A distinctively Japanese photoshoot Photo

Photographer’s Note

At the Korakuen (後楽園), a beautiful garden at Okayama, I ran into a photo shooting where a photog and his "crew" were busy photographing a couple dressed in kimonos - possibly for a kimono catalog or a wedding magazine. The setting with the fallen (and falling) cherry blossoms was as elegant and romantic as you could wish for when doing such photos. A bit tricky for me to find the right distance to not interfere with their work, yet get a good photo of the action myself - already the girl is looking at me rather than where she was supposed to look, hehe ;)

Korakuen is known as one of the three great gardens of Japan - along with Kairakuen in the Ibaraki Prefecture, and Kenrokuen in the Ishikawa Prefecture. The feudal lord governing the area in the Edo period (1603-1868), the Daimyo Ikeda, started working on the garden in 1686 and completed it 14 years later in 1700. The name Korakuen dates back to 1871. The garden has been open to the public since 1884, when the ownership was transferred to the Prefecture of Okayama.

Nikon D200
2006/04/13 13:26:19.7
JPEG (8-bit) Normal
Color
Lens: 18-70mm F/3.5-4.5 G
Focal Length: 40mm
Exposure Mode: Programmed Auto
Metering Mode: Multi-Pattern
1/100 sec - F/5.6
Exposure Comp.: -0.3 EV
Sensitivity: ISO 100
Optimize Image: Custom
White Balance: Auto
AF Mode: AF-S
Flash Sync Mode: Not Attached
Color Mode: Mode I (sRGB)
Tone Comp.: Auto
Hue Adjustment: 0°
Saturation: Enhanced
Sharpening: Medium high
Image Comment: (c)2006 Norbert Woehnl
Long Exposure NR: Off
High ISO NR: Off

PixelTerror, paulw, falves, ChrisJ, ktanska, andante, luisafonso, lestans, Paolo, siolaw, spence, gsimon, Lynette, erdna, s10001in, carper, tinamunk3, pasternak, singuanti, bibiweb, Angelillo, Silke, robiuk, Didi, lasscor, Jeppe, rabani, superpau, Aspirin, tifah, teutza, MLINES, omerozden, fanni has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

PixelTerror (81492) 2006-07-27 4:30

Ohayo Gozaimasu Norbert-san,
It seems that sakura lasts all year with your posts ;-)
A nice traditional and funny as well scene, I love the detail of the guy holding the umbrella, was it to ensure no petal would fall onto the camera ? Japanese ever quest for perfection !
Beside that the traditional dress they wear os highly enjoyable and I note that despite your efforts you managed to catch the woman's attention...
Have a nice day,
Jean-Yves

Furachan (0) 2006-07-27 4:32

Well you're singing again in top voice, Norbert, with this pungently accurate vision, not without humour too I might add. The "pose" of the woman vs the desperate crouching of the "pros" is pricelss! Love this, right up there with the best of your excellent JP output.
Best,
Francis

[2] +

MiguelP (14215) 2006-07-27 4:39

What a beautiful photo Norber! The colors of the winter, the flowers of the spring, the charming of both moments of the year. I concentrate my regard on the photographer and his assistant because they look quite in action, like doing photojournalism. Take care and enjoy summer.

adam_k (596) 2006-07-27 5:24

Hi Norbert,
Nice picture you have here...
I especially like the moment captured: the man with his umbrella helping to protect the photographer...

paulw (2014) 2006-07-27 5:29

Lovely photo. I love the way the woman is looking over at you. Beautiful setting. You caught the image so well, and beautiful colours.

falves (1403) 2006-07-27 5:29

Hi Norbert,
Beautiful composition. Very well catched. "Shooting" the photo shooting. The pose of the characters as well as the their outfits are great. The winter look against the colorful ambience.
Very well done
Fred

ChrisJ (65337) 2006-07-27 5:49

Hi Norbert

A superb daily life shot from Japan. I like the motion blur of the falling cherry blossum, which gives it the look of snow. Well done!

aralda (1240) 2006-07-27 6:03

Hi Norbert,
The woman is so relaxed, and the two guys with all their muscles stretched or contracted. Looks funny. Great shot. The fallen and falling petals add extra interest.
Raluca

wolf38 (11027) 2006-07-27 6:07

A well taken and amusing photo with outstanding allocation of picture. In addition blooms, beautiful colors and a man, which hold an umbrella over the photographers. Why? The picture is realized very good and pleases me very well. Many greetings, Wolfgang

ktanska (15214) 2006-07-27 6:37

Hi Norbert,
Japan is an excellent place for photographing photographers! Lovely setting with cherry blossom on trees, ground and in the air. I like her look. I guess they have reserved enough time for the session, so you don't need to worry about disturbing them.
Kari

luisafonso (852) 2006-07-27 7:00

Great photo Norbert! Absolutely amazing. Love how the girl is looking at you. You just picked the wrong category to file this... It should have been the decisive moment :) Love your compo.

Paolo (40445) 2006-07-27 8:03

Hi Norbert, excellent shot of that photographers!
the cherry blossoms all around are well captured and the entire composition is excellent.
thanks, ciao

lestans (14542) 2006-07-27 8:05

What a nice, and funny , scene!! The funniest character is the man holding an umbrella, in a strange attitude!! Umbrella for the sun? or for the flowers falling over the camera?
And thye couple , in their special dresses! ancient and modern together, in a fantastic sourrondings - flowering trees!
And the only subject really colored is the girl, well placed in the middle and looking at you (=at us...)
TFS!
Livia

siolaw (24920) 2006-07-27 9:09

Hi Norbert,
A nice 'pirated'wedding picture, with the official' photographer in the frame, beautiful setting in the flowering trees , great colors , perfect sharpness
Laurent

coco (25640) 2006-07-27 9:15

Hi Norbert.
Fun but good capture. The moment is unique and also is well captured.
I like it.
Is plenty of details: the clothes, the couple,... And also we can see what are they doing and how works the photographer.
The trees are a wonderful frame.

Well done.

spence (1677) 2006-07-27 9:22

Hi Norbert. Your title is right - couldn't possibly be anywhere else but Japan, this shot. The pose of the guy with the umbrella is not exactly elegant, but it IS funny. Lovely to see the detail in these beautiful kimonos and the blossoms create a gorgeous backdrop.

Lynette (1615) 2006-07-27 10:38

Hi Norbert, love the detail, cherry blossoms, kimono. The setting, image and colours are all beautifull. Striking picture.
: ) lynette

ndb1958 (9228) 2006-07-27 11:05

Hi Norbert,
she seems to be interested more in your shooting. And indeed I think this picture is better than everything the OTHERS took. The confrontation of modern vs. traditional life is cool. There are so many wonderful details ... the guy holding the umbrella, the guy with traditionell clothes. Superb!
Nino

Cormac (26423) 2006-07-27 11:19

Gret combination of the modern and traditional, which seems to be more in evidence in Japan than in any other country. Why is it that they are so quick to adopt new technolody and gadgets, yet their society is in many ways so traditional and rooted in the past? This photo seems a perfect little story of Japan.

erdna (5205) 2006-07-27 11:22

I love all the details of this photograph! i will rank this as one of your best photos in Japan. Cherry blossoms at the top and cherry blossoms at the bottom, the umbrella holder who wears only a T-shirt, the official photographer taking a lower point of view not realizing that light coming from below gives weird shadows on the face and to top it all the woman smiled instead towards the unofficial photographer!

Andre'

s10001in (1485) 2006-07-27 11:39

If we took this two Photographer & his assistant, sure you can this shot as a shot of Edo period.
Pure Japanese touch..with Sakura in full blossom.

heeey, she is looking at you ;)
Nan da yooooo!!!!!:D

Nice one Norbert..
TFS,
Shailendra

carper (60991) 2006-07-27 12:17

nice Norbert,
to take a shot from the photographer, with his subject, a fine composition, good details, I like the big tree, very good job.
gr. jaap

richtersl (3544) 2006-07-27 12:31

WOW! Those falling blossoms really make for a magnificent background. And like the others, I also get a kick out of the photogrpaher's assistant with the umbrella. It was a good move on your part to include both him and the photographer in the composition.

faubry (31481) 2006-07-27 13:19

very amazing image with this umbrella and position from photographer!!! good details, and i like this traditionnel clothes.
soon
francine

tinamunk3 (6380) 2006-07-27 15:25

Hi Norbert,

Really nice surroundings to photograph the couple so beautifully dressed. The whole scene is nice - how you captured a professional photographer at work. I wonder what the umbrella is for....because of the falling flowers?

Norbert, what do you use to store your images when you travel. Do you find a computer and empty your memory card or do you have a travel disc. I'm going on a two month trip and think it could be difficult to find a computer everyday - and don't want to spent time on that. And when you shoot in raw you can only take around 100 shots on a 1 GB cart. So I bet you have a travel disc. You have any experience with Amitech, Epson or Ipod or is there an other brand you can recommend?

:) Tina

avigur_11 (21247) 2006-07-27 15:49

And who prtected your camera from the fallin leaves, Norbert ;-)

Wonderful catch. It could vbe great even without the photographer, but this scene is much more interesting this way. The fallen leaves on the ground create a wonderful atmosphere, and the final result is beautiful.

pasternak (12671) 2006-07-27 15:54

A very funny scene captured here, the posture of the man who is holding the umbrella is incredible!;) Not sure if the other photographer was happy with the girl's attention distracted from his camera, at least her companion seems to compensate for this;))) Also a very nice contrast in clothing captured here, between the photographers and the photographed. Interesting and pleasant daily life scene, a finding!

Cheers
Alexander

Burberry1 (6041) 2006-07-27 18:13

Hello Norbert:)))))
What a beautiful image, a bit funny I would say.
By the way-sacura must be an amazing experience.
I'm dreaming about going to Japan during sacura.

Greetings from polish seaside, A.

singuanti (15261) 2006-07-27 22:47

Hi Norbert. Yes you're going to get the girl in trouble if you're not careful! :) The carpet of fallen cherry blossoms is a great addition and this is surely why they were there at the same time. The light seems slightly soft but I think it worked out in your favor.

plimrn (18682) 2006-07-28 1:03

Hi Norbert,
As is typical, Francis has written the best critique of your work. His words are so true for me that I can only second them.
Regards, Pat

bibiweb (32693) 2006-07-28 1:28

Hi Norbert,
Looks like you managed to distract the young woman! ;o)
You've captured a lovely, typically japanese scene here with the cherry blossoms and the kimonos. The flashy red color of the woman's kimono particularly stand out here. But what I prefer in your photo is the very awkward position of the guy holding the umbrella to protect the expensive Canon equipment! :o)
Have a nice day.
Bibi

sergio1 (12150) 2006-07-28 4:52

Hi Norbert
Magnific shot and excellent moment. I like the scene and pov.
Magnific joc my friend
Rgs
Sergio

Angelillo (9051) 2006-07-28 10:36

Hi Norbert. It seems you're at the best place for this shot. You has captured the whole scene, the models, and the photographers, and it's a beautiful group. The white flowers made a natural frame impressive, and the shot is simply marvellous. Thanks.

Angel.

john_c (24631) 2006-07-28 13:13

Hi Norbert,
Certainly caught at the decisive moment. The woman may have started looking toward you, but not enough to distract from the integrity of the scene. The man holding the umbrella adds a couple of neat dimensions that are unexpected - his crouched, leaning demeanour and his rather outlandish western boots, which incidentally add another hue that is incongruous with the other tones. A skilfully considered and well executed shot that indeed tested your skills, Norbert. Most impressive.
John

Silke (3023) 2006-07-28 17:00

This is a most amusing post on so many levels: the photographer in need of an umbrella, the "bride" whose attention is on you, the body posture of the photographer's assistant and all together very funny indeed. Your technical details are excellent as usual. TFS
Silke

goodwill (4029) 2006-07-29 4:12

Hi Norbert, Where is she looking? To a better photographer man!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Congrats for stealing the show and weaving the magic.
The body language of the man with umbrella is fantastic.

keribar (42173) 2006-07-29 12:18

Hello Norbert,
I've seen similar scenes during my travel in Korea 4 years ago, and I had exactly the same feeling as you did, not to interfere too much but still get a glimpse of the scene. It's funny to realize how newly weds like to go to places they judge interesting and have their pictures taken by professional photographers who arrive with an array of equipment. This picture is a perfect example of what I am trying to explain, and portrays so well the action.
I am out of Istanbul and found a café where there was an internet connection. I wish you a very happy week-end.

robiuk (10761) 2006-07-29 19:16

Lovely performance by these two guys, Norbert - well spotted!
Also, the reason they needed a brolly is well visible.
I like the action in this sort of 'strange' shot!
Robi

jmdaoudal (18672) 2006-07-31 2:27

This is a very complete picture with action and environnement, more the people and the flowered trees are great.
Compliments for the POV allowing a nice axis for the persective of people in action.
Great
Jean Michel

prezntime (3945) 2006-07-31 13:05

A wonderful candid photo. I must say I like that she is looking at you, it personalizes the picture somewhat. Very good framing and POV.
Regards,
Chris

Didi (33760) 2006-08-01 14:03

Bonsoir Norbert
Une scène de la vie quotidienne très intéressante, la scène est plutôt humoristique; l'action est très bien captée.
Je me demande si ces photographes savent que cette action est vue dans le monde entier ?
Well done comme disent les Anglais.

banyanman (7691) 2006-08-02 7:40

Good capture, Norbert, and technically a very good image in all respects. I bet if the photographer knew why his model was looking away he'd be very annoyed with you! Cheers . . . David

lasscor (7619) 2006-08-02 17:36

Hi Norbert,
Great daily life composition on sakura topic.
Great point of view, nice decisive moment, lot of details, nice expressions and "strange" body postures.
TFS,
Corinne

Jeppe (18599) 2006-08-04 15:51

Hi Norbert - great to watch prof at work :-) funny to see you got her attention - an excellent "amatuer" job as well ;-)) - I like the way flowers seems to rain - and even call for an embrella.

Thanks for sharing.

nerve (10142) 2006-08-04 16:08

love this one..its priceless, a typical decisive moment!
Top notch stuff Norbert,
cheers.

thor68 (5389) 2006-08-05 8:41

da musste ich doch mal deinem link zu diesem tollen photo folgen.
wieder der wunderschöne garten und eine einmalige szene, norbert! :-)
schön zu sehen, wie die profis zu werke gehen, aber das model
eher augen für dich hat. *g*
perfect job & alles gute, thorsten.

rabani (9346) 2006-08-25 4:20

The Japanese photog will not be pleased if he had taken his shot. This is one of those moments when you can get in the way, without having to be physically in the way. If the photo is published with her looking the other way, we definitely know who made her turned the other way.
Workwise, beside the kimono clothed couple, the falling cherry blossom adds a nice wintry touch to this at work shot Norbert. But I'd just as soon, ask the man to be a bit more romantic than what he is holding himself at the moment. Pretty formal don't you think.

Aspirin (276) 2006-09-25 21:41

Ohayo Norbert san,
This is a wounderful great shot!
Very emotional, sharp and light lovely colors.

Well done and thanks for sharing this!

Cheers.

tifah (836) 2006-11-18 14:24

This is just a fantastic photo for trekearth members to see, youve made the scene very poetic and the notes are good for the reader to get a sense of what has occured as you take your photograph, thank you.

teutza (10398) 2007-03-31 13:14

HY Norbert,
this is a kind of funny image!i like the man holding the umbrella :))
is this the most beautiful time of the year?
teo

claire526 (1231) 2007-05-18 3:19

Ah norbert, you're a distraction, the woman is looking at you. Very nice and funny with so many interesting elements. Nice colors, POV and composition.

Theana (623) 2007-05-18 3:44

Great catch! It is very funny to see the woman looking at you, the photographer struggling to get a great shot and his assistant holding the umbrella up high. Og course the setting is perfect for such photos and the overall composition is very nice.

alagarcia (252) 2007-05-18 3:58

great picture.the moment that was captured just perfect

MLINES (10308) 2008-01-24 23:15

Hi Norbert. I like this setting you have composed. The lady seems to be looking towards you, which makes it come alive. The colours are absolutely right and the scene dynamic. Good work. TFS. Murray.

fanni (6920) 2008-09-13 14:09

Hello Norbert,
I happened to browse on this photo of yours and I'm happy to see it :) You captured a very interesting moment! IMHO, it's an excellent one: perfect composition, wonderful beautiful colours... and, what's most important, I like the girl's looking at you :)
best regards,
Elena

erguvan (759) 2008-12-18 2:40 [Comment]