The third in my series: Fish River Koinobori This is my latest Manhole Covers of Japan series. I've developed this series a little by adding the black background. It provides the simple background contrasting to the highly busy, vibrant photos the fish bring. This piece is all about fish! Fish swimming on the manhole cover. Koi fish windsock streaming in the background: full of color and movement. And a few stray Koi fluttering across the scene. Some above the silhouette desi

This is my last year in Japan, and I planned to make the most of the Sakura this year. Last year, the season was rained short. This year it was 'sunned' short. It was so hot over the season that the blooms opened from tightly closed buds to full blooms within a day, in some places. After a week or so, the petals had all but fallen. All was left were the red empty stems before the green leaves would uncurl through. My son had his Easter break over the two weeks, so we spent ma

It happens sometimes. The disaster photography trip. It's my last Spring Sakura season here in Japan, and I really wanted to photograph the blossoms at Chureito Pagoda with Mount Fuji in the background. It's an iconic image, and I wanted my own version. It's very important to me to get my own photo, as it's a symbol that I was actually there. My memory preserved. Of course, I'm not such a fanatic that I ONLY take photos and don't sit and enjoy and absorb the memory of being i

The half of me that is British is very British with my tea. At about 3 pm, its Tea Time. And what is rather amusing is that in England, 'Tea Time' in in fact dinner time. There's not normally tea to be had at Tea Time. For me, it's usually an Earl Grey caffeine boost to see me through the evening. I love my Peppermint tea in the morning for that refreshing wake up; especially with a drop of Peppermint Essential Oil. I miss tea with my family. Siblings chatting over cups of te

Since I started the custom travel montages for clients, I realized I hadn't actually got a Japan shaped montage of my own! Well, let's remedy that, shall we! Here's my Japan Photo Montage. I've limited it to the Torii Gates, Pagodas, bridges and Temples of Japan. Lots of vermilion red and some green and gold. I could do a city-scape one in the future, as I have plenty of those photos in stock: full of lights and neon signs. But this one is my traditional buildings ode to Japa

Another Mount Fuji painting! And this time overlooking the gorgeous Lake Motosu. It was a brilliant day for viewing all the amazing colors of Autumn. I took loads of photos, and one of them was worthy of being transformed into a watercolor painting. The blue of the lake against the reds, oranges and greens of the trees on the hills surrounding. Fuji was clear and crisp, with a wispy cloud floating across every once in a while. I stayed down by this lake until the sun went dow

What a great evening it was to explore and people watch in downtown Tokyo. We headed to the Starbucks looking over Shibuya crossing. Strawberries and cream Frappuccino: yes, I recommend! We waited a moment for some window seats to free up, and set up our cameras. I wish I’d been more prepared like Chrissy and brought a tripod, but I made do with the table. I only took my Prime lens. My 50mm. I love this little lens. It was my cheapest purchase and I love the low lighting I ca

From Shibuya crossing, we got back on the train to Shinjuku. I saw a photo on Pinterest of a very narrow street in Tokyo. It’s how so many of my travel excursions happen: I see a fantastic photo on Pinterest, or a Facebook post. I research how far it is, and then make a plan to go there. This little alley is called Omoide Yokocho Alley (or more fondly referred to as P!$$ Alley). I looked down one alley, and I can now confirm on the accuracy of this! It was one of the best exp

Welcome to my introduction in to photographing the stars. And what better location than at Mount Fuji. After a week of rain and cloud laden skies thankful, how we were that it was a clear night. But with clear nights come the cool temperatures. I gave up to insufficient clothing attire about 5 minutes before our scheduled time came to an end. I used the long exposure time, of 30 seconds or so, to jump up and down; trying to regain feeling in my feet and fingers. Here’s to hop

I was walking passed a photo of mine I have hanging up, and I realized this is where it all began! I thought I came across the cutting and layering, erasing and adjusting world of Photo Montage while in my second year at university. But no. It was much earlier than that. It all began in the darkroom at high-school. We were shown how to do double exposures; laying one negative over the other in the little view holder, and exposing both negatives onto the paper. It is a delight

Our second trip to Asakusa was less busy than when we went on New Year’s Day. I don’t think it could get busier than it was on New Year’s! This past weekend was still super crowded, but I gave myself a realistic photography brief: the temple and people watching. I think I may have snapped away for not longer than 30 minutes; due to the bitter, albeit sunny, cold, and an impatient toddler who wanted to get out of the stroller and run anywhere and everywhere. I think this area