My name is Lukasz Palka. Born in Poland, raised in the US, and residing in Japan since 2008, I am an urban photographer interested in all aspects of the Tokyo Metropolis — its people, its infrastructure, and the endless stories that unfold in the city’s streets.

I photograph in multiple genres — street photography, urban landscape, urbex, and others. Though my work is varied, it is aimed at one goal: a personal portrait of a great city. From its rooftops to its underbelly, Tokyo has fascinated me since I first arrived nearly two decades ago. I am often asked what is it about Japan or about Tokyo that I like most, but it’s impossible to narrow it down to a single aspect. The city breaths like a living organism, energy ebbs and flows within it, while humans and traffic pump through its arteries as though propelled by a beating heart. One is easily enchanted and intoxicated by this environment of light and concrete, a stage to the dramas of life. The only way for me to comprehend and convey these notions is through photography.

My inspirations lie in the masters of photography; William Eggleston, Saul Leiter, Alex Webb and many others. I am also inspired by the science fiction genre in various media. Works such as Neuromancer, Blade Runner, Deus Ex, and Ghost in the Shell form a foundation to my visual framework. Let me take you on a journey into the Tokyo Metropolis.

More Info

• Check out the EYExplore YouTube channel for tutorials on urban photography.

• For more video content about me and my work, watch this YouTube playlist.

• To see a selection of my client work, please take a look at my professional portfolio.