{"id":2614,"date":"2015-09-08T23:00:25","date_gmt":"2015-09-08T14:00:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/regex.info\/blog\/2015-09-08\/2614"},"modified":"2015-09-08T23:00:25","modified_gmt":"2015-09-08T14:00:25","slug":"scoping-out-portraiture-locations-with-eric-and-gigi-at-the-kiyomizu-temple","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/regex.info\/blog\/2015-09-08\/2614","title":{"rendered":"Scoping Out Portraiture Locations with Eric and Gigi at the Kiyomizu Temple"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Nikkor 70-200mm f\/2.8 @ 125mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>500 sec, f<\/span>\/5.6, ISO 560 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nMoody Kiyomizu<\/span>\nKiyomizu Temple, Kyoto Japan\n\u6e05\u6c34\u5bfa\n
Desktop-Background Versions<\/b>\n1280×<\/span>800<\/a>  ·  1680×<\/span>1050<\/a>  ·  1920×<\/span>1200<\/a>  ·  2560×<\/span>1600<\/a>  ·  2880×<\/span>1800<\/a><\/span>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n

San Francisco friends Eric and Gigi are in town again. We last saw<\/span> them\nearlier in the year buying\na Kimono<\/span><\/a> and playing\nin the snow<\/a>. Yesterday they made a visit<\/span> to the Kiyomizu Temple, and I\npopped<\/span> over to join them.<\/p>\n\n

It was a Monday, but the place was crazy crowded like during a\nhigh<\/span>-season weekend. The economy<\/span> must really be doing better.<\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Nikkor 70-200mm f\/2.8 @ 130mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>640 sec, f<\/span>\/2.8, ISO 160 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nApproach<\/span>\none of the streets leading to the temple\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Nikkor 70-200mm f\/2.8 @ 98mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>400 sec, f<\/span>\/2.8, ISO 125 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nEntrance Gate<\/span>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n

Eric and Gigi like to shoot portraiture, and the challenge in a setting<\/span>\n8like this is to find places and angles that omit the crowd, yet still lend\na feeling<\/span> of the location. As we instinctively<\/span> moved away from the main\ngate, I saw two<\/span> ladies in kimono taking a picture,<\/span> and immediately felt the\nlocation held promise...<\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Nikkor 70-200mm f\/2.8 @ 200mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>800 sec, f<\/span>\/2.8, ISO 640 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n

I felt that the top of the steps where the photographer was standing was the place for the subject,\nwith a rich<\/span> green background devoid of people if you got the camera low enough to the ground.<\/p>\n\n

Soon Eric and Gigi were photographing one of the ladies...<\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Nikkor 70-200mm f\/2.8 @ 125mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>500 sec, f<\/span>\/2.8, ISO 400 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nGigi With The Camera<\/span>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n

(Unfortunately I didn't get the camera low enough to the ground for this shot to omit the people down below.)<\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Nikkor 70-200mm f\/2.8 @ 200mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>800 sec, f<\/span>\/2.8, ISO 800 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nShowing the Result<\/span>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Nikkor 70-200mm f\/2.8 @ 200mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>800 sec, f<\/span>\/2.8, ISO 125 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nMy Own Results<\/span>\ncute little girl toddles\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n

Moving on to other parts of the temple grounds, we found a little<\/span> bridge\nnext to the hustle and bustle of the crowds that seemed to be amenable to a\nshot.<\/span>..<\/p>\n\n\n

<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Nikkor 70-200mm f\/2.8 @ 105mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>500 sec, f<\/span>\/2.8, ISO 1250 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n

The trouble was finding an angle to omit stuff from the backgrounds like\npeople, toilets, orange traffic cones, trash cans, etc. I think<\/span> there was\nexactly one such angle, and I found<\/span> it in the shot above.<\/p>\n\n

Moving inside the temple to its famous observation deck...<\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Nikkor 70-200mm f\/2.8 @ 180mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>800 sec, f<\/span>\/2.8, ISO 900 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nOne Way to a Better<\/span> Background<\/span>\nselfie sticks were in great abundance, but not a great<\/span> annoyance\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n

Once those two ladies moved on, Gigi posed there for a bit.<\/span> It was crowded<\/span> with people, but every once in a while<\/span> there would be a few<\/span> seconds\nin the clear...<\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Nikkor 70-200mm f\/2.8 @ 98mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>400 sec, f<\/span>\/2.8, ISO 560 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nLaughing at the Absurdity<\/span>\nof whatever I'd just said\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n

Across the way is another pagoda, which has apparently received a coat<\/span> of paint sometime recently...<\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Nikkor 70-200mm f\/2.8 @ 135mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>640 sec, f<\/span>\/5.6, ISO 3600 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nMountain Pagoda<\/span>\n\u6e05\u6c34\u5bfa\u306e\u6cf0\u7523\u5bfa\n
Desktop-Background Versions<\/b>\n1280×<\/span>800<\/a>  ·  1680×<\/span>1050<\/a>  ·  1920×<\/span>1200<\/a>  ·  2560×<\/span>1600<\/a>  ·  2880×<\/span>1800<\/a><\/span>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n

This photo of the same pagoda<\/a> taken in 2008 shows quite a different<\/span> look.<\/p>\n\n

Here's a picture of Gigi and Eric with the temple sticking out of their\nhead (but, you'll notice, no one else in the background)...<\/p>\n\n\n

<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Nikkor 70-200mm f\/2.8 @ 98mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>400 sec, f<\/span>\/5.6, ISO 1400 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n

The short moment that no one was near them seemed fleeting enough that I\ndidn't<\/span> want to chance the time to reposition myself to put the pagoda off\nto the side.<\/p>\n\n

What the railing they're standing at normally looked like...<\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Nikkor 70-200mm f\/2.8 @ 70mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>320 sec, f<\/span>\/2.8, ISO 200 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nTypical Scene<\/span>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Nikkor 70-200mm f\/2.8 @ 70mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>320 sec, f<\/span>\/2.8, ISO 1000 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nBack-Area Paths<\/span>\nentrance to a sub-shrine, and path to a mountain<\/span>-hike exit\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n

Toward the rear of the temple grounds is a sub<\/span> shrine that garnered a lot<\/span> of visitors,\nwith many folks stopping to take photos in front of the stairs seen at left in the picture above.<\/p>\n\n

My eyes, however, immediately gravitated to the essentially-ignored path\nto the right (it leads to a\nhiking<\/span> trail exit<\/a>). The stonework<\/span> on the path might make a nice<\/span>\nbackground, I thought.<\/span><\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Nikkor 70-200mm f\/2.8 @ 110mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>500 sec, f<\/span>\/2.8, ISO 1600 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nStanding In<\/span>\nso I can check out the angles\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n

After actually giving it a try, I abandoned<\/span> the idea of using the ground\nas the background, but instead took advantage of the stone and moss just to\nthe side...<\/p>\n\n\n

<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Nikkor 70-200mm f\/2.8 @ 82mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>400 sec, f<\/span>\/2.8, ISO 1100 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Nikkor 70-200mm f\/2.8 @ 150mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>640 sec, f<\/span>\/2.8, ISO 1800 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n

We eventually moved on to where one can get the quintessential view of the temple\n(like this<\/a>,\nalso seen\nhere<\/a> and\nhere<\/a>). In doing<\/span> so, we were hapily greeted\nby this unknown couple...<\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Nikkor 70-200mm f\/2.8 @ 200mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>800 sec, f<\/span>\/2.8, ISO 640 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Nikkor 70-200mm f\/2.8 @ 95mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>400 sec, f<\/span>\/2.8, ISO 320 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n

(Their friend, taking a photo of them with an iPad, was next to me.)<\/p>\n\n

It was threatening rain all day, but none materialized while we were out.<\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Nikkor 70-200mm f\/2.8 @ 70mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>320 sec, f<\/span>\/9, ISO 200 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n

A girl asked Eric to snap a photo of her with her phone — not an\nuncommon request to a passer<\/span> by — but she got more than she bargained\nfor. Eric was in portraiture mode, she got the whole “<\/span>tilt your head this\nway...”<\/span> posing direction. She was surprised<\/span>, but enjoyed it.<\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Nikkor 70-200mm f\/2.8 @ 78mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>320 sec, f<\/span>\/9, ISO 2200 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nImpromptu Fashion Shoot<\/span>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Nikkor 70-200mm f\/2.8 @ 80mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>320 sec, f<\/span>\/9, ISO 2200 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nDown Below<\/span>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n

Near the popular\nplace where you get water<\/a> with a cup<\/span> on the end of a lone<\/span> pole, I noticed<\/span> another\nspot that might make a good<\/span> oasis-among-the-crowds spot. There's a looooong<\/span> staircase\nthat ends there... here's a photo<\/span> of it from 2008:<\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nNikon D200 + Nikkor 17-55mm f\/2.8 at an effective 25mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>45 sec, f<\/span>\/4.5, ISO 320 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nLong Staircase at the Kiyomizu Temple<\/span>\nthis photo is from 2008\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n

In this photo from 2008, the railing on the right is metal. But during<\/span> the visit yesterday, the railing on the right had been replaced by one made\nof stone, to match the railing on the left. Combined with the rocky\/mossy\nbackground, I thought<\/span> the location had promise...<\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Nikkor 70-200mm f\/2.8 @ 102mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>500 sec, f<\/span>\/2.8, ISO 3200 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Nikkor 70-200mm f\/2.8 @ 110mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>400 sec, f<\/span>\/2.8, ISO 6400 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n

After leaving the temple, we made the short stroll over to Camellia Tea Ceremony<\/a> to take a peek.<\/span> I'm not sure<\/span> how Eric and Gigi came to know about it, but the owner has\nbeen an acquaintance since long before she opened this tea-ceremony\nbusiness, so I wanted<\/span> to say “<\/span>hi”<\/span>. Unfortunately she wasn't there at the\ntime, but her staff was kind enough to show us around.<\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Nikkor 70-200mm f\/2.8 @ 75mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>320 sec, f<\/span>\/2.8, ISO 1250 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nSlippery When Wet<\/span>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n

I remembered another nice oasis-among-the-crowds spot in this area from\nthis blog post two years\nago<\/a>, and though the light was fading as a brooding<\/span> evening started to\ntake hold, they gave it a try<\/span> with a few<\/span> shots...<\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Nikkor 70-200mm f\/2.8 @ 80mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>320 sec, f<\/span>\/2.8, ISO 2500 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n

As I waited, a couple of ladies taking a rest<\/span> nearby smiled for my lens...<\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Nikkor 70-200mm f\/2.8 @ 70mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>320 sec, f<\/span>\/2.8, ISO 2000 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n

Finally on the way back to my scooter, this young kid caught my eye, and I his<\/span> (hers?) as his (her?)\ndad carried him (her?) like a sack<\/span> of potatoes....<\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Nikkor 70-200mm f\/2.8 @ 75mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>250 sec, f<\/span>\/2.8, ISO 6400 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nCute Potatoes<\/span>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

San Francisco friends Eric and Gigi are in town again. We last saw them earlier in the year buying a Kimono and playing in the snow. Yesterday they made a visit to the Kiyomizu Temple, and I popped over to join them.<\/p>

It was a Monday, but the place was crazy crowded like during a high-season weekend. The economy must really be doing better.<\/p>

Eric and Gigi like to shoot portraiture, and the challenge in a setting 8like this is to find places and angles that omit the crowd, yet still lend a feeling of the location. As we instinctively [...]","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8,1,2,6,10],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/regex.info\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2614"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/regex.info\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/regex.info\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/regex.info\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/regex.info\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2614"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/regex.info\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2614\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/regex.info\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2614"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/regex.info\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2614"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/regex.info\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2614"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}