“So benumbed are we nowadays by electric lights that we have become utterly insensitive to the evils of excessive illumination.”
![A moth lands on the window of a 30 storey hotel.
From the photographic series "In Praise of Shadows". Shot on black and white film by photographer Matthew Fleming.](https://format.creatorcdn.com/457c1bc4-f6d3-4b60-a286-223dd2135012/0/0/0/0,0,1667,2500,1600,2500/0-0-0/a5cb6df9-0812-4cde-99bb-dff12da80730/1/1/Matthew+Fleming++In+Praise+of+Shadows-14.jpg?fjkss=exp=2037500229~hmac=71dbb3468815f7f78a7b75f0c3dea2d760e6ab326d984692520a7003fc810559)
![Cars moving on the roads at night in Shiodome, Tokyo.
From the photographic series "In Praise of Shadows". Shot on black and white film by photographer Matthew Fleming.](https://format.creatorcdn.com/457c1bc4-f6d3-4b60-a286-223dd2135012/0/0/0/0,0,1667,2500,1600,2500/0-0-0/b9af1f69-6983-4215-bfdd-54f4dd51110b/1/1/Matthew+Fleming++In+Praise+of+Shadows-11.jpg?fjkss=exp=2037500229~hmac=71dbb3468815f7f78a7b75f0c3dea2d760e6ab326d984692520a7003fc810559)
![Looking out on Tokyo as the builds sprawl away into the distance.
From the photographic series "In Praise of Shadows". Shot on black and white film by photographer Matthew Fleming.](https://format.creatorcdn.com/457c1bc4-f6d3-4b60-a286-223dd2135012/0/0/0/0,0,2500,1666,2500,1200/0-0-0/d0dc5228-4318-46a4-b94b-ed0112cb2ae7/1/1/Matthew+Fleming++In+Praise+of+Shadows-21.jpg?fjkss=exp=2037500229~hmac=1e1c28ef0100d14f6ad8ce3c4bbf5f88d9cccb048769dbc9dbc1055e0cc416c8)
![The view of Mt. Fuji, shrouded in cloud, from Fujikawaguchiko.
From the photographic series "In Praise of Shadows". Shot on black and white film by photographer Matthew Fleming.](https://format.creatorcdn.com/457c1bc4-f6d3-4b60-a286-223dd2135012/0/0/0/0,0,2500,1667,2500,1200/0-0-0/a0d81ea1-f14d-4c79-8b4e-b39e2f59cbff/1/1/Matthew+Fleming++In+Praise+of+Shadows-15.jpg?fjkss=exp=2037500229~hmac=4a53c317c301495ab15578942e16682d730e6097ba8e514de1abd8c159d14799)
![A man on the ferry to Miyajima.
From the photographic series "In Praise of Shadows". Shot on black and white film by photographer Matthew Fleming.](https://format.creatorcdn.com/457c1bc4-f6d3-4b60-a286-223dd2135012/0/0/0/0,0,1667,2500,1600,2500/0-0-0/9a42e38a-b19d-4979-8440-2c04dc7e9731/1/1/Matthew+Fleming++In+Praise+of+Shadows-4.jpg?fjkss=exp=2037500229~hmac=71dbb3468815f7f78a7b75f0c3dea2d760e6ab326d984692520a7003fc810559)
![A reflection in a mirror at the Osaka Used Sky Building.
From the photographic series "In Praise of Shadows". Shot on black and white film by photographer Matthew Fleming.](https://format.creatorcdn.com/457c1bc4-f6d3-4b60-a286-223dd2135012/0/0/0/0,0,2500,1666,2500,1200/0-0-0/0e6fc2d1-c74c-4727-afb8-c970dcd41a5a/1/1/Matthew+Fleming++In+Praise+of+Shadows-7.jpg?fjkss=exp=2037500229~hmac=1e1c28ef0100d14f6ad8ce3c4bbf5f88d9cccb048769dbc9dbc1055e0cc416c8)
![Two dogs eye each other cautiously on the streets of Tokyo.
From the photographic series "In Praise of Shadows". Shot on black and white film by photographer Matthew Fleming.](https://format.creatorcdn.com/457c1bc4-f6d3-4b60-a286-223dd2135012/0/0/0/0,0,2500,1691,2500,1200/0-0-0/3487962b-7ec5-40a4-8f56-46a327283d13/1/1/Matthew+Fleming++In+Praise+of+Shadows-23.jpg?fjkss=exp=2037500229~hmac=42ae07f596a40a7e6d74f342c27b0cb9db49e03e90409aa42dcc90525e3f9ff0)
![Commuters travel down an escalator into the Tokyo Underground Subway.
From the photographic series "In Praise of Shadows". Shot on black and white film by photographer Matthew Fleming.](https://format.creatorcdn.com/457c1bc4-f6d3-4b60-a286-223dd2135012/0/0/0/0,0,2500,1666,2500,1200/0-0-0/0b5ded97-6c04-4495-9a53-e37240fda52b/1/1/Matthew+Fleming++In+Praise+of+Shadows-2.jpg?fjkss=exp=2037500229~hmac=1e1c28ef0100d14f6ad8ce3c4bbf5f88d9cccb048769dbc9dbc1055e0cc416c8)
![Neon lights and trains flash, looking down on Shiodome, Tokyo.
From the photographic series "In Praise of Shadows". Shot on black and white film by photographer Matthew Fleming.](https://format.creatorcdn.com/457c1bc4-f6d3-4b60-a286-223dd2135012/0/0/0/0,0,1685,2500,1600,2500/0-0-0/a5015012-8e0b-4f79-bdb1-3d8904f7312d/1/1/Matthew+Fleming++In+Praise+of+Shadows-12.jpg?fjkss=exp=2037500229~hmac=cd257574d36f9f5047cb65011ece991ccbd73a96bb68908c8e083e8ebcab414f)
![A hotel employee admires the Koi carp in the pond at the Fuji View Hotel, Kawaguchi.
From the photographic series "In Praise of Shadows". Shot on black and white film by photographer Matthew Fleming.](https://format.creatorcdn.com/457c1bc4-f6d3-4b60-a286-223dd2135012/0/0/0/0,0,1666,2500,1600,2500/0-0-0/2601414f-f875-41ba-8ef2-ca5c46d43ae6/1/1/Matthew+Fleming++In+Praise+of+Shadows-8.jpg?fjkss=exp=2037500229~hmac=2f7ff480b6c7c89d13a5e57bcb5519ac8c3d3113342c48e4d2edf4fd103b1cc0)
![Commuters prepare to disembark a bullet train bound for Tokyo.
From the photographic series "In Praise of Shadows". Shot on black and white film by photographer Matthew Fleming.](https://format.creatorcdn.com/457c1bc4-f6d3-4b60-a286-223dd2135012/0/0/0/0,0,1734,2500,1600,2500/0-0-0/8e58a9bb-3a2e-4439-bb2e-b58108efa58d/1/1/Matthew+Fleming++In+Praise+of+Shadows-10.jpg?fjkss=exp=2037500229~hmac=4b671484fa2719309478c99c261ff63757fe1d28350cf0d65649f4f64a1c80e5)
![A figure emerges into the light from the Tokyo Underground.
From the photographic series "In Praise of Shadows". Shot on black and white film by photographer Matthew Fleming.](https://format.creatorcdn.com/457c1bc4-f6d3-4b60-a286-223dd2135012/0/0/0/0,0,2500,1666,2500,1200/0-0-0/54417c07-e091-4fe6-ad09-2deea913dd4d/1/1/Matthew+Fleming++In+Praise+of+Shadows-1.jpg?fjkss=exp=2037500229~hmac=1e1c28ef0100d14f6ad8ce3c4bbf5f88d9cccb048769dbc9dbc1055e0cc416c8)
![A drunken slumped figure on the backstreets of Shinjuku.
From the photographic series "In Praise of Shadows". Shot on black and white film by photographer Matthew Fleming.](https://format.creatorcdn.com/457c1bc4-f6d3-4b60-a286-223dd2135012/0/0/0/0,0,2500,1667,2500,1200/0-0-0/da4fa546-bc20-45b4-9933-d0b8cf85986b/1/1/Matthew+Fleming++In+Praise+of+Shadows-16.jpg?fjkss=exp=2037500229~hmac=4a53c317c301495ab15578942e16682d730e6097ba8e514de1abd8c159d14799)
![From the photographic series "In Praise of Shadows". Shot on black and white film by photographer Matthew Fleming.](https://format.creatorcdn.com/457c1bc4-f6d3-4b60-a286-223dd2135012/0/0/0/0,0,1786,2500,1600,2500/0-0-0/edba0750-5dc9-4bfe-8156-31552ceb9326/1/1/Matthew+Fleming++In+Praise+of+Shadows-20.jpg?fjkss=exp=2037500229~hmac=eea58c4413cbac60bf7baee9532bd9c02c385584ef74ad72f724294779cf4f4e)
![Fuji as visible through a train carriage doorway on the way to Fujikawaguchiko.
From the photographic series "In Praise of Shadows". Shot on black and white film by photographer Matthew Fleming.](https://format.creatorcdn.com/457c1bc4-f6d3-4b60-a286-223dd2135012/0/0/0/0,0,2500,1667,2500,1200/0-0-0/de3e4f5c-ed80-4c46-a8a6-6d8e250e364c/1/1/Matthew+Fleming++In+Praise+of+Shadows-25.jpg?fjkss=exp=2037500229~hmac=4a53c317c301495ab15578942e16682d730e6097ba8e514de1abd8c159d14799)
![A figured gazes at their phone as they pass by the Odakyu department store, Tokyo.
From the photographic series "In Praise of Shadows". Shot on black and white film by photographer Matthew Fleming.](https://format.creatorcdn.com/457c1bc4-f6d3-4b60-a286-223dd2135012/0/0/0/0,0,2500,1666,2500,1200/0-0-0/6fe240b2-d842-448b-a473-aa939acfc29d/1/1/Matthew+Fleming++In+Praise+of+Shadows-26.jpg?fjkss=exp=2037500229~hmac=1e1c28ef0100d14f6ad8ce3c4bbf5f88d9cccb048769dbc9dbc1055e0cc416c8)
![A figure descends the stairs in the Tokyo Skytree.
From the photographic series "In Praise of Shadows". Shot on black and white film by photographer Matthew Fleming.](https://format.creatorcdn.com/457c1bc4-f6d3-4b60-a286-223dd2135012/0/0/0/0,0,2500,1667,2500,1200/0-0-0/35baeba3-8e45-4146-ac07-5cfeb4e866e2/1/1/Matthew+Fleming++In+Praise+of+Shadows-22.jpg?fjkss=exp=2037500229~hmac=4a53c317c301495ab15578942e16682d730e6097ba8e514de1abd8c159d14799)
![A figure runs at sunset, Odaiba, Tokyo.
From the photographic series "In Praise of Shadows". Shot on black and white film by photographer Matthew Fleming.](https://format.creatorcdn.com/457c1bc4-f6d3-4b60-a286-223dd2135012/0/0/0/0,0,1692,2500,1600,2500/0-0-0/eef24bea-1222-44f9-b4c3-82228e1cb860/1/1/Matthew+Fleming++In+Praise+of+Shadows-19.jpg?fjkss=exp=2037500229~hmac=5c9bbbc8d26a9f5974353b98c57e2f55129a27efb3db149fc701004da17f7622)
![Two silhouettes at the end of a tunnel in Tokyo.
From the photographic series "In Praise of Shadows". Shot on black and white film by photographer Matthew Fleming.](https://format.creatorcdn.com/457c1bc4-f6d3-4b60-a286-223dd2135012/0/0/0/0,0,1667,2500,1600,2500/0-0-0/eb968243-aeed-4879-9d95-516016671e47/1/1/Matthew+Fleming++In+Praise+of+Shadows-18.jpg?fjkss=exp=2037500229~hmac=71dbb3468815f7f78a7b75f0c3dea2d760e6ab326d984692520a7003fc810559)
![A figure holding an umbrella walks the backstreets of Okubo, Shinjuku, Tokyo.
From the photographic series "In Praise of Shadows". Shot on black and white film by photographer Matthew Fleming.](https://format.creatorcdn.com/457c1bc4-f6d3-4b60-a286-223dd2135012/0/0/0/0,0,2428,3643,1600,3643/0-0-0/ef4c8cf0-e53b-4f21-ac62-ae40b5c2912d/1/1/JCH4001_017_copy.jpg?fjkss=exp=2037500229~hmac=20cf001a67c42a689d947bf909c23a05b1b870543f6e5e1aa950a6ff0ef9207f)
![Commuters bustle towards the exist of Shinjuku train station, Tokyo.
From the photographic series "In Praise of Shadows". Shot on black and white film by photographer Matthew Fleming.](https://format.creatorcdn.com/457c1bc4-f6d3-4b60-a286-223dd2135012/0/0/0/0,0,3647,2426,3647,1200/0-0-0/f2b1425c-6a3c-4085-8226-2530d1929666/1/1/L1014999.jpg?fjkss=exp=2037500229~hmac=3d4b835874d6b3d1b8abab5bf1dc610263c2db0b2068f2d6acf2185b22c6230a)
![The Shadow of the Tokyo Skytree is cast over smaller buildings in Tokyo.
From the photographic series "In Praise of Shadows". Shot on black and white film by photographer Matthew Fleming.](https://format.creatorcdn.com/457c1bc4-f6d3-4b60-a286-223dd2135012/0/0/0/0,0,3643,2429,3643,1200/0-0-0/b9c34586-41e8-41fe-94ba-ff8094314b03/1/1/Acros4001_006_copy.jpg?fjkss=exp=2037500229~hmac=c32dfeaa702579632da1fd92e7f9f8d2fc22363d5542ce8bb25e70801e09f026)
![Faces move along Takeshita Street, Harajuku, Tokyo.
From the photographic series "In Praise of Shadows". Shot on black and white film by photographer Matthew Fleming.](https://format.creatorcdn.com/457c1bc4-f6d3-4b60-a286-223dd2135012/0/0/0/0,0,2383,1586,2383,1200/0-0-0/5f2e18e9-7724-4a0b-8024-7cd0e930af6e/1/1/L1014426.jpg?fjkss=exp=2037500229~hmac=6098c38de1533b4dc27a31b44aad87b4379b1ec4bb1fcb7b31c9687e6501dc39)
![The photographer, jet-lagged, shortly before dawn.
From the photographic series "In Praise of Shadows". Shot on black and white film by photographer Matthew Fleming.](https://format.creatorcdn.com/457c1bc4-f6d3-4b60-a286-223dd2135012/0/0/0/0,0,3643,2429,3643,1200/0-0-0/34e87619-978a-4f59-9339-28a5ec521859/1/1/TRIX111114_02.jpg?fjkss=exp=2037500229~hmac=c32dfeaa702579632da1fd92e7f9f8d2fc22363d5542ce8bb25e70801e09f026)
“So benumbed are we nowadays by electric lights that we have become utterly insensitive to the evils of excessive illumination.”