Mid summer normally means hot, humid and sunny days. But this July has been cool with ample rain to fuel the prairie landscape, now lush with wildflowers. I've been visiting various parks every other Monday, to get me out of the house and explore something new. Today I'm at Meadowbrook Park - I think it's been over a year since I last visited. I generally feel this prairie centered park will be too hot or too sunny for me to enjoy outside of early / late golden hours. I was wrong - at 10am I'm able to find ample shade amongst the flowers.
The early summer 13 and 17 year cicada broods have peaked, leaving us with the annual species, their familiar sounds now fill the air. The regular cicadas weave their distinctive buzzing in waves through the trees. It’s a pleasant ebb and flow of sound. I’m in a shaded area drinking my matcha. I'm happy to have found flowers dappled in gentle light under the tree canopy. The wildflower prairie glistens in gold from a distance. I choose to stay in the cool shade, but maybe in a couple weeks I'll explore the prairie.
I admit I took many of these photos for the bokeh backgrounds were too beautiful to pass up. Light has the way of transforming the mundane into an ethereal scene.
Nikon released a new mirrorless camera model a few weeks back, the Z6III, the upgrade to my current camera, the Z6II. While I'm not particularly drawn to this new camera (faster processor, better autofocus, better video), I discovered the ZF camera with 90% of the features of the Z6III in a retro camera body. That retro styling gets me every time! I had a serious case of FOMO, my thoughts filled with this gorgeous camera with metal shutter, ISO, EV dials on the top of the camera. But time tempers the desires of the flesh and now I'm determined to make the most out of my Z6II.
I viewed more videos on the Nikon ZF and learned about the gamut of picture controls available, viewable via the EVF and playback. Think of a picture control as a style of colors and saturations, akin to film days, also very similar to a "Filter" on Instagram. There are the standard picture controls like Landscape, Vivid, Portrait and Black and White. Then there are 20+ additional special picture controls like "Dream", "Demin", "Spring" etc. The user selects the picture control style and voila, it is viewable on the camera's EVF and back screen. I learned this feature is available on any Nikon Z camera! When you import into Lightroom, that special picture control is automatically applied. Of course the picture control style can be changed in Lightroom since I shoot in RAW. But seeing it as you shoot it is a nice feature of a mirrorless camera. My default picture control is Vivid but thinking about changing it up to a more vintage version, which I did today while taking this photo of a Coneflower in my front yard - I used the "Dream" picture control. In Lightroom, I cropped in tighter and added a vingette - that's it!
I’ve come to the conclusion that the advantage of the ZF over my current model boils down to autofocus capabilities. I do struggle with shooting groups of people - only one person ends up tack sharp with the others kind of soft. Probably my error or due to the full frame sensor and depth of field but maybe I am missing something. More research needed!
I’m making a concerted effort to visit the Japan house tea garden at least bi-weekly, and I visited yesterday. I sat meditating on my surroundings on a perfect morning. Cool, dry and sunny on the first of July, manifesting spring vs summer but I’m relishing it. I take several photos, still focusing on shadows in contrast with light.
I'm challenging myself to observe my surroundings using all my senses. I hear the scuttling of squirrels scaling trees around me, eyeing me as a potential source of cast away food. I also heard the rhythmic chatter of pond frogs surfacing from water’s edge when I arrived.
I’m sheltered in dappled shade, morning light rims the leaves of the Japanese maples around me.
Outside the tea garden I encountered Bell flower / campanula in bloom, a serene ocean blue color with a delicate scent.
I’m sitting on a large slatted, flat, wooden bench that provides no back support but it allows me to expand physically and figuratively. I originally sat in the lean to area towards the front of the garden but felt it very constricting. I prefer the expanse of this seating space. I am hit in the head by a Maple seedling, dispatched to the ground by the wind. I look up and see pairs of the pods clustered amidst the leaves. Of course I take out my camera and hopefully I captured their lacy wings, tipped in the faintest peach color.
Update, those photos were meh but I got other keepers - like these delicate reeds edging the pond:
An inviting path:
A follow up to post on the YouTube video on the present state of music - Rick Beato posted another commentary stating young people don’t want to practice to learn an instrument, they rely on the tools to make up for their lack of mastery. Shudder. But what caught my eye was one of the comments regarding social media:
“Social media has become a cheap substitute for real life experiences.” People would rather watch someone else’s talent or experience vs doing the work themselves. It’s far easier to be entertained for 60 seconds and get your dopamine hit after hit after hit, the problem is you only consume and never contribute or better yourself. Understandably, hard work is just that - hard.
So, seek ways to keep growing and learn new things. Eventually, what starts off as hard eases into accomplishment and a sense of enjoyment.
I recently attended an on-line photography seminar run by Two Mann Studios and got inspired to utilize more shadows in my photography. I visited a local Japanese garden and created these images.
Created with my macro lens which I'm using a lot in the garden. Have a great weekend!
Yesterday I listened to a commentary, The Real Reason Why Music is getting worse, by Rick Beato.
He first outlines the role of technology over the years, how that tech made it easier and cheaper to create the songs we hear today. From precise drum machines, multi track recorders / editors to auto tune, software and now AI generated music, the hurdles to creating music are so low. One only needs to describe what you want into an AI generator and voila, a song.
His next observation addresses the impact of streaming services on how we consume music. These services give you access to an artist’s entire library for a low monthly fee. His claim is people no longer have personal sweat equity invested in music they listen to. We used to pay for an album to consume it. Now we open up Spotify and click on what we want to hear or what Spotify thinks we want to listen to. Rick claims this cheapens the listening experience, that the younger generation doesn’t give the music the focused attention it deserves. He describes how this differs from the album listening process of yesteryear.
On some level I see his point, that in some ways music has been relegated to background noise - but only it you let it be that way. I think it depends on the person and how music fits into their personal values. A person who values music, understands the creative process and hard work required to make it is more likely to discriminate its consumption.
For me, music is woven into the fabric of my soul. It will always be important and a revered art form. I’m open to discovering new music and artists, those who create authentically. [Note - This is a sharp contrast to my husband, who lives in the past, preferring to immerse himself with the familiar comfort of 80’s music. I understand it - music lives in our memory banks, transports us back in time and allows us to escape the present. My brain, however, tires of that repetition and needs discovery.]
I consciously seek out different artists and even try to give the trendy music a focused listen. I’m even trying to overcome my preconceptions of artists I’ve dismissed over the years - like Beyoncé, like Billie Ellish, those annoying K-pop bands (ok, I listened to them and still don’t like them). I recently listened to the new “Cowboy Carter” Beyoncé album, thought her vocals on the remakes were great but still didn’t care for her original material. But instead of wholesale declaring the music was “crap” without listening to it, I gave the album my attention and then made an informed opinion.
I felt the same with the latest Billie album - slick production, catchy music and decent lyrics, but I’m simply not in love with her vocals.
So what am I listening to now? Maggie Rogers, who I caught live in concert earlier this month - she is fantastic live.
Regarding other "trending" artists - I’ve listened to Olivia Rodrigo, she’s okay (maybe I need to give it another go), I’m on the fence with Sabrina Carpenter (I don’t like her newest release) and the newest album from Kasey Musgraves is pleasant to listen to. My latest discovery is Chappell Roan who I find edgy, entertaining and talented. Her lyrics are interesting, musically catchy and fun. She clearly can sing and each song has a purpose or story to tell. I think of her as this generation’s Lady Gaga or Madonna. I'm linking to her NPR Tiny Desk concert that she knocks out of the park.
I visited Japan with my sister as she was running the Tokyo Marathon. The Marathon Expo opened on Thursday, February 29, 2024 in the Big Sight Convention Center. We take the scenic Yurikamome Line (The U Line) from its origination at Shimbashi Station (Stop U1) all around the Tokyo Bay Waterfront to the Big Sight Station (Stop U11). Much of this train system runs above ground so there’s lots of interesting scenery to take in as it moves along the Japan harbor and across the Rainbow bridge.
Seen along the journey on the Yurikamome Line:
Crossing the Rainbow Bridge:
The Expo itself was a crazy experience. They separate the runners from the guests and while the runners wait to retrieve their running bibs, the guests are granted access to the Marathon Merchandise Asics store. This was like a Black Friday store opening with people rushing the merchandise racks, grabbing everything in sight only to realize the only sizes on display were XL and 2XL. And not Asian sizing but US sizing! When the Expo Store workers started opening up boxes with smaller sizes in the back, we all mashed up against the door's opening, grabbing garments being thrown to the crowd. It was like a mosh pit. I managed to get XS, S, M jackets for my sister to choose from and she ended up with the XS size jacket. An experience to remember!
On Tuesday we had planned to visit Arashiyama Bamboo Grove but chose a quieter option, the Adashino Nenbutsu-ji Temple. This temple was recommended to us by the chef at Teppan Tavern Tenamonya. The grounds feature unusual stone statues, erected to commemorate those who died without kin. Off the beaten path, the grounds were serene and befitting a solemn place of worship and reflection. There is a smallish bamboo grove heading uphill - probably not as extensive as the popular Arashiyama but we had it all to ourselves and took our time enjoying the beauty and serenity without tourist crowds.
The cost to enter is 500¥, less than $4 (which is the same entrance fee to Arashiyama). From our hotel in Kyoto, the journey took us less than an hour for less than $4 USD and we avoided the crowded Arashiyama station.
On Monday we visited the Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine with its famous red tori gates. It is recommended to visit early in the morning, but we weren’t that organized so we arrived mid morning. We traveled by subway and the journey took 35 minutes and 180 yen one way (that's less than 2 USD). The weather is cool with occasional rain. The cascade of tori gates makes for a unique walk.
Many people were visiting but we got away from the crowds at one junction, heading uphill towards the shrine area vs following the tori gates down. Another strategy is to wait for the groups of people to pass (like traffic, the crowd ebbs and flows) in order to get your photo of the gates alone.
You can hike all the way to the top but with my back issue knew I couldn’t/ shouldn’t do so. In this area away from the crowds we encountered a bamboo grove with giant tall stalks reaching to the heavens. It was an amazing sight. Strong winds shifted and swayed the thick bamboo trunks emitting groans, creaks like an old person’s bones. With sparse crowds here we took in serenity and calm.
Most people follow the red gates up and down, then leave. The park has so much more to offer - a small Japanese garden, a shrine part of the way up, the bamboo grove and a hike all the way up to the top then a descent down the same way or another way. A friend also recommended this site at sunset although it will turn dark on the return down and is a little spooky.
There are little stores and various food vendors in the streets leading up to the Shrine. We enjoyed matcha lattes in a cafe, overlooking the beautiful gardens.
Some travel guides may classify this site a "tourist trap unworthy of your time", but I really enjoyed it even with the crowds. I suspect during high season (cherry blossom, summer time, fall) the throngs of crowds would detract from the experience and I feel the best strategy would be to visit either very early or around sunset.
Japan Travel tip - Google Maps is crucial to navigate the myriad of transport options available. By choosing public transport mode of travel, the app will display several options complete with total travel time, walking distance, subway station details (train departure platforms, train departure times, entry and exit routes). During our first days in the country, it was stressful getting our bearings and getting accustomed to learning the public transport system but by the end of our trip in Japan, we were very comfortable navigating public transport trains and buses, even in Tokyo.
I just returned from a 12 day trip to Japan with my sister who ran the Tokyo Marathon. Here is the summary. I plan to post day by day details in the coming weeks.
Even though we were away for 12 days, I have to note that flying from the US, we lost a day for travel each way. So we really had 10 full days to explore Japan. I was also dealing with a back / piriformis issue that hampered my walking so we didn't see as much as I had planned, but that's ok, it just means we have to return to see and experience more!
Here is the day by day summary:
Friday, February 23 - travel day, flying to Haneda airport.
Saturday, February 24 - continued travel day, arrival into Haneda airport. We stay overnight at the airport hotel, the Royal Park Hotel, conveniently located in Terminal 3 (International Terminal)
Sunday, February 25 - we travel to Kyoto via Shinkansen Bullet train. We have accommodations reserved at the Kyoto Miyako Westin. It is raining so we opt to explore the hotel with its numerous amenities including the relaxing Onsen Spa.
Tuesday, February 27 - sightseeing at Adashino Nenbutsu-ji Temple. In addition to the unusual temple grounds, the site includes a quiet version of Arashiyama Bamboo Forest. No throngs of tourists. Back in GION area we enjoyed a 90 minute massage at Hiyoshi Massage. Dinner at Gion-SUI, a wonderful 10 course chef’s tasting menu.
Wednesday, February 28 - we travel back to Tokyo via Shinkansen Bullet train, settle into our accommodation, the MONday Apart Premium Nihonbashi. Close to the Tokyo Metro, the room includes a kitchenette and laundry, perfect for our stay in Tokyo.
Thursday, February 29 - We’re here for the Tokyo Marathon and the event Expo opens today. Located in the Tokyo Big Sight convention center, we take the scenic Yurikamome Line around the Tokyo Bay Waterfront. Dinner at Dante Teppanyaki
Friday, March 1 - We make our way to the Tokyo Marathon start line, near Shinjuku Chuo Park. Then to Ginza shopping area to experience the flagship Muji and Uniqlo stores.
Saturday, March 2 - Explored the Jinbocho bookstore area of Tokyo and came back with unique art prints from Hara Shobo, a wonderful print shop.
Sunday, March 3 - Tokyo Marathon day. My sister is running the marathon and we spectate. The course runs a block from the hotel so we are able to see the elites sprint by before catching the others. We walk to Ginza area to catch runners at the 32 km mark (around 20 miles in) and then again towards the finish line at 42km mark.
Monday, March 4 - Knife shopping on Kappabashi street and the recommended Tsubaya store. Ramen counter lunch at Himuro Asakusa Shop (cash only). Then to Tokyo Sky Tree observatory. Dinner in Ginza at Sushi No Midori
Tuesday, March 5 - TeamLabs Planets interactive Art exhibit. Didn’t know what to expect, but the experience was unique and enjoyable. Also visited Tsukiji temple in the Ginza area. Cat cafe MoCHA Akihabara visit. Dinner at a Shabu-Shabu (hot pot) restaurant near our hotel
