Omen

Not all omens portend to bad luck, some indicate a source of inspiration. Early last week, the last snow of winter painted Tokyo City white, a positive omen, I may say.

running shutters sound
unnatural flashes
photography life

Last Saturday, instead of spending my free time in front of the PC, I decided to join the photo walk organized by Flickr Tokyo Photo Session. I’ve been a member of this group since 2008 but last Saturday’s activity was the only 3rd time I took part of. And honestly, I am glad I did it. I thought it was an opportunity to melt the web off my camera, brought by laziness and winter. The weather was tempting enough to be ignored. Prepared my gears the night before (Nikon D80 + 3 lenses, Ricoh GR III P&S) as well as emptied by SD cards.

Arrived at Shimbashi at noon and met with Kid before going to the meeting place. By the way, we stopped first at Matsuya get energized. Finally we arrived at Hamarikyu Park. I thought this place seem familiar, and I was right, it was the same garden where I first attended an FTPS shoot last September 2008. I never imagined that it’s more than a year since I’ve visited the place. It was great to see familiar faces as well as fresh ones. After some quick exchanges of how are you’s and I am’s it was time to shoot. The weather was relatively fine that at some instance it triggered me to take off my jacket. The plum blossoms are everywhere – it is spring. Not my favorite season though, LOL!

Each FTPS member scattered around the area, though at certain occasions we bumped with each other, took some time off to shoot for some chit-chat. One thing that caught our attention was a couple who are being photographed. They donned a Japanese kimono (female was Japanese and male was English, I think). I am not sure if they were about to wed or they just had their wedding. It may seem to be unauthorized on our part, but we continued clicking our shutters to have a capture of them. It was still a photo opportunity nonetheless.

For macro shots, I used my point and shoot camera. To my surprise, a warning flashed on the screen “MEMORY FULL”. Impossible, I thought as I only had a few shots. I checked my camera and the SD card was nowhere to be found. Haha! For a while I thought I prepared but I wasn’t after all. We missed the group as they transferred to another park, so we have to do some walkathon. The walk was enough to lose some of our stored fats.

Second venue of the photoshoot was in Kyu-Shiba-Rikyuu. The place was a little bit smaller than the first one. One thing I like about the place is clarity of the water reflection, not counting the friendliness of the kois. Only a small part of the garden has early spring blooms. But as they say, everything, everyone can be a photography subject. Once again, all the members secure respective spots and let their shutters blast.

The group decided not to go to Hinode pier anymore as the breeze was getting colder and colder. Instead, the group headed to a drink bar. Of course, all of us deserve to relax, and get to know each other or catch up with some old acquaintances. It was a feast. I thought it would never end. It was a consensus, everyone needed more beer so we transferred to another drinking bar. Sorry, I forgot the names of the bars. Good times.

It was a blast and this would not be possible without the help of the organizers. Likewise, a major shout-out to all of the members for keeping the group alive. Now, I can't wait to join next month's photo walk. Until then.

Arigatou Gozaimashita!

/totomai
02/23/10