Nikon D4 + Nikkor 300mm f/2 + 1.4X TC @ 420mm — ¹/2000 sec, f/2.8, ISO 160 — map & image data — nearby photos
Little Princesses at Play
Aoi Matsuri, at the Kyoto Imperial Palace Park
葵祭、京都御所

The Aoi Matsuri festival (葵祭; at Wikipedia), one of Kyoto's big three festivals, was held the other day, and I stopped by for the first time in many years to photograph the folks in period (circa 1000AD) costumes.

A cursory scan of the initial photos shows that I missed focus on most of the shots taken with the Nikkor 300mm f/2 with a 1.4X TC, so I'll have to look into whether the camera or my technique needs an adjustment. In the shot above, the gravel shows the plane of focus is well behind the kids. )-:

Nikon D4 + Nikkor 300mm f/2 — ¹/2000 sec, f/2, ISO 180 — map & image data — nearby photos
Warrior

The biggest problem with these “period costume” festivals such as this one and the Jidai Matsuri (“festival of the ages”) is when modern things like utility wires and glasses ruin the shot. The whole “old vs. new” thing can be fun, but it gets old quickly. One way around this is to frame very tightly (such as here), or to edit out the backgrounds with creative processing, such as here.

However, this time I was able to get somewhat sweeping views without modernness by going to the staging area for the parade, where the background was the wall of the imperial palace. (Thanks to Stéphane Barbery for the great advice.)

Now if I could just find the time to check out and post the photos more fully. I won't be holding my breath... I still have barely even looked at those from the Jidai Matsuri event six months ago. )-:

Continued here...

Nikon D4 + Nikkor 85mm f/1.4 — ¹/200 sec, f/1.4, ISO 2500 — map & image data — nearby photos
Friendly Chat
during the Kurama Fire Festival (鞍馬の火祭り)
Kyoto, Japan  Oct 2012

Dipping into my archives from last October, I realize that I haven't yet posted much about the Kurama Fire Festival (鞍馬の火祭り) that I briefly mentioned at the time, and a bit in my shooting-with-two-bodies post.

One reason that I haven't posted is that the photos are not very good (taken haphazardly handheld while not really knowing what was going on), but it's quite the different kind of festival, so it's worth a quick look.

Nikon D4 + Nikkor 85mm f/1.4 — ¹/160 sec, f/1.4, ISO 10000 — map & image data — nearby photos
Chatting with Visitors
prior to the start of the main event

The village of Kurama is long and narrow, wedged into a valley in the mountains of northern Kyoto. During this festival, fires and people are everywhere, both lining and filling the streets. Village men participating in the main event wear (so to speak) outfits as seen in the shot above.

This next guy walking by appears to be a fairly high-up Shinto priest...

Nikon D4 + Nikkor 85mm f/1.4 — ¹/200 sec, f/1.4, ISO 8000 — map & image data — nearby photos

Nikon D4 + Nikkor 85mm f/1.4 — ¹/160 sec, f/1.4, ISO 10000 — map & image data — nearby photos
Small Torch
old version of a flashlight?

Nikon D4 + Nikkor 85mm f/1.4 — ¹/200 sec, f/1.4, ISO 3200 — map & image data — nearby photos
Some Kind of Procession

This was my first time at this festival, and I had no idea what would happen other than something about big torches being carried through the streets sometime after dark. It was oppressively crowded and so any attempt at movement was decidedly unpleasant, so I stuck in one spot and hoped for the best. It turns out that I was pretty lucky.

Nikon D4 + Nikkor 85mm f/1.4 — ¹/200 sec, f/1.4, ISO 1800 — map & image data — nearby photos
Big Torches Being Brought In
burning only small “pilot light” fires

Nikon D4 + Nikkor 85mm f/1.4 — ¹/200 sec, f/1.4, ISO 2500 — map & image data — nearby photos
Looks a Bit Warm
for the caboose

Nikon D4 + Nikkor 85mm f/1.4 — ¹/200 sec, f/1.4, ISO 1100 — map & image data — nearby photos
Fires Everywhere

Nikon D700 + Nikkor 24mm f/1.4 — ¹/160 sec, f/1.4, ISO 3600 — map & image data — nearby photos
Wider View

Nikon D4 + Nikkor 85mm f/1.4 — ¹/200 sec, f/1.4, ISO 2800 — map & image data — nearby photos
Fire and Moon

Nikon D4 + Nikkor 85mm f/1.4 — ¹/200 sec, f/1.4, ISO 1250 — map & image data — nearby photos
Person In Front of Me

Nikon D4 + Nikkor 85mm f/1.4 — ¹/200 sec, f/1.4, ISO 2800 — map & image data — nearby photos
Assembling the Torches

Apparently the big (18'?) torches were being lugged into the courtyard of this shrine and propped up to be lit. They are exceedingly top heavy, so this was not a smooth operation and occasionally they fell.

Nikon D4 + Nikkor 85mm f/1.4 cropped — ¹/200 sec, f/1.4, ISO 1600 — map & image data — nearby photos
Straining

Nikon D4 + Nikkor 85mm f/1.4 — ¹/200 sec, f/1.4, ISO 3600 — map & image data — nearby photos
Watching

Nikon D4 + Nikkor 85mm f/1.4 — ¹/125 sec, f/1.4, ISO 5600 — map & image data — nearby photos
Good View

Nikon D4 + Nikkor 85mm f/1.4 — ¹/125 sec, f/1.4, ISO 2500 — map & image data — nearby photos
Finally Up
and the fires being lit in earnest

Nikon D4 + Nikkor 85mm f/1.4 — ¹/40 sec, f/1.4, ISO 10000 — map & image data — nearby photos
Some Guy Doing Something
he was way up there attending to something on top of a pole

Nikon D4 + Nikkor 85mm f/1.4 — ¹/125 sec, f/1.4, ISO 5600 — map & image data — nearby photos
Starting the Main Procession
big torches are brought back down, still ablaze, to be paraded through the streets

Nikon D4 + Nikkor 85mm f/1.4 — ¹/125 sec, f/1.4, ISO 4000 — map & image data — nearby photos
Leading the Way

Nikon D4 + Nikkor 85mm f/1.4 — ¹/125 sec, f/1.4, ISO 2200 — map & image data — nearby photos
Silhouetted

Nikon D4 + Nikkor 85mm f/1.4 — ¹/125 sec, f/1.4, ISO 6400 — map & image data — nearby photos
Off they Go

The crowds were so incredibly oppressive that following along wasn't in the realm of possibility, so I lingered a bit but then went the opposite direction.

One Million Blossoms?
a small section of the Haradanien Garden (原谷苑), Kyoto Japan

Animatable Wigglegram (17 frames) — slowly sweep mouse from side to side to view 3D effect
写真の上をマウスであちこちにゆっくり動かすと「３D」な感じが出ます。

Nikon D4 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — ¹/800 sec, f/2.5, ISO 100 — map & image data — nearby photos
One Particular One

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Today's post is part four on the Haradanien Garden (原谷苑) in north-western Kyoto (prior parts: one, two, three, and a bonus couple photo shoot). Today's simple post includes three more wigglegrams, adding to those in part three and my first post from the garden.

Nikon D4 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — ¹/800 sec, f/2.5, ISO 100 — map & image data — nearby photos
Split Personality

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Another Area of the Garden
with someone crouching for a shot
(the branch is waving to you)

Animatable Wigglegram (13 frames) — slowly sweep mouse from side to side to view 3D effect
写真の上をマウスであちこちにゆっくり動かすと「３D」な感じが出ます。

Nikon D4 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — ¹/400 sec, f/2.5, ISO 100 — map & image data — nearby photos
Intimate

Damien
in the garden

Animatable Wigglegram (13 frames) — slowly sweep mouse from side to side to view 3D effect
写真の上をマウスであちこちにゆっくり動かすと「３D」な感じが出ます。

To be continued...

Nikon D4 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — ¹/500 sec, f/2.5, ISO 100 — map & image data — nearby photos
3 · 2 · 1 · click

This post is a continuation earlier parts of “Kyoto’s Amazing Haradanien Garden”, where in part one I introduced the location, and in part two I explained how it's wonderful even though it's quite crowded.

Folks wanting a couple shot would usually ask someone walking by to take it, but the couple above use a timer. (I tried to get the camera in focus and missed it badly, but I still like the vibe of the shot.)

Nikon D4 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — ¹/320 sec, f/2.5, ISO 180 — map & image data — nearby photos
Photographer's Crouch

Nikon D4 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — ¹/400 sec, f/2.5, ISO 100 — map & image data — nearby photos
Smartphone Clutch

Nikon D4 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — ¹/500 sec, f/2.5, ISO 100 — map & image data — nearby photos
Alone
or so it seems

As I mentioned in part two, the layout of the garden — criss-crossing paths wandering on a hillside punctuated by dense foliage — makes photos like the one above possible depsite quite heavy crowds. It's just wonderful.

Nikon D4 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — ¹/320 sec, f/2.5, ISO 100 — map & image data — nearby photos
Damien and His 200mm Baby

The Nikkor 200mm f/2 mentioned in part two.

Let's have a wigglegram.... an interactive photo that you can wiggle with your mouse:

Animatable Wigglegram (12 frames) — slowly sweep mouse from side to side to view 3D effect
写真の上をマウスであちこちにゆっくり動かすと「３D」な感じが出ます。

This gives a sense, I hope, of the feel of at least one part of the garden. This is the second wigglegram I've posted from this site, the first having been this wigglegram of Damien and Paul right after my first visit. (There's one more lower down on this post.)

Nikon D4 + Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 — ¹/8000 sec, f/1.4, ISO 100 — map & image data — nearby photos
Canopy

Nikon D4 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — ¹/400 sec, f/2.5, ISO 100 — map & image data — nearby photos
All Smiles

Nikon D4 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — ¹/640 sec, f/2.5, ISO 100 — map & image data — nearby photos
A Photo
of someone taking a photo of someone taking a photo of something

Nikon D4 + Nikkor 200mm f/2 — ¹/800 sec, f/2, ISO 100 — map & image data — nearby photos
6^th Sense
that I'm pointing his 200mm f/2 at him
(made dreamy with +contrast and −clarity in Lightroom)

Nikon D4 + Nikkor 200mm f/2 — ¹/1000 sec, f/2, ISO 100 — map & image data — nearby photos
Vibe
another one where I missed focus, but I like the vibe

And finally, let's end this post with one more wigglegram....

Animatable Wigglegram (12 frames) — slowly sweep mouse from side to side to view 3D effect
写真の上をマウスであちこちにゆっくり動かすと「３D」な感じが出ます。

Much more of this wonderful place yet to share.

Continued here...

Nikon D4 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — ¹/320 sec, f/5.6, ISO 360 — map & image data — nearby photos
Inspired by the Beauty
of the gorgeous Haradanien Garden (原谷苑)
for an impromptu fashion shot

This post is a continuation from Part 1 of “Kyoto’s Amazing Haradanien Garden”, with a bunch more photos that I hope gives a sense what it's like to visit at the height of cherry-blossom season.

I'll explain below why Haradanien (原谷苑) is wonderful despite the crowds, but make no mistake, it's very crowded.

Nikon D4 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — ¹/320 sec, f/22, ISO 4000 — map & image data — nearby photos
Typical Scene
that you see if you want to see

Nikon D4 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — ¹/500 sec, f/2.5, ISO 100 — map & image data — nearby photos
iPad Photography in the Crowded Path

Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24mm f/1.4 — ¹/2000 sec, f/1.4, ISO 100 — map & image data — nearby photos
Slight Clearing

It's crowded, but the layout of the garden, with wandering paths on a hillside, is masterful. There are people behind the lady posing above, but you can't see them, and that works well with the first rule of photography: “If It's Not in Frame, It Doesn't Exist”.

It works the same when you visit without the camera: the warm sense of enjoyment that I've dubbed “Cherry Blossom Joie de Vivre” permeates the experience, and the annoying part of “crowd” inexplicably seems to melt away.

Nikon D4 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — ¹/400 sec, f/2.5, ISO 100 — map & image data — nearby photos
Typical Scene of the Crowds
that you see if you want to see

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Nikon D4 + Nikkor 200mm f/2 — ¹/800 sec, f/2, ISO 100 — map & image data — nearby photos
Late-Morning Siesta
after a beer and some snacks

Nikon D4 + Nikkor 200mm f/2 — ¹/320 sec, f/2, ISO 180 — map & image data — nearby photos
Crowded But Eminently Pleasant

Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24mm f/1.4 — ¹/2500 sec, f/1.4, ISO 100 — map & image data — nearby photos
Okay, This is a Bit Much
stepping up on the seats with shoes on, a huge no-no in Japanese culture
(judging from the language spoken, they were visitors from another country)

Nikon D4 + Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 — ¹/1600 sec, f/1.4, ISO 100 — map & image data — nearby photos
Hillside Dotted with People
with plenty of room for enjoyment

Nikon D4 + Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 — ¹/4000 sec, f/1.4, ISO 100 — map & image data — nearby photos
Lots of Benches
to relax on

Nikon D4 + Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 — ¹/4000 sec, f/1.4, ISO 100 — map & image data — nearby photos
Alone
among the crowds

Nikon D4 + Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 — ¹/2500 sec, f/1.4, ISO 100 — map & image data — nearby photos
“This is All for Me!”
is easy to feel here

Nikon D4 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — ¹/800 sec, f/2.5, ISO 100 — map & image data — nearby photos
Intimate Moments

Nikon D4 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — ¹/500 sec, f/2.5, ISO 100 — map & image data — nearby photos
Big Smile

Nikon D4 + Nikkor 200mm f/2 — ¹/400 sec, f/2, ISO 100 — map & image data — nearby photos
Fun Result
checking the back of the camera

Nikon D4 + Nikkor 200mm f/2 — ¹/1250 sec, f/2, ISO 100 — map & image data — nearby photos
Bento Lunch

Nikon D4 + Nikkor 200mm f/2 — ¹/640 sec, f/2, ISO 100 — map & image data — nearby photos
Tour-Bus Staff
enjoy the place despite likely having been here many times

Nikon D4 + Nikkor 200mm f/2 — ¹/500 sec, f/2, ISO 100 — map & image data — nearby photos
Slow, Lazy Pace

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There must be millions of individual blossoms in the garden, but sometimes one or two just stick out and grab your attention as being particularly appealing (such as those seen in “Subtle Pastel Blossoms at Kyoto's Haradanien Garden”), and in this next shot Damien is photographing such a blossom...

Nikon D4 + Nikkor 200mm f/2 — ¹/640 sec, f/2, ISO 100 — map & image data — nearby photos

He's borrowing my favorite lens, the Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5, because it's a macro well suited to close-ups of dainty things.

I tried it myself later when he returned the lens, but the result doesn't at all live up to my expectations. )-:

Nikon D4 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — ¹/320 sec, f/2.5, ISO 250 — map & image data — nearby photos

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Nikon D4 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — ¹/320 sec, f/2.5, ISO 250 — map & image data — nearby photos

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That one particular blossom had really caught my eye and I expected to be wowed by the results, but they're just okay. I took one “establishing” shot of the blossom in context, and in looking at it now, I wonder what I saw in it. It's in the center of this shot:

Nikon D4 + Nikkor 200mm f/2 — ¹/400 sec, f/2, ISO 100 — map & image data — nearby photos
Meh

While Damien used my Voigtländer, I was borrowing his Nikkor 200mm f/2, which is the baby brother of my 300mm f/2. The feel of the focus ring of his lens is the most delicious I'd ever used, and I immediately wanted to get one.

I haven't yet had the time to look through my shots with the 200mm f/2 to actually evaluate the results, but it's telling that many of the shots I picked for this “vibe” post are from that lens.

Here's one more with his lens that I gussied up with just a bit of Lightroom “Funky Joy” that blossoms are so amenable to (such as seen here and here, among dozens of other posts on my blog).

Nikon D4 + Nikkor 200mm f/2 — ¹/2500 sec, f/2, ISO 100 — map & image data — nearby photos

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And to end this “Part 2” post, here's one more pretty blossom with creaminess that's all Voigtländer:

Nikon D4 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — ¹/320 sec, f/2.5, ISO 180 — map & image data — nearby photos
Pure

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This is straight out of the camera, with nothing done in Lightroom other than setting the white balance appropriately.

Continued here...