"Private thoughts": Contemplation in an urban environment

EVERY DAY PHOTOGRAPHERS AROUND THE WORLD looking for new ways to tell stories or to capture what we previously did not notice. We choose interesting photo projects and ask their authors what they wanted to say. This week is the story of "Private Thoughts" by Australian photographer Jacob Burge, who filmed pensive Tokyo.

The synopsis of my project is: “Modern life often becomes a burden to our feelings. We get used to the sounds, sights and smells that surround us all the time, we don’t notice billboards and we don’t listen to strangers talking. Sometimes we do it because everything is already familiar to us - there is simply no need to hold on to the same daytime rituals and tasks of our memory. But sometimes we switch off to get away from the environment - these are the moments of contemplation, private thoughts in public places, I wanted to document. "

I returned from my first trip to Japan and realized that it was interesting for me to shoot, but then I did it unconsciously and simply enjoyed the process. In Japan, I focused on street photography: I took pictures of everyday situations, architecture, and space. But I was bored by the clichéd sights of Tokyo with its neon lights, clerks and cosplay girls. It was always interesting for me to observe people deep in their thoughts, and I wanted to reflect precisely this side of life. This simple idea has not changed in any way since the project, but I have always been scrupulous about the environment in which the heroes of the photos were located - for me it is no less important than the person in it.

For all the time, only one hero saw me taking pictures of him, but he just stared at me and did not say anything then. He simply smoked his cigarette and, I think, was amazed that this gaijin (that is, I) found interesting in it. Usually people notice me only when I have already taken a photo, and they don’t know if I shot them or something nearby. I always smile and welcome them - usually this formula is enough.

I started photographing about six years ago - I was then 27. I could write some sublime cart about why I started photographing, but in fact I’m just curious about the environment in which we live. For me, photography is the way I can stop and record moments and try to comprehend them.