Has anyone ever done this? I love my local sento so much that I want to photograph it with my black & white camera. Obviously, when there’s no one there. I’m just afraid if I ask the staff, they’re going to look at me like I’m crazy or something. Any advice on this?
3 comments
>I’m just afraid if I ask the staff, they’re going to look at me like I’m crazy or something.
Well that’s the only real way you’re going to be able to get permission to film in there – empty or not. You’ll actually BE crazy if you don’t ask for permission.
If you’re serious about photography you should have 0 issues with asking the people who are able to grant you permission, for permission.
This definitely isn’t one of those “better to as for forgiveness than permission” situations as it can go very, very, VERY wrong to have someone taking photos in a sento without it being approved first. As it can be empty when you enter but lo and behold someone naked walks in mid-shoot, then what? If you get permission they’ll likely block it off for you for x amount of time.
Get permission, if they say no or look at you crazy then so be it, don’t photograph in the sento.
Ask them, and go armed with a portfolio of your work to show that you are serious. Be prepared to give them prints, and be clear about how you plan to use the images.
I hit a lot of onsen’s and sneak some pics when no one is inside. I have also noticed many Japanese folks also do that and post on Google maps or other sites, which in turn helps with free marketing for the onsen place.
Maybe a good angle is to explain what you want to do, offer to come before or after hours and offer the pictures for their own website. Just a thought…