The 2013 Hanami season is touching to an end. At the same time last year, it had not even started ! Almost two full weeks ahead of the usual schedule this year.
One of my last post on the 2013 Sakura from Tokyo – I promise :)
Political controversy aside, the Yasukuni shrine is an ideal place for me for an after-lunch stroll from home, especially in spring or autumn.
As written earlier, thanks to the photo walk organised by Alfie Goodrich, we had the pleasure to work with an authentic model : Shinyong Lee. This was the first time for me to enjoy such an opportunity and I was amazed how quickly – after a few instructions from Alfie – she just looked perfect ...
Thanks to the photo walk organised by Alfie Goodrich, we had the pleasure to work with an authentic model : Shinyong Lee. This was the first time for me to enjoy such an opportunity and I was amazed how quickly – after a few instructions from Alfie – she just looked perfect through the viewfinder. ...
First batch of pictures taken in Itabashi during our Saturday photowalk with Alfie Goodrich : cherry blossoms and bridges. Let’s be honest, this area without cherry blossoms is far from photogenic. But once a year, for a dozen of days, it is just incredible.
I have taken so many pictures of the cherry blossoms over the past years in Japan that I decided to shoot – for once – a short video !
Last shot of a great hanami photowalk organised by Alfie Goodrich ! Why 135mm Hanami ? Because this is the lens I (well, we) used most during the course of the day.
Family picnic at Shinjuku Gyoen.
21 years old Misako has left her head on a table under a cherry tree ! :D
Men of my age in Japan do not seem interested in taking photos of cherry blossoms. It’s either old Japanese men, or young Japanese Ladies and that’s usually reflected in the ads we see for cameras here in Japan…
Ueno is a famous spot for Hanami in Tokyo. Not only because the cherry blossoms are beautiful but also because, unlike in parks, alcohol consumption is allowed, offering a joyful atmosphere and an entertaining sight. You might even meet some friendly inebriated Japanese salary-men who will start talking to you in English and offer you ...
Some young of the young couples I saw yesterday on a “Sakura” date in Iidabashi looked really bored ! Look, there’s even one who could be tweeting to each other ;)
A beautiful day for a late afternoon stroll with my 70-200mm lens : taking nice photos of cherry blossoms is not as easy as it sounds so I hope those are not too dull :)
After yesterday’s storm I was worried that the flowers would be all gone. But a short stroll around home this morning convinced me otherwirse : Hanami is looking good this year !
Some of my favourite photos of Cherry Blossoms in Japan.
Because I’m away on business trip (Shanghai), no Hanami for me possible this year and I have to console myself by looking at the pictures I took the previous year : gallery.
Part 3: the Photographers…
Part 2: the Crowd…
Part 1 : The Flowers…
Green leaves replace flowers…