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Nikon D3S + 16mm f/2.8 — 1/90 sec, f/4.8, ISO 1600 — map & image data — nearby photos
In the Middle of Gion Matsuri
photo by Shozo Fukushima
In the few days that I've been clawing back from a nasty cold, a couple of folks that I chatted with during Kyoto's big Gion Matsuri festival last week have sent me copies of photos they took of me. As I described in “A Thin Slice of Big Crowds at Kyoto's Gion Matsuri Festival”, I brought a small stool to raise me a bit above the considerable crowds, and with my Nikkor 300mm f/2 on a monopod, shot the festivities. I've much left to post, but ones already up include a bit from day 2, some from day 3, a sequence that I think really highlights what the lens is good at, and a different kind of set from a special day-4 event.
Folks are not accustomed to seeing such a big lens, so they approach with smiles and curiosity, perhaps more so because the person with the lens is a big foreigner. Many ask whether they can take my photo, to which I reply “of course”, or if they're close enough to chat, “of course, no need to ask”.
I particularly appreciated when camera-savvy folks asked about the lens (hint: if they say “wow, big lens!” instead of “big camera!”, they're camera savvy 🙂 ). One such camera-savvy photographer got up close with a fish-eye lens, so I had to hand him my card and ask for a copy. Kindly, he replied, and I find out that he's Fukushima-san, a professional photographer from just outside of Osaka. Thanks Fukushima-san!
If his camera clock is correct, here's the shot I was taking...
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 300mm f/2 — 1/800 sec, f/2, ISO 6400 — map & image data — nearby photos
Looking East Down Shijo Street.
at a scrum of photographers next to one of the huge wooden festival floats
Here's another he took a bit later, showing the backpack for the lens...
Nikon D3S + 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6 @ 90mm — 1/20 sec, f/5.3, ISO 3200 — map & image data — nearby photos
photo by Shozo Fukushima
The next day, among those I chatted with was the group of international researchers I mentioned before, and they collectively sent me a few shots.
They thought the lens (or me) was sufficiently silly (impressive?) enough to try to sneak a shot while walking by, but I “caught” one...
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 300mm f/2 — 1/640 sec, f/2, ISO 6400 — map & image data — nearby photos
Trying To Sneak a Shot
... and that opened a fun dialog.
As they left, they snapped a shot of a pair of girls that approached asking about the camera. (Like I said, the lens has its benefits 😉 ).
Canon PowerShot ELPH 300HS + 4.3-21.5mm @ 9mm — 1/13 sec, f/4.5, ISO 1600 — map & image data — nearby photos
I told the girls to stand in the same spot that the group of researchers had, but the crowd had become too thick...
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 300mm f/2 — 1/320 sec, f/2, ISO 6400 — map & image data — nearby photos
They're In There Somewhere
I gestured for them to come closer, and a shot opened up...
They've yet to email for copies, though.
It was just getting too dark by this time, so I put the lens away in preference to finding a beer. All the shots above are unnaturally bright to compensate for the closing darkness, but one last shot before I moved on shows more closely what it was like at the time...
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 300mm f/2 — 1/320 sec, f/2, ISO 6400 — map & image data — nearby photos
Row of Festival Stands
many with smoky grills of one sort or another
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So, the other day I posted one quick photo from one of the last major events of the month-long Gion Matsuri, Kyoto's biggest annual festival. I've picked a few more photos to share in this post.
The event has the name Shinkousai (祇園祭神幸祭), and I'd never heard of it before, and knew nothing about it other than "three tabernacle-like things are carried through the streets from the Yasaka Shrine, via different routes, to the corner of Shijo and Teramachi streets", and I saw map that indicated that the street would be closed for 15 minutes at the corner where Shijo Street dead ends into Higashiyama Street at the foot of the Yasaka Shrine (八坂神社).
Looking now, Wikipedia tells me that this parade of three portable shrines from the Yasaka Shrine dates back to 869 (1,142 years), and is the origin of the whole Gion Matsuri festival.
Anyway, I know that corner well, and knew that it didn't have the capacity to hold many people, so I headed down more than an hour early and looked around to stake my place at the north-west corner of the intersection, since I knew that would be the only place that was in shade the whole time. I found a wonderful niche where I could put a stool to stand on such that it was completely out of the flow of traffic, yet afforded me as good a view as I could hope for.
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 300mm f/2 — 1/5000 sec, f/2, ISO 200 — map & image data — nearby photos
An Hour Early, From My Perch
looking away from the main intersection, west down Shijo Street
Even an hour early, the “best” viewing spot, the steps of the Yasaka Shrine, was packed. But it's “best” only so long as you don't mind staring out directly into the setting sun for two hours....
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 300mm f/2 — 1/6400 sec, f/2.8, ISO 200 — map & image data — nearby photos
Announcement
40 minutes before the start, about keeping safe and such
If it were an overcast day and I wasn't taking pictures, I'd go early to sit on those steps. But in one sense photography is better from across the street, so that the shrine can be in the background of the photos, at least if you're skillful (or lucky).
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 300mm f/2 — 1/2500 sec, f/2, ISO 200 — map & image data — nearby photos
Eye Contact
mini processional heads to the shine in preparation of the main event
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 — 1/1000 sec, f/6.3, ISO 720 — map & image data — nearby photos
20 Minutes Before The Start
traffic still flowing, but sidewalks are definitely getting packed
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 300mm f/2 — 1/1000 sec, f/2, ISO 250 — map & image data — nearby photos
Kids in Kimono
always cute (such as these)
Eventually traffic was shut down and the streets cleared. Unlike in my earlier posts, the streets were not opened for the general public.
A small procession of various “shriney things” (I don't know anything about the religious significance of the event, sorry) came out and went down the street, including some mounted warriors...
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 300mm f/2 — 1/1600 sec, f/2, ISO 200 — map & image data — nearby photos
Mounted Warrior
One guy among the long procession was really hamming it up, perhaps for his friends in the crowd. I decided to give this a black & white look, somewhat in a soft version of the look Stéphane Barbery gave his Jidai Matsuri pictures. As I mentioned recently, I'm not that big on B&W, but it's fun to dabble in every so often.
Then a boy dressed to the nines, with a crown, came out on horseback...
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 300mm f/2 — 1/6400 sec, f/2, ISO 200 — map & image data — nearby photos
Child King
or so it seemed
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 300mm f/2 — 1/1000 sec, f/5.6, ISO 2800 — map & image data — nearby photos
There They Go
heading west down Shijo Street
I sort of wondered whether that was it, but it turned out to be a minor opening act. The street soon flooded with hundreds of men lofting in a highly kinetic fashion three large portable shrines, each borne on two very long, solid wooden supports....
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 300mm f/2 — 1/1000 sec, f/5.6, ISO 1400 — map & image data — nearby photos
Portable Shrine
one of three
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 300mm f/2 — 1/400 sec, f/11, ISO 6400 — map & image data — nearby photos
Some Folks Brought Cameras
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 300mm f/2 — 1/1250 sec, f/2, ISO 200 — map & image data — nearby photos
Private Viewing
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 300mm f/2 — 1/1000 sec, f/4, ISO 900 — map & image data — nearby photos
Intermission
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 300mm f/2 — 1/1000 sec, f/2, ISO 220 — map & image data — nearby photos
Daddy's Little Helper
Once all three were out and on display in the now crowded intersection, there were various speeches into the setting sun...
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 300mm f/2 — 1/1000 sec, f/2, ISO 360 — map & image data — nearby photos
Head Honcho
I suppose
I was shocked when looking at these photos at home that I actually recognized the guy to the left of the speaker, the smiling man in black, as the mayor of Kyoto. I have no idea where I've ever seen him before, but I recognized him immediately.
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 — 1/1000 sec, f/6.3, ISO 4000 — map & image data — nearby photos
Big Crowd
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 300mm f/2 — 1/1000 sec, f/5.6, ISO 3600 — map & image data — nearby photos
Opposite Corner
from me
After the speeches, the head honcho guy came walking by, and I was actually able to get him in focus...
I have enough trouble with static subjects with this lens, so getting good focus on a moving subject is noteworthy for me.
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 300mm f/2 — 1/1000 sec, f/2, ISO 640 — map & image data — nearby photos
Dignitaries
Then it was time to get moving again, and the three portable shrines prepared to head off on their respective routes in the most energetic fashion, being heave'd and ho'ed boisterously as they're rotated a few times before actually making way toward their destination. One moved away out of my sight, but two moved west down Shijo Street.
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 300mm f/2 — 1/1000 sec, f/8, ISO 5000 — map & image data — nearby photos
Shrine in the Background
( the characters in stone at the far right are the name of the shrine )
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 300mm f/2 — 1/400 sec, f/16, ISO 6400 — map & image data — nearby photos
A Few More Cameras
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 300mm f/2 — 1/1000 sec, f/2, ISO 320 — map & image data — nearby photos
Playing With The Focus
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 300mm f/2 — 1/1000 sec, f/2, ISO 500 — map & image data — nearby photos
Finally Heading Off
as people watch from a parking structure in the background
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 300mm f/2 — 1/500 sec, f/8, ISO 6400 — map & image data — nearby photos
Both Now Well Away
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 300mm f/2 — 1/1000 sec, f/2, ISO 1400 — map & image data — nearby photos
Closing Processional
followed by running Kyoto City paramedics, just in case, I suppose
I let the crowd thin considerably before moving from my safe perch. BY the time I did and crossed the street, traffic was moving again, but to little effect...
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 300mm f/2 — 1/640 sec, f/2, ISO 640 — map & image data — nearby photos
It's Going To Be a While
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Nikon D700 + Nikkor 300mm f/2 — 1/1250 sec, f/2, ISO 1400 — map & image data — nearby photos
Dude, She is *So* Into You
two people alone with each other amid a crowded sea of revelers
The photo above is pretty much exactly the kind of shot I had in mind when I first thought to venture out into the crowds at Kyoto's Gion Matsuri festival, and seems to be what the Nikkor 300mm f/2 was made for. I don't know how many hundreds of thousands of people were milling about, but as far as the lens was concerned, at that moment there were only two people on earth.
I bet they felt the same.
Just compare it to a shot taken a few seconds later at f/11...
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 300mm f/2 — 1/200 sec, f/11, ISO 6400 — map & image data — nearby photos
Much More Crowded at f/11
Back to the isolating effects of f/2...
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 300mm f/2 — 1/1250 sec, f/2, ISO 1400 — map & image data — nearby photos
You Knew This Was Going To Happen
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 300mm f/2 — 1/1250 sec, f/2, ISO 1400 — map & image data — nearby photos
Mutual Brain Freeze
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 300mm f/2 — 1/1250 sec, f/2, ISO 1250 — map & image data — nearby photos
Portrait Mode
She's still digging you in a big way
I've lived in this area on and off for 22 years, but I hadn't been to Gion Matsuri for 21 years because it's usually so incredibly hot and crowded, but a few weeks ago a friend told me a bit about how festive the evening atmosphere would be when the streets were closed, and I commented absentmindedly that it would be great for my 300mm f/2. The more I thought about it, the more an image formed in my mind of what I wanted to capture, and how to do it.
I went to a home center and spent $10 on a small folding stool that I could transport easily while on foot, and stand on to put me above the river of people when using the camera. I packed the 300mm f/2 into a lens backpack and threw a 50mm f/1.4, my GPS unit, and my wallet into a pouch. On the side of the backpack, I attached my monopod, sporting a recently-acquired Really Right Stuff MH-01 Hi-Capacity Monopod Head (like most Really Right Stuff stuff, a wonderful bit of engineering).
On the first night (of three), I took a bunch of shots showing the mood, and I'm really happy with them, but I found I enjoyed the people shots more, which is what I had in mind in the first place. That's why most of the shots from day two are people. By the time day three came about, I had a pretty strong idea of what to do: set up in a location that doesn't block the flow of the crowds, and watch 20-50 meters away for interesting looks, cute kids, classy women, happy couples, and smiles. Mostly smiles.
On the first night I got this shot, which felt very right... it was exactly what I had described to my friend when the idea had first struck, and made me feel great to have an idea validated in practice.
On the third day when I first set up shop at a particular spot early in the evening, I immediately noticed the happy couple seen in this post... they were sending such a great vibe that it was impossible to miss, and impossible not to smile with them. After a minute or so, I was so thrilled with the photos that I wanted to share with them, so broke down my gear and headed off to find them, catching them just as they were jaunting off arm in arm. I showed them a shot or two and gave them my card. I hope they contact me so I can send them the full set, and thank them again for their smiles.
UPDATE: they contacted me, loved the photos, and I sent the whole set. 🙂
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Nikon D700 + Nikkor 300mm f/2 — 1/1000 sec, f/2.8, ISO 450 — map & image data — nearby photos
Gion Matsuri — Shinkousai
Kyoto, Japan
祇園祭神幸祭
Today was the biggest day of Kyoto's biggest annual festival, Gion Matsuri. I opted out of the main event, a sun-grilled parade of the big wooden floats seen in an earlier post, but I did attend an interesting event in the late afternoon when it was cooler, shinkousai. I'll post more photos another day...
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Nikon D700 + Nikkor 300mm f/2 — 1/640 sec, f/2, ISO 2800 — map & image data — nearby photos
Backseat Driver
out of focus because I need more practice to focus-follow a moving subject
( the shot prior to this was in perfect focus, but the boy's pointing arm was cut off )
So I went again to the massive crowds at Kyoto's largest annual festival, Gion Matsuri as I did on the first night and second night. This time I didn't screw up the camera settings so things went better. I had intended to publish these few photos last night, but I ended up being too tired, so here they are the next day.
As always, my lens brought out smiles and curiosity, and various people and groups would pose for photos...
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 300mm f/2 — 1/640 sec, f/2, ISO 2000 — map & image data — nearby photos
Smiling Couple
I wish I would have known of this “huge lens” effect on people when I was young and single, because it seems to be a powerful attractor especially of beautiful women. Not that I'm complaining about the effect now, mind you ;-), but I could have made much better effect of it when I was single, ifyouknowwhatimean.
When people chatted and accepted an offer of a photo, I had to tell them to go a fair distance away so that they'd actually fit in frame. Passersby would inevitably fill in the intervening space, but a photo opportunity would often open up for a second or two but with the natural pulse of the crowd (which was crazy intense, much worse than the first night). But a photo opportunity didn't open up naturally for this group of cool international researchers...
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 300mm f/2 — 1/640 sec, f/2, ISO 5600 — map & image data — nearby photos
Hidden Group
The guy at left isn't seven feet tall... he had the right idea with a jump, so I pantomimed that they should all do it...
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 300mm f/2 — 1/640 sec, f/2, ISO 5000 — map & image data — nearby photos
Less Hidden
mid jump
Still, I should have moved from f/2 to something that had a chance to get them all in focus. It's not an issue for two or three people standing side by side, but when you've got ranks of people several deep, f/2 is just too thin even at 20m away.
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 85mm f/1.4 — 1/80 sec, f/1.4, ISO 6400 — map & image data — nearby photos
First Matsuri
I'm just guessing
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 85mm f/1.4 — 1/200 sec, f/1.4, ISO 1100 — map & image data — nearby photos
I Patronized This Fine Establishment
one of hundreds of street stalls
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 — 1/200 sec, f/1.4, ISO 1800 — map & image data — nearby photos
New Photographic Techniques
I was sharing a beer and camera conversation with the guy in the blue shirt when he lamented that it was too dark to get any good shots with the consumer point-n-shoot he had with him at the time, showing me how the requisite long shutter times caused blurring. I suggested that since blurring was all he was going to get, he should make use of it, and I suggested that he stand on the railing and brace the camera against the post as you see above, and go for a shot that showed the people all blurred, moving like a river.
It then occurred to me to try it myself, but unfortunately I picked a wobbly signpost to brace against. Still, the result is sort of interesting...
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 — 4 sec, f/10, ISO 200 — map & image data — nearby photos
4 Seconds
braced against a wobbly signpost
The guy (Nagai-san) suggested pressing the back of the camera flat against the wall of a building, which made it much easier to hold still for long periods, though removed the ability to aim. I couldn't do it with my camera because its back is not flat, but taking his idea to heart, I pressed myself (including my head) up against a wall, then pressed the camera to my eye to try to make one steady unit, then took a shot...
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 — 1 sec, f/3.5, ISO 200 — map & image data — nearby photos
1 Second
with camera pressed tightly to my eye while leaning my head back against a wall
Later, I tried bracing the camera against a solid utility pole, and got something showing a bit of the pulse of the crowd.....
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 — 1 sec, f/4.5, ISO 200 — map & image data — nearby photos
1 Second
while bracing the camera against a sturdy utility pole
Later, after having made my way slowly with the crush of the crowd north, I exited the scrum to find Sanjo Street to be crowded but really pleasant, and I stopped at the steps of the post office to have another beer and enjoy the crowd. Maybe it was the effect of the beers, but I thought to try the 300/2 again...
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 300mm f/2 — 1/25 sec, f/2, ISO 6400 — map & image data — nearby photos
Dressed For Success
not bad for 300mm @ 1/25th of a second, with a monopod and a few beers
I moved down Sanjo a bit further until a Spanish restaurant's outside stall selling a Spanish ham & Spanish beer combo required that I stop to enjoy the festivities. The ham was so good that I actually bought another combo but skipped the beer. It was exceedingly pleasant.
Eventually I made my way out of the festival zone to Ooike Street, where the next day the big wooden floats would pass in parade. (They're going now as I write this.). The street was lined with chairs in preparation...
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 85mm f/1.4 — 1/200 sec, f/1.4, ISO 4000 — map & image data — nearby photos
Patiently Waiting