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Nikon D700 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 40 mm — ¹/100 sec, f/3.5, ISO 6400 — map & image data — nearby photos
Eclectic, Intimate Live Concert
Shou · Crystal Bowls · Soprano Voice · Shakuhachi

Zak invited me to a small musical gathering he was part of this evening, at an old Kyoto machiya house that's been turned into a French cafe, Les Trois Maisons. A common friend had recognized their individual talents, and thought it'd make for an interesting experience to put them together.

The intimate ambiance was supurb for live music....

Nikon D700 + 14-24mm f/2.8 @ 14 mm — ¹/125 sec, f/2.8, ISO 6400 — map & image data — nearby photos

It was less suited to photography, which is perhaps fine because I wanted to enjoy the music, but I did take a few shots, with the low light pushing the limits of the camera and its user.

Nikon D700 + Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 @ 170 mm — ¹/160 sec, f/2.8, ISO 6400 — map & image data — nearby photos
Nagayuki Nakamura · Shou
Playing an antique shou, a reeded instrument somewhat akin to a harmonica

Nikon D700 + Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 @ 98 mm — ¹/125 sec, f/2.8, ISO 5600 — map & image data — nearby photos
Kumi Awaji · Crystal Bowls
The bowls sung a deeply penetrating, perfect tone

Nikon D700 + Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 @ 200 mm — ¹/80 sec, f/2.8, ISO 6400 — map & image data — nearby photos
Yuko Izuka · Soprano
over the course of the evening she sung in Japanese, English, German, and Italian

Nikon D700 + Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 @ 200 mm — ¹/30 sec, f/2.8, ISO 6400 — map & image data — nearby photos
Zak Braverman · Shakuhachi
Playing the same priceless shakuhachi flute featured in some macro photography on his blog

That shot of Zak (taken at ISO6400, 200mm, 1/30th second) is a great testament of the benefits of both the Nikon D700's low-light prowess, and of the vibration-reduction feature of my Nikkor 70-200 f/2.8 zoom. And, perhaps, my steady hand.

The music selection was also eclectic, ranging from Amazing Grace to Japanese folk classics to Brahms' Lullaby to Italian and Irish pieces that I didn't know. It was all wonderful.

They ended with a singalong of a traditional folk song from 1914, furusato....

Nikon D700 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 70 mm — ¹/100 sec, f/4.5, ISO 1800 — map & image data — nearby photos
Lyric Sheet

Luckily for all involved, I refrained from participating in the singalong.

I had never seen a shou before, so took a few moments to check it out...

Nikon D700 + Nikkor 85mm f/1.4 — ¹/100 sec, f/1.4, ISO 5000 — map & image data — nearby photos
Shou — Bamboo Reeded Instrument

The guy didn't know the full provenance of the instrument beyond about 160 years ago, but he suspects that it was quite old even then.

Each of the bamboo pipes has a small reed in the base...

Nikon D700 + Nikkor 85mm f/1.4 — ¹/100 sec, f/1.4, ISO 5600 — map & image data — nearby photos
Tiny Reed

Nikon D700 + Nikkor 85mm f/1.4 — ¹/100 sec, f/2.8, ISO 3600 — map & image data — nearby photos
What am I?
I took this shot with my “What am I?” quizzes in mind, but opted not to use it

Nikon D700 + Nikkor 85mm f/1.4 — ¹/100 sec, f/2, ISO 6400 — map & image data — nearby photos
Old Cover
The old protective pouch for the shou was in tatters, but priceless.

I've got to also say that the bacon eggplant quiche I had at the cafe was the best quiche I'd ever had... absolutely delicous. I'd gotten there early to eat and chat with friends, and after the concert was actually thinking to have some more for dinner, but the place was getting crowded for a second performance, and I felt bad taking a spot, so decided against it. All the more reason to head back again soon!