Walking home from Yoyogi-Koen Eki

Visited the Nikka Blender's Bar just south and east of the busy heart of Omotesando. I'm not a whiskey drinker but the bar had a great old world whiskey oasis vibe. They had a little "shrine" of memorabilia dedicated to their founder Masataka Taketsuru and his wife Rita Cowan, the founders of Japan's whisky industry.

We tried the aged sampler that included 6-different 12-year old whiskeys with the intention of blending to taste. It was a unique first time experience for me, and definitely an interesting and slightly inebriating experience. Seems like a great place to go if you need to impress a whisky aficionado.

Anway, the photo this evening was taken on the way home from Yoyogi Station. The street was eerily lit by a glowing orange sky over the DoCoMo Tower with yellow, green and purple street level lights.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 24mm f/2.0 Nikkor AI @ f2.8, ISO 800, 1/40 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.

Kakigōri (かき氷) or Cool Summer Treat at Little Nap

Little Nap is small coffee shop located a short walk from the Yoyogi-Kōen Station Exit 3 that makes a lovely kakigōri (かき氷) during the summer.

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

Nikon D600 with Nikon 24mm f/2.0 Nikkor AI @ f5.6, ISO 100, 1/160 sec.

I'm still here...

I've been busy the last few months, and took a break from posting. Now I've got quite a backlog of photos to go through tweak and post. Here's one I took on a walk through Yoyogi from back in September 2016. It's rather simple, but I like the color and simple composition.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 85mm f/1.4 AI-S @ f4.0, ISO 100, 1/40 sec.

Setsubun Supplies

Setsubun came and went last week. Unluckily for me, I was not able to catch any festivities this year.

However, I did spot this display at my local market down the street from my house.　The hiragana reads hiiragi (ひいらぎ) or holly in English. According to the Wikipedia entry, sardine heads and holly leaves are placed on entrances to Japanese homes to keep bad spirits from enter.

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

Surprised by the Higanbana

This is a sure sign that summer is over, the Higanbana have bloomed and faded. These lovely higanbana or (Magic Spider Lilies) popped up in the planter across the street from our house in Yoyogi. Just over a week ago, they were in full bloom and now all that remain are stems.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor Lens@ f5.6, ISO 400, 1/160 sec.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 85mm f/1.4 AI-S @ f8.0, ISO 100, 1/80 sec.

My daughter spotted another Mejiro

In March, my daughter spotted several mejiro checking out the blooms on a tree (plum?) near our house. This shot wasn't as lucky (or as good) as the shot posted last year at Heiwa No Mori Koen, but it's not bad. These little mejiro are fast and don't give you much time to compose. Too bad I didn't have my long zoom with me, but the 105-mm did a fine job and because this lens is super sharp it crops well. The original and cropped version are posted for comparison.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor Lens f4.0, ISO 100, 1/250 sec.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor Lens f4.0, ISO 100, 1/250 sec.

Burgers at the Arms in Yoyogi

Not sure why, but burgers in Tokyo seem to be made with such care and appreciation that it's a culinary art. In recent months, the family has sampled awesome burgers from Burger Mania in Hiroo and Arms in Yoyogi. Both are extremely delicious especially with the preferred sides of fries and a milk shake.

At the Arms, I tried the avocado mushroom cheeseburger, my wife went for the avocado burger and my son chose the classic burger. All were awesome and well worth a return trip. If you choose to visit it's conveniently located near Yoyogi Park away and Yoyogi-Koen Station, but away from the hustle and bustle of Shibuya and Harajuku.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor Lens f5.6, ISO 200, 1/250 sec.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 50mm f/1.4G AF-Sf2.0, ISO 800, 1/40 sec.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 50mm f/1.4G AF-Sf2.8, ISO 800, 1/25 sec.

Yamathon Part 2

I stuck it out with the TIPsies from Harajuku to Ueno. About half way around the Yamanote or about 13 or 14 miles. Along the way, I saw many interesting things. Several deserve a return visit. Here are some of my favorites.

The first photo is the Yamonote map located above the ticket machines at Harajuku Station. It's quite a challenge to walk all 29-stations. If you ride the train, it takes about one hour!

This pachinko sign is located between Yoyogi and Shnijuku Station.  It looks a little decrepit during the day but it must be quite a sight when its lit up at night... I wonder when there will be enough power from TEPCO to light up signs like this without the fear of brown outs?

This awesome mural of the works of Toei Animation is located neear Takadanobaba station.  Astro (or Atom) Boy features prominently!

This happi coat was hanging inside the window of a house near Nishi-Nippori.