Early Saturday Morning

Kosagi in Japanese, Saturday morning on the Tamagawa bordering Tokyo. I see plenty of Little Egrets, Cormorants, Herons, and assorted ducks there, but I would like to see a wider variety of waterfowl---and wildlife---without traveling 5 hours to do so.

It is very tough to get close enough to any of these birds fo a decent photograph because I have to stalk close and set up and get photos before some noisy person or people and their dogs come by and scare everything away.

I especially enjoy it when some person sees me taking photos and throws a ball or something between my camera and the birds for his/her dogs to fetch. Afterward, the dog comes out of the river and shakes all over me. It has happened several times. Someday I may get an apology, but I won't hold my breathe. Nor will I hold my tongue much more.

Michael Reichmann in Tokyo

On February 27, Michael Reichmann of Luminous Landscape gave a seminar in Tokyo. This kind of thing is a rare opportunity in Japan---one can go to photography classes or seminars in Japanese which, unless you are a native speaker or very, very fluent, tends to be tough to follow for long periods of time---so I was very glad to attend even though it was in the middle of a workday.

At then end of the seminar, he asked the Japanese audience a question: "What's wrong with Japanese photography? " He went on to explain that he never saw or heard much about it. (The seminar was being translated into Japanese.) As one could expect, there was no reply.

I have wondered about that myself. Of course people see photographs by Japanese photographers all the time and most likely don't notice it, but it seems that there are few well-known Japanese photographers outside of Japan. I couldn't guess why this is, except that they don't get a lot of exposure outside the country because publishers and others don't really try to promote them overseas. There is also the idea that Japan is exotic and photographs should reflect that mythical exoticness. (The idea that Japan is just another country and is not all neon and weirdness disappoints many.)

I also notice that there are NOT many Japanese nature/wildlife photographers who do most of their photography in Japan as opposed to in Africa, Alaska, or other areas outside of Japan. There are fewer who publish those types of photos of Japan for some reason.

Daiya River, Nikko

I cannot get this photo right. I liked the sky, but rest just seems a bit off to me no matter what. (The tree on the lower right doesn't help, but I don't particularly mean that.)

It doesn't help that my RAW software--Capture One 4 is not as good as its predecessor. Taken 17 February on one of my monthly trips to Nikko. The memory is nice even if the photos weren't.

Nakimushiyama, Nikko Japan

Close to Nikko station---about a 10 minute walk to the trailhead. The "mountain" itself is only 1104 meters high, but is a very steep climb for the last 1/3.

Nikko Japan

In the mountains about 2 hours from Tokyo. Nakimushiyama Trail. (What happened to the color in this? I guess my monitor calibration has gone off again?)

February "Blizzard" in Tokyo

Or as close to one as we get in Tokyo. It was quite cold for the area that morning. I actually got numbed fingers even though I was wearing mittens. I have not been that cold in the Tokyo area in years.

A Rare Tokyo Snow

It may only snow once or twice a year in Tokyo---or not at all. On February 3, we had the first of two snowfalls this year. This was taken in Okusawa Tokyo.

Winter afternoon on the Tama River

A Seminar with Michael Reichmann in Tokyo

Michael, a well-known landscape photographer now based in Toronto Canada will be in Tokyo on 27 February 2008 to give a seminar entitled: Landscape – Nature – Documentary Photography: Inspiration and Technical Insight.

Pre-registration is required, but the price is right and I am sure it will be very interesting.

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/about/phase-asia.shtml

Northern Shoveler on a winter afternoon

On the Tama River. Incidentally, this was taken at ISO 1600 with normal noise reduction with the Nikon D300. Nikon makes good cameras, but terrible software, and as noted below, less than helpful support. (Nikon would claim otherwise though which shows you what they consider good customer support on the software side.)
Nikon D300, Tamron 200-500mm@500mm. 1/200@f8. Tripod used.

Thinking of buying Nikon software in Japan?

If you want English support from Nikon USA, you might think again. Of course you could use Nikon Japan support in Japanese or very limited English. I received this from Nikon USA concerning problems I have with Nikon's Capture NX which was included with my new D300:

It appears that you are located outside of the North American market. Nikon USA supports products imported and sold in the USA and Canada only. For support for your product please contact the dealer you purchased it from or consult the Nikon distributor in your area. If you feel we are in error, please try again with the web form.

Please visit nikon.com/ to find contact information for your region.

You are encouraged to browse and subscribe to Nikon USA's Knowledge Database articles, but Nikon USA can not provide direct feedback for users from other markets.

THANK YOU

Thank you too Nikon. I bet you'd even refuse $$$$ from other markets...

This appears to be a new policy. Two years ago, they provided support when I could not get other Nikon software to install. Olympus certainly has no problems with support for its customers. I believe Canon provides support to all customers. Nikon, does not. Well, no more Nikon software for me, and had I not invested so much in lens for Nikon, I would not bother with any more Nikon gear. I don't worship at the altar of any specific manufacturer of electronic/plastic goods.

(The problem with NX is, after I finally got it to install ---thanks to guys on the Nikonian website---I have been unable to open a D300 NEF with it. It crashes and burns as soon as I try. It works with D70 files. I guess Nikon should pay guys on forums who do its support for it at no charge.)

Lake Chuzenji

About 2 hours from Tokyo. We spent 2 days there this time, but by the evening of the first day, the snow was melting and mosquitoes were coming out. Then it started raining hard. It always happens when I go somewhere. That is one of the biggest reasons that I am considering buying a Nikon D300---it is "weather proofed." Well, at least weather resistant. Lens aren't though.