The Edo-Tokyo museum, modeled after a classic type of elevated warehouse, is already an impressive building in broad daylight and with no filters.
But in the dead of the night and in the hands of Australian photographer Tom Blachford, it turns into a dystopian megastructure from a distant future, its cavernous looks supercharged by an otherworldly bluish hue.
The photo is part of an all-Tokyo series called "Nihon Noir," after the Neon-noir movie genre that inspires its aesthetic. "The seminal classic 'Blade Runner' was a huge inspiration, not only for color but for aesthetic and approach," said Blachford in an email interview. He cites the work of "Drive" and "Only God Forgives" director Nicholas Winding-Refn as another source of influence.
"There was quite a lot of post-production involved on these in order to translate the feeling that I wanted. I wanted to push past the orange tungsten glow and remove any feeling of natural or white light. The tones needed to be cool and neon-stained, as to me that's how the light feels at night in the city."
Begging and negotiation
Among the featured buildings is a favorite of architecture buffs worldwide, Kisho Kurokawa's Nakagin Capsule Tower.
Built in a month in 1972, it's a rare example of Japanese Metabolism, an architectural movement that takes inspiration from biological growth, and consists of 140 independent capsules or "living cells" designed to be individually removed for repairs or replacement. But this was never done and the tower is now mostly abandoned and wrapped in nets that prevent debris from falling onto the street. Large signs at the building entrance warn urban explorers that any attempt to enter the premises will be met with a call to the authorities.
It's nearly impossible to get a straight shot of the tower, which sits on a tight corner site very close to the street and facing an elevated motorway. So how did Blachford do it?
Continue Reading: Night photos that make Tokyo look like a sci-fi utopia
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