Rainy afternoon - mountain village

[Mikes]

Tsumago, in the Kiso Valley, Japan, 12 months ago. Df with a 105/2.5 Ais.

[Tristin]

I love the composition and choice of focus and depth in the firs timage Mike.

[Bjørn Rørslett]

The first one is strikingly efficient in conveying the rainy and gloomy mood ....

[Anirban Halder]

I love the composition and choice of focus and depth in the firs timage Mike.

+1.
First one is an extra extraordinary shot! Thanks for sharing Mike.

[Jakov Minić]

The first one is wonderful!

[Akira]

Yet another vote for the first one.  In addition to the color, I also like the way you captured the rain.

[John Geerts]

Yes, lovely. Agree with all above.

The houses in the old village look like the farms you see in the Alps. Typical for mountains?

[Mikes]

Thanks, everyone for your comments. The first one is my favourite, too.

The second is a peek in the opposite direction.

Mike.

[Mikes]

Yes, lovely. Agree with all above.

The houses in the old village look like the farms you see in the Alps. Typical for mountains?

Thanks, John. This is a restored, but working village, that is, people live and work there. I believe that there are a few villages like this, but it's not really typical. It is subjected to strict heritage rules many of which are self imposed.

It is one of a number on a walking trail called the Nakasendo Trail - a great walk that can span several nights, staying in traditional ryokan in the villages.

[Mike G]

Mike, I really like your Japanese photos show a more rural and less citified landscape, and always go galloping off to have a look at them.

My preference is for No1 because there is more stuff that is in focus, but I can see the merits of No1, but I tend to being a focus weeny.

I got a feel for this type of building from reading the travel books written by a lady called Josie Dew who travelled twice around Japan on a bicycle!

[rosko]

As everybody the first one has my preference. The lights bring a plus in this nice and colorful compo.

You could neatly dose the rate of blur to get this attractive image.

Very well done !

[Thomas G]

No 1 shows a consistent image, all dark wood, no modern, brightly painted surfaces.
If it would have been mine I'm quite sure that it would be the result of focussing on the red leaved bush for the shot and setting a somehow ambivalent composition, getting the umbrellas and the blurred lights as a centered by catch.

I prefer it over the second image,
as this has the disadvantage of showing modern elements, a white van and some contrasting dormer side walls.
Both are not matching the character of the scene which degrades the result.
That may have been soved through some patience and a different position for the photographer, but that's only a guess.

[Mongo]

#1 seems the total package. very nice work.

[David Paterson]

Nice, Mike, but like everyone else I'd go for #1 - lovely mood and feel to the shot. I think the white truck is the killer in the other shot. It doesn't fit the mood.

[Mikes]

Mike, Francis, Thomas, Mongo and Dave - many thanks for your comments and suggestions. I agree that the white van is jarring and I probably shouldn't posted that particular image. Unfortunately, vehicular traffic is allowed into the village after 16.00, which when the rain eased and the light was just becoming interesting.

Mike, I really like your Japanese photos show a more rural and less citified landscape, and always go galloping off to have a look at them.

My preference is for No1 because there is more stuff that is in focus, but I can see the merits of No1, but I tend to being a focus weeny.

I got a feel for this type of building from reading the travel books written by a lady called Josie Dew who travelled twice around Japan on a bicycle!

Thanks, Mike. The Japanese highland valleys are great for photography (as well as hiking). I enjoy being there. Thanks also for the reference to Josie Dew - I will keep an eye out for her books. Apparently she is a cycling gourmet.