Appropriation and Street Photography

Sometimes, it’s inevitable to capture other artworks when shooting street photography. The reality is that we are constantly surrounded by visual art, especially in densely populated areas. This concept is often referred to as the appropriation of art. According to the definition I found online, appropriation in documentary photography involves using existing images or objects in new ways. It can be a complex issue, touching on ethics, politics, and the potential for fresh perspectives. Some well-known photographers, like Richard Prince and Barbara Kruger, have incorporated others' artwork into their own creations.

As a photographer, I’m naturally drawn to striking visuals—signs, murals, graffiti, sculptures, and more. Everything we see has, in some way, been designed by human hands or machines. To me, art is a reflection of human thoughts and emotions. It’s powerful, compelling, and often deeply relatable. When I’m walking among strangers and come across a piece of art that resonates with me, it inevitably becomes part of my images. Sometimes, I photograph the artwork as it is, but while those images can serve as nice memories, they don’t always feel as special. What excites me is creating images that tell another story—ones that merge art with the moment.

The four images below are some of my favorite examples of appropriation in my work. The first is particularly meaningful to me. There are several elements that make it special: the religious mural in the background adds a clear narrative, setting the tone for the scene. It was taken during a procession, and the mural almost appears to be watching over the group of men below. I also love the movement—the woman in the formal pink suit walking by, the red velvet blanket billowing in the wind from a nearby window.

The second image was all about being in the right place at the right time. The fact that I’ve never encountered a similar scene since makes this shot even more valuable to me. The third and fourth images might not need much explanation—my subjects mirror or interact with elements from the surrounding artwork. For me, these types of images feel like collaborations with the history and culture of the place I’m in. They make me feel deeply connected to my surroundings, and the process is both fun and creatively fulfilling.

Of course, appropriation can sometimes raise copyright concerns. When appropriate, I make an effort to credit the original artists whose work appears in my photographs.

@Rika Manabe Photography. Every image you see here is created by me (Rika Manabe). All rights reserved. Please contact me for purchase and usage of my images. Thanks.

  1. Image 1: Near Lisbon, Portugal

  2. Images2: Porto, Portugal

  3. Image3: Vancouver BC, Canada

  4. Image4: San Francisco, USA

Winter Images and Updated Website

Updating my website with new images has been on my to-do list for years, and I finally made it happen! It feels incredible to check this off and start the new year feeling prepared and energized. After sorting through tens of thousands of images, my brain felt like it was ready to burst, but I’m so relieved it’s done. While there’s still some fine-tuning left, I’m proud to say the site is about 80% complete.

I’d love to share a few winter images from the collection. The first was taken in Leavenworth, WA, near Seattle. We had to detour due to heavy snow blocking the highway, but the silver lining was stumbling upon this breathtaking scene. All I had to do was show up and click. It is a quit area but Eastern Washington is great for hiking, skiing and camping.

The next few images were captured at Greenlake in Seattle. Whether you're a visitor or a local, Greenlake is one of the city’s most stunning spots to experience beautiful moments throughout the day.

One of my favorite photos is an abstract shot of my daughter snow tubing. I don’t usually take many abstract images, but this one inspires me to explore a series of similar shots—maybe even for an exhibit someday.

Another image I’m sharing is from Colorado. The landscapes there are truly awe-inspiring—vast, dramatic, and overwhelming in the best way. While this photo only hints at what the region has to offer, I’ll be sharing more from Colorado in my next post.

The last image is my neighbor’s house. I love this house especially when it’s covered in snow. This is what ginger bread house look like in the real life .

Thank you for stopping by! Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments—I’d love to hear from you!

Working with a Theme for Street Photographers.

I became a photographer without too much thought but rather with my gut feeling. After earning my college degree in Japan in Japanese literature and education, I initially set out to become a high school teacher. However, it quickly became clear that teaching wasn’t my true calling. Feeling an intense desire to leave Japan and explore the world, I decided to take a different path. My fascination with cultures and travel has been a part of me for as long as I can remember. As a toddler, I was captivated by travel programs on TV, and even now, I can vividly recall details from those shows.

Discovering what you want to do in life is rarely straightforward. My teenage son, who will be starting college next year, reminds me of how lost and uncertain I felt when I was 18. At 20, after moving to the States, I had an epiphany while flipping through magazines at a newsstand that I wanted to become a photographer. It’s amusing to think back on this moment, especially since I had written the same aspiration in a note to my future self as part of a sixth-grade time capsule. Maybe deep down, we always carry a sense of who we are meant to be.

As I browsed those magazines, I was struck by how compelling images could transcend language barriers, conveying emotions and telling stories of people’s lives around the world. Photography revealed that we can connect and empathize with one another, even across vast cultural and linguistic divides.

I purchased my first film camera and began photographing strangers on the street. To my surprise as a shy person, it felt natural and effortless. Through photography, I formed a deeper connection with people, even though my English was limited at the time. This was nearly 25 years ago, in the era of analog cameras and film, long before smartphones were everywhere. Photography not only alleviated my loneliness but also helped me forge new friendships. It quickly became an obsession, one that continues to inspire me to this day.

Street photography has become my passion, a medium through which I can best express my innermost self. Capturing candid moments on the street fills me with exhilaration; it’s a pure, unadulterated joy. For those new to photography, I recommend grabbing a camera and seeing what you can discover. Street photography is like a treasure hunt—if you’re in the right place at the right time, you’ll capture something extraordinary.

Like many professionals, I’ve experienced periods of burnout and creative stagnation, often a result of taking photos solely for monetary reasons. This can sap the joy from the craft. To reignite my inspiration, I assign myself thematic projects. While I’m not particularly drawn to experimenting with new gear or technology, I find immense creative satisfaction in exploring a specific theme. These personal assignments often lead to images I’m genuinely proud of.

One such project arose when my friend Kohjiro Kinno, a sports photographer, invited me to contribute to a basketball-themed exhibit. This theme compelled me to notice basketball hoops scattered around Seattle—objects I had previously overlooked. Observing these hoops in their various states and environments energized me creatively, resulting in a series of images that I deeply cherish.

Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Hello! Time flies, and I've been going through my archive in an effort to update this website. There are tens of thousands of images that I’ve been re-editing and retouching, especially newer ones from the pandemic in 2019. It’s hard to believe that was already five years ago.

Over the past five years, including 2020 and 2021 when most people weren’t traveling due to the pandemic, I still managed to travel 2-3 times a year. For me, traveling has always been the best way to reset and refresh. From 2020 to 2023, I was quite unwel. Traveling once again became my way of reconnecting with normal life and feeling alive again. It’s difficult to revisit some of the images I took during that time because they remind me of how weak and lost I felt. I’m now in a much better place and feeling stronger. It’s good to feel like myself again and to do normal things.

This past year, I accomplished more than I ever have, even compared to pre-pandemic times. I ran two workshops and participated in shows and exhibits. I’m excited to explore new ideas and work with my latest images. I hope you’ll stop by to check out my blog—perhaps I’ll even start a newsletter once I get into a regular blogging rhythm.

I plan to post new images here consistently, at least once a week. Hopefully, this will help me stay on track with sorting and updating my archive.

Mexico 2017

Hi! We went to Puerto Vallarta back in February to get away from the cold wet nasty weather in Seattle which we are still having in MAY! Crazy. I wish I were there right now.

Street photography is the heart of my photography and I too some while the vacation.  Puerto Vallarta is a very well known tourist resort and I was skeptical of seeing anything too interesting or authentic.  But boy I was wrong. I had one of the most interesting trips.  I think because people who live there are very open and kind and don't mind the tourists living amongst themselves.  I felt welcomed even in the middle of nowhere.  I was there only for 5 days and wish I had more time to explore deeper.  I highly recommend seeing how Mexican natives live there instead of staying at your comfy superficial resort.  Rent a car, get out and see the culture and people!  There are so much to see and learn. 

  • Location:  Puerto Vallerta and Beyond, Mexico
  • Season: Feburary 
  • #puertovallerta #mexico #streetphotography

 

Archive - Images from Norway taken with Pentax 67

I've been digging trough my Pentax 67 archive this week.  I mostly shoot with my Canon gears for work, but I do take it with me every time I travel out of town mostly for landscape and portrait shots.  Despite its ridiculously heavy weight, I love taking it around with me.  Here are some images I found in my archive. 

Images Featured in a Die Zeit Article

There is an article in the current issue of Die Zeit Magazine in Germany about the work of Bread Lab in Mt. Vernon, WA.  I'm very excited that my photos are used along the article in print and online.  The wheat research at Bread Lab is truly amazing and worth checking it out if you are interested in any area - food, science health - about wheat.  Too bad that I can't read German but still very excited to see my photos in the magazine! Page35!

 

Star Chefs 2015

My friend Junko is the most multi-talented, hardworking, generous and humble person that I know.  She is a passionate baker and  patisserie.  She began working at Cafe Juanita in Kirkland, WA about a year ago.  She already received a rising start award from Star Chefs 2015 in Seattle amongst many talented chefs like Brady Williams of Canlis, Marie Rutherford of The Whale Wins,  Edouardo Jordan of Salary. She was also more recently nominated as a semifinalist for the James Beard Award 2016.  Huge congratulations to her!  Thanks for your inspiration, friendship and support!

The photos are taken at the Star Chef events back in December. 

 

Canon - Seattle Whisky Bar

I photographed the whisky bar called Canon in the Capital Hill neighborhood of Seattle a few weeks ago for Drink Planet in Japan.  Canon ranked Number 6 in the World's 50 Best Bars in 2014 by Drink International.  The owner and bartender Jamie Boudreau showed us an overwhelmingly rare and crafted bottles as well as his vast knowledge and passion for his collections and invention of his unique drinks. 

Summer End

It seems not too long ago that I was making plans for the summer.  I especially enjoyed my quality time with the family.  Here are some of my personal photos from the summer.

The Fat Hen - A Little Heavenly Cafe in Ballard.

The Fat Hen in the Ballard neighborhood in Seattle.  A cafe restaurant owned by a charming couple, Massimo (left) and Linnea (not pictured).  It is a must-place to go in Seattle.  The space is casual, cozy, lovely, simple, bright - I can go on and on and on...  The food is prepared perfectly every time.  Great brunch and lunch menu (egg bakes are amazing),  great pastries (I especially love Linnea's kanelbulle - Swedish cardamom cinnamon roll) and a really good coffee.  You'll be happy to know this place!  Guaranteed!

Finalist for Pink Lady Food Photography of the Year 2014

A quick and exciting news!  One of my submissions for Pink Lady Food Photography of the Year 2014, made it to the finals in the Food in Celebration category.  I can't share the image here until they account the final results, but it will be be included in the exhibition to be held at The Mall Galleries, London, SW1 between Thursday 24th and Sunday 27th April 2014.  There should be many incredible food photos in this exhibit, so make sure to stop by if you are in London!