Kyoto (Japan)

Kyoto! Japan's Ancient Capital! Its certainly a sight! Before Tokyo (Previously named Edo) Became the modern capital of Japan, Kyoto was the government center of Japan. And it doesnt dissapoint. Graciously restored/mantained Kyoto continues to preserve much of its ancient heritage with many of the streets and houses unchanged since the days of the Tokugawa Era (If I'm not mistaken) or earlier! Going thru the streets one can easily Imagine them several hundreds of years ago with Samurai and Geiko/Geisha roaming the streets (Of which Geiko & Geisha still do!). Alas spending only one night in the old district in an ancient ryokan was little more than a tease of what old Kyoto had to offer photographically as the rest of our trip was spent on the more modern side near the Train Station. Below are pictures from Kyoto and our the Bullet train stations, closing my Japan posts as the rest of the images have been featured or mentioned in previous posts.














One of the things that I was particularly happy about during this trip was that I picked up an eye for little details. Shooting with a Mentor and many other experienced photographers was certainly an experience I would like to repeat as I believe my creative insight and photographic eye improved tenfold. A trend which I have noticed improving since my Japan Trip.

Nara (Japan)

Nara was another of my fave locations to shoot during my trip to Japan (although in all honesty I dont think there was a single thing that wasnt my fave to shoot! lol)

Another of Japan's glorious traditional and ancient temples, Nara was particularly special because of the roaming Deer! (and the Giant Budha statue inside the temple). The young deer were easily found roaming around the temple grounds and about as afraid of humans as an average American afraid of a burger! They had no qualms in approaching visitors, and some even cheeky enough to poke around in pockets for anything edible. A large reason for this is that the temple allows and even encourages the feeding of these young fawn by selling panckakes on which they feast on. With an ample and easily accessible supply of food these little animals have little to fear, and even less to want outside the temple grounds.


They are however incredibly bad models as getting them to stay still AND look where you wanted them too was a difficult task indeed! I was able to help my mentor get an able image with one of the deer, however it was rather less responsive when I got behind the lens. Anywais enough yabbering. Enjoy!



The Intricate Details of the Temple were Incredible!



As I mentioned the deer were more than happy to come and say Hi!



Inside the temple I was lucky enough to see this woman being photographed by her husband. however whilst he might have been attempting to get her lit with his flash, I was more interested in the sillouette she was creating



This is one of my fave images of the trip! This father was teaching his child to salute...just like the giant Budha!



Although this isnt the giant budha of the temple this little one in children's clothing was quite amusing ( I was unfortunately unable to get a clear Image of the giant one in the temple)



The Temple



Schoolchildren comming to visit the temple (I love the uniforms!)



In Japan before entering sacred grounds its customary to was your hands and mouth with these as a sign of cleansing.

Japan Pictures

So, after various requests for more Japan Pictures, and having had to delay the processing of them to pump the MCM pics out for downloading, but now I'm back, and with another deadline for the Japan pics! 18th of the month, since its the last day to submit images for the Japan trip competition done by the Mentor series :).

As part of the program I also get to put 15 of my images in a combined book, printed by MPIX, containing images from all of us! so here they are!