NikonGear'23

Travelogues => Travel Diaries => Topic started by: David Paterson on November 10, 2017, 07:22:18

Title: Japan re-visited - Week 4 (final) images added
Post by: David Paterson on November 10, 2017, 07:22:18
I'm not sure exactly how often I've been in Japan - about a dozen times or slightly more - but it always excites and energises me. We are here for four weeks - here's a selection from the first week (all in Tokyo).

1. Hotel window-view, Akasaka.
2. National Museum of Art
3. Dark Tower 1. Aoyama.
4. Dark Tower 2.  Roppongi.
5. Ginko trees, Aoyama.
6. Model girl, Aoyama.
7. Nogi Jinja (shirne)
8. Olympic construction site.
9. School trip, Kachidoki.
10. Yoyogi Tower.
Title: Re: Japan re-visited
Post by: Fons Baerken on November 10, 2017, 07:26:32
Some fine shots 'aweready'; whats the photo gear you took with you David?
Title: Re: Japan re-visited
Post by: Jack Dahlgren on November 10, 2017, 07:33:43
The ginkgo is particularly nice. Such an ancient tree.
Title: Re: Japan re-visited
Post by: Frank Fremerey on November 10, 2017, 07:59:43
love the Ginko!!!
Title: Re: Japan re-visited
Post by: David Paterson on November 10, 2017, 08:01:17
Thank you, Fons and Jack.

Fons - D600, 18-35 AFS, and 70-200 f4. Just those.
Title: Re: Japan re-visited
Post by: Mongo on November 10, 2017, 09:56:06
Particularly like #2. Also like 5 and 6
Title: Re: Japan re-visited
Post by: David Paterson on November 10, 2017, 11:04:42
Many thanks, Frank and Mongo. The shot of the ginko leaves is probably my own favourite; I shot several variations and have only processed a couple of them so far.
Title: Re: Japan re-visited
Post by: Erik Lund on November 10, 2017, 11:39:45
Dave, these are outstanding! Wow
Title: Re: Japan re-visited
Post by: Frank Fremerey on November 10, 2017, 12:23:29
the national museum of art is also very good. great timing for light quality and direction.

I tend to love the lion but cannot live with your decision to cut off the foot
Title: Re: Japan re-visited
Post by: Frank Fremerey on November 10, 2017, 13:13:28
PS. The Ginko shows the IQ of the 200-500mm even at f/5.6 fully open!!!
Title: Re: Japan re-visited
Post by: David Paterson on November 10, 2017, 13:21:31
the national museum of art is also very good. great timing for light quality and direction.
I tend to love the lion but cannot live with your decision to cut off the foot

Thank you for the art gallery, but I plead not guilty to cutting off the foot - it's not really a foot, just a a stump, and most of it is in shot.   :D

The ginko shot was made with the 70-200 f4, at f5.6 - I never travel with the beast, it's much too large and heavy.   ;D

Erik - thank you.
Title: Re: Japan re-visited
Post by: simato73 on November 10, 2017, 13:44:03
It seems Japan has energised you - good!
Usually I find Nature subjects more interesting over man-made ones, but in this case my choice goes for #2, it is eye candy to me.
Enjoy the rest of the stay,
Simone
Title: Re: Japan re-visited
Post by: Bent Hjarbo on November 10, 2017, 14:35:58
Whatever you are photographing landscapes or cityscapes the results are beautiful  :)
Title: Re: Japan re-visited
Post by: Thomas Stellwag on November 10, 2017, 16:02:38
your showing your 2nd home in the same perfect way than your first
Title: Re: Japan re-visited
Post by: Ann on November 10, 2017, 16:59:33
The exceptional beauty of the Ginko tree always arouses an emotional response in me (and this beautiful photograph has exactly that effect) and your photograph of the glorious curves of the National Art Museum is having the same effect.

Truly great work.
Title: Re: Japan re-visited
Post by: John Geerts on November 10, 2017, 19:48:33
Very impressive series, David !
Title: Re: Japan re-visited
Post by: Akira on November 10, 2017, 20:13:20
Welcome to Japan, David!  Nice to see some familiar motifs from a different perspective.  #8 is particularly evocative to me.

Apparently the official name for the museum is "The National Art Center, Tokyo", and the Japanese name would be translated as "The 'New' National Museum of Art".

You may want to revisit Yoyogi Tower at night.   ;)
Title: Re: Japan re-visited
Post by: David Paterson on November 10, 2017, 21:29:31
Thank you all so much - Simone, Bent, Thomas, Ann, John and Akira. One thing energises me just as much as coming to Japan, and that is getting positive comments about my work from the members of this forum who know me / my work. Thank you.

Akira - thanks for your help and suggestions - all very welcome.

Ann - I feel exactly the same about those two particular subjects.
Title: Re: Japan re-visited
Post by: Anirban Halder on November 15, 2017, 19:45:35
Beautiful series Dave. Would love to see more photos from your Japan trip.
Framing of "National Museum of Art" is very creative. My fav is "Ginko trees" - I keep coming back to this photo. It would look so gorgeous printed large.
Title: Re: Japan re-visited
Post by: Danulon on November 15, 2017, 21:18:56
Thank you for sharing your pictures with us. Beautiful! :-)

Enjoy your stay!
Title: Re: Japan re-visited
Post by: Mikes on November 15, 2017, 21:42:26
A diverse and fascinating series, Dave. Unmistakably Tokyo tho. I agree with all the comments about the ginkgo tree - a great capture.

I'm sorry I missed the start of the series - I was away.
Title: Re: Japan re-visited
Post by: armando_m on November 15, 2017, 22:43:18
Nice travel series, I really like the curves of glass of the museum and the tree images
Title: Re: Japan re-visited
Post by: David Paterson on November 16, 2017, 08:56:40
Thanks everybody - Anirban, Danulon, Mike and and Armando - I'm glad you are enjoying these.
Title: Re: Japan re-visited
Post by: Olivier on November 16, 2017, 13:31:40
Hi Dave,

I hope you are enjoying your trip. Your pictures depict so well what I have seen there as well. it all looks very familiar!
The curvy pattern of the second image is very well seen indeed.

Olivier
Title: Re: Japan re-visited Week 2 pics added
Post by: David Paterson on November 18, 2017, 00:16:43
Thanks, Olivier. Though it is all very familiar to me too, it never fails to excite me.

I worked very hard in the second week, and made images of many, many subjects. A selection follows -

1. Ueno Park, Tokyo
2. Mt Fuji emerges
3. Kimono belt (Obi) embroidery
4. Arakuyama Sengen shrine
5. Mt Fuji, evening
6. Window-cleaning, Aoyama, Tokyo
7. Boats at Lake Saiko
8. Tokyo subway
9. Grasses, Asagiri Highlands
10. Tokyo by night
Title: Re: Japan re-visited Week 2 pics added
Post by: Mikes on November 18, 2017, 01:18:37
Beautiful cross representation of life here, Dave. I especially like Fuji at sunset - Mt Fuji has so many moods. Lake Saiko is great for winter photography too, when it partially freezes over.

Nice shot of the Ginza line, BTW.
Title: Re: Japan re-visited Week 2 pics added
Post by: Akira on November 18, 2017, 02:38:11
Nice to view these popular Japanese landscapes through different sensitivity.  It is inspiring!  Thanks for the additional images!
Title: Re: Japan re-visited Week 2 pics added
Post by: David Paterson on November 18, 2017, 04:12:06
Thanks, both. I have to try to produce something good with you two resident experts around.   ;D

Here's a little extra one - I think it is a fairly well-worn ie. over-used, viewpoint.


Title: Re: Japan re-visited Week 2 & 3 pics added
Post by: David Paterson on November 26, 2017, 23:10:07
Some images from week three of my nearly-four-week stay in Japan -

1. Shinto shrine, Koshigaya, suburban Tokyo.
2. Anrakuji Shrine, Nagano prefecture, northern Japan.
3, 4 and 5. Anrakuji
6. Preserved samurai-era inn, Nagawa, Nagano
7. Southern Nagano, stream with susuki-grass.
8. Unknown (to me) raptor, Nagano.
9. Tunnel vision; expressway, Tokyo.
10. Back in central Tokyo.


Title: Re: Japan re-visited - Week 3 images added
Post by: Anthony on November 27, 2017, 00:40:07
These are wonderful.

I need to revisit.
Title: Re: Japan re-visited - Week 3 images added
Post by: Akira on November 27, 2017, 01:05:37
I enjoy varying perspectives and motifs.

I kind of perceive your affinity to the rendition of films in your images posted both here and in our meet-up thread, especially in terms of the color.  I don't know if it is true or not, though...
Title: Re: Japan re-visited - Week 3 images added
Post by: armando_m on November 27, 2017, 14:36:37
Many beautiful images, "Pine Fuji " is by far my personal favorite, great light and composition
Title: Re: Japan re-visited - Week 4 (final) images added
Post by: David Paterson on December 03, 2017, 21:25:58
Many thanks to Anthony, Akira and Armando for your generous comments.

The last week's images include later versions of city-scapes shot from my brother-in-law's apartment - as I spent quite some time there, I kept on seeing those views in different light and different mood.

1,2 and 3.  Views of Roppongi and Aoyama, shot from the family apartment.
4.  Bicycle park at Kita Koshigaya.
5.  Night in Aoyama.
6.  City expressway, Marounuchi financial district.
7.  Newly-weds, Kyu shiba Rikyu garden, Marounuchi.
8.  Kyu Shiba Rikyu.
9.  Snowy Egret, Kyu Shiba Rikyu.
10. Shimbashi subway station.
Title: Re: Japan re-visited - Week 4 (final) images added
Post by: Jakov Minić on December 03, 2017, 22:02:35
How I have immensely enjoyed this thread! Thank you for sharing your trip!

As said, difficult to choose one favorite. Let it be the last blurry one at the Shimbashi subway station :)
Title: Re: Japan re-visited - Week 4 (final) images added
Post by: David Paterson on December 03, 2017, 22:45:44
Thanks, Jakov -I'm glad you like my efforts. Tokyo is like a drug to me - I get high just being there.
Title: Re: Japan re-visited - Week 4 (final) images added
Post by: Fons Baerken on December 05, 2017, 07:30:46
Again great shots well processed too!
Title: Re: Japan re-visited - Week 4 (final) images added
Post by: Mikes on December 05, 2017, 16:26:11
The Snowy Egret is a great image, Dave, and part of a series that I really enjoyed.

That 70/200 f4.0 leaves very little to be desired!

I haven't been to Kyu Shiba Rikyu Garden, closest for me is Hamariku Gardens close by. I must check it out.

Title: Re: Japan re-visited - Week 4 (final) images added
Post by: David Paterson on December 06, 2017, 11:28:31
Thank you, Fons and Mike.

Fons - I try to do all or most of my processing in Capture NX2, only sharpening in Photoshop. This seems to work well on most image-files.

Mike - I had intended to go to Hama Rikyu that day, but it and a third nearby garden were closed. So I settled for Shiba Rikyu which is not as nice as Hama R. So I had to work quite hard to get a few worthwhile images.
Title: Re: Japan re-visited - Week 4 (final) images added
Post by: armando_m on December 06, 2017, 14:31:35
Another great set of images,

- the combination of sunset/sunrise and electric lights really works
- the happy couple image belongs in a fashion magazine
- the shimbashi station , great combination of movement and steady people
Title: Re: Japan re-visited - Week 4 (final) images added
Post by: Akira on December 06, 2017, 14:57:54
Indeed yet another nicely varying set!

Love the transitional lighting from the night to the morning (or vice versa?) of #1.  The B&W treatment of the compressed geometry of "Expressway" is just fitting.  The natural partial color effect of "TheColorRed" is stunning.  Well, just to name a few...
Title: Re: Japan re-visited - Week 4 (final) images added
Post by: David Paterson on December 06, 2017, 19:08:19
Thank you both, Armando and Akira. I wasn't confident about this final set of images, so I am relieved that you think they are ok. The two  "night" shots were both done in the evening - #1 looking south-west, early evening; and #2 looking north, somewhat later.

So now I can put "Japan 2017" to bed.