Take the streets of Tokyo with Steve McCurry and Eolo Perfido

TOKYO 2025

Tokyo: The Perfect Destination for Street Photography

Tokyo, the capital of Japan, is a city that uniquely blends modernity and tradition. This mix provides an incredible backdrop for street photography enthusiasts.

This city is a burst of lights, colors, and architecture. Modern skyscrapers stand alongside traditional temples. The narrow and crowded streets of neighborhoods like Shinjuku or Shibuya contrast with the peaceful and historical areas of Asakusa or Yanaka. This diversity offers a range of backgrounds and scenes to capture.

Japanese culture places a strong emphasis on aesthetics. Whether it’s bright signs, shop displays, street fashion, or traditional festivals, every element has a powerful visual impact. This wealth of detail is a paradise for photographers.

Furthermore, it is known to be one of the safest cities in the world. This allows photographers to explore even in the evening or nighttime when the city lights create magical and mysterious atmospheres.

Thanks to an efficient public transport system, it’s easy to move from one neighborhood to another and immerse oneself in different scenarios in a short time. This makes it possible to capture a wide range of images in just one day.

Tokyo truly is a city that never sleeps, always evolving, always in motion. Its complexity and beauty offer endless opportunities for street photography, making it a must-visit destination for all enthusiasts of the genre.

The Goal of Our Street Photography Workshop

For many years, we have been deeply immersed in Street Photography, and we both firmly believe in its transformative power for photographers at all levels - from budding enthusiasts to seasoned professionals. Among all photographic disciplines, street photography stands out as one of the most comprehensive, helping develop the ability to capture compelling images in any situation.

During this workshop, participants will have the unique opportunity to explore two distinctly different approaches to street photography:

Steve McCurry's Vibrant Color Approach: Known for his iconic, color-saturated images, Steve will guide you through his process of using color to evoke emotion and tell stories. You'll learn how to:

  • Identify and utilize bold, eye-catching colors in urban environments

  • Use color contrast to create dynamic compositions

  • Capture the interplay of light and color in different times of day

  • Employ color to convey mood and atmosphere in your street scenes

Eolo Perfido's Evocative Black and White Technique: Eolo will share his expertise in creating powerful monochrome street images. You'll discover:

  • The art of seeing in black and white, even in a colorful world

  • How to use contrast, shadows, and highlights to add depth to your images

  • Techniques for creating timeless, classic street photographs

  • Ways to convey emotion and story through tonal range and texture

Regardless of your primary photographic genre - be it a hobby or profession - street photography serves as an invaluable tool for personal and professional growth. It teaches you to interact with people, places, and diverse cultures, boosting your confidence and mastery of photographic techniques while refining your understanding of light.

As you dedicate more time to Street Photography, you'll notice a significant strengthening of your overall photographic skills. You'll learn to recognize and work with ambient light in all its forms, developing a keener ability to see and interpret situations more deeply. This practice hones your attention to subjects and their relationship with the surrounding environment.

Photographing everyday life trains you to recognize situations and details that can elevate a simple shot into a compelling photograph. For those interested in street portraiture, this discipline improves your ability to connect with people quickly, understand their features, and develop crucial interaction skills - all vital attributes for any portrait photographer.

By exploring both color and black and white approaches, you'll gain a comprehensive understanding of street photography, allowing you to choose the most effective technique for each unique situation you encounter.

Details

  • Session 1: July 16th - 22nd, 2025 (now booking)

    Session 2: July 23rd - 29th, 2025 SOLD OUT

    7 Days

    $5,500 USD (Deposit of $700 secures spot)

    Number of participants: 15

    All Participants Must be 18 and Over

    Languages: English

    Welcome Dinner: Included

    Every participant will be photographed by Steve McCurry and receive this special portrait after the workshop

    Not Included:
    Lodging
    Meals and beverages
    Transportation
    Travel to and from the workshop destination
    Visa and taxes
    Travel insurance
    Photographic equipment

  • Arrival in Tokyo:

    Each of you will be responsible for your own arrival in Tokyo. We do not provide an organized transport service, so we ask you to arrange your trip independently. This will give you the flexibility to choose the travel dates and times you prefer, as well as the opportunity to extend your stay if you wish.

    Accommodation:

    We will provide information about the hotel where we will be staying. If you wish, you can book a room in the same hotel, which might make the workshop sessions and meetings more convenient. However, if you prefer to explore other options or if the hotel is fully booked, there are numerous accommodations nearby that you can consider.

    We recommend making your reservations as soon as possible to ensure availability and to take advantage of the best rates.

  • Essential Equipment:

    • Camera: Digital SLR or mirrorless body

    • Lenses: One or more lenses covering the range between 17mm and 50mm (full-frame equivalent)

    • Batteries: At least two fully charged camera batteries

    • Battery charger

    • Memory cards: Multiple high-speed cards with sufficient storage capacity

    • Comfortable camera bag or strap

    Recommended Additional Items:

    • Backup camera body (if available)

    • A versatile zoom lens (e.g., 24-70mm) for flexibility

    • A fast prime lens (e.g., 28/35mm f/1.8 or 50mm f/1.8) for low-light situations

    • Lens cleaning kit (microfiber cloth, blower)

    • Rain cover or weatherproof bag for your camera

    • Portable external hard drive or laptop for backing up images

    • Comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing and walking shoes

    • Notebook and pen for taking notes during lectures

    • Smartphone with WhatsApp installed for group communication

    Optional Equipment:

    • Lightweight tripod or monopod for long exposure shots

    • Business cards for networking with fellow photographers

    Please note: While a wide range of equipment can be useful, remember that street photography often benefits from a minimalist approach. Focus on bringing gear that you're comfortable with and that won't weigh you down during long days of shooting.