NIKON Z 8 (26mm, f/2.8, 1/250 sec, ISO200)
Another day in Kyoto. Originally we planned to move on but we had to stay for more. This place is magical.
Right after breakfast we went out to see another temple: the Nanzen-ji temple. I can’t remember why we have chosen this temple (there are 2000 temples in Kyoto) but I’m convinced it was a perfect choice. This temple complex is huge and just beautiful. Even the short walk to the temple from the train station is special. Beautiful old style houses that could be mistaken as part of the temple complex. That’s why the residents put little fences in their entry gates to avoid to be visited by curious tourists.
NIKON Z 8 (26.5mm, f/5.6, 1/50 sec, ISO200)
NIKON Z 8 (30.5mm, f/5.6, 1/50 sec, ISO72)
NIKON Z 8 (96mm, f/5.6, 1/50 sec, ISO90)
I met a local couple on their dog walk and asked them if I could take a picture of their dogs. Groomed to perfection! I’m glad that the picture turned out to be reasonable sharp because my shutter speed was way too low. I guess I was still in my indoor Auto-ISO setting from the night before. The shutter speed is something you need to watch on the Nikon Z8. The Z8 has no mechanical shutter and because of that it doesn’t provide any feedback regarding the shutter speed. The fake shutter sound always sounds the same no matter if you shoot at 1/8000s or 1/15s.
When we entered the main gate it started to rain. Luckily it was only a light drizzle. It was rather dark though and finally felt a little bit like November except that it was warm and that the leaves on the trees just started to change colour.
NIKON Z 8 (20mm, f/5.6, 1/50 sec, ISO110)
NIKON Z 8 (20mm, f/5.6, 1/100 sec, ISO720)
NIKON Z 8 (40mm, f/5.6, 1/100 sec, ISO320)
NIKON Z 8 (40mm, f/5.6, 1/100 sec, ISO280)
NIKON Z 8 (20mm, f/8, 1/100 sec, ISO1400)
There were some visitors but I wouldn’t call it crowded. Nothing compared to our first day in Kyoto. I guess there are enough temples in Kyoto so unless you visit the most popular locations you can have an almost contemplative experience. Like the woman who just sat in the entry gate with her dog on her lap and stared into the distance or at her past.
As soon as I enter I calm down. I can only imagine what those places would do to me if I would not take pictures. It’s almost scary. But I have my camera around my neck and I’m surrounded by beauty so I can’t afford to get lost in my thoughts or finally find enlightenment.
NIKON Z 8 (40mm, f/8, 1/100 sec, ISO400)
NIKON Z 8 (20mm, f/8, 1/100 sec, ISO360)
NIKON Z 8 (40mm, f/2, 1/250 sec, ISO64)
NIKON Z 8 (40mm, f/5.6, 1/100 sec, ISO160)
NIKON Z 8 (20mm, f/2.8, 1/50 sec, ISO1400)
NIKON Z 8 (120mm, f/4, 1/60 sec, ISO64)
You can do whatever you want. You can walk your dog, take pictures or just sit and contemplate. But whatever you do you should take your time. It doesn’t make sense to rush from one location to another. This is what I learned from my travels. You won’t be able to see everything so make sure that you experience the places you visit.
A bus load of Chinese tourists entered the place around the viaduct and the peace was gone. My wife wanted to leave but I told her to wait a minute. And sure enough after they took some pictures and selfies they left as quickly as they came to rush to the next place. All for a couple of images on Instagram. This is something I experienced all over Asia on my business trips.
NIKON Z 8 (29mm, f/8, 1/50 sec, ISO720)
NIKON Z 8 (24mm, f/8, 1/50 sec, ISO900)
NIKON Z 8 (30.5mm, f/8, 1/50 sec, ISO640)
For us it was time to put on some guest slippers to enter the temple. There is an entry fee of 500 JPY (that’s just 3 Euros!). I think it’s a steal but apparently it’s high enough so that we almost had the place for ourselves.
Just magic but that’s another blog post.
NIKON Z 8 (35mm, f/8, 1/250 sec, ISO1250)