Technical Notes

Camera: Leica M6 TTL with 35mm f/1.4 Summilux ASPH

Film: Ilford HP5 Plus 400, rated at 800, developed in DDX 1:4

Backup body: Contax T3 for platform shots where the Leica drew too much attention

Shutter speeds: 1/15s to 1/125s — slow enough for motion blur in the limbs, fast enough to hold the architecture

Scanning: Noritsu HS-1800 at 6400 DPI, minimal post-processing

Printing: Archival inkjet on Hahnemühle Photo Rag Baryta 315gsm, edition of 7 + 2 AP

All images were shot handheld. The Leica's quiet shutter was essential — in a Tokyo train station, even a small sound carries. I shot roughly 60 rolls over 18 days, working exclusively between 6:00am and 8:00am. The HP5 pushed to 800 gave me enough speed for the underground platforms while keeping the grain organic, almost textile in quality.