Asian Archery - Japan and Korea

Japanese Kyudo Practitioner, by Reed A. George

Panasonic DMC-G1, Pana-Leica 45mm f2.8 Macro-Elmarit Lens

iso 400, f2.8, 1/50 sec.

 

Japanese archery, known as kyudo, has been practiced in Japan since prehistory. It first shows up in art a few hundred years B.C. No longer a part of military weaponry, kyudo in Japan is a contemplative art form, as well as a sport.

 

I found a related post on Walter Ulreich's blog, in his case writing about archery in Korea.

 

(Click Here) to see images of Korean archery, both today, and in some photojournalist's photos Walter found from 1961. Very cool.

 

Ulreich's blog reports the following:

 

"In the year 1894 bows were excluded from military use, but Emperor Gojong gave command to use archery for the cultivation of mind and body of the Korean people. As a result of that command, the Hwanghakjeoung pavilion was built in the Royal Palace and opened to the public. It is said, that Emperor Gojong personally enjoyed archery and often visited Hwanghakjeoung."

So, it seems that archery has made a similar transition from warfare into mental and physical concentration exercise in Korea, as it did in Japan.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

Vicarious Travel, Luoyang City, China

From time to time, I see a forum post that really makes me want to see some place new, a place I've never been. This time, it's thanks to Martin Tai's post on photo.net, about Luoyang, China. He shows us several pictures of a mountainside and caves (Longmen Grottos), literally covered with an estimated 100,000 sculptures of Buddha.

 

(Click Here) to read Martin's post on photo.net.

 

Here's where Luoyang is located (thanks to Google Maps):

 

 

 

Image Source: http://photo.net/leica-rangefinders-forum/00cYk0

 

I wonder how one gets to the grottos? I've never been to China, at least beyond a short business trip to Hong Kong many years ago. I'm always amazed at the size of the country, and the diversity of regions and people there. I work with many Chinese scientists, from many different regions within the country. I enjoy talking with them about the specifics of their local areas. Languages, religions, food, all vary widely depending on where in China they live.

 

Maybe a China tour is in my future, once I get to the phase of life where I have time for such things.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

Whole Lotta Leica - October Results - That Summicron Bokeh

Not All That Matters Is Sharp, by Reed A. George

Leica M9, Leica Summicron 50mm f2 v.3 Lens

iso 400, f2.8, 1/3000 sec.

 

Lens geeks, especially Leica lens geeks, frequently discuss "bokeh." Apparently, bokeh is a Japanese word for "out of focus" areas in an image. The lens design, including the number and shape of the aperture blades, has a lot to do with how "pleasing" a given lens' bokeh will be. In general, more aperture blades, and rounded edges, yield smoother bokeh.

 

The Summicron is known for beautiful bokeh. In fact, I believe it was Mike Johnston who decided that the 35mm Summicron version 4 lens is the "king of bokeh." At any rate, you should expect a lot from any Summicron in this area.

 

In the shot above, I exposed the tree at f2.8, making for very shallow depth of field, on purpose. The combination of a wide aperture and close focus makes for lots of bokeh. To me, the structure in the back is as important as the tree leaves. It gives a strong sense of the context of the image. The red maple leaves go along with the Asian style structure. Neither element would be as strong without the other.

 

People argue about bokeh - what is pleasing, which lenses have the best. I've noticed that the bokeh from some of my cheaper lenses is as nice as higher end lenses. In fact, I've seen quite nice bokeh from very cheap lenses, with few (four) aperture blades. So, I'm not saying you need a Summicron to get beautiful bokeh. I am saying that bokeh can be important to conveying what you want with an image.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

 

Look at this Amazing Shot by Darek Meyer (With Ricoh GR Digital IV) as Posted on Steve Huff's Site

By Darek Meyer

Image Source: http://www.stevehuffphoto.com/2013/09/06/daily-inspiration-443-by-darek-meyer/

 

Steve Huff commonly publishes posts by guest authors, which I think is great. When I saw this image by Darek Meyer, a Polish photographer, I was just astounded. Darek took it in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. He was using a Ricoh GRD4.

 

(Click Here) to read Darek's post on Steve Huff's site and see a couple more of his excellent images. He writes about searching for the perfect travel camera after trying a DSLR. He was interested in the Leica Monochrom, but found the Ricoh to be best suited to his needs. Clearly it works very well in his hands.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

 

Suryo Widjaja Shares Olympus OM-D Photos From Myanmar on Steve Huff Photo

Image Source: http://www.stevehuffphoto.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Semedi.jpg

 

Photographer Suryo Widjaja has written a guest piece on Steve Huff's blog, sharing several wonderful images he took in Myanmar in January of this year.

 

(Click Here) to read Suryo's post on Steve Huff's site.

 

Myanmar is definitely on my bucket list. I know a couple of people who've been able to gain entry to the country for tourism, and they have a lot of great things to say about the place. Anywhere that measures "Gross National Happiness" sounds okay to me.

 

Suryo reports that he took two Olympus OM-D bodies on the trip - his most-used lens was an Olympus 17mm f1.8, second was the Olympus 75mm f1.8. His 12mm saw little use. I have the 75mm f1.8, and it's a keeper.

 

I am about to take a week long vacation, and I'm planning to take my Leica M9, 35mm Summicron, and a medium telephoto (likely my Canon 135mm f3.5 LTM). This post encourages me to travel light, and my choice of lenses closely matches the field of view of Suryo's lenses on his Micro 4/3 gear. Of course, I'll carry the diminuitive Lumix DMC-LX7 as well. So much capability in such a small package simply cannot be left behind. Plus, it gives me closeup capability not available in the M9, at least not easily.

 

Suryo has shown how much you can do with two lenses. I'm impressed.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

 

Image Admiration - Mimo Khair's "The gift of sleep"

 

The gift of sleep, by Mimo

Image Source: http://mimokhairphotography.com/2013/05/22/the-gift-of-sleep/

 

I read a lot of blogs and look at a lot of images. Every once in a while, I see one that is worth sharing on its own.

 

Mimo Khair is a Shanghai, China-based freelance photographer who writes a regularly-updated blog and shares a lot of pictures.

 

(Click Here) to go to Mimo's blog "Images and Journeys of a Searching Mind."

 

I really like this image for several reasons. First, I love street photography. I am also very interested in composition, which is especially interesting in this shot. You see, the sleeping subject on the right is almost diametrically opposed to a calendar photo in the top left corner, which shows a family laughing and having fun together. I love that opposition.

 

Finally, the image makes me wonder. I wonder if Mimo planned this composition, or if the subject is on the edge of the image purely because she was concerned with waking her up and being caught taking the photo. I've done that before, especially when using a wide angle lens. You can make it look like you're pointing at something else while including someone in your frame. In any case, Mimo admits that the woman did wake up as a result of the shutter sound. She bought bottled water from her by way of apology.

 

Man, I really love street photography.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

Learn how to set up the amazing Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7 for street (and other) photography with my Kindle ebook - only $2.99 on Amazon, or free loan for Prime members

 

 

Philippine Festivals - Shot by krijtin on mu-43.com with Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3, Plus One of My Festival Shots

krijtin of mu-43.com has posted a series of images captured at two separate festivals in the Philippines. Both were shot with the Lumix DMC-G3. The first, the Sinulog Festival, was covered with the Lumix 20mm f1.7 lens.

Sinulog Festival, by krijtin on mu-43.com

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3, Lumix 20mm f1.7 Lens

Image Source: http://www.mu-43.com/f57/2013-philippine-festivals-40593/

 

The second festival, Dinagyang, was shot with the G3 and kit lens (14-42mm):

 

Dinagyang Festival, by krijtin on mu-43.com

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3, Lumix 20mm f1.7 Lens

Image Source: http://www.mu-43.com/f57/2013-philippine-festivals-40593/

 

I thoroughly enjoy shooting events like this. krijtin has done a nice job with the G3 here, especially with the kit lens, which I find quite limiting due to its small maximum aperture. Here's one I shot at a Japanese Obon festival in Fairfax, Virginia, using the G3 and 20mm f1.7:

Japanese Obon Festival, by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3, Lumix 20mm f1.7 Lens

iso 200, f4, 1/125 sec

 

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

 

Shanghai's Yuyuan Garden Tea House at Night by Adam Allegro

 

Shanghai's Yuyuan Garden Tea House by Adam Allegro

Image Source: http://catchthejiffy.com/2013/01/09/yuyuan-garden-district-at-night/

 

I'm on the hunt for new and inspiring photography blogs. There are a lot out there. I just found Adam Allegro's "Catch the Jiffy" blog, with amazing travel photography.

 

(Click Here) to go to Catch the Jiffy

 

Adam is a Nikon shooter, and explains his equipment choice on his blog (link above). He has a real talent for night photography, and uses the awesome Nikon D800 to great advantage.

 

This guy gets around a lot. So, he may be a source for more of my "travel photos from places I've never been" in the future.

 

Enjoy his site!

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

 

 

Another Vicarious Travel Set - This Time, Bali, Indonesia, by choongmin63 on dpreview Forum

Bali, Indonesia, by choongmin63 on dpreview.com

Image Source: http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1041&message=41873175

 

Member choongmin63 has posted a few excellent pictures from Bali, Indonesia on dpreview.com.

 

(Click Here) to see the post on dpreview.com.

 

I can't see any information on what lenses were used, but the title indicates the pics were taken with a Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3. Every time I see something like this, I remind myself that if I hold back on gear purchases, I can afford trips to amazing new places. I'd like to see Indonesia first-hand.

 

Thanks, choongmin63, for sharing your vision with us.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com