Street Photography by Ash Shinya Kawaoto

Getting closer to his subjects – and sometimes too close to be safe – is part of Ash Shinya Kawaoto’s photography style. Strolling the streets of Tokyo for hours, Shinya captures the expressions and emotions of his subjects – young and old, poor and rich – in this dynamic and changing metropolis that looks like a “huge living creature that continues to grow”.

Toronto Islands Winter

I don’t trust any country that looks around a continent and says, “Hey, I’ll take the frozen part.” – Jon Stewart

It may be -30 degrees Celsius with the windchill and half a meter snow. Welcome to the Canadian winter!

One day in February, a winter storm hit Toronto. The perfect timing to go out and confront the nature with a camera.

Fresh snow covered the city, and amazingly, for a metropolis such as Toronto, there is a oasis of peacefulness: the Toronto Islands. A 15 minutes ferry ride from Downtown Toronto and you are in the wilderness, well just during a winter storm!

The “Sleepless Town” (眠らない街)

“Tokyo’s hidden erotic wonderland is open for business.” – National Geographic

When I arrived first time at the Shinjuku Station in Tokyo, I was lost. 3.64 million passengers pass through the world’s busiest transport hub each day, more than the population of Toronto! Once you find your way out (from over 200 exits), you may head to the famous red light district of Tokyo, Kabukichō – the “Sleepless Town”.

Kabukichō (歌舞伎町)

Your first clue that you are in the area is when you are seeing well dressed young Japanese men with very long hair. You will find them at the main entrances to the Kabukichō red light district, every day and night.

It was snowing all morning in High Park… Let’s go out and shoot: enjoy the moment and capture the beauty of winter!

A winter wilderness escape in the middle of big city Toronto: photos and quotes.

The polar vortex is making its way into Canada from time to time, bringing Arctic-like temperatures. This year the polar air is  expected to reach Eastern Canada at the beginning of February.

One of the harshest and coldest winters in Canada was the winter of 2013/14 – with a Christmas ice storm that downed trees and hydro lines, cutting power to half million people – and a series of polar vortexes. The polar vortex from the beginning  of January froze the Niagara River and the two smaller waterfalls, creating an unusual winter landscape.

The year 2023 started with a memorable day trip to the MGS (Mountain Guide Sibiu) Hut, in the Cindrel Mountains (the Carpathians, Romania).

It was a beautiful, sunny day, with unusual warm temperatures for January (+12 degrees C, at over 1,000 meters altitude). Normal temperatures for this time of the year should be below zero, to -10 degrees Celsius, and snow.