Shibuya Evening Lights

Although I am not one that enjoys Shibuya at least, not in the normal sense... I dislike the chaotic energy and the crowds that bring that energy. (Although Japan hosts the most civil and Disney version of large crowds.) I do enjoy the lights and people watching, and those reasons, and the close proximity to my residence bring me back to Shibuya fairly often.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 85mm f/1.4 AI-S @ f2.8, ISO 400, 1/25 sec.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 85mm f/1.4 AI-S @ f4.0, ISO 400, 1/125 sec.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 85mm f/1.4 AI-S @ f4.0, ISO 400, 1/80 sec.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 85mm f/1.4 AI-S @ f4.0, ISO 400, 1/60 sec.

Two More Autumn Higanbana, Photography Insecurities about White Balance

Here are two more higanbana that were blooming along a residential back alley in my Yoyogi neighborhood. Although in Japan these flowers may be associated with death and the dead, I've always enjoyed these flowers and look forward to their autumn arrival.

On a separate note, I have many insecurities about my photography, and am always looking to improve my in-camera and post-processing technique and workflow. Looking at my higanbana posts, white (and color balance) varies a little more than usual although some of these shots were taken at approximately the same time (this post). The slightly different angle of light result in a slightly different "color" balance due to the clouds, shade and nearby reflective surfaces. The camera and post-processing software may try to auto-balance but usually fail without human assistance and result in unnaturally warm or cool colors, and sometimes unusual color casts (perhaps due to a nearby green wall or ceiling). Although I generally like neutral to slightly warm images, I try to limit my post-processing and strive to reproduce a natural color palette that that reflects the actual conditions.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor Lens f8.0, ISO 100, 1/80 sec.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor Lens f5.6, ISO 100, 1/60 sec.

Last Autumn's Higanbana

As summer fades, green stems break the soil and by late-September, Red Spider Lilies or Higanbana are blooming in my quiet Yoyogi neighborhood.

Back in the present, there's beautiful light and a sunny winter day waiting outside in Tokyo; however, I'm still hobbled for another 3-weeks due to my fractured ankle. Perhaps, I'll make my way outside later on crutches even for a short hop, but until then I'll spend some time editing and re-processing my backlog and posting. Just don't get used to it. My bloggin productivity will probably taper off again once I'm on my feet and the sakura are in bloom.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 85mm f/1.4 AI-S @ f2.8, ISO 100, 1/160 sec.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 85mm f/1.4 AI-S @ f4.0, ISO 100, 1/320 sec.

Harajuku Omotesando Genki Matsuri Super Yosakoi 2016

Last August while walking through Yoyogi Koen and Harajuku, I inadvertently wandered into the Harajuku Omotesando Genki Matsuri Super Yosakoi. Although I was unable to linger for the dancing I was able to snap a few photos of costumed performers.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 24mm f/2.0 Nikkor AI @ f8, ISO 200,1/200 sec.

More quirky things spotted on my long Labor Day walk...

There are still more quirky things spotted from my walk through the city in September. These must be a custom paint job. Perhaps the company has some connection with Yayoi Kusama. I can't believe that a Komatsu, Kubota or Caterpillar dealership would have a purple track hoe with white polka dots on the lot or have this option available for order.

BTW - This is the second quirky thing thing spotted on this day. The first has to be the salary man riding the monkey bike. These large track hoes have an usual color scheme and there are two of them!

Nikon D600 with Nikon 85mm f/1.4 AI-S @ f5.6, ISO 100, 1/320 sec.

Immortal Flowers at The Prince Gallery, Chidoya

I finished my labor day walk near The Prince Gallery. This is a posh luxury hotel in Chiyoda located near the older but also very posh New Otani in the Tokyo Garden Terrace Kioicho development. The striking feature that attracted my attention this sunny September Monday, was colorful gigantic stainless steel sculpture, “Echoes Infinity~ Immortal Flowers~”, by Shinji Ohmaki.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 24mm f/2.0 Nikkor AI @ f5.6, ISO 100, 1/400 sec.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 24mm f/2.0 Nikkor AI @ f8, ISO 100, 1/250 sec.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 24mm f/2.0 Nikkor AI @ f8, ISO 100, 1/160 sec.

Statue of Liberty and Rainbow Bridge from the Odaiba Beach Park (お台場海浜公園)

The following photo was uploaded in 2011 but the Blogger Post to accompany it was never written. Sadly, it has been orphaned in the cloud for almost six-years. Perhaps I was distracted by the Tohoku Earthquake that followed about a week later.

In March 2011 the family visited ventured out on beautiful day for a play and walk around the Odaiba Beach Park (お台場海浜公園). Along the boardwalk there's a great view of the Statue of Liberty and Rainbow Bridge.

Nikon D700 with Nikon 16-35mm f/4G ED VR II AF-S IF SWM @ 22 mm, f5.6, ISO 200, 1/1600 sec.

Hie Shrine

Hie Shrine is located on a hill that abuts the eastern perimeter of Akasaka. Although I've associated it with Minato-ku and nearby Akasaka, it's part of Chiyoda-ku. This shrine is the host of the June 15 Sannō Matsuri, which one of the three great Japanese festivals of Edo; however, the shrine itself is rather understated when compared to the frenetic atmosphere Sensō-ji in Asakusa or the serene Meiji Shrine in Harajuku.

It's not on my must do list but if you are in the Chiyoda-ku or Akasaka, have time and need spiritual refreshment, it worth a visit. I've made several visits myself when I lived in Akasaka and even posted about the Torii gate path in June 2012.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 85mm f/1.4 AI-S @ f8, ISO 100, 1/160 sec.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 85mm f/1.4 AI-S @ f8, ISO 100, 1/100 sec.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 85mm f/1.4 AI-S @ f5.6, ISO 100, 1/60 sec.

Labor Day walk through Roppongi

Back in September 2016, I had the luxury of having a US holiday (Labor Day) off while all Japan were still at work on a beautiful day. I already posted one shot from Azabu Juban back in September or last year, but here are a few more from the same wander taken in nearby Roppongi.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 24mm f/2.0 Nikkor AI @ f5.6, ISO 100, 1/400 sec.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 24mm f/2.0 Nikkor AI @ f4.0, ISO 100, 1/250 sec.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 24mm f/2.0 Nikkor AI @ f5.6, ISO 100, 1/125 sec.