Photo ops

Jeeze, these dudes don't look to happy...

Elderly people are not sure if they can get enough pension. Maybe or maybe not.

Elderly photographers get together in a park in Kitakogane in Tokyo?

Wow, amazing. What are they actually doing? Waiting for Christmas? With those long faces maybe they're waiting for the sun to shine........

The two guys with the baseball hats have them on backwards.

And every time you sit on a bench you smile to the world? Maybe you even stand on the bench and do a little dance so everyone knows how happy you are. You people are so critical, at least the old dudes are doing something creative and constructive.

at least the old dudes are doing something creative and constructive.

No they're not, they're sitting around looking a) miserable and b) ridiculous.

Benches and old people are like the baseball ground in Field of Dreams; if you build it, they will come.

They shuffle up, sit down and look at me like it's my fault their life is crap. Then the blokes spit a bit and the women shout "ne" at each other at high decibels.

That walking cadaver, second from the right - wasn't he in Prizzi's Honor?

They are probably a group of retirees who belong to a photography club. It's better than spending their time in a pachinko parlor or getting in their wives' way at home.

man, looks like they have awesome kits! maybe JT should ask them for photos of the day

"They shuffle up, sit down and look at me like it's my fault their life is crap"

Just the other day, an old dude shuffled up to me, smiled and gave me a copy of Weekender magazine.

It seems to be compulsory for Japanese dudes to take up photography when they retire.

I love their kits. I used to take pictures around Tokyo and always envied these ojisans!

Japanese dudes always have the best things in the world. Doesn't matter if it's photography etc etc.

Take a look at those expensive cameras. These old guys have money to burn. Life is pretty good when the pension is trickling in and your only worry is what shot to take. But hey, they worked hard all their lives for their Kodak moment.

Yeah by the looks of their gear, these guys are seriously loaded. Probably drove Beamers and Mercs to the park to get their shots of whatever. Don't believe oldies in Japan for a second when they moan about how tough life is: The pension here is a financial bonanza, and these old guys are living one huge daily retirement party!

The reason they are looking so glum is because they are sitting in a typical Japanese "park". Behind them is a dark grey concrete wall which probably ends some ten meters above them. Underfoot will be more concrete or gravel. Not a blade of grass in sight in this "park". No doubt somewhere in this park will be a cat crap filled sandpit. It's enough to bring anyone down. And a crap place to take photos.

How interesting that a pic of the day about photographers is very poorly exposed....

So what if they're retires living on pension - u jealous? So what if they "appear" to be unhappy - maybe they're not. Its a single shot taken of older men sitting down - what do you expect to see - 9 yr olds at Disneyland? - again, u jealous?

Yup they got "serious kits" - u Jealous?

Yes many older Japanese men take up photogrophy - so many other Japanese of all ages AND other Asians AND other people around the world - u Jealous?

SARGE:

The two guys with the baseball hats have them on backwards<

Have you ever attempted to look through a viewfinder with your baseball cap in the forward position? Photographers wear them backwards in order to be able to see into their viewfinders.

As an aging professional photographer in Florida, I hope to be able to join those old geezers someday! More power to them !!!

Everyone should get use to this - here is Japan's future.

They look miserable - and caps on backwards is just a stupid look. I thought photography was every j-bloke's hobby anyway. Age nothing to do with it.

"Take a look at those expensive cameras. These old guys have money to burn."

The camera held by the guy second from the left on the bench can be yours for about 80-130,000 yen at Bic Camera.

It's pretty amazing - they ALL look glum. In any group shot, there's always at least 1 person who is blinking, looking away or doing something that will otherwise affect the end result.

In this shot, all the guys are ruining the shot.

Imagine being one of these guys and having this shot on your mantlepiece - would you want to point it out to your friends and say, "These are my buddies!"

I'd hide it. :-)

quality of the

Actually, now that I think about it, these guys are problably poor pensioners.

Rich ones would be playing golf or holidaying in Saitama.

at least they have a hobby. shame that it's not considered acceptable to have one until such a time as The Company no longer has a need for you and you are knocking on heaven's door, however

Does anyone here speak or think rationally? I see seven old men with cameras waiting for something or someone. Their cameras are far from expensive, it's not as if they're all holding Leicas and they don't look particularly loaded with money either. People have attacked these old jiji men for their style, lack of a hollywood smile and genki levels, having cameras...what would make you happy? Seven strapping young J-men, semi naked with the latest and greatest cameras hanging around their necks?

Maybe they are happy to be miserable?

I bet if you took away the seat they'd all get up and start break dancing and doing the moon walk. :-)

Everyone should get use to this - here is Japan's future.

Your comment doesn't make sense. You have your age generations mixed up.

You all have it wrong.

First, the guy on the far left of bench in the dark yellow shirt is doing his best De Niro look and getting it almost bang on.

Second, these guys look so glum because they are most likely waiting for something that they just found out isn't going to happen. BEEN THERE, DONE THAT and I must say I did the De Niro face too.

Third, those who don't shoot as a serious hobby or pro really have no idea what's going on.

Finally, photogs don't really care what you think of how they look afterall they're the ones holding the camera. :P

Maybe you should look in a mirror and worry about that! ;)

KnowBetter - "photogs don't really care what you think of how they look afterall they're the ones holding the camera."

Game, set and match! :-)

And every time you sit on a bench you smile to the world? Maybe you even stand on the bench and do a little dance so everyone knows how happy you are. You people are so critical, at least the old dudes are doing something creative and constructive.

Good post.

No they're not, they're sitting around looking a) miserable and b) ridiculous.

Sad post.

And every time you sit on a bench you smile to the world? Maybe you even stand on the bench and do a little dance so everyone knows how happy you are. You people are so critical, at least the old dudes are doing something creative and constructive.

completely agree. there's nothing i hate more than seeing people who wander around with big grins on their faces for no explicable reason. in my opinion a smile is appropriate when something pleasant happens. when there is nothing immediately pleasant happening there is no reason to smile. this is not a bad thing. smiling constantly makes a smile meaningless and would seem to suggest that you are afraid of being seen without a smile. let mickey mouse be mickey mouse. people have a wide range of emotions, use them all

maybe they are unhappy because they do not like there picture taken. kinda like the Amish.

Hard to judge peoples facial expressions especially from another culture. As well as catching just a bad moment. You know like a blink. The guy at the far end is probably just nodding and got caught at a relaxed second. Another thing, life is tough. It can show now and then.

Do you think that sitting on a park bench and looking forelorn was on their "bucket list"?

6:38 am? They must be waiting for their members to gather for the minibus to take them to today's spot. A clever shot as the roles are reversed. The observers have become the observed.

The danger is that these people can be seen as 'them'. (Old people. Old males. Old Japanese males, etc.) They become objects rather than interactive subjects. And this is the sad fate of the human races unless we attempt to bridge the gap. Will we allow them to fit our stereotype? What can we share and exchange while we all have this precious life?

what a sad commentary of the quality of posts and or posters here. it's almost like this was a setup to see who would take the bait and jump in with an over-the-top slam of a bunch of old guys waiting for something.

Seriously. Slams for not smiling, or wearing a hat backwards before sticking a camera up to your eye, or being in a group, or even the mere fact of being old?

Jaw-dropping pathetic.

None of them seems to be carrying a ton of gear; that suggests they'll be shooting outdoors in available light. This could explain the glum expressions - outdoor photography at this time of year in Japan can be a challenge. I'm surprised I only see two tripods.

"what a sad commentary of the quality of posts and or posters here... Slams for not smiling or wearing a hat backwards...

Hey, seeing someone wearing a baseball cap backwards irks me!

"None of them seem to be carrying a ton of gear"

Heck, they'e carrying too much already! Most people just carry their cellphones these days...

I can hug the seven not so old men and they will smile.

#

moonbeams at 05:13 PM JST - 16th June

And every time you sit on a bench you smile to the world? Maybe you even stand on the bench and do a little dance so everyone knows how happy you are. You people are so critical, at least the old dudes are doing something creative and constructive.

Good post.

No they're not, they're sitting around looking a) miserable and b) ridiculous.

Sad post.

Bollocks post.

reminds me of the old Jethro Tull song - "sitting on a park bench; eyeing little girls with bad intent..."

Those tripods and zoom lenses at Yoyogi park aren't just for pictures of birds. Or are they?

Hey, at least they have a hobby.

Grim.

It is sort of a sad photo. Thing is I am around the same age & could be looking the same, but if in my country I might be the Club's handgun director/instructor or possibly have pealed off my protective riding gear from riding a hot trotting sportbike & about to go into a cafe for a cuppa only I am 79 yrs of age & not someone in his 30s.

Unfortunately as time goes along we do start to show our age. Yet give these chaps that they were going to probably come out with some lovely photographical work.

aah, they look adorable, with their hats.

This picture makes me want to get into it and talk to these honorable elderly persons! Know more about their hobbies. :)

kitakogane is not in Tokyo. I know, I live there