Even though I now know how important to be able to figure out whether the subject should be shot in colors or monochrome, I still can’t do it instantly after I see the subject. Yet, the seminar was meaningful just because I could learn the elements I need to have to take good monochrome photography. Also, I need to master digital retouching just like monochrome printers did in the analogue format. I also learned the best setting for shooting monochrome with the M9. Plus, I had an opportunity to shoot on the street and receive comments afterwards. What illuminated me in particular was the example used to explain how to know whether the subject should be shot in monochrome: view the drawings of Claude Monet and Jackson Pollock, and convert them to monochrome, and you’ll instantly know the answer because you’ll see flat and uninteresting one by Monet next to static and powerful one by Pollock.

On the other hand, some subjects must be shot in colors. I definitely use colors when the natural and artificial light are colorful or when there’re rich color tones.

I sometimes feel relaxed when I encounter ordinary daily scenes. I tend to lose my own pace while I’m busy working, and ordinary scenes like them help me maintain my pace. So, I press the shutter regardless of color format.

I often see people spending their time like this in a weekend afternoon. They must be pondering something as they have late lunch and they look elegant because they seem to spend their time luxuriously.

In every country, there’re fun markets. I like simple and plain markets that make me smell the local specialties rather than modern and sophisticated ones. Whether they are large or small, the lively atmosphere is the same and they have fresh food, livestock products, dried foods along with other kinds of products.

If there’s a small eatery with rusted chairs and rattling worn-out tables, I can’t resist entering. I say “hi!” feeling nice, but as expected, the old woman at the eatery is unfriendly and the food isn’t delicious even though they are cheap. Still, I never get disappointed.

They were taking a commemorative photo. Maybe they were shopping with their children who were visiting home in their summer vacation. When I encounter such a happy atmosphere, I cannot help but shooting. Although they never knew who I was, they smiled and let me shoot. I just wished their happy life in my heart and I felt happy as I see them going into the market congenially.

I don’t know whether he is a shopper or a shop client, a break time with a newspaper and a hotdog must be a precious time for him. It’s nice that a market has such a spot in the corner.

Just one block away from the market, there's a quiet spot. It’s nice to walk around when I feel tired from shopping.

Her name must be “Laura.” No, it needs to be Laura because it’s my favorite Oskar Peterson’s song. I’ve been searching for the image of the mysterious Laura. I never had been able to imagine it clearly, but I was able to draw an outline of it in my head. And, when I encounter her at the Tully’s in downtown that I randomly entered, I couldn’t move at all. I still clearly remember my strong emotion when I saw her. Laura was there and I finally met her. I wanted to talk to her with the laptop PC, but I hesitated to pull my imagination down to the reality. I was afraid of losing my Laura if I figure out her name wasn’t Laura. I’ll never see Laura again, but she’ll be in my memory and this makes me happy. Thank you, Laura.

In most cases, meeting and parting progress simultaneously in street shooting. This time, there was the most emotional meeting, but in few minutes, it was followed by adieu. And, what remained were a photo and a groundless loneliness.