Today leaves my urban muse, a man that shows Tokyo in a light I never could see. Martin Irwin shoots elbows out, Sony A7r cracking in the bustle and smog of Tokyo; he is tall and built like a Leica. He is conspicuously conscious of all around him. His every move is calculated.

His lenses are varied, some adapted, some native. Always, they are aimed at something I don't see. In his three-year tenure, he captured the every line and riff Tokyo had to offer. His work, his attitude, his vision helped change me.

Today, he is off to England.

Last week, we said goodbye over a few pints: him sipping Hub Ale, me nose in the Guinness. He marvelled at the borrowed Leica M (240) and Astell & Kern AK240 in my bag. I introduced him to e-earphone, where Victor's HA-FX850 (all the rage at head-fi), caught both of us in the gut.

I want one.

Martin wants one.

We both want a Leica.

Both of us are photographers with souls anchored in the love of music.

A Tokyo without Martin is hard to imagine. I hope London and Cambridge welcome as well.

Bon Voyage, Martin.

Follow Martin's ongoing encounter with the city, with nature, and with life at Martin Irwin Photography.

NOTE: The below images were shot whilst walking to e-earphone. I am not a street photographer. Martin was kind enough to give me pointers. My eye, however, is far more introverted. All of the images in this post were taken with my newly acquired Fujifilm X100s.