Sunset

I love how the sunlight streams through the streets of Hanamachi when the sun was setting. This is one of the several small lanes in Hanamachi area which was completely empty.



Another lonely street in Hanamachi



This is not in Hanamachi area, but nearby. I have this picture in colour as well. I love the light and shadow.

Pet dogs

If there is one country where pets are treated as kings and queens, it is Japan. It is amazing to see the level of care and affection they shower unto their pets. I have yet to see a stray dog here, though I have seen many stray cats.



I will post pictures of the different breeds of dogs I see here another day. And I had seen many - from the smallest to the biggest (well, not the biggest, but big enough). Most pets here are dogs and most are docile and friendly. They hardly ever bark at people. Which is strange for me since back home, the noises the dogs make.....



Some of the dogs are gorgeous! I think I fell in love each time I see a beautiful dog walk by. Even those so called ugly ones are so adorable! Some are clearly pampered though. Remember the phrase: walking the dog? Well here, it is more like *carrying the dog*. Don't the dogs need the exercise?



The most common breeds here are golden retrievers and labrodors. Friendly little things. I saw a greyhound once (amazingly beautiful), dalmations a few time, there was a St Bernard, basset hounds, beagles, cocker spaniels, collies...you catch my drift. Then there was this shaggy thing walking along the street in town with its owner - I have no idea what breed it was. But I sooo wanna hug it!



Even the homeless own dogs! There is this beautiful dog that I saw who is owned by this homeless guy who lives under the bridge at Kamogawa river. It looks like a Husky. The dog is gorgeous I tell you, very well kept and seems friendly. The pictures here were from the day Chan, Puay and I went BBQ-ing near the river. I have not posted about that day yet - I will soon.

I have a question....

What is your opinion about post processing of photographs? For example the use of photoshop (saturation, contrast, brightness, hue etc).

Most of my pictures have not been post processed apart from the occasional brightness and contrast adjustment, which I would state below or in the picture link. I have seen many, many gorgeous pictures that have obviously been touched up by photoshop or some other means and at the same time, many, many gorgeous pictures that have in no way been altered with.

Photoshop or any other post processing programs really does help bring out the best in your photo, making it more visually striking by allowing you to play with the colours, tone, hue etc. It also help save the occasional photo which you thought was hopeless. However, there is still a hot debate going on between the purists and the photoshop group about the usage of post processing programs and to what extent. Purists contend it is the skill that brings out the photo, whereas the latter argues that you can help the *skill* a little bit more by post processing.

What do you think?

Fun fun fun

Bought a new toy for my camera..thanks to Puay and Chan for pointing it out!







Mr Chan looking cool



And his shirt



Mr Puay taking pic of me

What happens when you put two monks and an egg together?

Yup....one of those crazy posts again. From the jelly beans trail to the crazy monks. I think I will make this a theme. I will try and put these little dolls into weird situations and take photos of them. Call it my pet project.



Meet Mr. Monk One who is more smiley



And Mr. Monk Two who is a bit aloof



Take them both out of their shells and nearer to the yolk......






And what happens?

In memory of Crocodile hunter

Shocker! Steve Irwin aka Crocodile Hunter is dead! Killed by a stingray. Pierced the heart.

I used to watch him on tv wrestling with the crocodiles and going "crikey" all the time. And now, I won't be able to see him anymore if I visit Australian Zoo! And my friend and I were just talking about him the other day!

Unbelievable.

Geishas and maikos

Maiko-san entering the teahouse. She was walking fast, as a result, blur.

I was out with my friends last Saturday showing them around Kyoto. They were here for a day trip and they had to get back early, so we could only go to a few major places like Kinkakuji, Heian Jingu, Nanzenji and Kiyomizudera. After that we said goodbye and I was on my own for awhile.


Maiko san walking

I was in Gion area and was walking in the Hanamachi area, a district known for its expensive teahouses and restaurants which enlist geishas and maikos to entertain their customers.



These teahouses and restaurants are exclusive. One cannot simply enter without prior invites or knowing contacts. You may the money to afford the meals and be entertained by the geishas and maikos, but without inside contacts, you can kiss that thought goodbye.


Geisha and maiko entering the teahouse

So as I was walking, I passed by this group of tourists, all armed with their cameras waiting in front of this exclusive restaurant/teahouse. I realised soon enough that they were waiting for the geishas and maikos to come to the restaurant. So, hey, I decided to stay and wait for awhile. Why not?


Geisha walking fast into the restaurant

I didn't have to wait long because soon enough, a geisha and maiko came. Their customers were waiting in front of the restaurant and they greeted them with smiles and exchanged brief conversation with them. For us tourists, it was like heaven sent because they paused long enough for us to take pictures of them. Even better, one of their customers asked them to pose for him because he wanted to take a picture of them and they willingly did so. Note: In normal circumstances, geishas and maikos do not stop and pose for any tourists - they usually just walk by fast, never looking at us, never smiling and declining politely if asked to pose. After they had posed for him, they entered the restaurant as fast as they could.


Maiko san from behind

After waiting a little bit more, another geisha and maiko san walked by to enter into the restaurant. Everytime a geisha or maiko walked by, everybody just started shooting and blocking the road, irritating the taxi drivers who had to blast their horns. It was like we were paparazzis snapping pictures of superstars. The geishas and maikos were unfazed, they were used to these sort of attention already. Just wished that they would smile just a little bit for us, though I guess they had to maintain that aura of mystery.


Geisha walking towards the restaurant

Geishas and maikos are different in their way of dressing, make up and of course rank. Maikos are the apprentice to the geishas and as a result have a more youthful outlook, usually with bright colours. Geishas are more elegant.


Geisha and maiko san posing

This is the pose I was talking about earlier, when they were posing for the customer. I had unfortunately used the B&W setting for this picture.