Life Through A Lens
A Dying Breed(?)
Posted by Stu (Scotland | Residing in Kyoto, Japan) on 21 May 2009 in Landscape & Rural and Portfolio.
I took a trip up to the North of Kyoto prefecture to have a look at some of the rice fields. This is a place called Sonobe (園部), about 35km from the city. Out here you really feel like you are in Asia, as the cities in Japan have the same trans-national corporations on every street that London, Sydney and Paris do. I wondered how much longer we'll be able to enjoy views like these, and whether it's inevitable that it will be replaced some day by prefab houses and "progress". However since Japan has a shrinking population I reckon there's hope that areas like this may survive so I remain optimistic.
I wandered around for several hours in the 30 degree heat, but got some interesting shots for my efforts. This is the first of several posts taken that day.
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Ian Smith from London, United Kingdom
A very nice capture. Your story, and the image, reminds me of the very enjoyable film by Studio Ghibli - 'Only Yesterday'.
21 May 2009 11:08am
@Ian Smith: Thx Ian. I'll have to check that out.
@Onlymehdi: I appreciate the visit and comment Onlymehdi. Cheers!
GJC from Kyoto (京都), Japan
Wow. This is not only a wonderful scene, but you've framed it beautifully. And I confess I'd never heard of Sonobe! How did you get there? I'm clearly going to have to check this out!
21 May 2009 1:36pm
@GJC: Thx GJC. I took the train up there. You need the Sagano line which goes up through Nijo and Uzumasa etc. Know the one? Sonobe is only about 20 minutes away, past Kameoka (亀岡). I got off at Sonobe and then walked back to the previous station through the rice fields.
hugo poon from hong kong, Hong Kong
My favourite of the day! I love every element of this... Thanks Stuart!
21 May 2009 2:04pm
@hugo poon: Many thanks Hugo! That means alot coming from you, whose work I admire so much.
Steve Rice from Olympia, United States
This is simply brilliant. A perfect composition. It may be hot, but that farmer will endure long sleeves to keep the sun off him.
21 May 2009 3:36pm
@Steve Rice: Thx Steve! Yeah it's amazing the temperatures they seem able to endure.
@Ana Lúcia: Thx Ana Lucia!
Daryl Johnson from Farnham, United Kingdom
What a great scene. Never visited this place. But I do love these little pockets of peace you can find dotted around the country.
21 May 2009 6:01pm
@Daryl Johnson: Thx Daryl. I should really try to get out to rural Japan more often. From Kyoto you can be there in 20 minutes.
Zing from Hamilton, New Zealand
Beautiful shot, great composition and dof, love the farmer's reflection.
22 May 2009 8:25am
Esther K ~ from Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
If you ever make a photo book, this should be in it. Lovely.
22 May 2009 9:09am
@Esther K ~: Thx Esther! I'll make sure not to delete it just in case... ;-)
ordinaryimages from Kentucky Bluegrass, United States
I'm taken by the gesture and the processing. best...jerry
23 May 2009 3:48am
Laurent from Lyon, France
nicely composed, beautiful light and good deep of field. All those ingredients make a very good picture
27 May 2009 8:01pm
dkc from Xanthi, Greece
Great capture here...Love the reflection of the man working on those fields...Wonderful composition too...
30 May 2009 9:44pm
Canon EOS 50D
1/200 second
F/5.0
ISO 200
200 mm