Good morning from Japan (56k modem warning) [Archive]

puddleduck

24-09-2005, 06:31

Just a few I cracked off on my way home Friday night...

Boaters

http://www.odysseus-software.co.uk/albums/Tokyo/tokyobay1-web.jpg

Fuji TV Center, Daiba

http://www.odysseus-software.co.uk/albums/Tokyo/fuji-tv-web.jpg

Hovercraft, Tokyo Bay

http://www.odysseus-software.co.uk/albums/Tokyo/hovercraft-tokyobay-web.jpg

Statue of Liberty - in TOKYO????!

http://www.odysseus-software.co.uk/albums/Tokyo/statue-of-liberty-tokyo.jpg

Rainbow Bridge, Odaiba

http://www.odysseus-software.co.uk/albums/Tokyo/rainbow-bridge3-web.jpg

_________________________________________

A few from my first week in Japan....

Shrine, Foot of Mount Takao

http://odysseus-software.co.uk/photos/albums/Japan/DSC5616_02_web.jpg

Ritual Flame

http://odysseus-software.co.uk/photos/albums/Japan/DSC5668_01_web.jpg

Drummer in Shinto Temple

http://www.odysseus-software.co.uk/albums/Tokyo/_DSC5675-01-web.jpg

Statues, Mount Takao

http://odysseus-software.co.uk/photos/albums/Japan/DSC5681_02_web.jpg

Peek a Boo!

http://odysseus-software.co.uk/photos/albums/Japan/DSC5688_01_web.jpg

Worshippers at Asakusa cover themselves in smoke for good luck

http://odysseus-software.co.uk/photos/albums/Japan/asakusa_worshippers.jpg

Street Decor in Asasuka

http://odysseus-software.co.uk/photos/albums/Japan/akasuka_streetdecor_web.jpg

Night time at Asakusa

http://odysseus-software.co.uk/photos/albums/Japan/DSC6161_web.jpg

emeyedeejay

24-09-2005, 07:47

Hey Andy - nice to know you're alive :thumbs:

Some great shots there - a colleague of mine will be in Japan for a while shortly - I'll point these out to him ...

The colours in "Street Decor in Asasuka" are amazing!

Keep them coming...

Radiohead

24-09-2005, 09:58

Nice ones - have you bought any lenses or a D2x yet ;)

How long are you out there for?

puddleduck

24-09-2005, 22:28

Keep them coming...

I'll try :)

Nice ones - have you bought any lenses or a D2x yet

Nope not yet! Can get a D2x for a tad over £2k but its so bloody big! No lens yet either - not sure I really need any - maybe the Tokina 12-24 as its a bit of a bargain over here! More tempted by a Nikon F6 and stacks of Fuji Provia 100 at the moment tbh! :luv:

Out here for 3 months at least - woohoo!

puddleduck

25-09-2005, 06:36

well.... this was an odd one - this just happened about half an hour ago... "Ningyo Kuyo, a funeral mass for used dolls, will be held in the compound of Kiyomizu Kannondo Temple in Ueno Park. People visit the temple with dolls that are no longer wanted. After a religious rite to comfort the souls of used dolls"...

These are NOT your average Barbie...

http://www.odysseus-software.co.uk/albums/Tokyo/_DSC6279-web.jpg

http://www.odysseus-software.co.uk/albums/Tokyo/_DSC6305-web.jpg

There was literally boxes of them - again very ornate - all ready for burning...

http://www.odysseus-software.co.uk/albums/Tokyo/_DSC6312-web.jpg

Before burning they were presented to small coffins!

http://www.odysseus-software.co.uk/albums/Tokyo/_DSC6315-web.jpg

... and prays were said

http://www.odysseus-software.co.uk/albums/Tokyo/_DSC6321-web.jpg

Before, one by one the dolls were offered up

http://www.odysseus-software.co.uk/albums/Tokyo/_DSC6331-web.jpg

And burned...

http://www.odysseus-software.co.uk/albums/Tokyo/_DSC6324-web.jpg

http://www.odysseus-software.co.uk/albums/Tokyo/_DSC6325-web.jpg

!!!

kez

25-09-2005, 06:43

:eek:

emeyedeejay

25-09-2005, 09:01

I'll see your :eek: and raise you a :help: and a :cry:

johndavis0

25-09-2005, 09:21

/evil laughter

BURN BABY BURN!!

johndavis0

25-09-2005, 09:24

:eek: ooops what I ment to say was " gosh what a strange practice"

(may be a way to clear daughters bedroom of clutter) :thinking:

puddleduck

25-09-2005, 09:34

I think it's something to do with childless couples or something - they have a doll as a proxy, then offer it up once a year in the hope of conceiving ... or something... !!!

They take it pretty seriously...

http://www.odysseus-software.co.uk/albums/Tokyo/_DSC6317-01-web.jpg

Matholwch

25-09-2005, 10:14

Do you think they'd take offense if you were to submit a Transformer? ;)

puddleduck

25-09-2005, 10:28

Do you think they'd take offense if you were to submit a Transformer? ;)

LOL! Dunno, but I've got a loft load of Thundercats and He-man stuff back home that needs shifting ;)

puddleduck

30-09-2005, 13:46

The coming of autumn

http://www.odysseus-software.co.uk/albums/Tokyo/coming-of-autumn-web.jpg

http://www.odysseus-software.co.uk/albums/Tokyo/_DSC5905-web.jpg

http://www.odysseus-software.co.uk/albums/Tokyo/rosebug.jpg

In the autumn evening, even some skyscapers start to look nice... almost..!

http://www.odysseus-software.co.uk/albums/Tokyo/kanda-at-night2-web.jpg

stormywhether

30-09-2005, 14:00

what's the temperature like there this time of the year, champ?

puddleduck

30-09-2005, 14:07

what's the temperature like there this time of the year, champ?

Well my aircon. is on in my pad right as its still pretty hot! Its warmed up again after a few overcast / rainy days due to a passing typhoon! It was about 21C around 9am as I was pottering around - seems to be keeping around mid-20s I guess, doesn't really start to get cold here until January apparently! Hoping for a decent weekend so I can get out of Toyko (fingers crossed)...

stormywhether

30-09-2005, 14:30

I freakin love the Orient. Still can't get HK out of my head, and that was aeons ago.

You're one lucky tyke, you know that?!

Andy, you know before you took pictures of them official lookin guys in the purple robes - did you ask permission or something?

puddleduck

30-09-2005, 14:46

You mean these guys...?

http://www.odysseus-software.co.uk/albums/Tokyo/_DSC6333-web.jpg

Too be honest, no - I read about this in the local rag and as it was just around the corner I just sort of strolled up - they had a sort of roped off area for the Press, TV and radio (not quite sure how this would work on radio!?), so I just wandered over and stood in the Press area with the real photographers and nobody told me to bugger off (actually they probably did but I didn't understand!)

puddleduck

07-10-2005, 23:08

t00thless

08-10-2005, 11:11

somre more cracking pics from you andy, i like the hovercraft one, it looks futuristic to me :)

busterboy

08-10-2005, 11:26

somre more cracking pics from you andy, i like the hovercraft one, it looks futuristic to me :)

I like them all Andy, Fantastic shots.. :notworthy

wseed

08-10-2005, 11:54

Sorry Andy I've news for you that's not a hovercraft. I've seen it a few times now as I've passed the McDonald's car park in town. It's actually a Vaxhaul Corsa I guess some boy racer must have spun out and crashed it into that river. :)

I like the bridge shot. It looks so clean almost like an architectural model of a proposed project. The only - I'd say on it are the small bits of detail at the bottom of the frame could have done with being framed out or lowering your shot to include more of them so that they added to the shot.

ChrisB

08-10-2005, 13:11

Great shots Andy, thanks for posting them.

puddleduck

08-10-2005, 22:21

Thanks for the nice comments guys :)

wseed - you are right about the cropping, these are all straight JPEGs out of the camera though, I do have an alternative version of the bridge with a bit more at the bottom, the colours are a bit off as sometimes I like to shoot with the WB on Cloudy to "warm up" the picture (which I can't decide if I like or not!)

http://www.odysseus-software.co.uk/albums/Tokyo/rainbow-bridge-web.jpg

ChrisB - I think there are newsgroups that carry that sort of thing :) I'll see what I can do, I hear ya :)

puddleduck

09-10-2005, 10:13

Well I was just buying my veg. and happened to have my camera on me (as you do!!) so thought I'd try my hand at some Street Photography....

Crossing, near JR Ochaimachi Station

http://www.odysseus-software.co.uk/albums/Tokyo/ameyoko-streetlife2-web.jpg

I think this is a slot machine place...!

http://www.odysseus-software.co.uk/albums/Tokyo/ameyoko-streetlife3-web.jpg

Street Chef in Ameyoko Market

http://www.odysseus-software.co.uk/albums/Tokyo/ameyoko-streetchef.jpg

Ameyoko at Night

http://www.odysseus-software.co.uk/albums/Tokyo/ameyoko-1-web.jpg

Under the railway tracks...!

http://www.odysseus-software.co.uk/albums/Tokyo/ameyoko-streetlife-web.jpg

Nana

10-10-2005, 08:03

I'd like to say a huge thank-you for sharing your Japanese photos. I love Japan and have always wanted to go.

I'd also like to know how you get such vivid shots (especially nightime) without flash, are you just putting them on longer exposure, or do you have a v. expensive camera with special lenses.
I really like the photo of the streetseller cooking and have no idea how you got it so crisp and clear without flashing the man if you'll excuse the phrase.

Radiohead

10-10-2005, 08:09

I'll take a guess at the Sigma 30mm f/1.4?

wseed

10-10-2005, 08:32

Some great colours in those night shots. Some of the earlier pictures the colour looks very flat but these are the complete opposite.

Are some of these just low light and not dark? You have a well exposed chef yet still have detail in the street for instance did you use flash and drag the shutter or just not that dark. Are they all hand held?

Radiohead

10-10-2005, 08:47

It looks like they're available light, and that there is a fair amount of ambient light from the flourescent lighting above street level. The chef shot is my favourite, but assuming it was wide open or close to wide oipen it shows the limited DOF here as the chef's slightly out of focus.

Lovely colours though, especially as Andy doesn't PP.

wseed

10-10-2005, 09:12

Doh! yep should have noticed that shadow on the guy's head shows it's no flash. I'm just obsessed at the mo trying to get some low light flash shots without plunging the background into darkness.

johndavis0

10-10-2005, 09:43

puddleduck

10-10-2005, 10:28

Hi Guys

Thanks for the comments guys - yes those were all taken with my Sigma 30mm f/1.4 - its my "wander around at night" lens - I don't really like using flash tbh and as the Sigma is short range, its also a bit anti-social! Most were shot pretty wide,

ISO would have been 400 on all those I think.

I've got a few more I took today at a Horse Back Archery show - unfortunately it was so wet, dark and rainy here, I had to put my camera on ISO1600 and even then my shutter was only around 1/30 so not sure I can salvage much :(

puddleduck

10-10-2005, 10:40

Well today was a Bank Holiday in Japan but nobody told me so I went into work - wondered why it was EMPTY! LOL! Anyhow, today was "Sports Day" so I had a look in my local rag. and "Takata-no-baba Yabusame (horseback archery) at Toyama Koen" sounded worth a trip....

Unfortunately it was very dark and wet and shutter was so slow I couldn't get anything moving much :(

It was ******* down

http://odysseus-software.co.uk/photos/albums/Yabusame/DSC7013_web.jpg

This one stayed still long enough not to be too blurry!!

http://odysseus-software.co.uk/photos/albums/Yabusame/DSC7056_web.jpg

Not sure if this guy was just wet, or bored!!

http://odysseus-software.co.uk/photos/albums/Yabusame/DSC7010_web.jpg

Liked the costumes though!

http://odysseus-software.co.uk/photos/albums/Yabusame/DSC7012_web.jpg

http://odysseus-software.co.uk/photos/albums/Yabusame/DSC7032_web_001.jpg

http://odysseus-software.co.uk/photos/albums/Yabusame/DSC7015_web.jpg

Another man on a horse!

http://odysseus-software.co.uk/photos/albums/Yabusame/DSC7062_web.jpg

Radiohead

10-10-2005, 10:45

are they all ISO1600 Andy?

emeyedeejay

10-10-2005, 10:46

fifth down Andy - the one with the sword as main subject is simply stunning! :notworthy:

(Erm... the rest are too but that one in particular!)

johndavis0

10-10-2005, 10:48

Liking these a lot, expecially 4 & 5 still colourfull even though it's dull weather.

No one has a sticky out belly button :nuts:

Boink!

10-10-2005, 11:38

http://odysseus-software.co.uk/photos/albums/album01/DSC7013_web.jpg

I love this photo, the expression of the archer and the rain falling.
Thanks for posting these pictures of Japan, makes me want all the more to visit the country.

Q: Do you speak/read any japanese?

Leigh

10-10-2005, 12:03

Im just getting red 'x's'! :(

Im guessing its these?

http://odysseus-software.co.uk/photos/Yabusame

wseed

10-10-2005, 12:15

Red X's for me too but i sunk a peak at your album and they all show up there. Looks a spectacular even and something you would just miss as a tourist. I like the sword shot too although I might be tempted to modify the colour on the turquoise out of focus area. It looks, to me, unnatural and distracting. I also like the pic of the guy's back with the arrows, the framing is great. The other one of note is the chap on horseback where the slow shutter has stretched the rain, the framing could however have been a little better.

Those bows are very interesting, I used to dabble in a little toxophily myself and have never shot anything like that. I guess the short lower limb is due to being on horseback I would have assumed that the unbalanced bow would cause strange results on the flight of the arrow but then I never was that great at physics.

puddleduck

10-10-2005, 12:57

Thanks for the feedback wseed - always good to know what you think - I remember your comments on my Airshow shots a while back and I re-did them 'cos of that, so nice one :)

All these shots are out-of-the-box and just NoiseNinja'd then re-sized with bilear+sharpen then I used SaveToWeb for a bit of colour boost on some - I agree about the sword shot, I've tweaked my settings to give nice out-of-the-box JPEGs - sometimes it overdoes it a bit!

Just for you I've gone to the NEF for that one - I think the cyan is a bit more under control now!

Framing was generally a nightmare, I'd line up a nice shot, then an unbrella would pop up in front off me out of no-where!! :nuts:

Radiohead

10-10-2005, 13:14

Were they all ISO1600?

puddleduck

10-10-2005, 13:21

I love this photo, the expression of the archer and the rain falling.
Thanks for posting these pictures of Japan, makes me want all the more to visit the country.

Q: Do you speak/read any japanese?

Well I can recognise the symbols for "Post Office" and "Nikon" and that's my lot, so that'll be a big "No" to the reading part! - as to speaking - well I can get by with a few basics, and I was quite chuffed the other day as I bought some step-down rings by mistake rather than step-up rings and the shop understood me when I asked to change them over :)

Glad you like the pic - its my favorite as well.

Were they all ISO1600?

The ones posted here are mostly ISO1000 actually - I thought I'd set it to 1600, but must have mis-read the dial in the low-light!

Radiohead

10-10-2005, 13:53

Still pretty impressive IMO.

puddleduck

13-10-2005, 11:11

Well this was a weird one, another day and seemingly another festival!

Lots of decorated twirly-things...

http://odysseus-software.co.uk/photos/albums/O-eshiki/carnival1_web.jpg

Piper

http://odysseus-software.co.uk/photos/albums/O-eshiki/carnival2_web.jpg

Women's Institute Japan style

Red's have gone a bit nuts in this one...

http://odysseus-software.co.uk/photos/albums/O-eshiki/carnival3_web.jpg

Pretty lights

http://odysseus-software.co.uk/photos/albums/O-eshiki/carnival4_web.jpg

http://odysseus-software.co.uk/photos/albums/O-eshiki/carnival5_web.jpg

Energetic Chap!

http://odysseus-software.co.uk/photos/albums/O-eshiki/carnival6_web.jpg

Faythur

13-10-2005, 12:03

WOW! I've just 'stumbled' across this thread today. Some absolutely fabulous photography there matey! :notworthy

I am not much of a techie when it comes to photography, but I assume you are using some expensive kit there? Very impressed! :thumbs:

swsxp02

13-10-2005, 12:12

I am not much of a techie when it comes to photography, but I assume you are using some expensive kit there? Very impressed! :thumbs:

I always smile when I hear people say things like this. Please don't take it the wrong way Faythur, I'm sure your intentions are good ;) and I know exactly what you mean, but it reminds my of an old mate who was a photographer. Whenever anyone complimented him on his work and added comments such as 'You must have a really good camera...' etc.. He would always reply -

If you visited your Granny, and she had just baked some fantastic cakes, would you compliment her and say 'Wow, these are great, you must have a really good oven..' :lol:

Faythur

14-10-2005, 00:08

Point taken ;)

:lol:

puddleduck

14-10-2005, 00:28

Point taken ;)

:lol:

Glad you enjoyed the pics - nothing that expensive my end - entry level DSLR and cheapo 3rd party lens - I'm a tight-arse! :)

stormywhether

14-10-2005, 11:17

puddleduck

14-10-2005, 11:30

I was gonna ask you this a while back Andy, but didn't get round to it.

When you go to festivals and that, and just general shots, do you ask permission before shooting people?

Especially that festival with the dolls and that, and people blessing stuff. Do they generally go ok with that?

For the Doll festival I sortof just gate-crashed the official roped-off Pro area to be honest - for that reason, I figured it was OK to take photos for that, so no, didn't ask permission!

I've not really felt the need to ask permission - if you think of the stereotypically Japanese tourist in London - well its actually the same at events here, loads of cameras and flashes and stuff going off, so it doesn't seem to be an issue.

puddleduck

26-10-2005, 22:22

Well its been a while since I added some more pics, so a quick update..

Autumn, Nikko

http://odysseus-software.co.uk/photos/albums/Japan/DSC7971_01_web.jpg

Kegon Falls, Nikko

http://odysseus-software.co.uk/photos/albums/Japan/DSC7967_01_web.jpg

Shrine Roof, Kyoto

http://odysseus-software.co.uk/photos/albums/Japan/DSC7665_02_web.jpg

Street Painting, China Town, Yokohama

http://odysseus-software.co.uk/photos/albums/Japan/DSC8006_01_web.jpg

Matholwch

26-10-2005, 22:35

You should be entering the weekly comp with these photos mate - stuning autumn colours! :thumbs:

If no one much is about you're welcome to take one down and submit to the competion... :)

Vulcan101

26-10-2005, 22:41

The reds in the top one are so vivid it looks unreal. Did you "perk" the image up with photoshop or a filter to get those colours.

But as always really good photos on this thread and always happy to see more (hint, hint).

The low light ones from earlier in the thread were all taken with the 30mm f1.4 I take it, it looks an excellent lens that. Almost tempted to get one myself (although I seriously doubt I could do as well as you).

Boink!

26-10-2005, 22:52

Great photos again, though the colours do seem to be a little oversaturated in the last four. Good to see you're getting time out from your job to see some of the area (me, jealous? Of course ;) )

Jon

puddleduck

26-10-2005, 22:57

Cheers for the comments guys!

Some of the colours are a bit nuts - for these, I tended to Spot Meter on a colour I was interested in, and the Autumn shots were using a Nikon Circular Polarizer II, with the sun behind me.

The sun was in for this one, so looks a bit more muted...

http://odysseus-software.co.uk/photos/albums/Japan/DSC7984_web.jpg

Leigh

27-10-2005, 07:49

Some lovely photos again Andy, i like the shrine roof especially.

Brozyniak

27-10-2005, 08:09

Just picked up on this trhead again. Some great shooting there Andy. I especially like those celebration pictures. What ISO were you having to use with the f1.4 (which is what i assume you were using? ) The fasted lens I have is f2.8 and I sometimes struggle in those situations as I hate to go above 200ISO.

The autumn colours keep on reminding me that I've always wanted to do new England in the fall. Maybe japan may be more dramatic!

wseed

27-10-2005, 08:34

Some great colours in those latest ones Andy and I love the composition in the first 2 Autumn ones. the out of focus waterfall is a little distracting maybe I can't decide. If you hadn't told me it was a waterfall I would have been wondering "what's with the white streak!" Not sure if that's good or bad, just an observation.

The Chinatown one looks like you've coloured it in with highlighter, incredible colours.

puddleduck

27-10-2005, 10:07

Hi

Glad you are enjoying this series of pics - I love Japan :)

Brozniyak - For the Sigma 30mm f1.4 I tend to use ISO400.

Wseed - Yep, agree about the waterfall - wasn't sure about that myself, but I liked the leaves - how's this one...

Lake Chuzenji, Nikko

http://odysseus-software.co.uk/photos/albums/Japan/DSC7966_01_web.jpg

puddleduck

28-10-2005, 11:30

Few more from me... bit of a metallic theme on all these!

Gun, Yasakuni Shrine, Tokyo

http://odysseus-software.co.uk/photos/albums/Japan/DSC7529_01_web.jpg

Statue, Kiyomizudera, Kyoto

http://odysseus-software.co.uk/photos/albums/Japan/DSC7742_01_web.jpg

Pots!

http://odysseus-software.co.uk/photos/albums/Japan/DSC8076_01_web.jpg

Great Buddha, Kamakura

http://odysseus-software.co.uk/photos/albums/Japan/DSC8097_01_web.jpg

Dusk over the tracks, Kyoto

http://odysseus-software.co.uk/photos/albums/Japan/DSC7911_01_web.jpg

Leigh

28-10-2005, 11:49

Lovely shots again andy.

What lens did you use for the last photo?

Boink!

28-10-2005, 12:01

Damn you for being in a gorgeous & awesome place and taking great photos!!!

puddleduck

28-10-2005, 23:31

Lovely shots again andy.

What lens did you use for the last photo?

That one was taken with a lens you have on your shopping list - the Sigma 10-20mm! Taken at 10mm with a Nikon Circular Polariser II filter.

puddleduck

29-10-2005, 06:23

Here are a few generic tourist type shots I've taken over the last few days, nothing too exciting... more memories than anything else..!

Autumn in Kyoto

http://odysseus-software.co.uk/photos/albums/Japan/DSC7865_01_web.jpg

Fuji-san! View from Hakone

http://odysseus-software.co.uk/photos/albums/Japan/DSC8190_01_web.jpg

Votives, Kiyomizudera, Kyoto

http://odysseus-software.co.uk/photos/albums/Japan/DSC7763_web.jpg

Bagoda, Kiyomizudera, Kyoto

http://odysseus-software.co.uk/photos/albums/Japan/DSC7736_web.jpg

Wooden Balcony, Kiyomizudera, Kyoto

http://odysseus-software.co.uk/photos/albums/Japan/DSC7775_web.jpg

Roof paintings, Senso-ji, Akasuka

http://odysseus-software.co.uk/photos/albums/Japan/DSC7925_web.jpg

Danimal

29-10-2005, 09:47

I am loving this thread, accidentally stumbled across this forum for the first time on my way to the bargain forum! I've been to Japan several times and it is difficult to explain to people just how beautiful some of the scenery is. Most people only see the heavy industry/fluorescent lights of the cities.

/subscribes to thread :thumbs:

dancleary1

29-10-2005, 10:06

Just like Danimal I've stumbled upon this thread. These pictures are fantastic- i love the pics of the streetlife- superb!

puddleduck

31-10-2005, 22:48

Just a few taken at a local Festival...

http://odysseus-software.co.uk/photos/albums/MeijiShrineFestival/DSC8384_web.jpg

http://odysseus-software.co.uk/photos/albums/MeijiShrineFestival/DSC8285_web.jpg

http://odysseus-software.co.uk/photos/albums/MeijiShrineFestival/DSC8306_01_web.jpg

http://odysseus-software.co.uk/photos/albums/MeijiShrineFestival/DSC8407_02.jpg

http://odysseus-software.co.uk/photos/albums/MeijiShrineFestival/DSC8273_web.jpg

http://odysseus-software.co.uk/photos/albums/MeijiShrineFestival/DSC8386_web.jpg

Boink!

01-11-2005, 02:56

Excellent as ever. Thanks for showing us things that aren't just the normal tourist standard fayre. :thumbs:

GreyJackal

01-11-2005, 08:38

It's like Alan Whicker with a camera..."Our Man in Japan" :D

emeyedeejay

01-11-2005, 09:22

Stunning Andy ... this thread keeps me coming back for more ... :thumbs:

Leigh

01-11-2005, 09:31

That one was taken with a lens you have on your shopping list - the Sigma 10-20mm! Taken at 10mm with a Nikon Circular Polariser II filter.

Oh, really, nice! How are you finding it now? have you changed your opinions about it at all?

Well rememberd by the way! ;)

puddleduck

01-11-2005, 09:39

Oh, really, nice! How are you finding it now? have you changed your opinions about it at all?

Well rememberd by the way! ;)

Its OK, but still not a keeper for me if I'm honest.

Leigh

01-11-2005, 09:41

Fair enough, at least your getting some use out of it while your there

Nana

01-11-2005, 10:01

Stunning Andy ... this thread keeps me coming back for more ... :thumbs:

Seconded, although I don't post how good it is as often as I'd like as it would seem a bit :dork: .
But I do love Japan and I love your pictures, you have a wonderful eye.

jaboker

01-11-2005, 13:07

That Rainbow Bridge, Odaiba and Statue of Liberty are really good! Look great!

Steve1977

01-11-2005, 22:24

Iv fell in love with Japan based on those photos mate, would love to go there now.

puddleduck

03-11-2005, 07:16

Wasn't sure whether to post any of these, as today was the photographic equivilant of getting your goolies caught in a mangle...!

Anyhow as today was a public holiday here, so I thought I'd pop over to the White Heron Festival. Unfortunately several thousand Tokyo-ites also had the same idea....!

It was packed..

http://odysseus-software.co.uk/photos/albums/Japan/DSC8530_web.jpg

About the best view of a "White Heron" I got was this :(

http://odysseus-software.co.uk/photos/albums/Japan/DSC8519_web.jpg

...and a quick snap of the kids in the parade

http://odysseus-software.co.uk/photos/albums/Japan/DSC8479_web.jpg

When the dancing started I was miles away... (today was a photographic nightmare)

http://odysseus-software.co.uk/photos/albums/Japan/DSC8607_web.jpg

http://odysseus-software.co.uk/photos/albums/Japan/DSC8584_web.jpg

http://odysseus-software.co.uk/photos/albums/Japan/DSC8567_web.jpg

Lots of VERY strange food was on offer!!

http://odysseus-software.co.uk/photos/albums/Japan/DSC8650_02.jpg

Biting off more that he could chew!

http://odysseus-software.co.uk/photos/albums/Japan/eating_kid.jpg

puddleduck

04-11-2005, 09:36

Well here are a few from a hike I did today around Mount Takao, about 50 minutes away from Tokyo...

Offerings

http://odysseus-software.co.uk/photos/albums/Japan/DSC8764_web.jpg

Wood carving

http://odysseus-software.co.uk/photos/albums/Japan/DSC8772_web.jpg

Shrine Guardian

http://odysseus-software.co.uk/photos/albums/Japan/DSC8838_web.jpg

A Shinto Priest begging for contributions

http://odysseus-software.co.uk/photos/albums/Japan/DSC8901_web.jpg.

Highlander

04-11-2005, 09:54

Very nice pics Andy. There seems to be a festival every day over there?
Anyway, looks like you're having a great time over there. Can't remember, but are you over there for work or travelling?

sideshowbob

04-11-2005, 10:05

It's sad to see so many heron addicts in one place, I never knew it was such a problem in Japan. :oh-hum:

Brozyniak

04-11-2005, 11:20

It's sad to see so many heron addicts in one place, I never knew it was such a problem in Japan. :oh-hum:

Groan.

Great pics Andy. Japan is on my list for 2006 for sure now.

puddleduck

06-11-2005, 21:34

Well Autumn here in Japan is starting to give some lovely colours... I can see why people say October and November is the best time to visit - its still around 17C with lovely clear blue skies :)

Just for constast, only a hint of autumn colours here....

http://odysseus-software.co.uk/photos/albums/Japan/autumn1_web.jpg

But higher up its changing...

http://odysseus-software.co.uk/photos/albums/Japan/autumn5_web.jpg

http://odysseus-software.co.uk/photos/albums/Japan/autumn4_web.jpg

Until... BAAM!!!

http://odysseus-software.co.uk/photos/albums/Japan/autumn6_web.jpg

http://odysseus-software.co.uk/photos/albums/Japan/autumn2_web.jpg

matt_james27

06-11-2005, 21:43

wow! they're all great pix, thnx for sharing em :) was fun gawping at them all !

strange lollipops in ice thing !?!

kenny-c-

06-11-2005, 22:27

brilliant shots :D

looks quite nice in japan quiet and peaceful wouldnt mind going over to visit

GavinT

07-11-2005, 02:17

puddleduck

07-11-2005, 05:20

Autumn in Japan rocks. Along with Spring, its my favourite season.

Dec 4th, will be going to Kamakura with my family and friends (visiting me, for my wedding ceremony the day before). I went to Kamakura about the same time last year, and there were still a lot of red and yellow tree's around then. Beautiful!!!

Linky.. (http://www.ippoippo.net/gallery_upload_area/japan/kamakura/20041205/20041205_0002.jpg)

EDIT: Mt. Takao looks great. I want to go there, and Mt. Tsukuba some time. Probably do it next spring now, not got time at moment.

Nice autumny-pic there Gavin!

I just had a walk around Hibiya Park during my lunchhour, and thats starting to get some nice colours there. I went to Kamakura a week or two back but it pee'd down so will do it again!

Hibiya Park (lunchtime today)

http://odysseus-software.co.uk/photos/albums/Japan/DSC8922_web.jpg

http://odysseus-software.co.uk/photos/albums/Japan/DSC8928_web.jpg

Definately go to Takao if you get the chance - its dead quick to get there from Shinjuku (nip on the Keio line) and there are some nice walks.

puddleduck

13-11-2005, 05:23

Been a bit quiet on the photo front, but probably bave enough for a quick update..

http://odysseus-software.co.uk/photos/albums/Japan/DSC9222_web.jpg

Maple leaves

http://odysseus-software.co.uk/photos/albums/Japan/DSC9134_web.jpg

No, you may NOT have your ball back..!

http://odysseus-software.co.uk/photos/albums/Japan/DSC8778_web.jpg

Coi Carpl!

http://odysseus-software.co.uk/photos/albums/Japan/DSC9248_web.jpg

http://odysseus-software.co.uk/photos/albums/Japan/DSC9242_web.jpg

http://odysseus-software.co.uk/photos/albums/Japan/DSC9050_web.jpg

Copper chest

http://odysseus-software.co.uk/photos/albums/Japan/DSC8740_web.jpg

Burnt Offerings

http://odysseus-software.co.uk/photos/albums/Japan/DSC8754_web.jpg

puddleduck

16-11-2005, 12:12

Right, I'm getting a bit bored with autumn - its finally starting to get a bit cold here...

Grabbed these this morning before work...

http://odysseus-software.co.uk/photos/albums/Japan/mid_autumn3_web.jpg

http://odysseus-software.co.uk/photos/albums/Japan/mid_autumn2.jpg

http://odysseus-software.co.uk/photos/albums/Japan/mid_autumn5_web.jpg

http://odysseus-software.co.uk/photos/albums/Japan/mid_autumn1.jpg

http://odysseus-software.co.uk/photos/albums/Japan/DSC9209_web.jpg

puddleduck

20-11-2005, 05:23

Just minding my own business.. and then a Marathon broke out right round the corner - and I was only nipping out to buy some veg....!

No idea who this is, but she got a big cheer!

http://odysseus-software.co.uk/photos/albums/Japan/DSC9520_web.jpg

Pull over, you're speeding...!

http://odysseus-software.co.uk/photos/albums/Japan/DSC9489_web.jpg

(yep I missed focus on that one!)

Press photographer - lens envy :dork:

http://odysseus-software.co.uk/photos/albums/Japan/DSC9470_web.jpg

http://odysseus-software.co.uk/photos/albums/Japan/DSC9505_web.jpg

http://odysseus-software.co.uk/photos/albums/Japan/DSC9485_web.jpg

Leigh

20-11-2005, 11:07

Damn lens envy i hate that.

I love the fact you were popping out for veg..... and you still had your camera :D

Boink!

20-11-2005, 12:27

That's the wonder / beauty of Japan, there's always the chance of seeing something worth snapping. I think I'd take my camera everywhere with me.

Definately go to Takao if you get the chance - its dead quick to get there from Shinjuku (nip on the Keio line) and there are some nice walks.
Oh, anyone else have a quick snigger at that unintentional pun? :nono:

;)

Radiohead

20-11-2005, 13:28

That's the wonder / beauty of Japan, there's always the chance of seeing something worth snapping. I think I'd take my camera everywhere with me.

Judging by the number of Japanese over here with cameras no doubt they say the same about us.

:lol: @ the pun.

puddleduck

26-11-2005, 00:51

Bit of a random selection this week...!

Shrine Carving

http://odysseus-software.co.uk/photos/albums/Japan/DSC9539_web.jpg

Fight!!!

http://odysseus-software.co.uk/photos/albums/Japan/DSC9575_web.jpg

Noodles!!

http://odysseus-software.co.uk/photos/albums/Japan/DSC9652_web.jpg

Engrossed!

http://odysseus-software.co.uk/photos/albums/Japan/DSC9633_web_001.jpg

Fake!

http://odysseus-software.co.uk/photos/albums/Japan/rainbow.jpg

Lanterns!

http://odysseus-software.co.uk/photos/albums/Japan/DSC9658_web.jpg

Sweet maker

http://odysseus-software.co.uk/photos/albums/Japan/DSC9647_web.jpg

GavinT

28-11-2005, 01:00

Fake!
http://odysseus-software.co.uk/photos/albums/Japan/rainbow.jpg

Shame you couldn't recompose that shot a bit. Then you could get Tokyo Tower into shot.

Then you'd have 3 'fakes' in view.
Fake Statue of Liberty.
Fake SF. Golden Gate Bridge (except Rainbow bridge is not Golden)
Fake Eiffel Tower (Tokyo Tower)

puddleduck

28-11-2005, 01:44

Shame you couldn't recompose that shot a bit. Then you could get Tokyo Tower into shot.

Then you'd have 3 'fakes' in view.
Fake Statue of Liberty.
Fake SF. Golden Gate Bridge (except Rainbow bridge is not Golden)
Fake Eiffel Tower (Tokyo Tower)

Yeah, I've had a go at all 3 actually but I think to do that I'd need to get much higher up - I've actually see a really nice shot just as you suggest, but for the life of me I can't figure out where in Odaiba they took that shot... it might be possible to do it from Fuji TV :)