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Nikon D700 + Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 @ 50 mm — ¹/2000 sec, f/1.4, ISO 200 — map & image data — nearby photos
Final Touches
photo shoot, gardens of the Shouzan Resort, Kyoto

I visited the gardens at the Shouzan Resort in north-west Kyoto the other day, and was blown away by the beauty of the fall colors. Unlike all the other places I've blogged about recently, it's not a temple or shrine... just a very well done private garden at a large restaurant/wedding/getaway complex (they use the word “resort”, but that feels too extravagant a word for the non-garden parts, and not extravagant enough for the garden at this time of year).

As has been the case for the last few weeks, I don't have the energy for a proper writeup yet, but these photos of a photo shoot we came across may give you a sense of the place.

Nikon D700 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — ¹/320 sec, f/2.5, ISO 800 — map & image data — nearby photos
Photo Shoot

Nikon D700 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — ¹/320 sec, f/4, ISO 360 — map & image data — nearby photos
Model #1

The shoot was for the catalog of a local kimono company, and the parts I saw involved two models doing shoots at several locations around the gardens.

Nikon D700 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — ¹/320 sec, f/4, ISO 800 — map & image data — nearby photos
Adding a Robe

Nikon D700 + Nikkor 24mm f/1.4 @ 24 mm — ¹/320 sec, f/2.8, ISO 320 — map & image data — nearby photos
Production

Nikon D700 + Nikkor 24mm f/1.4 @ 24 mm — ¹/800 sec, f/2.2, ISO 200 — map & image data — nearby photos
“Action!”
or something like that

I chatted with the photographer a bit during a down moment, and having noticed that he wasn't using a polarizing filter, suggested that in this particular setting it would make a huge difference for the better. (When shooting foliage, the effects of a polarizing filter can be downright jaw-dropping amazing.)

Surprisingly, he had no idea what I was talking about, even when I had him look through my camera, it appears that he didn't even know of the concept until I spelled it out and he could finally see the effect for himself. He had to agree that it was pretty amazing, but nevertheless declined my offer to loan him one. (Probably a smart idea not to try a new horse midstream, so to speak.)

The weather was dynamic, with bright sunshine punctuated with periods of heavy cloud. Either situation could make for wonderful shots, especially since they had reflectors and shades and such to wrangle the light, but I found the rapid changes a bit disconcerting. It made the white balance change with each passing minute; my WhiBal got a workout.

Nikon D700 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — ¹/320 sec, f/4, ISO 1400 — map & image data — nearby photos

I actually don't care for this kind of ultra-dolled-up kimono, seen with brides and maiko/gekio/geisha. Just doesn't do a thing for me, though I do very much like seeing a “normal”, more refined day-to-day kimono, such as this, this, this, this, this, this, this, this, and probably a hundred others I've posted but can't recall at the moment. And of course, it's hard to resist the cuteness of kids in kimono (here, here, and here).

But for me, it's hard to resist the hubbub of a photo shoot, so when our paths crossed in the gardens, I'd watch and take some shots myself. (I didn't need their permission, but asked for it as a courtesy, and received it with a smile.)

Nikon D700 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — ¹/320 sec, f/4, ISO 560 — map & image data — nearby photos

Nikon D700 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — ¹/320 sec, f/4, ISO 720 — map & image data — nearby photos
This Model is Now Done for the Day
( do you like the effect of how the two photos above combine to form one image? )

At this point they went one way, and I went the other, but eventually we crossed paths again at the far end of the gardens, and they had a new model and were just wrapping up at that particular location...

Nikon D700 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — ¹/320 sec, f/2.5, ISO 500 — map & image data — nearby photos

(Is it just me, or do others find those poodle-tail evergreen trees in the background to be really unattractive?)

Nikon D700 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — ¹/320 sec, f/2.5, ISO 400 — map & image data — nearby photos
Nice Smile
and uncommonly, at least some of the visible hair is actually her own natural hair

All done with this kimono; now to wait for the next one...

vertical 2-shot pano: D700 + Voigt 125mm — ¹/320 sec, f/2.5, ISO 280 — map & image data — nearby photos
Ready to Wait

Nikon D700 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — ¹/320 sec, f/2.5, ISO 1250 — map & image data — nearby photos
Waiting

Nikon D700 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — ¹/320 sec, f/2.5, ISO 800 — map & image data — nearby photos
Heading to the Next Location

Nikon D700 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — ¹/320 sec, f/2.5, ISO 280 — map & image data — nearby photos
Let's Try This Spot

Nikon D700 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — ¹/400 sec, f/2.5, ISO 200 — map & image data — nearby photos
“Those Gloves Look Great On You”
( it was brisk and threatening rain, so she wore gloves while waiting, but I have no idea what was actually said )

Nikon D700 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — ¹/320 sec, f/4, ISO 360 — map & image data — nearby photos
Just So

Nikon D700 + Nikkor 24mm f/1.4 @ 24 mm — ¹/2000 sec, f/1.4, ISO 200 — map & image data — nearby photos
Setting Up for a New Angle

Nikon D700 + Nikkor 24mm f/1.4 @ 24 mm — ¹/1250 sec, f/1.4, ISO 200 — map & image data — nearby photos
Props

Nikon D700 + Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 @ 50 mm — ¹/500 sec, f/1.4, ISO 200 — map & image data — nearby photos
Sans Gloves, Ready To Shoot

Nikon D700 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — ¹/320 sec, f/2.5, ISO 640 — map & image data — nearby photos
“Hold It Just Like That”

My visit to this place was prompted by a suggestion by Stéphane Barbery, who has been batting a hundred with his recent suggestions of the Koutou-in Temple, the Kongourinji Temple, and the Yoshiminedera Temple. Thanks Stéphane! Where next?