Beyond the Tamagawa: May 2007

Saturday, May 26, 2007

Saturday, May 19, 2007

The weather was relatively clear, but the air seemed quite smoky that day. Now if only I do black and white conversions better. This was done using Image Factory software with what is in effect, a red filter and their Ilford Delta setting for color sensitivity.

Big Sky Country, Japan

Returned to Utsukushigahara in Nagano last week. Still freezing or below at dawn. Winds were about 50mph in the morning. It was hard to stand up and my camera and tripod would easily have been blown away if I let go. This was taken Saturday night, just before an unusually unspectacular sunset.

Wednesday, May 16, 2007

Okusawa, Tokyo. Vacant lot

Tuesday, May 15, 2007

Fire extinguishers everywhere

Friday, May 11, 2007

Young leaves

Wednesday, May 02, 2007

Blue & Gold

On the Tama River

When I was in high school, I found a photography book in the library about Japan. This was no ordinary Japan photo book as there was little in it that would would have been identified with the stereotypical Japan. As I recall, there were seascapes, landscapes, and other types of photos, but no temples, no shrines, no festivals, no geisha, and no shots of the intersection in front of Shibuya station. I was disappointed.

I wish I could recall the name of the book for I'd love to see it again. It comes close to my view of Japan. I don't think of the country or its people as weird, uniquely unique, Zen-like, or anything like that. It is a country, a people, and a culture that differs only by degree---when it does actually differ---from other countries. Just like every other country and culture on earth.

I no longer bother much with the typical "Wow, it's Japan" photos. I try to photograph things which for some reason interest me, or represent something to me, or perhaps I just like the colors, tones, shapes, or light. Perhaps disappointing for anyone looking for photos of Kinkokuji Shrine (though some are here), but those types are readily available anywhere. If nothing else, I will amuse myself with an expensive hobby.

(Since I am occasionally asked, I generally use Nikons: D300, D70s, or borrow my wife's D40. I occasionally use an old Olympus OM-1 for film, as well as Oly digicams, and a now sadly deceased Oly 35ED rangefinder.)

Beyond the Tamagawa