Thinking of Sakura

The family was at Omotesando last weekend for the Saint Patrick's Day Parade. I took lots of photos (over 500), but this post isn't about this year's photos. Once again, I was looking at photos taken last year and found this cherry blossom photo that taken near our apartment on the way to the parade last year. Seems that the blossoms from this year will be prime much closer to the usual time in Tokyo (the end of the first week in April).

Anyway, here's a beautiful early cherry sprig from last year. I am sure that this year's blossoms will be beautiful!

Nikon D700 with Nikon 80-200mm f/2.8D ED AF @ 200 mm, f5.6, ISO 200, 1/1000 sec.

Catching up on New Year's Hatsumode 2014 (Part 1)

Seems that I do this every year (most likely all the time). I review photos taken earlier, and realize that I should have posted some of them.

The family hiked Mt. Takao in mid-January and made our first shrine visit of the year (or hatsumode) at the Takaosan Yakuōin Yūkiji near the top of the mountain. I took plenty of photos of this hike. The next day my wife complemented me on the photos and the great adventure we had.

This will take several posts to get through the photos, but it should be worth it especially if you are interested in visiting Mt. Takao one day. It's a realatively quick and easy getaway to nature from the hustle and bustle of Tokyo. In addition, near the summit is a famous shrine that attracts visitors year round. Although it was the already late in January, the shrine was still in New Year's form with plenty of people make their a shrine visit. You'll have to wait for a later post to see pictures of the shrine.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 50mm f/1.4G AF-Sf2.8, ISO 125, 1/40 sec.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 85mm f/1.4 AI-S @ f2.0, ISO 100, 1/4000 sec.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 85mm f/1.4 AI-S @ f4.0, ISO 100, 1/100 sec.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 85mm f/1.4 AI-S @ f5.6, ISO 100, 1/250 sec.

Bronx Cheer

Why is a Blowing a Raspberry also know as a Bronx Cheer? And did Tarō Okamoto know the connotations of that gesture shown in his sculpture?

Nikon D600 with Nikon 85mm f/1.4 AI-S @ f2.8, ISO 100, 1/2000 sec.

Freak's Store

I wasn't sure were to find a "Freak" before, but it seems that the Freak's Store in Shibuya. A quick look through the store window and it appears that Freak is quite ordinary (not at all "Freaky") and sells dapper clothes in the style of Gap, Uniqlo, J. Crew, Ralph Lauren or Lacoste.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 16-35mm f/4G ED VR II AF-S IF SWM @ 18 mm, f5.6, ISO 200, 1/25 sec.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 16-35mm f/4G ED VR II AF-S IF SWM @ 30 mm, f5.6, ISO 200, 1/25 sec.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 16-35mm f/4G ED VR II AF-S IF SWM @ 31 mm, f5.6, ISO 200, 1/25 sec.

Warhol and Soup Dress

On 1 February, the "Andy Warhol: 15 Minutes Eternal" exhibition opened at the Mori Art Museum and will continue until 6 May 2014. It looks to be quite the comprehensive exhibition with nearly 700 pieces and is being touted as the largest ever Warhol exhibition presented in Japan.

I am not sure if this Campbell Soup dress in the Paul Smith Shibuya store window was just a coincidence. Although this dress is not what I would call beautiful, the woman that has the confidence to wear this piece of pop art would definitely be interesting and make quite an impression.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor Lens f4.0, ISO 200, 1/125 sec.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor Lens f4.0, ISO 200, 1/60 sec.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor Lens f4.0, ISO 200, 1/40 sec.