Friday, May 27, 2016

Daydreaming with the Voigtlander Nokton 50mm F1.1 Lens

Anytime the Sun don't shine I see an opportunity to breakout my Voigtlander Nokton 50mm F1.1 lens and have some fun. It's the perfect lens for darkish overcast days when one wants to try and capture some magic in otherwise ordinary settings.

I started out on the Nogeyama hill top park. It's a small little known park where people can stroll around by themselves or bring children to play in a clean safe environment.

Like every other park in Yokohama right now, there are roses blooming.

Going underground in the maze of  interconnected subway train stations I save a little time crossing town.

Does anybody really know what time it is
Does anybody really care
If so I can't imagine why
We've all got time enough to die
-- Chicago

Nihon Odori - A perfect example of the perfect avenue.

The sidewalks are wider than the street.

A place where pedestrians are the first consideration. The fence doubles as a bench. The shade trees are perfectly spaced to proved continuous shade.

And, flowers are planted both inboard and outboard of the sidewalk.


In Yamashita park the hydrangea are starting to do their thing.

So are the lilies.

I don't even know what these are but they're beautiful.

As I prowl around the flower garden I've got the Jethro Tull song "Bungle In the Jungle" playing in my head.

Did I come here to see the flowers or the people looking at the flowers?

I think they are both equally interesting.

Equally interesting and sometimes equally beautiful.

Sometimes I think I'm invisible.  Standing in one spot with a camera pressed against my face, people walk by as if I'm just one of the flowers.

Old friends enjoy the moments they are together.

Lunch at Italian restaurant "LaPausa" in Bashamichi. I think it's a chain, I know it's reasonable priced (hence the reason I'm in it).

If one isn't inclined to dine alone at a table, a counter is available with a nice view of the outside world.

Just around the corner...

Nicky and Nicole are waiting for me. For the first time I noticed that Nicky's middle finger is bent slightly inward. What does it mean??? She won't tell.

Another subway entrance - I'll pass on this one.

Outside looking in

Another view of Nihon Odori.

God Bless America - I must have made a wrong turn somewhere.

Nice stuff - decent prices too! One never knows what is going to be sold out on the streets of Yokohama.

Time marches on.

And, sometimes time seems to stand still.

They were moving from right to left then they turned abruptly and walked straight at me... suddenly I realized that I wasn't invisible. I smiled at them, they smiled back at me, and they moved on to wherever they were going.

I decided it was time for a cuppa Joe so I stopped in at the Veloce coffee shop. Good coffee here at a cheap price; the place is clean and the service is excellent.

A great place to catch up on ones reading.

Not that I need it but they do have a smokers section too.

Afterwards a quick stop at Yokohama park to watch the turtles swim around the pond.

Last shot of the day: passing by the Ookagawa river on my way home.
All images were terrific fun to shoot using my Sony A7II camera and the astonishing Voigtlander Nokton 50mm F1.1 lens.

Thanks for stopping by!
Mike

Sunday, May 22, 2016

Flower Gardens Are Good For You

More roses! Lots more roses. If you're feeling a little blue, this is the place to turn that feeling around.

Roses are for lovers! This is the ultimate cheap date. Just hold hands, smile into each other's face and enjoy the beautiful flowers.


Yellow roses are my favorite.

Write "A walk will do me good" on a post-it and stick it on your PC screen.

The Yokohama Marine Tower in the background.

A lot of work goes into maintaining Yamashita park and it's wonderful that it's free to the public.

I brought a thermos full of hot Earl Grey tea with me today. This is the perfect setting to enjoy it.

Flower gardens are good for you.


Stealthy young photographers are happily snapping away at the colorful flowers.

Less than a 10 minute walk from Yamashita park is the French Hill park.


I don't know the name of this flower, it looks like a brush for washing bottles.

Time for lunch!

And, it's less than a 10 minute walk from French Hill to get to the Harbor View park.

Fellow flower fans enjoy the sunny afternoon.


The makings for a beautiful blue bouquet.

It wouldn't be a flower garden without some lavender.


Such a variety, and admission is free.



Last flower shot of the day. Time to start the trek back to the train station.

It takes two to tango.

The ever-present i-phone.

Ahhh, my good friend the Ookagawa river.

Always a good place to catch a cool breeze on a hot day.

Last shot of the day: Party on the streets of Noge.

Thanks for stopping by!
Mike