muikabochi 208 Posted April 13, 2009 Share Posted April 13, 2009 This weekend I took a trip into Nagano to Karuizawa. A friend of mine lives near there and was having a party last night so I took advantage of the expressway deal and got there in about 90 minutes. Went to take a look at some of the waterfalls and temples around Karuizawa as well as a closer look at Mt Asama. In some ways, it was just too bright yesterday and I was struggling with the light for photos, lots of them came out looking very washed out (need to study!) Onioshidashi: This park is just at the base of Mt Asama just to the north of Karuizawa. It's a very curious place, basically made up of the lava flow of a previous eruption (or so I believe). It makes for some very interesting formations and the temple in the middle made it all look very pretty with Asama in the background as well. Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted April 13, 2009 Author Share Posted April 13, 2009 Kumanokotai Shrine (Usuitoge): This temple is just a few minutes drive up past the old Kyu-Karuizawa area. This area was almost deserted, but very pretty. Waterfalls: Shiraito no taki About 10 minutes drive from central Karuizawa Sengataki Link to post Share on other sites
joshnii 2 Posted April 13, 2009 Share Posted April 13, 2009 Cool pics muika. Never been to Karuizawa - isn't that the place where loads of people have 2nd homes and there's lots of golf going on? Link to post Share on other sites
Jynxx 4 Posted April 13, 2009 Share Posted April 13, 2009 I like the photos you make, muikabochi. Use ND (nutral density) filters or polarizing filters. The latter is a bit expensive but worth it. Go to Yodobashi or Sakura when you are in Tokyo. If you are using just point and shoot small cameras, (They are great for back-up, 2nd camara) I shoot through my shades.. (ray-ban whatever...) Old pro's trick. Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted April 13, 2009 Author Share Posted April 13, 2009 Cheers. I did actually use a NF filter yesterday but it didn't seem to help much, there just wasn't much contrast out there to work with. Basically, I really just need to get on the case with learning how to use all the dials and buttons. josh - I believe so. I certainly saw lots of golf courses and lots of big expensive looking houses in woods just off the tree-lined straight roads. It seemed different from most towns in Japan I have been to somehow. Wouldn't mind going back to check it out more. Link to post Share on other sites
frannyo 2 Posted April 13, 2009 Share Posted April 13, 2009 Very pretty. Link to post Share on other sites
griller 9 Posted April 13, 2009 Share Posted April 13, 2009 Fun area Karuizawa. Not keen on the center part myself but there's lots to do round about - seems you hit some good spots there muika. That Onioshidashi park is worth a visit. Lots of sausages too. Great photos. Link to post Share on other sites
grungy-gonads 54 Posted April 13, 2009 Share Posted April 13, 2009 Fab! On the subject of Asama, I reckon from the north looks best. Link to post Share on other sites
BagOfCrisps 24 Posted April 13, 2009 Share Posted April 13, 2009 Fighting with light or not, cracking shots as usual. Keep them coming mate! Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted April 14, 2009 Author Share Posted April 14, 2009 Originally Posted By: Jynxx Use ND (nutral density) filters or polarizing filters. The latter is a bit expensive but worth it. Just ordered the latter. Thanks for prodding me into action there, Jynxx. Link to post Share on other sites
2pints-mate 0 Posted April 14, 2009 Share Posted April 14, 2009 Nice pics - but where's the photos of that huge brand shopping arcade? Link to post Share on other sites
big-will 7 Posted April 15, 2009 Share Posted April 15, 2009 Whats the story with that place? It's excessively big isn't it? Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted April 15, 2009 Author Share Posted April 15, 2009 Shopping wasn't really on the agenda Did go past it though on the way in - looked big. Link to post Share on other sites
miller 1 Posted April 16, 2009 Share Posted April 16, 2009 Fine photos this season muikabochi. Thanks for sharing so many. Would a blue filter do good in that situation too? Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted April 18, 2009 Author Share Posted April 18, 2009 Got my filter and went out this morning to take a few pics. Very mixed (disappointing) results, so I really need to learn how and when to use this. Also found a blue enhancer filter online for 500 yen (unopened, normal price around 7000 yen) so I thought I'd give that a go too. I'll let you know how that goes miller. Link to post Share on other sites
thursday 1 Posted April 18, 2009 Share Posted April 18, 2009 Play around with the picture settings, Neutral, Vivid, etc. Also the heat on the white balance. Lots to play around with. Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted April 18, 2009 Author Share Posted April 18, 2009 need to play around with settings? grumble grumble Link to post Share on other sites
thursday 1 Posted April 18, 2009 Share Posted April 18, 2009 better than spending money on filters from a non-digital era. Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted April 18, 2009 Author Share Posted April 18, 2009 Link to post Share on other sites
thursday 1 Posted April 19, 2009 Share Posted April 19, 2009 sunsets? Take off matrix metering and go for spot. Set it on F11 and then play around with the shutter speed to get the required orange. If blurry, set the ISO higher. All experimental and a lot to play with. Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted April 19, 2009 Author Share Posted April 19, 2009 I'm studying and experimenting today. Link to post Share on other sites
Jynxx 4 Posted April 20, 2009 Share Posted April 20, 2009 muika, when you use the polarizing filters, you need to rotate the filters that gives you the maximum (or desired grade) of polarization. You need to keep looking in the view finder and rotate the filter. What the polarizing filter is doing: The light is coming in to your lens from all directions without it. With it, it allows the light that is coming from right angles. That means not only it cuts out the amount of light that comes into the lens but also cuts the glare by only letting in the light that comes from the angle that gives you the best lighting. You will notice in your view finder, as you rotate, the contrast will change.. This is the advantage to ND filters that only reduces the amount of light that comes in. So with ND filters, you want to use it when you don't want to use high f stops, keep the lens appature open and reduce the light coming in. hope this helps Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted April 20, 2009 Author Share Posted April 20, 2009 Thanks folks. I get the concept - it's getting the results I need more time with. Link to post Share on other sites
rach 1 Posted April 20, 2009 Share Posted April 20, 2009 I'd say you take consistently brillaint photos as it is muikabochi. Don't mess the settings up! Link to post Share on other sites
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