2014 SE Taylor St, Masahiro Shimazaki

This book is a collection of photographs taken by Japanese photographer Masahiro Shimazaki while walking around Portland on his own whim, starting in the Neighborhood where he used to live.

Sudden encounters, partings, and reunions. And the time of the western sun gently enveloping the outlines of people and houses passing by.

This book that gives a pleasant euphoric feeling.

"I wandered through the neighborhoods near the house where I once lived, letting my feet lead the way.

I sought solace in nostalgia as I noticed the changes some stark, some subtle holding multitudes yet remaining anchored in the fresh gaze of an outsider. With my camera slung over my shoulder, I drifted along, guided by memory and intuition.

Taking a step back from familiar scenery, I felt like I was floating somewhere between being a traveler and a resident. With each visit, my connection to the city found its own rhythm just the right distance, settling into a space that felt natural. I slipped quietly into everyday life, capturing a few fleeting moments in photos before they changed. The other person was also looking straight at me.

To the people I met along the way, to this city, and to the friends who always welcome me so warmly I offer my deepest gratitude."

--Masahiro Shimazaki