Revisiting the Ryouanji Temple’s Cherry-Blossom Garden
desktop background image of cherry blossoms at the Ryouanji Temple (龍安寺), Kyoto Japan -- In-Season Blossoms on an out-of-season blog post (“out of season” at least for me; maybe “in season” Down Under?) -- Ryouanji Temple (龍安寺) -- Copyright 2013 Jeffrey Friedl, https://regex.info/blog/ -- This photo is licensed to the public under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/ (non-commercial use is freely allowed if proper attribution is given, including a link back to this page on http://regex.info/ when used online)
Nikon D4 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — 1/500 sec, f/2.5, ISO 160 — map & image datanearby photos
In-Season Blossoms
on an out-of-season blog post
(“out of season” at least for me; maybe “in season” Down Under?)
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In my post last week about a trip to a Kyoto temple last autumn, I wrote about some out-of-season cherry blossoms that bloom in November. Continuing with my recent theme of visiting my photo archives, I'm going back this time not to last fall, but just to the more recent spring, to a trip to the Ryouanji Temple (龍安寺) in northwest Kyoto.

I've posted a few times from that trip among the awesome blossoms, including:

Weeping Cherry at Kyoto’s Ryouanji Temple
Cherry Blossoms at Kyoto’s Ryouanji Temple, Part 1
Subtle · Pastel · Tranquil
The Effects of Aperture on a Subtle, Tranquil Cluster of Cherry Blossoms

but really had just only scratched the surface of what I wanted to share because not long after the visit to Ryouanji, I got sidetracked by the even-more-amazing Haradanien Gardens, ending up posting seven articles (so far) starting with “A Wigglegram from Kyoto’s Stunning Haradanien Forest Garden of Blossoms”.

Haradanien is truly fantastic in the spring, but the subject of today's post, the Ryouanji Temple, is also very nice (any time of year), and is much more easily accessed, so back at Ryouanji last spring we are.

Follow Me into the Ryouanji Temple (龍安寺) -- Ryouanji Temple (龍安寺) -- Kyoto, Japan -- Copyright 2013 Jeffrey Friedl, https://regex.info/blog/ -- This photo is licensed to the public under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/ (non-commercial use is freely allowed if proper attribution is given, including a link back to this page on http://regex.info/ when used online)
Nikon D4 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — 1/500 sec, f/2.5, ISO 800 — map & image datanearby photos
Follow Me
into the Ryouanji Temple (龍安寺)

Tour guides often carry flags to make themselves visible to their charges from a distance, but sometimes it's something “cute” like the bear above, or a Hello Kitty toy.

Varieties various varieties of Cherry are all clustered together -- Ryouanji Temple (龍安寺) -- Kyoto, Japan -- Copyright 2013 Jeffrey Friedl, https://regex.info/blog/ -- This photo is licensed to the public under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/ (non-commercial use is freely allowed if proper attribution is given, including a link back to this page on http://regex.info/ when used online)
Nikon D4 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — 1/1000 sec, f/2.5, ISO 100 — map & image datanearby photos
Varieties
various varieties of Cherry are all clustered together
Engulfing -- Ryouanji Temple (龍安寺) -- Kyoto, Japan -- Copyright 2013 Jeffrey Friedl, https://regex.info/blog/ -- This photo is licensed to the public under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/ (non-commercial use is freely allowed if proper attribution is given, including a link back to this page on http://regex.info/ when used online)
Nikon D4 + Nikkor 14-24mm f/2.8 @ 14mm — 1/500 sec, f/11, ISO 320 — map & image datanearby photos
Engulfing
Blossom Roof -- Ryouanji Temple (龍安寺) -- Kyoto, Japan -- Copyright 2013 Jeffrey Friedl, https://regex.info/blog/ -- This photo is licensed to the public under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/ (non-commercial use is freely allowed if proper attribution is given, including a link back to this page on http://regex.info/ when used online)
Nikon D4 + Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 — 1/500 sec, f/9, ISO 720 — map & image datanearby photos
Blossom Roof
Sort of Freaky when you notice that some blossoms are perfectly in focus ( perhaps the effect is best when clicking through to the large version ) -- Ryouanji Temple (龍安寺) -- Kyoto, Japan -- Copyright 2013 Jeffrey Friedl, https://regex.info/blog/ -- This photo is licensed to the public under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/ (non-commercial use is freely allowed if proper attribution is given, including a link back to this page on http://regex.info/ when used online)
Nikon D4 + Nikkor 14-24mm f/2.8 @ 14mm — 1/3200 sec, f/2.8, ISO 100 — map & image datanearby photos
Sort of Freaky
when you notice that some blossoms are perfectly in focus
( perhaps the effect is best when clicking through to the large version )
About as Crowded as it Got much less crowded than Haradanien -- Ryouanji Temple (龍安寺) -- Kyoto, Japan -- Copyright 2013 Jeffrey Friedl, https://regex.info/blog/ -- This photo is licensed to the public under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/ (non-commercial use is freely allowed if proper attribution is given, including a link back to this page on http://regex.info/ when used online)
Nikon D4 + Nikkor 14-24mm f/2.8 @ 24mm — 1/640 sec, f/2.8, ISO 100 — map & image datanearby photos
About as Crowded as it Got
much less crowded than Haradanien
Fluffy -- Ryouanji Temple (龍安寺) -- Kyoto, Japan -- Copyright 2013 Jeffrey Friedl, https://regex.info/blog/ -- This photo is licensed to the public under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/ (non-commercial use is freely allowed if proper attribution is given, including a link back to this page on http://regex.info/ when used online)
Nikon D4 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — 1/640 sec, f/2.5, ISO 100 — map & image datanearby photos
Fluffy
Creamy -- Ryouanji Temple (龍安寺) -- Kyoto, Japan -- Copyright 2013 Jeffrey Friedl, https://regex.info/blog/ -- This photo is licensed to the public under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/ (non-commercial use is freely allowed if proper attribution is given, including a link back to this page on http://regex.info/ when used online)
Nikon D4 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — 1/500 sec, f/2.5, ISO 250 — map & image datanearby photos
Creamy
Close-up Shot my own attempt at the same blossom leads this post -- Ryouanji Temple (龍安寺) -- Kyoto, Japan -- Copyright 2013 Jeffrey Friedl, https://regex.info/blog/ -- This photo is licensed to the public under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/ (non-commercial use is freely allowed if proper attribution is given, including a link back to this page on http://regex.info/ when used online)
Nikon D4 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — 1/500 sec, f/2.5, ISO 110 — map & image datanearby photos
Close-up Shot
my own attempt at the same blossom leads this post
desktop background image of cherry blossoms at the Ryouanji Temple (龍安寺), Kyoto Japan -- Photograph not a painting; just a bit overexposed -- Ryouanji Temple (龍安寺) -- Copyright 2013 Jeffrey Friedl, https://regex.info/blog/ -- This photo is licensed to the public under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/ (non-commercial use is freely allowed if proper attribution is given, including a link back to this page on http://regex.info/ when used online)
Nikon D4 + Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 — 1/1250 sec, f/2, ISO 100 — map & image datanearby photos
Photograph
not a painting; just a bit overexposed
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Towering -- Ryouanji Temple (龍安寺) -- Kyoto, Japan -- Copyright 2013 Jeffrey Friedl, https://regex.info/blog/ -- This photo is licensed to the public under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/ (non-commercial use is freely allowed if proper attribution is given, including a link back to this page on http://regex.info/ when used online)
Nikon D4 + Nikkor 14-24mm f/2.8 @ 14mm — 1/1000 sec, f/2.8, ISO 100 — map & image datanearby photos
Towering
Odd this composition just struck me as a bit funny -- Ryouanji Temple (龍安寺) -- Kyoto, Japan -- Copyright 2013 Jeffrey Friedl, https://regex.info/blog/ -- This photo is licensed to the public under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/ (non-commercial use is freely allowed if proper attribution is given, including a link back to this page on http://regex.info/ when used online)
Nikon D4 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — 1/1250 sec, f/2.5, ISO 100 — map & image datanearby photos
Odd
this composition just struck me as a bit funny
desktop background image of cherry blossoms at the Ryouanji Temple (龍安寺), Kyoto Japan -- Gossamer Curtain -- Ryouanji Temple (龍安寺) -- Copyright 2013 Jeffrey Friedl, https://regex.info/blog/ -- This photo is licensed to the public under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/ (non-commercial use is freely allowed if proper attribution is given, including a link back to this page on http://regex.info/ when used online)
Nikon D4 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — 1/800 sec, f/2.5, ISO 100 — map & image datanearby photos
Gossamer Curtain
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Gardeners on a bed of moss covered with a sheet of blossom petals -- Ryouanji Temple (龍安寺) -- Kyoto, Japan -- Copyright 2013 Jeffrey Friedl, https://regex.info/blog/ -- This photo is licensed to the public under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/ (non-commercial use is freely allowed if proper attribution is given, including a link back to this page on http://regex.info/ when used online)
Nikon D4 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — 1/500 sec, f/2.5, ISO 400 — map & image datanearby photos
Gardeners
on a bed of moss covered with a sheet of blossom petals
desktop background image of cherry blossoms at the Ryouanji Temple (龍安寺), Kyoto Japan -- Gardner with Broom -- Ryouanji Temple (龍安寺) -- Copyright 2013 Jeffrey Friedl, https://regex.info/blog/ -- This photo is licensed to the public under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/ (non-commercial use is freely allowed if proper attribution is given, including a link back to this page on http://regex.info/ when used online)
Nikon D4 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — 1/500 sec, f/2.5, ISO 400 — map & image datanearby photos
Gardner with Broom
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desktop background image of cherry blossoms at the Ryouanji Temple (龍安寺), Kyoto Japan -- Somehow Captivating the full-screen version somehow captures my attention, but I can't explain why -- Ryouanji Temple (龍安寺) -- Copyright 2013 Jeffrey Friedl, https://regex.info/blog/ -- This photo is licensed to the public under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/ (non-commercial use is freely allowed if proper attribution is given, including a link back to this page on http://regex.info/ when used online)
Nikon D4 + Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 — 1/3200 sec, f/1.4, ISO 100 — map & image datanearby photos
Somehow Captivating
the full-screen version somehow captures my attention, but I can't explain why
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desktop background image of cherry blossoms at the Ryouanji Temple (龍安寺), Kyoto Japan -- Perhaps One Of Those “you had to be there” shots. -- Ryouanji Temple (龍安寺) -- Copyright 2013 Jeffrey Friedl, https://regex.info/blog/ -- This photo is licensed to the public under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/ (non-commercial use is freely allowed if proper attribution is given, including a link back to this page on http://regex.info/ when used online)
Nikon D4 + Nikkor 14-24mm f/2.8 @ 14mm — 1/1600 sec, f/2.8, ISO 100 — map & image datanearby photos
Perhaps One Of Those
“you had to be there” shots.
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Colorful Coordination -- Ryouanji Temple (龍安寺) -- Kyoto, Japan -- Copyright 2013 Jeffrey Friedl, https://regex.info/blog/ -- This photo is licensed to the public under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/ (non-commercial use is freely allowed if proper attribution is given, including a link back to this page on http://regex.info/ when used online)
Nikon D4 + Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 — 1/2000 sec, f/1.4, ISO 100 — map & image datanearby photos
Colorful Coordination

While Paul Barr (in the background) and I were enjoying the big tree seen two shots above, this colorful Russian(?) tourist with a pleasing sense of style came by.

Photo Op! -- Ryouanji Temple (龍安寺) -- Kyoto, Japan -- Copyright 2013 Jeffrey Friedl, https://regex.info/blog/ -- This photo is licensed to the public under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/ (non-commercial use is freely allowed if proper attribution is given, including a link back to this page on http://regex.info/ when used online)
Nikon D4 + Nikkor 14-24mm f/2.8 @ 14mm — 1/2000 sec, f/2.8, ISO 100 — map & image datanearby photos
Photo Op!

This little clearing in front of a bed of green bushes in front of a variety of blossoms made for a great photo opportunity, though the harsh light made any photo a challenge.

Common Scene -- Ryouanji Temple (龍安寺) -- Kyoto, Japan -- Copyright 2013 Jeffrey Friedl, https://regex.info/blog/ -- This photo is licensed to the public under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/ (non-commercial use is freely allowed if proper attribution is given, including a link back to this page on http://regex.info/ when used online)
Nikon D4 + Nikkor 14-24mm f/2.8 @ 14mm — 1/1600 sec, f/2.8, ISO 100 — map & image datanearby photos
Common Scene
Before -- Ryouanji Temple (龍安寺) -- Kyoto, Japan -- Copyright 2013 Jeffrey Friedl, https://regex.info/blog/ -- This photo is licensed to the public under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/ (non-commercial use is freely allowed if proper attribution is given, including a link back to this page on http://regex.info/ when used online)
Nikon D4 + Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 — 1/2000 sec, f/1.4, ISO 100 — map & image datanearby photos
Before
After -- Ryouanji Temple (龍安寺) -- Kyoto, Japan -- Copyright 2013 Jeffrey Friedl, https://regex.info/blog/ -- This photo is licensed to the public under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/ (non-commercial use is freely allowed if proper attribution is given, including a link back to this page on http://regex.info/ when used online)
Nikon D4 + Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 cropped — 1/2000 sec, f/1.4, ISO 100 — map & image datanearby photos
After

I waited patiently for a clear shot, and eventually got it, but the result is really lackluster...

Yawn -- Ryouanji Temple (龍安寺) -- Kyoto, Japan -- Copyright 2013 Jeffrey Friedl, https://regex.info/blog/ -- This photo is licensed to the public under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/ (non-commercial use is freely allowed if proper attribution is given, including a link back to this page on http://regex.info/ when used online)
Nikon D4 + Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 — 1/500 sec, f/5.6, ISO 500 — map & image datanearby photos
Yawn

I much prefer the shots with people in them,

Such as This... -- Ryouanji Temple (龍安寺) -- Kyoto, Japan -- Copyright 2013 Jeffrey Friedl, https://regex.info/blog/ -- This photo is licensed to the public under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/ (non-commercial use is freely allowed if proper attribution is given, including a link back to this page on http://regex.info/ when used online)
Nikon D4 + Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 — 1/1600 sec, f/1.4, ISO 100 — map & image datanearby photos
Such as This...
... Or This -- Ryouanji Temple (龍安寺) -- Kyoto, Japan -- Copyright 2013 Jeffrey Friedl, https://regex.info/blog/ -- This photo is licensed to the public under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/ (non-commercial use is freely allowed if proper attribution is given, including a link back to this page on http://regex.info/ when used online)
Nikon D4 + Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 — 1/1250 sec, f/1.4, ISO 100 — map & image datanearby photos
... Or This

To be continued...


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