It's always a challenge to go somewhere many have gone, even yourself on several occasions, and "see" something different, just or differently.
Winter can provide different light, especially when leaf cover diminishes.
Fresh paint helps also.
Escorted
On our visit to Chinatown in Kobe, we were unintentionally escorted by a group of high school kids.
It seemed that everywhere we wanted to go, they went to, so for about an hour we ambled in loose ensemble, all engaged in our own things. The longer we were around them, the more infectious their sense of comradeship and fun became.
Night watch
Passing a small real estate office near our hotel, my wife and I noticed an owl (real) sitting on the back of a chair. Possibly there to catch mice after dark or simply as a companion for the owner.
A brief moment of clarity, prompted me to enquire whether they would charge by commission, Owl-ey, or maybe higher perches?
My wife just quietly walked away.
Smokin'
Smoking in Japan is often limited to specific smoking areas. These give the like minded people a chance to catch up and socialise. Even if there is not enough room.
EM5 17mm
Ghosts of things past
One of my early photographic inspirations came from the work of Keith Lazelle. He would walk the entire length of the Appalachian trail, armed with 35mm Olympus cameras and a variety of lenses, aiming for fine art level images that he would then sell in the "down" months.
Some of his images, discovered by me first in Camera and Darkroom magazine (sometime in the '90's), have stayed with me since. His use of deep and mysterious light, contrast and abstraction drawn from Fuji Velvia slides and printed on Ciba(Ilfra)chrome paper were (are) magnificent and a testament to his photographic eye and the care he took translating his vision.
I cannot claim to match him, but with him in mind often, I am drawn to images like the one below.
The Philosopher's trail Kyoto. EM5 25mm lens
Kobe China style
A few more images of China town in Kobe.
Same but different
The same crossing as before, next change of lights.
More Magic Light
More examples of light in Kobe. The day went from sunny and mild to cold, sleeting and windy. Lousy weather tends to make for brilliant light as a rule and that was the case here.
All images, EM5 and 17mm except the middle one taken with the 45mm
Tripplet
Kobe is an interesting city of contrasts. The day trip we made showed us three disparate "feels". We started west of the station in an area that looked like it was all about the promise of an interesting night life, then we went up the surrounding hills to find colonial trading houses and faux European street scenes and then down to the city proper, where magnificent tall and regal office buildings and top end shopping contrasted strongly with China Town and dock lands.
Once the gateway for foreign trades and renown for Kobe Beef, the city still plays an important role today.
For me, it offered great light, interesting people and that mix of un self conscious small town and proud, vibrant city that tends to produce interesting images.
Below, I felt that I had a balanced image first up. The light was interesting and the main subject (I feel it is the slightly classic looking man) had plenty of support.
The second image, giving you an indication of how often I push the button when walking and framing, is more pointed. It takes away much of the street feeling and becomes more about the man and the crowd opposite, almost a "me against the tide of them" statement.
The third image exaggerates the feelings from the image above, making the man the secondary, framing element to the man on the left across the road. Light becomes the framing factor here, not compositional, subject balance.
My favourite is the middle one at the moment, but these things change.
All images EM5 with the 17mm
Old School
Just really like the "Adams" feel of this one.
EM5 files do have the ability to look film like, especially in the often difficult (for digital) highlights.
EM5 45mm
Becoming lost
My usual work process is to import my images with a pre set called "gentle". This gives me a small boost in whites with a corresponding drop off in blacks, reduced highlights and slightly boosted shadows. This image was imported "as shot" in Olympus RAW and very gently pushed.
Sometimes I think I (we) need to reset. The Japanese have a saying that goes something like "If you are at a dead end, go back and start again with a "learning mind"".
EM5 75mm
Dust bin dance
I love the Japanese work ethic. Worth doing, worth doing well, worth having fun.
Seconds
Seconds apart, showing a world of expressive difference.
EM5 45mm
Texture
Something that I find impossible to ignore in Japan is the use of texture. Nothing is left to chance. Everything you notice is to be noticed, even if the draw is expertly subtle.
magic F2
An example of the good street bokeh the 17mm offers.
Shot at F2, with the lens focussed at about 2m (by mistake)
First morning images
I am clearly not very organised as the images from the Japan trip seem to be coming in any old order.
An Italian salesman once said to me, "For good luck, the first sale of the day must be completed successfully, no matter how it is done" or words to that effect. In that vein, I tend to be too aware of the first mornings images when travelling, especially as my photography seems to be getting less frequent at home, leaving me a little rusty.
The walk from our hotel near the station to the "main drag" in Kyoto.
All images EM5 mk1 and 17mm. Generally the images are "zone" focussed with slight tweaks as I go, using the scale on the lens.
Path to Happiness
Japan is one of the unhappiest countries in the world according to some sources. I believe, the people strive to make that not so, no matter the reality of their existence out of a sense of social duty (part cause of their unhappiness?). Some manage better than others.
Their main route to personal wellbeing seems to be the company of others.
Beware of the bears
It is a unique experience wandering in the woods in Japan. Manicured, ancient, but so close to civilisation. Apart from a fire hydrant on top of a hill, there was a sign warning of, among other things, bears and snakes (never mind the dragons). This was 5 minutes out of Kyoto.
Kobe Corners
Part of a continuing fascination with street corners in Japan's cities. These are from Kobe, a city of contrasts.
Night flow
Thinking more of my stomach than images, I threw my bag over my shoulder on the way out the door "just in case". Within 30 minutes, I was glad I did as the opportunities flowed effortlessly.
Most images EM5 with the 25mm, except two images taken with the 17mm.
