NikonGear'23

Travelogues => Travel Diaries => Topic started by: Akira on November 26, 2017, 00:37:08

Title: 2017 Tokyo Meet Up
Post by: Akira on November 26, 2017, 00:37:08
Yesterday (Nov. 25th) Dave (David Paterson) and Mike (Mikes) and I met up again in Tokyo.  We visited Rikugien garden to shoot the abundance of autumn colors.  This thread is dedicated to the pictorial report of the meet-up.

Just like our previous meet up on Nov. 24 2015, we were blessed with the finest weather we could wish, and had a great time shooting and chatting.

Just to indicate how abundant the autumn color was, I will post a start-up image.  You might think my image is oversaturated, but this is fairly "natural".

I shot all images exclusively with Panasonic GH5 and Olympus M.Zuiko 25/1.8.

Stay tuned!

FWIW, this is our travelog of the meet up in 2015:

http://nikongear.net/revival/index.php/topic,2057.0.html
Title: Re: 2017 Tokyo Meet Up
Post by: Mongo on November 26, 2017, 02:08:37
lovely fusion and transition of nature's colours
Title: Re: 2017 Tokyo Meet Up
Post by: Akira on November 26, 2017, 02:36:53
lovely fusion and transition of nature's colours

Thanks, Mongo.  Will post more!
Title: Re: 2017 Tokyo Meet Up
Post by: Akira on November 26, 2017, 03:48:25
Here are a few examples of the transitional colors.
Title: Re: 2017 Tokyo Meet Up
Post by: Frank Fremerey on November 26, 2017, 08:31:44
Thank you, Akira. Love to see meetups and seening tje photographic results. Wonderful colors
Title: Re: 2017 Tokyo Meet Up
Post by: David Paterson on November 26, 2017, 09:44:28
Lovely colours and compositions; I sometimes think that autumn colours are deceptively difficult to shoot well, but these are beautiful.

Because I am on a very tight timeline until we head back to Scotland, I'm just going to post all my choice images at one go - sorry 'bout that.

1.  En Route to Rikugien.
2. Stone Lantern.
3. Tre Colore
4. Contorted black pine.
5. Useless tent.
6. Weeping line.
7. Before and after the fall.
8. Rowan family
9. Susuki grass.
10. Homeward.
Title: Re: 2017 Tokyo Meet Up
Post by: Fons Baerken on November 26, 2017, 10:24:10
excellent images you both thanks for sharing
Title: Re: 2017 Tokyo Meet Up
Post by: Akira on November 26, 2017, 11:23:30
Dave, thank you for processing and posting solid (as always) images despite your packed schedule.  The color of your image looks elegant.  And thank you for kind comment on my images.

Wish you enjoy your remaining stay in Japan in a better health condition and a safety flight back to Scotland.  I'm looking forward to seeing you again soon!

Thank you, Akira. Love to see meetups and seening tje photographic results. Wonderful colors

excellent images you both thanks for sharing

Frank and Fons, thank you for dropping by and kind comments.  Hope you would enjoy our further posts!
Title: Re: 2017 Tokyo Meet Up
Post by: Erik Lund on November 26, 2017, 11:31:23
What a Great idea! And great images ;) Clearly the light was with you ;)
Title: Re: 2017 Tokyo Meet Up
Post by: Mikes on November 26, 2017, 11:33:45
Some great images so far. We were lucky with the weather - plenty of sunshine and not too cold. The park was crowded with sightseers and photographers, and it was not easy to get clear shots. Here is my contribution.

1) Stone lantern with Japanese pine
2) Old potting shed in a quiet corner
3) Park lake
4) Japanese susuki grass and gate
5) Stone lantern
6) Crossing the stone bridge
7) Sunlit patch in a dark corner
8) Seed pod
9) Last rays of the sun
Title: Re: 2017 Tokyo Meet Up
Post by: Akira on November 26, 2017, 11:46:27
Mike, thanks for the follow up.  Love the atmosphere you captured in #3, 6, 7 and 9!

Partially because I only worked with the standard lens, it was difficult to get clear shots free of crowds.  So, I mostly looked upwards and down wards.  :D

Here are some brilliantly red leaves.
Title: Re: 2017 Tokyo Meet Up
Post by: Akira on November 26, 2017, 11:49:22
And these are a bit of abstractions.
Title: Re: 2017 Tokyo Meet Up
Post by: Akira on November 26, 2017, 11:57:41
What a Great idea! And great images ;) Clearly the light was with you ;)

Thank you, Erik!  Hope you enjoy our further posts.
Title: Re: 2017 Tokyo Meet Up
Post by: Akira on November 26, 2017, 12:02:08
Maple leaves are ones of the most challenging motifs of Japanese autumn, simply because they are typical and popular.
Title: Re: 2017 Tokyo Meet Up
Post by: Mikes on November 26, 2017, 14:00:35
Love the atmosphere you captured in #3, 6, 7 and 9!

Thanks, Akira.

Partially because I only worked with the standard lens, it was difficult to get clear shots free of crowds.  So, I mostly looked upwards and down wards.  :D

Here are some brilliantly red leaves.

Rubberneck syndrome in the park!

You have some great reds there, Akira. I particularly like the images with the bright blue sky background that provides such as contrast.

It seems that we may have caught the last of the autumn colours.
Title: Re: 2017 Tokyo Meet Up
Post by: Akira on November 26, 2017, 15:43:33
Rubberneck syndrome in the park!

You have some great reds there, Akira. I particularly like the images with the bright blue sky background that provides such as contrast.

It seems that we may have caught the last of the autumn colours.

Rubberneck...so true!  ;D

Thank you for the kind comment.  Yes, the complementary color makes impressive contrasts.

I agree that we could capture the very last phase of the most beautiful time of the season.
Title: Re: 2017 Tokyo Meet Up
Post by: Anthony on November 26, 2017, 16:11:11
Lovely photos in beautiful light, thanks for posting.

NG meet ups are a lot of fun.
Title: Re: 2017 Tokyo Meet Up
Post by: Akira on November 26, 2017, 16:29:03
Thank you, Anthony.  Due to the location, the meet-ups in Japan have always been held in small groups in a very intimate atmosphere.
Title: Re: 2017 Tokyo Meet Up
Post by: Frank Fremerey on November 26, 2017, 17:03:51
1011899 is my favourite so far. It appears so calm. Interesting how the more European Eyes of Mike and Dave tend to see the strict order and framing of nature that I also see in Japanese gardening, while the Homo jezoensis focus on the disorder and anachic way of nature...
Title: Re: 2017 Tokyo Meet Up
Post by: armando_m on November 26, 2017, 17:15:03
Looks like it was fun

fantastic reds, and the place seems very photogenic
Title: Re: 2017 Tokyo Meet Up
Post by: Akira on November 27, 2017, 01:18:24
1011899 is my favourite so far. It appears so calm. Interesting how the more European Eyes of Mike and Dave tend to see the strict order and framing of nature that I also see in Japanese gardening, while the Homo jezoensis focus on the disorder and anachic way of nature...

Frank, thank you for your in-depth comment.  I'm always interested in your observations and opinions, and glad that you felt the calmness.

I guess Mike and Dave are much more disciplined than I am.   :o :o :o

Looks like it was fun

fantastic reds, and the place seems very photogenic

Armando, thank you for the comment.  Yes, it was lots of fun.  The leaves themselves didn't look all that clean, but the light transmitted through them made them shine.
Title: Re: 2017 Tokyo Meet Up
Post by: Akira on November 27, 2017, 01:29:07
And here are some results of looking downwards...
Title: Re: 2017 Tokyo Meet Up
Post by: Frank Fremerey on November 27, 2017, 08:32:52
love the Koi in the sky. At first glimpse I saw it as a pesciformous cloud!
Title: Re: 2017 Tokyo Meet Up
Post by: Mikes on November 27, 2017, 11:52:51
Akira - #1011993 is a magic mirror! Well spotted.....
Title: Re: 2017 Tokyo Meet Up
Post by: Akira on November 27, 2017, 16:29:53
love the Koi in the sky. At first glimpse I saw it as a pesciformous cloud!

Akira - #1011993 is a magic mirror! Well spotted.....

Thank you, Frank and Mike.  I tried the same idea at a couple of different spots, and this was the most successful one.
Title: Re: 2017 Tokyo Meet Up
Post by: golunvolo on November 27, 2017, 21:33:25
Beautiful images. Not jealous at all!
Title: Re: 2017 Tokyo Meet Up
Post by: John Geerts on November 27, 2017, 22:31:56
Great images and beautiful light !
Title: Re: 2017 Tokyo Meet Up
Post by: Akira on November 28, 2017, 02:10:25
Thank you Paco and John.  Glad you are enjoying this thread.  Keep yourselves staying tuned!
Title: Re: 2017 Tokyo Meet Up
Post by: Jakov Minić on November 28, 2017, 15:03:48
I am thoroughly enjoying the meet up photos! Looking forward to seeing more :)
Title: Re: 2017 Tokyo Meet Up
Post by: Akira on November 28, 2017, 15:06:03
I also enjoyed some play of light and shadow...
Title: Re: 2017 Tokyo Meet Up
Post by: Akira on November 28, 2017, 15:11:28
I am thoroughly enjoying the meet up photos! Looking forward to seeing more :)

Glad you enjoy the thread, Jakov!  You posted while I was posting "light and shadows" images.  Some more to come.
Title: Re: 2017 Tokyo Meet Up
Post by: Jakov Minić on November 28, 2017, 17:00:44
Dear Akira,

They are lovely. In the first one it is like birds are flying over.

Thanks, Jakov
Title: Re: 2017 Tokyo Meet Up
Post by: Frank Fremerey on November 28, 2017, 17:46:42
great shadowplay series!
Title: Re: 2017 Tokyo Meet Up
Post by: Akira on November 29, 2017, 22:56:21
They are lovely. In the first one it is like birds are flying over.

great shadowplay series!

Thank you, Jakov and Frank!

The next series will be my last to post here.
Title: Re: 2017 Tokyo Meet Up
Post by: Frank Fremerey on November 29, 2017, 23:05:31
The next series will be my last to post here.

That sounds terrible. Better say "in this thread" or I will think of suicide with a H...
Title: Re: 2017 Tokyo Meet Up
Post by: golunvolo on November 29, 2017, 23:14:02
The shadow play is very tasteful and a active search for hidden beauty!

   Thanks Akira
Title: Re: 2017 Tokyo Meet Up
Post by: Akira on November 29, 2017, 23:28:21
That sounds terrible. Better say "in this thread" or I will think of suicide with a H...

LOL, Frank, no worries!  "Here" means "in this thread", of course!

And, of course, I would be willing to respond to the comments after I post my last series of images "in this thread" as well.
Title: Re: 2017 Tokyo Meet Up
Post by: Akira on November 29, 2017, 23:32:56
The shadow play is very tasteful and a active search for hidden beauty!

Thank you, Paco.  Shadows are addictive!  In the third one, the actual leaves were too deteriorated and looked ugly, but I noticed the shadow of them were so attracting.
Title: Re: 2017 Tokyo Meet Up
Post by: Akira on November 30, 2017, 01:42:09
And these are for my grand finale for this thread...

1. Confrontation of red and green.
2. Susuki grass (Miscanthus sinensis) (which represents how we three looked at the same things and interpreted differently).
3. Red sash
4. Homage to Jackson Pollock
5. Another abstraction
6. 4-stitch pano

Thank you for looking!
Title: Re: 2017 Tokyo Meet Up
Post by: Mikes on November 30, 2017, 06:32:40
Akira, I enjoyed your last post, especially Jackson Pollock and the pano - four stitched handheld images! The Susuki grass patch does indeed offer alternative interpretations in its setting.

These are my last, too...

1) Propped up
2) Seeking out the sunshine
3) Japanese black pine
4) Reds 'n greens
5) Old boat shed
6) Propped up 2
7) Work shed in the park
Title: Re: 2017 Tokyo Meet Up
Post by: Akira on December 01, 2017, 02:46:34
Mike, these are nicely varying snippets of this relatively small but neat garden.

I particularly like #2 for the pleasant atmosphere and the title, #4 for the color composition utilizing the blueish hue of the building as complementary background to the red leaves and #7 for the strong geometry and color.

It would Dave a bit long before he could post his additional images.  So, stay tuned!
Title: Re: 2017 Tokyo Meet Up
Post by: Mikes on December 01, 2017, 07:09:52
Mike, these are nicely varying snippets of this relatively small but neat garden.

I particularly like #2 for the pleasant atmosphere and the title, #4 for the color composition utilizing the blueish hue of the building as complementary background to the red leaves and #7 for the strong geometry and color.

It would Dave a bit long before he could post his additional images.  So, stay tuned!

Thanks for your comments, Akira. I was not sure that #7 aligned with the theme and purpose of the visit - I couldn't resist, though.

The garden really had a surprising diversity of scenery for such a relatively small space tucked into a corner of the metropolis. It is not surprising that it was so crowded - so crowded that the park officials were only admitting new visitors as existing ones departed.

I imagine that Dave and Mayumi have only just arrived back in Killin, and are now doing battle with jet lag.
Title: Re: 2017 Tokyo Meet Up
Post by: David Paterson on December 01, 2017, 08:11:45
Back in  Scotland but not quite home yet (Glasgow airport hotel) those images of Rikugien by Mike and Akira have a special poignancy. There are too many fine images to nominate a favourite but once I am actually home, I will take another long look.

Unfortunately these unofficial NG meet-ups will be more difficult in the future - MIke will very probably be back home in Sydney, and I'm not sure when I might be in Japan again. But they were fine while they lasted, and I'm very pleased to count MIke and Akira among my friends.
Title: Re: 2017 Tokyo Meet Up
Post by: Akira on December 03, 2017, 02:40:23
Dave, thank you for touching words.  We cannot predict what will happen in the future.  I just hope to see you and Mike again on any possible occasions.

If you have some more images, please post them here whenever your time allows.
Title: Re: 2017 Tokyo Meet Up
Post by: Mikes on December 03, 2017, 04:39:33
Thank you from me, too, Dave. It was all too brief a meet up, but I really enjoyed your's and Akira's company. As always, it's interesting to see the different interpretations of the scenery at Rikugien that have emerged, and I enjoyed them all.

I imagine that you are now well into photographing the snowy scenery that you hoped to find on your return!

I'm hoping that I can get to Scotland again next year.
Title: Re: 2017 Tokyo Meet Up
Post by: David Paterson on December 03, 2017, 11:53:18
It's still too difficult to separate out single images as favourites; what I would say is that for both Mike and Akira my favourite series  - for each of them - is the last one posted.

Mayumi and I had a glorious morning for the drive back to Killin after I had scraped the ice not only from the outsides of the car windows but the insides as well. Our local hills were deeply covered with snow an there were patches of snow by the roadside. Some difference - the day before, in Tokyo, it had been 21degC.

The image shows (distant) Ben Lomond and Loch Lomond, and was shot during that drive home.
Title: Re: 2017 Tokyo Meet Up
Post by: Akira on December 06, 2017, 22:44:27
Dave, glad to know you went home safely.  Hope you get better at home.