You feel so good to leave behind

For Tokyo, I decided to bring a Fujifilm Simple Ace 400 instead of my usual Vivitar. Disposable cameras are almost the same price—i.e. eye-twitchingly inflated—as a 35mm roll, and it had the added bonus of being expendable so I could just pop it in my bag without worrying about scratching or damaging it. (I literally put my Vivitar in a zip-loc to protect it from getting wet or getting ruined.) Then I can just pull it out any time, especially if I need to be quick. 

One of my favorite things I've stumbled upon around my hotel area. I'm choosing to ignore that it's a police box. 

When shooting film, sometimes I default to portrait without really thinking about it, just a reflex that feels right. I always like the results. 

I only ever get to indulge in this hobby when I travel these days because I don't get a chance to go around Metro Manila much anymore. Sometimes I wonder if it's even something I want to keep pursuing since it's so costly now, but then I get a roll back and I'm reminded every time that it's always worth it. It keeps me on my toes and motivates me to seek out the slice of life stuff you never see in the guidebooks.

More vertical shots, the first two probably being my favorites out of the whole roll. I love the unique POV of the first, and I like how the second has all these fun details: a wide street, people with umbrellas to hide from the sun, a human figure on a storefront awning, some Hokusai street art, and of course Tokyo Skytree towering above it all. 

I'm also always drawn to crates when I'm using my photographic eye, which is definitely a result of being a big Sophie Tajan fan on early 2010s Tumblr. Her iconic shot of pink Evian crates greatly informed my own picture taking style and taught me to find fascination in seemingly ordinary, mundane moments. 

I bookmarked this place on Google Maps for when I come back. 

Next time I'm also going to be more consciously seeking out storefronts as subjects because they're just so fun. I've been so inspired by Joel Holland's NYC Storefronts (remember when I picked up drawing again for a bit to prepare for Osaka then I just... didn't draw after that) and James and Karla Murray's Store Front NYC. 

Omiya is a quaint little fancy restaurant serving Western cuisine and I was intrigued when I looked at the menu. Definitely another place I'd love to return to, especially if I come with company. 

Our final stop was full of prettier-than-average vending machines (but not the best selection of drinks). 

The film version of the surprise Asakusa street shot on my phone, and an example of me being able to pull out my disposable at a time-sensitive opportune moment. I like the contrast here, but I prefer the phone shot since the portrait orientation was able to capture a more dramatic angle that includes an expansive sky over the top of the tallest building, whereas here it's been cut off.