Life in Japan - Pictures galore !! Arcades, Temples, Rainy days, etc

We went for a nice Sunday afternoon walk, and didn't bother getting any trains. It was nice to explore a little more of the area.


Roadside by martindesu, on Flickr







I've also redone my site, so drop by if you like.

 

Nice pussy you found there. I'm going out tonight for a walk so be ready for some creepy narrow ally shots.

 

I went to a baseball game last night in Fukuoka, it was great fun. I liked how even though the Tigers got smashed, their fans were still cheering into the 9th inning. Guess I am a Softbank Hawks fan now!

 

What's the significance of all those sperm balloons?

 

They always use those balloons at Softbank games. I've been to Fukuoka Dome , oh sorry "Yahoo" Dome a few times and each time they had those balloons.

 

I also had a chuckle at the phallic nature of the balloons. At the 7th inning stretch, they sing the Hawks' theme song and let yellow balloons off. They also use white ones when they win (the above photo was after they won, a crushing 12-0 defeat of the Tigers).

 

While out for a nice nightly walk I grabbed a few shots. Sort of wish I had brought my tripod now.

In most countries walking in a dark street like this would be considered unsafe, but not in Japan.


Is it safe1 by Yakum01975, on Flickr


Is it safe 2 by Yakum01975, on Flickr


Is it safe 3 by Yakum01975, on Flickr

 

I love these shots!

 

Amazing shots, and to think they come from a flash free phone... Jeebus!

 

The black & white treatment works well on those contrasty, night shots. Well done.



Nappytime on the Subway (BW) by gaijin_punch, on Flickr


Shibuya Graffiti by gaijin_punch, on Flickr


Probably Hatsudai (BW) by gaijin_punch, on Flickr


Shibuya Station Platform (BW) by gaijin_punch, on Flickr

 

Just like Resident Evil of the old times There's quite a few places near me like that. It's odd because my living area is quite modern but just around the corner is like stepping back in time, especially at night.

Thanks, GP. I do like taking night shots, it's quite a challenge on a micro four thirds camera due to no mirror and less light but with some tinkering it can be done. I really should take my tripod next time. There were some really good areas I wanted to shoot but because the light was so low I couldn't get a clean shot by holding the camera.

I'm liking your shots as always. That old people on the train shot must have been noticed by those near by. Just the sound of the lens would get you noticed I would have thought.

Ah, those shots were taken with my GH2 DLSR camera. No phone can take photos that good in the dark. No flash was used and all the shots were taken free hand. If I had my tripod I could have taken some really killer shots by leaving the lens open longer. Doing that free hand isn't possible because humans can't stay perfectly still.

 

Nah, it's the shutter which makes the noise, and it's almost silent on his camera.

I use a phone without a shutter sound, too. Only thing worse than a loud shutter sound, is a fake loud shutter sound.

 

My phone can't turn off the shutter sound I can turn it down though.

 

Yep!

 

Ahh... So I won't exchange my SGS III for the Sharp

It is a shame that the Samsung flagship of 2012 behaves so poorly at night...

 

Tori Gates in Ueno by martindesu, on Flickr


Top corner by martindesu, on Flickr


Inside by martindesu, on Flickr


Early morning by martindesu, on Flickr


Hungry? by martindesu, on Flickr


Downtown by martindesu, on Flickr

 

On a train, nobody can hear the shutter -- I can barely hear it. I also use the screen. Focus, just sit there, look the other way, and take it then. Noone's the wiser. I was sitting on the other side, btw. That's from my lap to theirs at 35mm (on full frame).

 

Those are some great shots guys!! I especially love the muted night shots... plus it's cool to see some spots I remember visiting when we were in Japan late last year

On another note, I was wondering if I could get some feedback on a possible lens to replace our 18-55mm kit lens that came with our 550D?

Have done some reading on the Canon EF-S 15-85mm f3.5-5.6 IS as a replacement everyday zoom and it seems to be a nice step-up from the 18-55mm kit lens, at least from what I've read. The price is looking good at the moment as well - can get it for under AU$600 with delivery at the moment. Any thoughts from everyone on here since you all have a better grasp on this than I do? Going through the shots from our trip to Japan I'd be keen for some better low-light performance and an improvement in overall sharpness/detail and colour compared to the kit lens; don't know how the latter goes with lenses, but the other two sound possible! The fact it can go a touch wider and can zoom further is also handy.

If that's a good way to go, I was thinking of whacking a 72mm Hoya UV filter on it as well (we have a 58mm UV filter on the kit lens - bought it as a bit of a lens protector to be honest!!).

 

One of Canon's best lenses is the EF-S 17-55 F2.8. I had it when I was on APS-C and it is the perfect walk around lens. It's basically the same focal range as your kit lens, wide aperture, and about as sharp as lenses get. It is generally considered better than the 24-70L (it's full frame equivalent) but apparently the 24-70L II is the cat's meow. I'm off of zooms though.