Photography has really shifted how I view the world. It’s like a window into new experiences and a way to revisit familiar places. Take my island, New Caledonia, for example. This blog is where I share my perspective on the world through my photography. I hope you find it enjoyable!
HIGASHI HONGANJI TEMPLE GATE
KYOTO, JAPAN
Though we arrived in Tokyo, we didn’t stay there on our first night. We headed straight to Kyoto. Yes I know, we could’ve landed in Osaka, which would’ve been a lot closer, but it’s a long story. We arrived in Kyoto mid-afternoon. Once we found our hotel, we just dumped our stuff and headed straight back out. The hotel was well situated. Only a ten (10) minute walk from Kyoto Station and Kyoto Tower, and only a five minute walk from this temple, the Higashi Honganji Temple.
I had to cross to the other side of the road to capture this photo. The gate entrance is gigantic and you can tell by the couple walking in the middle. Massive wood pillars accentuated with white paint (I think it’s paint) and beautiful tiles. A huge chandelier and other detailed decorations are covered in gold leaf. Stunning ! A huge courtyard as you walk in with two (2) halls on the other side. They are just as stunning and amazing with the amount of gold covered decorations, carvings, chandeliers (yes, plurial) and other things. Not to mention the near one thousand (1000) tatamis covering the floor just in the Founder’s Hall. Not allowed to photograph nor film in the halls, unfortunately. You’ll see more of the inside of this temple in the video I’ll post sometime in the future. Don’t rush me, I haven’t even checked nor organised the video clips yet hahaha ! It’s a must visit and best of all, the entrance is free.
Oyasuminasai for now.
1/160th second @ ƒ/11, ISO 400, 28 mm
KASUMIGA-IKE POND
KANAZAWA, JAPAN
photo of the day
Kasumiga-Ike Pond is situated in the middle of one of three perfect gardens in Japan, Kenroku-En garden. It’s designed to be beautiful during every season. I was hoping to get a shot of the small bridge, Kotoji Stone Lantern in the foreground and the tea house in the background, devoid of tourists. But when I saw these two walk into my composition in their traditional clothing and pose in such a way, they balanced my composition just perfectly. Plenty of photo opportunities in Kenroku-En garden and well worth the visit.
1/640 second @ ƒ/2.8, ISO 100, 75 mm
GOJUNOTO PAGODA
Miyajima / Itsukushima Island, Japan
photo of the day
Sorry for the last couple of posts but we’ve had some very long days and I’ve been too tired to edit a photo and write a blog post. On the train right now so hopefully I can get a couple of posts written out.
So this photo is of one of only five pagodas of this style in Japan, the Gojunoto Pagoda. It’s quite impressive up close and gorgeous. Situated on Itsukushima Island, also known as Miyajima. It’s where the Great Torii Gate, the entrance to the Itsukushima Shrine, can be found as well. This is a beautiful island and we wish we could’ve stayed, at least, an extra night. Lots to visit and explore. I’m going to leave this one on my bucket list to come back to.
1/40 second @ f/11, ISO 100, 49 mm
THE TEMPLE AND THE TOWER
KYOTO, JAPAN
photo of the day
The stunning, ancient, intricate details of the Higashi Honganji Temple next to the simplified, modern architecture of the Kyoto Tower. We got to visit the temple, which is just mind blowing, but didn’t get to visit the tower because of a bomb threat. Yeah, go figure, a bomb threat in Japan. We come back to Kyoto in a few days so, fingers crossed, it’ll be ok to visit then.
I’ll try and post a photo every day while in Japan. But don’t hold me to that.
1/320 second @ ƒ/13, ISO 100, 75 mm