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Nikon D700 + Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 @ 200mm — 1/640 sec, f/2.8, ISO 200 — map & image data — nearby photos
Impromptu Photo Op
“say, that gives me an idea...”
Continuing with the rite-of-passage Japanese-archery event I've been posting about (第62回 三十三間堂大的全国大会) , after being driven out by the oppressive crowds at the shooting range, I spent some time with the more-manageable crowds in the greater temple compound.
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 @ 200mm — 1/2000 sec, f/2.8, ISO 200 — map & image data — nearby photos
Textures
wood and stone
I took the three shots above before having ventured into the scrum at the shooting range, but after coming out I broke out the Nikkor 300mm f/2 lens for some experimentation. (With its all-manual 7kg ultra-thin depth-of-field, any use on my part is “experimentation”.)
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 300mm f/2 — 1/1250 sec, f/2, ISO 280 — map & image data — nearby photos
Pause
eastern edge of the Sanjusangendo Temple, Kyoto Japan
The entire eastern side of the temple property is a 500-foot-long covered-and-columned walkway in brilliant vermilion, so it offered great photogenic opportunities, though there was some challenge in having to zoom with my feet with the heavy lens and all my stuff.
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 300mm f/2 — 1/1250 sec, f/2, ISO 280 — map & image data — nearby photos
Spoiler
lady with fuzzy boots ruins the artsy out-of-focus vibe I was going for
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 300mm f/2 — 1/1250 sec, f/2, ISO 220 — map & image data — nearby photos
Mercifully Stationary
Considering the rich depth of the scene (and the thin depth of the lens), these kind of shots were the obvious low-hanging fruit to try, but it's hard enough for me to focus this lens on a stationary subject, so it was all the more demanding when someone walked directly toward the camera.
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 300mm f/2 — 1/1600 sec, f/2, ISO 200 — map & image data — nearby photos
Helping me Practice
I didn't really feel comfortable with the focus (and wondered whether I needed to test the accuracy of my focus screen), so spent some time really concentrating on trying to hit focus without worrying about composition so much....
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 300mm f/2 — 1/1250 sec, f/2, ISO 320 — map & image data — nearby photos
Not Too Bad
focusing on the eye
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 300mm f/2 — 1/2500 sec, f/2, ISO 200 — map & image data — nearby photos
Missed Call
I was going for the eye of the yellow peep, but got the blue hamburger thing
They were part of a group getting ready to pose for a photo...
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 300mm f/2 — 1/1600 sec, f/2, ISO 200 — map & image data — nearby photos
Group Photo at 300mm
maybe a bit wider focal length would have made things easier
Somehow they noticed me, and some posed just for me...
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 300mm f/2 — 1/1600 sec, f/2, ISO 200 — map & image data — nearby photos
Smile Just For Me
They seemed quite interested in having me take their picture, so the photographer in me wanted to do it right; despite having 20kg worth of gear, I quickly zoomed with my feet (moved) so that I could frame the opportunity just right, concentrating on that which was most important....
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 300mm f/2 — 1/4000 sec, f/2, ISO 200 — map & image data — nearby photos
Updated Framing
from my detached, purely aesthetic point of view
Some of the guys, being guys (like this, and this), hammed it up for me...
The guy in the center is the same as in “Not Too Bad” above.
There were 2,132 twenty-year-olds in their formal archery hakama, along with ample family, friends, and spectators, so there was more than enough to keep me occupied.
These are really interesting ! And I love the final foot shot.
Can you explain what the “rite of passage” actually is and why it involves both sexes shooting arrows? Looks like a lot of fun. Do they train? Is the idea to actually hit the target?
Is this a modern invention with a take on an historical practice?
Annie “Intrigued”in London!
oops – just referred back to your “Anatomy” post.
Will read up there.
Thanks
A
I think the photographer ruins the picture on “Spoiler” rather than the lady.
You realize that I was joking with that caption, I hope… she was the target of the photo. —Jeffrey
I love the lost photo, its simple and really well balanced, its don’t say much but I keeps watching its simplicity, also its captures the eye after the colorful pics.:):) Great shot!
Endre
from Hungary