such a fun couple of days.

The brilliant Anton Lorimer. He travels the world making short movies about photographers. Spend some time reviewing his portfolio. It will be a good use of your time.

The look on this guys face as he played was pure joy. I hope I get my guitar playing to that skill level. For now, scales, scales and more scales.

From a very foggy day shooting around Venice Beach while on a business trip…

Catching up for a coffee while in San Francisco with my good friend Richard Kashnow. We met at Jay Maisel’s workshop in NYC many years ago. Check out some of his amazing photos in this post or this awesome photo of a double rainbow in Hawaii.

An early morning walk on the beach while on a business trip in Laguna Beach.

My favorite Suzuki Yakitori takeout in my neighborhood. I fear for their future as the builds around him go down and the land remains undeveloped. My guess is a bigger building will be put up in this place.

A morning walk in Bali while on a business trip. This lifeguard doesn’t look very happy.

I love shooting the front of windows like this…

I’m so happy with my shift to ANA as my primary airline.

Dr Evil

During a walk on another trip to Mumbai. This cop really wanted his photograph taken.

As the typhoon was approaching there were wind tunnels being formed between the buildings so this one was roped off.

The morning after typhoons the sky is so clear.

I rarely go shooting in Shimbashi but had a good evening shooting here one night. It’s nice to explore new places.

The ever kind Naoki at Leica Ginza who kindly helped me to upgrade my broken M9-P and Monochrom to the new Leica M10. Sadly they came out with a Leica M10-P recently. I’ve spend all of my Leica allowance so i can’t afford to upgrade. If anyone reading is independently wealthy and wants to send one to me please send me a message and I’ll give you a mailing address.

Leica: While I don’t do sponsored posts or accept ‘free photography equipment’ for review I’m willing to make an exception in this case. Either Black or Chrome versions are fine. I’m being very flexible here…

Me with the ever beautiful Mayumi.

Airport Sushi. The only kind I seem to be eating lately.

St Armands Beach in Florida. Taken while visiting my parents. It’s always nice to go down there and spend time with them.

From one of my early morning walks with my mom. While I complain about going so early I really do treasure them. The complaints are the jet lag talking.

I love all of the levels in Tokyo.

I’ve starting taking more portraits of people again. This is something I got away from but as I reviewed this set of images it was the people photos that I really liked the most. Sometimes I don’t want to bother someone by asking to take their photo, or I want to cause a scene by moving them into the right position but it’s always worth it in the end.

One of my favorite photos of Steve. I should have moved the water bottles.

John Hall hand delivering me a copy of his 1st book "4am | Japan". If you want to get a really unique well-made book while supporting a great photographer, check it out.

John also has an amazing Instagram feed that is worth following.

A familiar scene for me lately…

Following a very long lunch with my friend Denise and her husband German.

Thanks so much for taking the time to read this today and for following along my blog for all these years. Leave a comment below and let me know what you have enjoyed the most.

Be well.

Dave