Busy Tracks

I will use this one to show you what a Shinkansen is. These are the famous bullet trains that run through most of Japan. They aren't the fastest in the world (see France) but they are really nice to ride in. Though they are expensive, you can basically get anywhere in Japan as fast as flying would take you, what with the security checks and take off/landing business. There incredibly smooth and they are often packed. I like this shot because you get to see the contrast from high tech commuter trains and the good old luggers that still carry cargo across the country. I think I just like the huge number of tracks and sort of deserted feel that you get from this shot, even though this is right in the center of the 4th largest city in Japan (over 2 million).

Ring

Because of my last 2 posts, I have decided its time to unveil my "Japanese Public Transportation" collection I started a few months back. I went on a black/white kick, so let me know what you think. This is one of my favorites from the collection, I took it on an empty train I took during the winter. I rarely get the opportunity to shoot a completely empty train, so this one is a bit unique. I like how the track is curving out of the back window, and there is so much going on in the shot outside the ring.

Nightlife

Keeping with the taxi theme, here is one that I took in Tokyo awhile back. I'm just glad that the cab decided to stay still long enough for me to get the shot. My camera doesn't do too well with night shots unless I do a longer exposure. It almost looks like the drivers taking a little nap behind the wheel, that may explain the delay. I also get a sort of Transformers feel form this car, maybe its the beams and the fact I just saw that awesome movie.

No Whistling

This is really nothing more than an S load of cabs. Its gotta suck to be the dude in the back. Not only that, they don't get any tips here in Japan. Can you imagine waiting in that line for nothing more than your wage.

Also, don't hesitate to leave some comments here people. I'd like to know what kind of stuff people enjoy.

Never Again

This is from a notebook that is inside the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum. Everyone who goes through this museum can write their comments on how much impact the A-Bombs really had. It was so long ago, that its easy for future generations to ignore the destruction both short and long term. I think the most interesting part is seeing the comments come from all different parts of the world including in various languages.

Intense

Alright, this one I did try and get "artsy" with. This is the famous A-Dome, one of the few remaining structures from the first atomic bomb ever dropped. The only reason it survived is because the bomb went off about 500 meters above it, thus not being completely incinerated like everything else withing 5km of the blast. My goal was to try and recreate the blinding white light during the moments around the detonation by over-exposing the shot. Nothing is moving and the debris has settled, but I think it still think it is neat.

Blur

I think I just need to move to Tokyo, because most of my favorite shots are seem to be from there. I love this shot for the obvious reasons. The lights in the city here are beyond excessive, and I could make up some lame artistic interpretation that life is so fast-paced in the city that everything is a blur, yada-yada-yada.... In all reality, this may have been a mistake. I try to take these out-of-focus shots from every once and awhile, but this one I'm not so sure about. Continuing with the common theme of my Tokyo shots, I was drunk and it was late...

Cool Dude

I like this shot because there is so much going on in the background; action, architecture and also some smoke. However, the man in the front draws so much attention and something about his appearance is so commanding. I think its the shades...

Geometric

This is the same building that is in the previous post, but I really liked this obscure reflection coming from the hotel across the street. I think my favorite part is how geometric everything is and the blocks fit together nicely. The only curved lines in the shot are in the reflection which I think brings the focal point to your attention. Cool color contrast too.

Reaching for the Clouds

This is one of my favorite photos and is also one of my favorite spots in the world. At the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Towers you are able to journey up to the 45th floor of either the north or south towers. This free observation floor provides one an amazing panaramic view of one of the largest cities in the world. Concrete and glass as far as the eye can see, and if the weather is just right, Mount Fuji lies in the distant mountains. As for the photo, I really like the clouds positioning. I think if there where more clouds in the top center, it would throw off the focus of the photo. Enough open space at the top allows your eyes to gather the height of the buildings.

Minneapolis

I took this on the Stone Arch Bridge looking upstream at the dam on the Mississippi River. I was actually up there looking at the collapsed 35W bridge. It was pretty far away, but still a powerful site. I'll throw one of the shots up below here, but I was so far away that I didn't get anything I thought stood out. Over a week later, and there is still almost all of the remains and vehicles still resting in the river.

Yellow Brick... Wall

This was outside at a bar last night. The lighting on the brick and in the parking structure was sweet. I thought that the fire escape should have a way to access it, but I liked the way it cuts through to help define the shot.

The Fuj

This was taken at FujiQ Highland, the amusment park located just miles away from the base of Mount Fuji. The ride in the corner was soooo awesome, it went from a dead stop to like 100mph instantly. Other than that, I thought that the weird animals were cool in the corner and that the clouds on Fuji were starting to form that famous ring cloud around the top. Good lighting as it was nearing dusk and the plane contrail really stands out too.

Everywhere

If pigeons had real brains, I guarantee they would take over the world. They just might be the most populated being on the planet because I have never seen a place where they don't live. Always in the hundreds, always looking for food and always crapping on everything they seem. These guys were just taking a break from that routine to sun on the top of a temple, before crapping on it I'm sure...

Cats

I don't know if these are supposed to be Japanese or Chinese, but there was a ton of them there. The little "good luck" Chinese ones usually have the waving arm, these however do not. There ceramic...

Tiny

I think I was only about 9 or 10 steps above this kid, but I think he looks so miniature compared to his surroundings. I don't have to much else to say about this one, just kinda catches my eye in my collection.

Sundown

I know I said I was going to do some "human interest" shots, but I' on a trip right now, so I am going to post what I got going on so far. This was taken in Tokyo at sundown with a beautiful backdrop. I should be able to get the posts back up daily now.