Come rain and come shine

 It wasn't supposed to rain. All the weather reports said it would be a nice day. I was excited because there was a special lily blooming in Yokohama and I wanted to take pictures of them.

So far so good. These lilies are amazing.

Then the unexpected started to happen. It started raining. I had just entered Yamashita park so I ran to the Indian Pavilion to take cover. So did about 10 other people. These were people like me... people without an umbrella.

About 50 yards from the pavilion there was a couple having bridal pictures taken by a professional. They huddled under a tree for protection from the rain but soon enough that wasn't working so they moved to the park's public restrooms. They also didn't have umbrellas.

The rain poured down hard for over a half of an hour and then it started to taper off. This lady was trying to move to better cover but her dogs weren't in to it. 

Then the rain stopped! Well, it almost stopped. From the protection of the pavilion I saw the bride and groom moving back to the photo shoot location. Somebody had managed to get some umbrellas for them. 

This bride will not be denied! The photo shoot will go on!

Out of curiosity I left the pavilion to have a closer look at this extraordinary woman.  The backdrop of her shoot was this patch of sunflowers. One can see the groom waiting obediently in the distance. Well trained already.

The photographer's assistant was getting her positioned for the pictures. When I walked by her I was amazed at how beautiful she was. Beauty and determination, what a combination.

And, as if the rain had never happened, the photo shoot continued. By-the-way, the green domed structure in the background is the pavilion where I weathered the storm. 

So soon after the rain, the sidewalks are still empty of people.

Along the side of the road I spotted another lily.

It didn't take long for the streets to fill up with people.

A couple of china dolls basking in the fresh sunshine.

Now people are using their umbrellas to protect them from the sun instead of the rain.

Life goes on.

Thanks for stopping by!

Mike

For family and friends - if you're wondering how Emi and I are doing, we're doing fine.

Bonus shots!

Voigtländer Color-Skopar 35mm f2.5 C-type LTM lens

 I bought a used Voigtländer Color-Skopar 35mm f2.5 C-type LTM lens. I didn't need it. I was in Ohnuki camera shop in Yokohama and I saw this lens in the glass display case, it looked lonely so I bought it and took it home. The next day I mounted it on my old Sony A7II camera and went for a photo walk-about.  

First shot and I like what I see. Can it get better than this?

Oh yeah! It can get better!

This is the old Customs House building down by the Yokohama waterfront. It's a famous landmark commonly called the "Queen".

Getting down low to the ground for this shot.

It looks like I'm not the only one excited about this lens.

I guess not everyone is feeling the excitement.

Whenever I get a new lens I take some standard photos of the same old places I always go to just to see how they compare. Yamashita park is one of those places. 

And, the Hikawa Maru is another of my standard go to places.

What a beautiful day!

People pictures! 

The sun is shining bright on this beautiful June day.

Close-ups!

China Town is always a great place to test a new lens.

Parasols are everywhere. UV protection at its best.

Getting the wide image.

Hopefully in a few months masks won't be necessary. 

Here's a woman that looks like she's been there, done that and seen it all before.

The view from a bridge over the Ookagawa river.

I had so much fun whit this lens yesterday, I went out again today. 

Today Emi is with me and we're on a mission. We're back in China Town to find a special teashop. Last time we looked for it but we couldn't find it. Maybe it's just around the corner. Passing by a charming young girl.

We found it! Tens Tea Shop!

This lady knows her tea.

Emi and the proprietress are talking tea. Tea is serious business. Good tea is not cheap! 

Last shot of the day: Passing by people as we look for a place to eat lunch.

After shooting with the Voigtländer Color-Skopar 35mm f2.5 C-type LTM lens for two days I can say that this lens is a keeper!

Thanks for stopping by!

Mike

Bonus shots!

Not taken with the Voigtländer Color-Skopar 35mm f2.5 C-type LTM lens.