The photo connoisseurs of the internet often disparage the snapshot, but in reality some of the best scenes are those most unplanned.
Off the Beaten Path, Japan #31: Walking the Ridge
Tag: travel
Off the Beaten Path, Japan #30: On the Ridge to Sasagahara
Fields of bamboo grass spread off into the distance, offering gorgeous unobstructed views.
Off the Beaten Path, Japan #29: Morning Light on Kamegamori
It was the next morning after 萌 and I watched the sunset over Stonehammer together. I rose early as usual the next day to catch the sunrise. This time I looked not west toward that rocky mallet but rather eastwards that vast field of sasa grass spreading out on the slopes high above sheer cliffs dropping a hundred meters or more to the valley below. As I waited, suddenly the sunlight caught the grass on the mountains shoulder, lighting it brilliant gold.
Off the Beaten Path, Japan #28: Sunset on Stonehammer
At the foot of the mountain the sign read, “Watch out for vipers.” The fields of bamboo grass covering the slopes would have been an ideal home for a poisonous snake, but as I crested the summit of the mountain I found no dangerous reptiles but rather a tent already set and waiting for evening though it was still hours until sunset.
The sound of my approaching footsteps brought attention to its occupant and soon there emerged like the budding of a flower not a serpent or medusa but possibly a siren. She said her name was 萌.
And so we spent waning afternoon together chatting idly as the sun settled towards the shoulder of the mountain. Suddenly the light was right and I jumped to work. 萌 stood behind me watching. Almost as an afterthought I said, “Stand over there. The photo will look better if you’re in it.” Then I took the photo.
She was tired and went to bed. I stayed up to watch the moon rise.
Copyright Brian Heise, 2019
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Off the Beaten Path, Japan 27: Sea of Clouds
Copyright Brian Heise, 2019
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Off the Beaten Path, Japan #26: Kurobi Peak
On the second day of my trip to Akagi Mountain in Gunma Prefecture Japan, Tianyu and I climbed to the top of Jizo-dake, where we were able to gaze across the caldera to Kurobi-dake, the highest peak on the mountain. We had stood on that summit yesterday, but the sky was so crowded by clouds that we couldn’t hardly see a thing. Thankfully, on this day we were blessed with good weather.
Off the Beaten Path, Japan #24: On the Shores of Ono Lake
Ono Lake is a large lake situated at the bottom of a giant volcanic crater at the center of Akagi Mountain in Gunma Prefecture, Japan.
Off the Beaten Path, Japan #23: Sunset in Sakae
In the countryside east of Tokyo lies the quiet town of Prosperity (Sakae). Take a short walk away from the buildings that make up the town proper to find miles of farmland stretching out as far as the eye can see. And, if you wait until sundown, you might see something like this.
© Brian Heise, 2018
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Off the Beaten Path, Japan #22: Sunset on Kanna Lake
A picture from my trip to Kanna Lake in February. Nothing like a little sunset to counteract the dull winter colors. It’s a shame I hadn’t bought an ND filter yet!
Copyright Brian Heise, 2019
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Off the Beaten Path, Japan #21: Neighborhood Garden
While wandering my local neighborhood of Tokyo, Kinshicho, I found these orange flowers growing in a garden outside an elementary school near my apartment. It looked so good I had to take a shot, and this is what I got. It looks so perfect you’d think it was photoshopped, but actually I only added some relatively heavy vignetting to cut down on peripheral distractions. What do you think?
Copyright Brian Heise, 2019
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Haiji, Japan Hiker 