Flickr Pic #53: [Asakusa Samba] Spin

[Asakusa Samba] Spin
Originally uploaded by scion_cho

Together with samba teams from the carnival homeland of Brazil, about 3,500 lovers of samba rhythms come from all over Japan. These teams compete to put on the most spectacular dancing and other performances, creating a carnival that is just as wonderful as the one in Rio. Bright eye-catching costumes with beads and plumes of different colors also provide a visual feast. There are also plenty of ingenious devices that embody original ideas, including flower-decked floats on motor vehicles and allegoria handcarts with sound systems.
-from Japan Atlas: Asakusa Samba Carnival


Taken on August 30, 2008
Location: Streets of Asakusa, Tokyo, Japan

See Flickr post #52 (click link here)

Flickr Pic #52: [Asakusa Samba] Talk to the Hand

[Asakusa Samba] Talk to the Hand
Originally uploaded by scion_cho

The Asakusa Samba is a celebration of Brazilian culture in Japan.

Asakusa is a district in Tokyo, widely known for its Buddhist temple, Senso-ji, and the host of traditional events such as the Sanja Matsuri (festival) and the Sumida River Fireworks. Aside from that, every year by the end of August, the Asakusa Samba Carnival has been one of the most anticipated summer events in Tokyo.


Taken on August 30, 2008
Location: Streets of Asakusa, Tokyo, Japan

See Flickr post #51 (click link here)

Flickr Pic #51: [Tokuma EB] Free Fall

[Tokuma EB] Free Fall
Originally uploaded by scion_cho

Took this shot of a Japanese man who jumped off the Tokuma falls... for fun, not suicide. =P


Taken on August 17, 2008
Location: Tokuma, Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan

See Flickr post #50 (click link here)

Flickr Pic #50: [Tokuma EB] Xtin Asks "What should I do?"

[Tokuma EB] Xtin Asks "What should I do?"
Originally uploaded by scion_cho

A meetup between Filipinos in Japan, mostly composed of photohobbyists and our host, ate Maki's nearby friends in Shizuoka. It was a free-for-all shoot wherein the models do anything they want (re: pose) and the photographers shoot whatever they can focus on. Basically a just-for-fun shoot, despite having our models wear makeup and costumes.

Xtin, who agreed to pose for us while wearing a yellow kimono, had no idea on what kinds of poses she ought to do. As for us photographers, we cared less on whatever pose a model would do. Anything can be caught picture perfect.


Taken on August 17, 2008
Location: Tokuma, Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan

See Flickr post #49 (click link here)

Flickr Pic #49: [Tokuma EB] Poulain

[Tokuma EB] Poulain
Originally uploaded by scion_cho

Poulain, one of our volunteer-models for the just-for-fun photoshoot EB at Tokuma, Yamanashi, had been randomly posing until she paused a bit for a laugh.


Taken on August 17, 2008
Location: Tokuma, Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan

See Flickr post #48 (click link here)

Flickr Pic #48: [Tokuma EB] Hitomi

[Tokuma EB] Hitomi
Originally uploaded by scion_cho

Hitomi is a Japanese-Filipina part-time model. She's a friend of one of our fellow photohobbyists. This, I believe is my best shot of her. On the background is the man-made Tokuma Falls.

The Tokuma EB is my very first 'model' photoshoot event. Special thanks to all of our models who were all game and fun to shoot at. We were very much trigger happy that the amateurs in us didn't even think of directing the models. Thus, the burden had always been on them. :)

Taken on August 17, 2008
Location: Tokuma, Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan

See Flickr post #47 (click link here)

Flickr Pic #47: [Tokuma EB] Protect the VIP

[Tokuma EB] Protect the VIP
Originally uploaded by scion_cho

Nikon d40 sorrounded by 2 Canon Kiss x2's.

Meet Alaine, Poulain, and Kate (in that order). Poulain borrowed a Nikon D40 (Sarpon's extra DSLR) for the meetup, as she was still deciding on what DSLR brand and model to buy. Despite being all praises for the Nikon D40 (making Alaine and Kate pout), she still bought the Canon Kiss x2. Now that's what we call peer pressure. hahaha.

Taken on August 17, 2008
Location: Tokuma, Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan

See Flickr post #46 (click link here)

Autumn Light-up at the Rikugien Garden-- Komagome, Tokyo -- Nov 29 2008

Rikugien is one of Tokyo's most beautiful, Japanese style landscape gardens. Built around 1700 by Yanagisawa Yoshiyasu, Rikugien literally means "six poems garden" and reproduces in miniature 88 scenes from famous poems. (Japan Guide)

Rikugien garden is only usually open from 9am to 430pm. But, in celebration for the Autumn season, they hold an event termed as "Light-up" that extends closing time up to 9pm. Illumination events such as this are quite common in Japan, which aims to encourage visitors to appreciate the beauty of parks and shrines at night.

Though the closing time of Rikugien had been extended, only a part of the whole garden area were made accessible for the light-up. Quite the center of attraction would have been the central pond on the north shore. On it is the Horaijima, a small island in the pond made of stones, created based on a form of mysticism aimed at attaining supernatural power (according to a pamphlet).

For Japanese and foreign tourists alike, one can appreciate the beauty of the Rikugien while sipping a cup of traditional Japanese tea. These tea house, known as Fukiage-chaya (Fukiage Teahouse) overlooks the central pond on the north shore.

Thanks to Shaffie for lending me one of his tripods, I was able to practice night photography using long exposures on this event. I am still on the lookout for the 'perfect' tripod (not to be too cheap, not too costly, most reliable in use). I used an old SLIK tripod, and it was quite really heavy. Without a spirit level, it was also hard to orient the camera especially on uneven grounds. Also, I've learnt that I should have used a lower ISO, and ramped up on longer exposures instead, hehe (was using auto-ISO max 800 at the beginning).

I guess that ends my Autumn experience for this year. Good thing I was able to join last week's Takao trip; or else I wouldn't have Autumn day shots. I wonder what's in store for me during winter... well at least I'm going to spend most of my December in the Philippines. :D

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Flickr Pic #46: [Tokuma EB] Fall-ain

[Tokuma EB] Fall-ain
Originally uploaded by scion_cho

A candid shot on Poulain, while she was talking to Kate. In the background is the man-made Tokuma Falls. The place is more of like a small dam, actually.

We went to Yamanashi upon invitation from Ate Maki, our gracious host for the weekend. Had practiced some portrait shots with other Filipino photo hobbyists; as our female companions became willing models.

Great food, enjoyable company, fun photography.
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Taken on August 17, 2008
Location: Tokuma, Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan

See Flickr post #45 (click link here)