My name is Allison O’Connor. I’m an American student who recently returned home from a year-long study abroad program at Keio University in Tokyo, Japan. I started this blog as a way to document that experience and through it developed a deeper interest in photography. I bought a film camera halfway through the year abroad (on ebay, for $60!) and now I’m addicted to the excitement of dropping off and picking up my film. I spend most of my free time exploring and taking pictures and I use this blog to post them.
I’m currently using a Canon EOS Rebel K2 film camera and very occasionally a Casio Exilim digital camera. I’d love some encouragement and suggestions! I now have my own photography website to go along with this blog – please take a look and let me know what you think.
email me at: allisonoconnor22@gmail.com
oh and ps:
about my photos
They are mine. Please do not use them without my permission, or without crediting them to me. I don’t mind being linked at all as long as you give me credit! Please email me if you have any questions.
My elsewheres:
* flickr!
* my photo book: 24:00 Japan in Film Photography
43 Comments
2008/09/17 at 17:33
alison,
hey! i’m so glad you responded, i totally lost the address for this site. but, i’ve since added it to my blog and you should e-mail me when you get the chance jamesowenph@gmail.com, i’d love to know how things are going. hope you’re well!
p
2008/12/01 at 16:39
i came across this blog just last night when i was googling japanese fashion, i really like your pictures [being a amateur photographer myself]. its always been my dream to go to japan myself but reading your blog [don't know the right words plz don't think i'm a stalker or anything] its made me want to go to japan even more~~. i have a brother in the marines currently stationed in japan but he never shares anything with me
. i think its cool to see/read your experiences and.. stuffs… i sucks at words.. >_<
2008/12/02 at 03:46
hey~
.
yeah i love your blog!! i mean my brother sometimes uploads pics every once in a while but nothing like yours [scenery, people, friends etc.]
i’m saving up to see him like maybe this summer or next winter when i don’t have school
i need to add more to my blog, like pictures and stuff. i been kinda inactive in my blog recently
2008/12/10 at 16:23
Cool to find the blog- awesome photos, they’re pretty but not pretentious, and genuinely interesting.
I’m also in Tokyo for the year, studying at Waseda. The above link is my blog, but dshack.tumblr.com mashes up the posts from it with my flickr stream, so I think you might find that more appealing.
Cheers! I’ll toss ya on my blogroll.
2008/12/10 at 23:56
dude you’re awesome. keep up the good work at updating this blog. it totally helps me kill time at work!
2008/12/20 at 21:26
Really interessting blog!! I really like it, and now I want to go to Japan
beautiful photos!!
2008/12/21 at 20:25
Dear person I don’t know,
Your blog rules. Your photos makes me wish that I too was visiting Japan.
That is all.
-A stranger
2008/12/22 at 09:42
HI, i just found your site and am so excited about it! i am also from seattle, and work at a local sushi restaraunt. I am traveling to Japan in March and am so inspired by your photographs. can i ask what kind of camera you are using? i can’t believe they have a zokas there too! i want to ask them to give me a job there…
2008/12/25 at 15:02
Emiko,
Thank you! Which sushi restaurant do you work at? I worked at Shun this past summer- have you been there?
My camera is a Casio Exilim 7.2–nothing special!!
2009/05/15 at 08:33
i just saw you posted me back! i always check out your blog and I can’t believe what a tiny world it is. I worked at Nishino and Chiso, but am now trying the semi – starving artist thing. I just tried Shun for the first time a little while ago, the salmon croquettes were oishii.
I was in Japan last March, and love seeing photographs on here of places I saw. I can’t wait to go back, and maybe even live there, but i have to learn more Japanese first. if you go to Hiroshima, you have to have okanamiyaki there, it’s so good!
also, it was funny seeing your street art pics from seattle, I see a lot of those around all the time too! what a small tiny world : ) we must be crossing paths on opposite time lines . .
2008/12/23 at 00:29
Uwa..
Omoshiroi ne..
I will visit your BLOG to update the newest info in Japan..
Hajimemashite..Watashiwa bocahbancar desu..Douzo Yoroshiku Onegaiitashimasu..
Jya..
2008/12/24 at 14:35
Nice blog. Please visit mine.
A few times you wrote about similar subjects as me.
For example:
My Xmas post:
http://tokyo5.wordpress.com/2008/12/23/xmas-time/
Quarter Pounder:
http://tokyo5.wordpress.com/2008/11/29/quarter-pounder/
Graffiti:
http://tokyo5.wordpress.com/2008/04/07/yokohama-2/
and
http://tokyo5.wordpress.com/2008/11/04/shibuya-festa/
2009/01/27 at 21:49
hey
thank you so much for your comment!
I really love e.e.cummings. I wasn’t really into poetry until I got to know his work.
Wow Japan *___* how lucky, I hope you really have a great time there!
*
2009/03/07 at 07:36
Awesome!
2009/03/19 at 05:21
Have you been to minatomirai? It’s very pretty, and you can walk along the harbour to yamate and see some of the most gorgeous buildings in Yokohama, boats and of course the night-time fairy lights.
You can take a “sea bass” (boat) back to Yokohama station and enjoy the scenery one more time. They also have a very cute “Doll Museum” in Yamate, with a special Blythe exhibition on right now.
2009/03/19 at 16:00
Hey Allison!
Thanks for the comment and yeah, you’re right it could’ve done without those scenes. The thing is I really kind of wanted it to be a proper and earnest romance, maybe like Before Sunrise/Sunset, but it ended up succeeding in this other way.
Also – and this has nothing to do with anything – what is Uniqlo like in Japan? Everyone here in nyc is in love with it because we only have one (in the whole US), but I’ve been told it’s a really common there, true? (And do all the salespeople act like coked-out models?)
Love your blog, btw! The PDX/Seattle pics just kill me, I miss it all. (And that’s crazy about tubs.)
-A.
2009/03/22 at 16:06
Allison, my love, your blog is #2 in my things to do after logging into the internet. I miss you! You make me want to be a better blogger, haha. Love you : ) Nico
2009/03/23 at 17:39
Your J-style pictures are WIN. (Didn’t you know that already? Of course you do!) Epic cool. You are made of win.
2009/04/25 at 11:51
why thank you!
2009/03/26 at 04:58
hi Allison,
Congratulations, living abroad it opens your eyes. I can tell you are full taking advantage if it. Well done. Keep traveling, your young and smart. Until when are you gonna stay in Japan? My bf and I have the intention to go to Japan this year, since we’re so close!. Hope I can see you if your still there.
hugs,
Heidi
2009/04/25 at 11:53
Thanks Heidi! I’ll be in Japan until mid-summer. Let me know if you’d like some travel suggestions! I’m not an expert at all but I might be able to help a little : )
2009/03/27 at 08:45
Kewll!!
You know Allison, ever since I found your blog thru the keyword ‘monoral’, I visit here a lot and I can spend times staring at those pictures of Japan u’ve posted here. Make me want to travel japan soon. Ooh well, I have to save a lot first thou.
Btw, how about come and visit Indonesia one day?
You should try Indonesian train for a thrilling adventure ^^V
Nice blog and keep taking cool pics and share here..
Cheers
-niken-
2009/04/13 at 12:52
Hello. I am a Japanese.
But I’m not good at English, the international exchange is very interesting.
A friend if you do not mind, I hope you and the international exchange!
http://kmpnote.wordpress.com/
2009/04/19 at 08:16
Japan! the only place I want to be right now. Very interesting stuff, great photos as well. You’re a lucky girl I tell ya! Have fun…
2009/04/25 at 11:54
The only place?! I hope you figure out a way! Thanks for looking at my photos!
2009/04/27 at 20:34
Hi!
I just stumbled upon your blog and I’m in love with it.
I studied in Japan as a high school student for 8 months, from August to March. I just got back to WI on March 31, so I’m terribly “homesick” for Japan!!
Your blog makes me so happy, but it also made me cry. I fell in love with Japan, Tokyo in general…so it’s wonderful to read about it. I can’t wait until I can move back, and I’m just so jealous of you for having all these amazing experiences!
I just thought I’d say hi and tell you I love your blog.
(:
2009/04/28 at 00:49
Hi Chelsey! Thank you I’m glad you found it! Since you lived in Tokyo do you have some recommendations of places I should go or things I should do? Do you plan on living in Japan after high school? I’m impressed!
2009/04/28 at 02:24
I actually lived in Tohoku, northern Japan. About 4 hours north of Tokyo.
I’m sure you’ve been, but one of my favorite parts of Tokyo was Ueno. (:
And yes, I can’t wait to get back to Japan. I’m planning on living there, teaching, whatever else I feel like doing, after college.
I’m tempted to just leave now & go back, but I know that I have to be responsible and get my degree. I’m so jealous, though!!
2009/05/11 at 02:17
Wow! I’m loving this blog! Ive never actually felt compelled to comment on a blog before. Great that you are picking up on all the cool little bits and pieces about Japan and not focusing on all the major touristy things. Loving the Street Art. and things that look like faces. Also. Jellyfish. I think i might plan a trip to Japan for the start of 2010. possibly. hmm.
p.s you are super cute.
Sam.
2009/05/13 at 08:50
Sam,
Thank you! I just looked at your site and your artwork is amazing! I’m really flattered that you like my blog. I particularly like your “I believe in you” series. I like what you said about beauty being everywhere too.. I completely agree with that and I hope it shows in my photos – its often the idea I’m trying to get across with them.
Japan is definitely worth visiting, make sure you do it someday!
2009/05/13 at 21:51
I feel inspired every time I read ur blog and flick thru the pics. I found ur blog a few days ago. Am pretty interested in analog cameras myself, I got a bunch of toy cameras already but thinking of getting more serious n buying an slr. I was eyeing on Canon A-1 for a few days now but seeing how your pics turned out, I was wondering how ur Canon Rebel 2k treating u? Would u recommend on it?
2009/05/16 at 02:42
Hey Nano –
thanks for looking at my blog! I would definitely recommend this camera based on my experience with it, but I haven’t tried any others so I really can’t compare. How are those toy cameras? I’ve never tried any of them and I would love too!
2009/05/18 at 11:03
Toy cameras are fun! Haha. I got a Diana and Instax Mini 10 a couple of months ago. I’m not really good at taking pictures but they do come out great like those old nostalgic photos so I’m happy~ :3 I think I will get a Canon for an slr camera next month. Hee *excited* Thanks a bunch!
2009/05/24 at 14:42
Hey!! What a nice blog you have; your photos are beautiful. Directly to my favorites!!
2009/05/28 at 14:23
http://www.pressedfor.wordpress.com
Okay, so you needn’t approve this message.
Here’s me in honesty today.
I have waited to say something quirky enough to leave on here, days have passed me by and I have let it go. So now I decided I have no quirky saying or antics to place as a comment, just these words.
I looked at your pictures.
I looked at the About page.
Your pictures of Japan are really cool, I love art, I’m an artist.
The About page is also good because you are very beautiful, I love beauty, I’m told often that I’m beautiful or pretty or handsome, I am.
And that is all.
I hope things are good fro you in your part of the world.
I’m not going to be in Japan anytime soon, I don’t think I’ll ever run into you or catch a show or coffee with you. But I guess in most things- it is the thought that counts.
Thoughts to you.
Ciao!
2009/06/09 at 13:58
hi allison. nice blog you have. and i’m very happy to see that you’ve been enjoying yourself in japan. good luck with your photography as well.
2009/06/22 at 02:31
Hi Allison
I enjoy your blog and photos very much.
Liking how you frame your subjects
2009/07/03 at 11:29
[...] photos by Allison O’Connor [...]
2009/07/22 at 16:44
I’m a friend of James from BU, and he sent me a link to your blog. Aside from the fact that I am incredibly jealous of everything you guys get to experience over there, it makes me feel a little better seeing Japan through your awesome pictures. Keep it up, girl!
2009/08/11 at 03:37
Thanks Dory! I hope you get to go to Japan too someday! James is a cool guy – nice that you are friends!
2009/08/18 at 05:33
hey there, i just wanted to come by and say thanks
.
i’ve been following your blog for a long while now. i stumbled upon it at school when i was googling japanese fashion haha. reading your blog has really inspired me in life. i told you that now i want to pursue photography right? well i’ve changed my blog a bit. one can’t really tell in appearance since i liked the theme i had so i kept it the way it was but i deleted almost all my posts except two.
the first post is now when i withdrew from school and i decided on how i wanted to live my life from then on and the second post i just posted.
like your blog i want to showcase my photos and maybe someday i can get my own photobook like you did.
thank you very much for having this blog it really helped me in my life
2009/10/04 at 15:10
Love your site!
2009/10/26 at 09:15
Heya,
I’m living in Japan for the last 4 years.
Found your blog from Dshack’s post about no carb diets. Interesting argument.
Also nice pictures here. Film looks gorgeous. Am subscribing to your feed and looking fwd to more stuff.
So Yoroshiku!
Ady