Posted by Rick Dunn on October 24, 2011 at 7:38 PM
I stopped by the Portland Japanese Garden this afternoon. Colors are just starting to get interesting; image posted for reference. They'll probably be great in another week and continue to be that way for another week or so. One of the guides said that colors have progressed rapidly in just the past few days.
A cackle of photographers were camped near one of the cut-leaf maples near the pond. Probably 1.2 billion pixels worth of DSLR gear between them. I was shooting with a pocket P&S, just for fun. One of them advised me that the contrast was too extreme for my camera, and I would suffer "either blown highlights or blocked up shadows." What kind of person says that to someone using a P&S???
I told him I shoot 4x5 and asked if he was using tilt-shift lenses, or settling for inferior perspective control....
FYI... I believe Nov. 11th is free-admission at the Garden. I imagine some trees will have lost their leaves, but there should still be areas of very good color.
Posted by Scott Smorra on October 24, 2011 at 10:11 PM
Thanks for the update Rick. Your story about the other photographers made me laugh out loud! I always love it when I get unsolicited "advice" while out on photography excursions. Someone telling you how to use a P&S is priceless.
Posted by Rohn B. McKee on October 25, 2011 at 12:18 AM
Beautiful photograph Rick
Wish I could get there this fall.
Good show. Starting to look nice here in Seattle, now, too-- around Green Lake today and will check out the Arboretum soon.
Aren't people funny? What gets me is when someone interrupts my shooting/concentration to "instruct" me…
Posted by John Williams on October 25, 2011 at 12:34 AM
That is too funny! Sweet shot. (I mean, for a point and shoot.) I love the turning color in the tree on the right.
Posted by Craig Strand on October 25, 2011 at 8:58 AM
I love the comp Rick and the variety/stages of "autimization" you recorded. Those trees on the right are awesome.
Very nice image Rick. I guess I need to get up to Kubota Garden here in Seattle. Beautiful Japanese garden and the best part...it's free!
Posted by Rick Dunn on October 25, 2011 at 1:49 PM
I think most of the locals know this, but for those who don't... the Japanese Garden has fairly prescriptive photography policies, and they do enforce them. If you're planning to go there, check out the policies at http://japanesegarden.com/visiting/photography/.
That's why I haven't been there yet. It looks really beautiful, but all those restrictions are a bit of a turn off.
I can go to Kubota Garden here in Seattle for free, and there are no such restrictions when it comes to photography. It's also a beautiful garden with plenty of Japanese maples, waterfalls, and bridges. Maybe one day I'll break down and pay the price and fees to shoot at PJG. Maybe...
Posted by Bruce King on October 26, 2011 at 11:47 AM
Hey man...I was just trying to be friendly and help you out! No just kidding it wasn't me. Funny story though....obviously the person is on another level.
Very nice image...great comp and beautifully exposed.
Maybe I'll check out Kubota this weekend.
It's right off of Renton Ave. Bruce if you've never been there. Just head down 167 and continue on Rainier Ave. S. Make a left on Renton Ave. and head up about a mile or two. You'll see the sign for the garden.
If you already know where it is, never mind...
Posted by Bruce King on October 26, 2011 at 3:32 PM
thanks Joe. I was there a couple years ago but it poured the entire time I was there....maybe this time will be different...if I can get there.
Posted by Greg Vaughn on October 27, 2011 at 12:26 AM
Seattle area photogs are lucky to have several Japanese gardens to work with - Kubota, plus the Japanese gardens at Washington Park Arboretum, Bellevue Botanical Gardens, and Bloedel Reserve on Bainbridge Island.
Posted by Joseph Campisi on October 27, 2011 at 12:55 AM
I've never been to Bellevue Botanical gardens, but I heard it was nice...
Posted by Rick Lamb on October 27, 2011 at 11:19 AM
Nice shot! Especially for a mere P&S! Funny about the fellow fotog too! Nancy & I have heard it all over the years....sigh
Here is a link to Google Maps showing where Kubota Gardens is located:
Posted by Graham Welland on October 28, 2011 at 11:57 PM
I'm not sure why folks are worried about the Japanaese Garden photography terms. Theres nothing onerous in them unless you want to shoot a wedding or a portrait shoot there in which case that can be accommodated with the appropriate fee. I choose to invest in the annual photographer membership which I don't mind at all in the same way that I don't mind paying for an annual National Parks membership.
Anyway, just my $0.02. Come and enjoy a superb colorful garden all year!
Posted by Rick Dunn on October 29, 2011 at 11:50 AM
Graham, not "onerous", but certainly more prescriptive and costly than other locations, and thus worth noting...
The difference between the Garden and a National Park is that once you pay your entrance fee to a NP, you're free to sell images made there without additional fees. The $9.50 entrance fee at the Garden entitles you to no such freedom; you are required to purchase the annual $150 photographer membership. And while the $2 tripod fee is nearly insignificant, it surprises quite a few tripod-toting visitors.
Posted by Joseph Campisi on October 29, 2011 at 11:37 PM
Rick, your comment is right on. For me, it's the principal of the thing. Why should I pay an extra fee (even a paltry $2 one) for the "privilege" of bringing my tripod in? And technically, it looks like you're not even supposed to post pictures on the web without paying a not insignificant $150.
The Seattle JG has restrictions as well..."Sessions are held Tuesdays and Saturdays before the garden opens from 8-10 a.m. The limit is 10 Photographers. This is the only time tripods are allowed in the garden. $30. Advance registration required."
Discussion
17 repliesA cackle of photographers were camped near one of the cut-leaf maples near the pond. Probably 1.2 billion pixels worth of DSLR gear between them. I was shooting with a pocket P&S, just for fun. One of them advised me that the contrast was too extreme for my camera, and I would suffer "either blown highlights or blocked up shadows." What kind of person says that to someone using a P&S???
I told him I shoot 4x5 and asked if he was using tilt-shift lenses, or settling for inferior perspective control....
FYI... I believe Nov. 11th is free-admission at the Garden. I imagine some trees will have lost their leaves, but there should still be areas of very good color.
Wish I could get there this fall.
Aren't people funny? What gets me is when someone interrupts my shooting/concentration to "instruct" me…
I can go to Kubota Garden here in Seattle for free, and there are no such restrictions when it comes to photography. It's also a beautiful garden with plenty of Japanese maples, waterfalls, and bridges. Maybe one day I'll break down and pay the price and fees to shoot at PJG. Maybe...
Very nice image...great comp and beautifully exposed.
Maybe I'll check out Kubota this weekend.
If you already know where it is, never mind...
Here is a link to Google Maps showing where Kubota Gardens is located:
http://g.co/maps/99h6g
Anyway, just my $0.02. Come and enjoy a superb colorful garden all year!
The difference between the Garden and a National Park is that once you pay your entrance fee to a NP, you're free to sell images made there without additional fees. The $9.50 entrance fee at the Garden entitles you to no such freedom; you are required to purchase the annual $150 photographer membership. And while the $2 tripod fee is nearly insignificant, it surprises quite a few tripod-toting visitors.
The Seattle JG has restrictions as well..."Sessions are held Tuesdays and Saturdays before the garden opens from 8-10 a.m. The limit is 10 Photographers. This is the only time tripods are allowed in the garden. $30. Advance registration required."