Photography in Japan - Part 1
Japan December -January 2013
#travel #japan #travelphotography #Osaka
Well you would think after 4 trips to this amazing place, I would be done, but nooooooo, far from it. In fact each time I go back I just want to return even more.
Did that make sense?
It was only this last trip that I actually lugged my heavy Canon with me, other trips have been with much lighter prosumer cameras or just iPhones. Quality photography was on my list of priorities this time.
Our first week there was based in Osaka, covering Nara, Kyoto, Hiroshima and Miyajima Island.
We travelled with a group of 22, so you can imagine us navigating the train systems over there.
It seems every train that pulled up was filled to the brim, but no, more can always fit..somewhere.....
Some tips for travelling....
One thing I will avoid from now onwards is travelling at peak hours and getting bus transfers from the airport to accommodation. Imagine 22 aussies cramming onto the same carriage with 20 plus kgs of luggage as well as hand luggage each!!! The provided luggage storage area can fit about 4 bags, so it was interesting and a little stressful constantly making sure we hadn't left anyone or thing on the platform.
A great idea was getting the JR pass before we left Australia! No need for lining up or deciphering ticket machines every time we went somewhere, just jump on and "flash the badge" at the other end.
Regardless of how quick the trains are, it still seems to take awhile to get 22 bodies from A to B, and there is still a lot of walking involved, a good pair of shoes are a given.
If going in winter, like we always do, layering your clothing is also a good idea as everything indoors is super heated and you need to be able to strip off a little once inside. I suggest a long coat that covers your waist and hips and a beanie and scarf are also quick and easy to rug up more.
One of my biggest problems is working out what lenses to take and how many of them. Obviously I would like to take them all, but it would be over my weight limit and would need a pack horse to cart it! So I take the one size fits all options and continue to get frustrated the entire trip because I don't have my zoom or my wide etc etc.... Its a good idea to take two just in case one malfunctions but I leave one in the hotel room and just take the other out on each daily adventure, mainly due to the weight of my gear.
We stayed at a very convenient motel in Osaka which was just up the road from Osaka Castle and across the road via a covered walkway from Kyobashi Station. This station was on the main loop line of Osaka so easy to get to any station from the loop line trains. Would definitely stay there again, for the convenience though the beds were like sleeping on the floor with a paling fence attached to your back.
Osaka Castle
Photo opportunities are everywhere in Osaka, whether you are into street photography, landscapes, timelapse night scenes, or the classic architecture and temples scattered everywhere. The latter being my favourite to shoot. It's easy to see a castle and just point and shoot but so you don't have pics that look just like everyone else's get some more detailed close up shots as well as different angles, if it has been raining get reflections in puddles, if its snowing try and capture the atmosphere it creates rather than scampering indoors. The weather seems to change rapidly in the winter here so keep an eye out for changes in light that can change a view in seconds, like this shot of Ni-Jo castle just before the skies opened up.
Hiroshima - Dome
There are vending machines everywhere so you never have to worry about where to get a quick snack or drink.
This was the ultimate in vending machines - an ice cream sandwich one!!! Struck Gold!!
Kyoto Higashiyama Bamboo Forrest
Osaka
Part 2 will cover the ski component of this trip and previous trips.
#travel #japan #travelphotography #Osaka
Well you would think after 4 trips to this amazing place, I would be done, but nooooooo, far from it. In fact each time I go back I just want to return even more.
Did that make sense?
It was only this last trip that I actually lugged my heavy Canon with me, other trips have been with much lighter prosumer cameras or just iPhones. Quality photography was on my list of priorities this time.
Our first week there was based in Osaka, covering Nara, Kyoto, Hiroshima and Miyajima Island.
We travelled with a group of 22, so you can imagine us navigating the train systems over there.
It seems every train that pulled up was filled to the brim, but no, more can always fit..somewhere.....
Some tips for travelling....
One thing I will avoid from now onwards is travelling at peak hours and getting bus transfers from the airport to accommodation. Imagine 22 aussies cramming onto the same carriage with 20 plus kgs of luggage as well as hand luggage each!!! The provided luggage storage area can fit about 4 bags, so it was interesting and a little stressful constantly making sure we hadn't left anyone or thing on the platform.
A great idea was getting the JR pass before we left Australia! No need for lining up or deciphering ticket machines every time we went somewhere, just jump on and "flash the badge" at the other end.
Regardless of how quick the trains are, it still seems to take awhile to get 22 bodies from A to B, and there is still a lot of walking involved, a good pair of shoes are a given.
If going in winter, like we always do, layering your clothing is also a good idea as everything indoors is super heated and you need to be able to strip off a little once inside. I suggest a long coat that covers your waist and hips and a beanie and scarf are also quick and easy to rug up more.
One of my biggest problems is working out what lenses to take and how many of them. Obviously I would like to take them all, but it would be over my weight limit and would need a pack horse to cart it! So I take the one size fits all options and continue to get frustrated the entire trip because I don't have my zoom or my wide etc etc.... Its a good idea to take two just in case one malfunctions but I leave one in the hotel room and just take the other out on each daily adventure, mainly due to the weight of my gear.
We stayed at a very convenient motel in Osaka which was just up the road from Osaka Castle and across the road via a covered walkway from Kyobashi Station. This station was on the main loop line of Osaka so easy to get to any station from the loop line trains. Would definitely stay there again, for the convenience though the beds were like sleeping on the floor with a paling fence attached to your back.
Osaka Castle
Photo opportunities are everywhere in Osaka, whether you are into street photography, landscapes, timelapse night scenes, or the classic architecture and temples scattered everywhere. The latter being my favourite to shoot. It's easy to see a castle and just point and shoot but so you don't have pics that look just like everyone else's get some more detailed close up shots as well as different angles, if it has been raining get reflections in puddles, if its snowing try and capture the atmosphere it creates rather than scampering indoors. The weather seems to change rapidly in the winter here so keep an eye out for changes in light that can change a view in seconds, like this shot of Ni-Jo castle just before the skies opened up.
Hiroshima - Dome
Miyajima Island Tori Gates
Street vendor on Miyajima selling squid ink...hmmm
There are vending machines everywhere so you never have to worry about where to get a quick snack or drink.
This was the ultimate in vending machines - an ice cream sandwich one!!! Struck Gold!!
Nara - deers shopping
Nara
Kyoto Higashiyama Bamboo Forrest
Ni-Jo Castle, Kyoto
Osaka
Part 2 will cover the ski component of this trip and previous trips.
Anyone would think you like it there!!
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