America Mura (Village), a photo from Osaka, Kinki

Photographer's Note

There is an area in Osaka called America mura, or America village. This is a youth culture center in Osaka. Many streets in this area are packed with import shops selling miscellaneous goods from America. America Mura is always full of young people sporting unique fashions.

This picture was taken at the center of America Mura, Sankaku Koen (Triangle Park).

Side note: it was a cold day when I took this picture. Almost every Japanese youngest has a cellular phone. They use them all the time, everywhere.

Galmeida, peter1892, Tue, PJE, huynt, RPoole5552, singuanti, kclai, jhm, berek, efigesta, papagolf21, ChrisJ, Cricri, Emile, sergio1, kent_s, Stepan, zig, carper, plimrn has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

peter1892 (1681) 2006-02-06 17:46

This doesn't fit my stereotypical image of a Japanese city! In fact, it looks more European, for some reason.

But...that doesn't mean that i don't like it or that it's not interesting! It seems like it was a dull day & I like the contrast between the poster on the wall (Gwen Stefani?) and the U.S. flag colours, compared to the more drab surroundings.

Looking into it more...the guy on the cell phone is wearing shorts. On a winters day! Everyone else appears to be wrapped up against the cold!

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Galmeida (12559) 2006-02-06 17:48

Hi Wes,
Splendid capture you did so well with a excelent light handling in this local with people sharing social or comunicative life. Your light is so good , colors, angle and geral enquadrement and approaching view in a clear and quality post. Did you rectify the hour in your camera or is real. Not important for me, because this is a great shot in any hour and day.

Congratulations for this great picture, moment and insight view and capture.

Best to you and TFS.
Fernando

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Tue (92322) 2006-02-06 17:51

Hej Wes,
Thank you for the interesting note about this place. A great daily life picture in a good composition. Well done!
Hilsner,
Lars

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PJE (20758) 2006-02-06 19:11

Wes I really love this glimpse of Osaka. Seems like a real comtemporary place to hang out. Seems they have adopted alot of North American culture in this place. I love the daily aspect in this scene. Very good culture capture Wes!

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huynt (5081) 2006-02-06 19:51

Hi Wes
Thanks for presentation a American living style in Japan.

Kenny10pin (19301) 2006-02-06 21:02

Great shot of the daily life of people, you sure had quite a few people looking into your camera here, well done

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RPoole5552 (1822) 2006-02-06 21:03 [Comment]

Show Comment

singuanti (15250) 2006-02-06 22:24

Hi Wes. I like how you zoomed in a bit to tighten the composition up. This style reminds me a little of Norbert. But what's so good is how you blended the people into the scene so effortlessly. Good one Mr. Wes.

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gaby (19819) 2006-02-07 1:46

Wes bonjour - splendid and interesting picture - Nice compo and tones - I like thie european side of a japanese city -
Thanks
Rgs
Gaby

jhm (211736) 2006-02-07 2:10

Hi Wes,
A very nice daily life picture with the acquaintance ingredient as well as GSM, good posters in background, very sharp and clear.
Very well done,
John.

Graal (103040) 2006-02-07 3:09

Hi Wes,
interesting reportage from the Osaka. I like the atmosphere of street, unusual decorations with the US accents. Good captured and well done.
Rgs,Aleksander

kclai (2267) 2006-02-07 3:24

Hi Wes
Well, every countries has it's own "little (place)". Likewise in Penang, we have a "Little India". This place sell all sorts of products from India and the consumers, well, they are all mostly Indian. One thing that make this place interesting is the color. It's so colorful and you could feel the traditional atmosphere here, rather than the high-tech of the "America Mura" is offering.
And yes, mobile phones is a today's world "necessities" Everyone got it, childrens, adults, elders and everybody. It is an affordable things.
Not until recently that our local authority have banned mobile phones in schools.
Technology is here to stay and sometimes it is draining out money away just to keep pace with technology.
Cool candid shot, Wes.
Eric Lai

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rosaline (0) 2006-02-07 4:18

Hi Wes
I have heard about this place and also seen a tv programme about it once. You have caught a good scene here, and I like the colourful nature of the area. Doesn't look like Japan at all. Globalisation I fear.
Good work.
Aubrey

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berek (50518) 2006-02-07 4:59

Hi Wes,
very interesting daily life picture.i think cell phone is infectious illness for the World :)
B.Erek
Meaning(Sense) :8
Framing:9
Idea :10

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efigesta (12188) 2006-02-07 5:14

Hi Wes

fine shot here, with a great pov and nice colors

regards
manuel

papagolf21 (152607) 2006-02-07 5:16

Bonjour mon ami Wes,
Vous êtes un excellent reporter et vous savez nous faire profiter des lieux particuliers de chaque pays. Nous apprenons beaucoup grâce à vous.
Merci du partage.
Amitiés.
Philippe

Cricri (176) 2006-02-07 13:30

Hi Wes,
Belle image qui nous montre un jour de la vie au Japon, joli POV, et endroi avec tout ses détails
Bravo
Amitiés
cricri

jbweasle (9393) 2006-02-07 14:21

Hi Wes, this is a good scene of daily life in the city. The street may seem a littel subdued but the colourful buildings make up for it.

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Emile (20352) 2006-02-07 23:33

This is an excellent daily life picture, capturing the essence of this very interesting place. A very colorful picture with great composition and sharpness. Good POV. Very well done Wes. TFS

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ChrisJ (171822) 2006-02-08 4:10

Hi Wes

Wonderful sharpness, with superb color, lighting, & contrast. I like the dinosaur at the back. Good work!

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sergio1 (12152) 2006-02-08 4:38

Hola Wes
Interesante captura urbana congelando la vida cotidiana del lugar. Bonita perspectiva y tengo el gusta de la gente en ella.
Buen trabajo
Sergio

kent_s (1911) 2006-02-08 7:08

Hi Wes
This is a kind of shot that I really like. I could easily stay to looong looking at all the details Like the can in the front and not to forgotten the poster hmm dirty you:) Your sidenote could easily be attaxhed to all of europe I belive.

Well done
Hälsningar
Kent

Stepan (27210) 2006-02-08 15:22

Strange place : the japanese people, the american brands, the european street light... A strange and interesting fusion. Good note.
Stéphane

pitai (3985) 2006-02-08 22:14

hello wes, nice view of this Neighborhood. At first I thought it was really in America. The light is not much, but we can appreciate all the details and mood with a good DOF. TFS, Gabriel

zig (2456) 2006-02-09 8:37

Hi wes, been a while, hehe.
Very interesting to see my own country through another person's eyes. Where is kanjis?? ha ha. You have nicely captured a street scene and I can see how people live in this country.

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carper (96) 2006-02-12 14:12

I go for this one Wes,
this is realy a nice shot, i like the living in the street it is a very nice one, good composed, nice lines and very good details, very good job. I like the shot.
gr. jaap

mumek (20226) 2006-02-16 5:22

Good morning Wes!
Very well captured and composed scenery from Osaka. Good colors, details and the light. You captured nice daily scene. Thanks for interesting note.
best regards
ziggy

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plimrn (21344) 2006-04-04 0:16

Hi Wes,
In addition to the excellent comments above; it seems to me that the people in the foreground are almost a frame for the sharp detail of the inducements to shop behind them.
Regards, Pat