Fading Sakura Along the Meguro River

Not much time to write, but on Friday morning, took some time out to snap the fading cherry blossoms along the Meguro River. Seems that either the weather or my work schedule has been conspiring against getting the perfect shot... Oh well, I need to try again next year.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor Lens f5.6, ISO 200, 1/400 sec.

Morning Sakura along the Meguro River

Monday morning on the way to the office, I took a quick detour to enjoy the sakura blooming along the Meguro River. Here's the first of probably many posts from cherry blossom season 2017.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 16-35mm f/4G ED VR II AF-S IF SWM @ 35 mm, f5.6, ISO 100, 1/80 sec.

More Sakura along the Meguro River

Last Sunday I spent a wet morning walking along the Meguro River. The wet weather and early hour keep most of people away except like minded photographers, dog walkers and the occasional jogger. I was able to have a leisurely stroll, enjoy Naka-Meguro's wonderful sakura and take photos without interruption. There's probably a few more from the sakura season that I will be sharing, just be patient.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 16-35mm f/4G ED VR II AF-S IF SWM @ 16 mm, f5.6, ISO 800, 1/10 sec.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 16-35mm f/4G ED VR II AF-S IF SWM @ 16 mm, f5.6, ISO 800, 1/25 sec.

Infinite Sakura!

Not much to say regarding this snap taken along the Naka-Meguro River other than Infinite Sakura!

Nikon D600 with Nikon 16-35mm f/4G ED VR II AF-S IF SWM @ 18 mm, f5.6, ISO 800, 1/5 sec.

Aoyama Bochi Sakura Tunnel Animated GIF

This is my first try and creating an animated GIF. I thought that a few of the shots that I took last night at the cemetery would work well, but I probably needed a few more shots in the loop and a few more experiments to get it right. If you are trying to make an animated GIF, the tutorial located at the 99designs.com has simple easy to follow instructions.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 16-35mm f/4G ED VR II AF-S IF SWM @ 16 mm, f5.6, ISO 800, 1/3 to 1/10 sec.

Nighttime Sakura Tunnel at Aoyama Bochi

Last night I took a walk through Aoyama Bochi to visit the sakura tunnel that goes through the center of the cemetery. The sakura or cherry blossoms peaked early list week in Tokyo. Today was quite windy and the petals were falling with in the breeze blanketing the street, walking path and the stone monuments with splashes of delicate pink.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 16-35mm f/4G ED VR II AF-S IF SWM @ 16 mm, f5.6, ISO 800, 1/8 sec.

Sakura Tunnel in Aoyama Bochi

Today, 31 March 2015, is supposed to be the peak for sakura in Tokyo. This photo of the amazing sakura tunnel in Aoyama Bochi was taken two days ago in Sunday morning. Not sure if the blossoms could be much better than this but I am sure that it will be amazing for those visiting today!

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

Hanami at Yoyogi Koen

The hanami season kicked of this weekend and peak in Tokyo is forecast for Tuesday 1 April 2015. Yoyogi Koen was picture perfect on Saturday and the sakura crazy masses turned out in force.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor Lens f5.6, ISO 100, 1/160 sec.

Sakura is here!

Today started out a little overcast, but the haze burned off by mid-day for a picture perfect afternoon in Yoyogi Koen. The crowds were out picnicking in force, and the sakura was practically in full bloom. On the park's west side, this spectacular cherry tree near the bicycle center was overlooked by many. My family decided that we may return on a less crowded weekday to enjoy a lazy afternoon under this tree.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 50mm f/1.4G AF-Sf5.6, ISO 100, 1/100 sec.

By the way, isn't it amazing the great job (sharp and contrasty) a humble little 50-mm lens can do. I've really got to shoot with this lens more!

Sakura and Flowers along the Imperial Palace Moat

Back in early April I took a walk with the family through Kitanomaru Koen and around the moat on the north side of the Imperial Palace near Chidorigafuchi. The purple four-petal flowers may be Dame's Rocket (Hesperis matronalis).

Nikon D600 with Nikon 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor Lens f8.0, ISO 100, 1/125 sec.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor Lens f5.6, ISO 100, 1/400 sec.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor Lens f5.6, ISO 100, 1/400 sec.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor Lens f3.5, ISO 100, 1/200 sec.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor Lens f4.0, ISO 100, 1/1250 sec.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor Lens f2.8, ISO 100, 1/1600 sec.

Modern Art or Playground Equipment?

In the Hinokicho Park located behind Tokyo Midtown are some beautiful sculptural playground equipment. This photo was taken just a few weeks ago, just after peak sakura.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor Lens f5.6, ISO 200, 1/125 sec.

Post Production (or a little Nikon Capture NX2)

I took a several photos of a weeping cherry tree blossom near our apartment several weeks ago. When this raw file was downloaded and batch processed in Nikon Capture NX 2 with my usual tweaks, the exposure, colors and contrast were a little disappointing. It wasn't exactly how I envisioned it in the viewfinder. It lacked snap, contrast and drama. It was a little flat (aren't all photographs flat? :-P ).

Nikon D600 with Nikon 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor Lens f5.6, ISO 200, 1/320 sec.

Anyway, I went back to Capute NX 2 and did some additional tweaks to fix the back-lighting which washed out the flower's colors. Perhaps these tweaks are too heavy handed and unnatural. There are unfortunate edges creating a halo, that need to be feathered and smoothed and the blurred stem has a tinge of unnatural violet. I need probably return to work on this a little more.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor Lens f5.6, ISO 200, 1/320 sec.