This photographic narrative, a natural continuation of “Exterior night: Tokyo” and an integral part of the larger project “Exterior night, street photography in Japan,” explores the city of Kyoto while maintaining the same delicate balance of contrasts, revealing the city’s complex nocturnal atmosphere. Each photograph imagines hidden stories, concealed behind temples, alleyways, traditional shops, and homes. A world where external life intertwines with the inner atmosphere of a city that still preserves its traditions intact.
The photographic style never changes; it blends seamlessly with the distinctive character of Kyoto, combining urban realism with a vibrant, pale atmosphere. The photographs thus make use of the available natural light: lanterns, street lamps, reflections on city streets, creating contrasts between warm lights and cold shadows.
“Exterior night: Kyoto” is not just a visual representation of the city, but an extension of the journey that began in Tokyo. The project invites the viewer to reflect on the hidden stories within the urban details of Kyoto: beyond sliding doors, in illuminated gardens, and behind the windows of ryokan inns, where the tales of a city that, while welcoming change, firmly preserves its roots are hidden.
The continuity of the project is expressed in the desire to transform the ordinary into a photographic narrative through the soft lights of the night. However, Kyoto adds a more pronounced dimension of spirituality and serenity, inviting the viewer to embark on a more contemplative journey. The images offer an evocative visual experience, celebrating the duality of life where past and present coexist in harmony.
