Photographing Sakura in Japan: Scenic Spots & Pro Photography Tips (1)
Spring in Japan is synonymous with cherry blossoms. But with differing best viewing times between regions, how can you go about photographing stunning images of the flowers? In Part 1 of this 2-part series, let’s take a look at some scenic spots with flowers in full bloom from mid-March to early April and learn some tips on how to photograph them at their finest. (Reported by: Fumio Tomita, Makoto Hashimuki, Shirou Hagihara)
Increase the colour temperature with the WB to reproduce the morning light
This was a scene I captured of the cherry blossom tree struck by the first light of the morning. Because the colour temperature of light is low in the morning, colours such as red, orange and yellow are captured in a way that emphasizes the colour of the cherry blossoms overall together with the ambience of the morning. I decided on the angle to shoot at, after taking into account factors such as the shape of the tree, the amount of flowers, the position of the rapeseed flowers that typically bloom in the Japanese spring (lower part of the photo), and the background.
In the mornings and evenings when the light is weak, the morning ambience will not be depicted if shooting with AWB (Auto White Balance). However, by increasing the colour temperature in the WB settings of your camera, the redness of the image as a whole is increased, allowing you to depict the tree bathed in the morning or evening light. Do take note not to set the colour temperature too high, otherwise the photo will appear unnatural.
EOS-1Ds Mark III/ EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM/ FL: 95mm/ Manual exposure (f/18, 1/3 sec, EV±0)/ ISO 100/ WB: 7,000K
Photo by: Fumio Tomita/ Location: Minamiaso-mura, Aso-gun, Kumamoto Prefecture
Best viewing time: Late March/ Shooting time: 7:00 am
Negative example: When shot using AWB, the impact of the morning light is weakened
EOS-1Ds Mark III/ EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM/ FL: 95mm/ Manual exposure (f/16, 1/3 sec, EV±0)/ ISO 100/ WB: Auto
Photo by: Fumio Tomita
When shot using AWB, the redness of the morning light is suppressed. Hence, although the original colours of the cherry blossoms are reproduced, the camera does not convey the visual impact of the large cherry blossoms enveloped in the morning light.
2: Ryuganbuchi, Uruigawa River (Shizuoka Prefecture, Central Honshu)
Reduce exposure to prevent blowouts in areas with snow
This photograph was taken at a location with cherry trees in the foreground and Mount Fuji towering in the background. Because the mist becomes thicker in spring, I would recommend shooting in the morning when the air is clearer. For maximum impact, it is also best to shoot when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom. If you are not careful about the exposure though, your images of Mount Fuji’s snow-capped peak may be more susceptible to blowouts. So for better results, try reducing the exposure for your shoot.
Also, because this location becomes crowded with many photographers, use the telephoto end of your camera to cut the people out of your shots. There is a narrow bridge with high traffic volume, so be aware of your surroundings so as to avoid accidents.
EOS 6D/ EF24-105mm f/4L IS USM/ FL: 93mm/ Manual exposure (f/8, 1/320 sec)/ ISO 400/ WB: Auto
Photo by: Makoto Hashimuki/ Location: Kuzawa, Fuji-shi, Shizuoka Prefecture
Best viewing time: Late March/ Shooting time: 11:00 am
Negative example: Including people in the frame turns the photo into a mere record of the scene at that point in time
EOS 6D/ EF24-105mm f/4L IS USM/ FL: 88mm/ Manual exposure (f/8, 1/400 sec)/ ISO 400/ WB: Auto
Photo by: Makoto Hashimuki
If people are included in the frame, it becomes a descriptive shot, which merely shows what is on the scene. Choose your angle and shooting location so that people do not appear in your photos.
3: Gokanjoshi Park (Gunma Prefecture, Eastern Honshu)
Include cherry blossoms at the top and bottom to depict a sense of compactness
This shot was taken in the middle of a nature trail leading up the mountain. Mount Myogi appears sandwiched between the cherry blossoms below and above. Raising the height of the tripod to make the distance between the overhanging cherry blossoms and the mountain appear as close as possible fills up the empty space, depicting a sense of compactness. This results in an image that conveys the full, rich fragrance of the flowers in spring.
Moreover, placing the cherry tree vertically in the image to maximize the visibility of the branches emphasizes the mesmerizing beauty of the cherry blossoms as they are struck by the light from the evening sun. At the same time, a sense of altitude is brought out in the image, expressing the scale and grandeur of Mount Myogi.
When taking photos from this location, most people would compose their shots using only the mountain and the cherry blossoms below. While it is still possible to express the sense of scale by simply placing the mountains behind the cherry blossoms, the addition of overhanging cherry blossoms increases the appeal of the image and takes the presence of the blossoms to a whole new level.
Because sky in the background is bright, the camera will be impacted by the brightness when using auto exposure, causing the image to become darker. In order to depict the beauty of the cherry blossoms in this scene, it is necessary to make the image appear as you see it, or a little on the bright side. So for this shot, the exposure compensation was set to EV+1.0.
EOS 5D Mark II/ EF17-40mm f/4L USM/ FL: 20mm/ Aperture-priority AE (f/11, 1/15 sec, EV+1.0)/ ISO 200/ WB: Daylight
Photo by: Shirou Hagihara/ Location: Nakagokan, Annaka-shi, Gunma Prefecture
Best viewing time: Early April/ Shooting time: 5:30 pm
Negative example 1: Placing cherry blossoms only in the bottom of the image lessens the attractiveness of the image
EOS 5D Mark II/ EF24-105mm f/4L IS USM/ FL: 85mm/ Aperture-priority AE (f/11, 1/20 sec, EV-0.7)/ ISO 200/ WB: Manual
Photo by: Shirou Hagihara
When only placing the cherry blossoms in the bottom of the image, the sense of scale of the landscape as a whole increases, but the presence of the cherry blossoms is weakened.
Negative example 2: Without positive exposure compensation, the cherry blossoms appear darker
EOS 5D Mark II/ EF17-40mm f/4L USM/ FL: 20mm/ Aperture-priority AE (f/11, 1/15 sec, EV±0)/ ISO 200/ WB: Daylight
Photo by: Shirou Hagihara
Because the sky takes up a large part of the image, the cherry blossoms appear dark if exposure compensation is not used, and the attractiveness of the image is lost.
Where the spots are located:
1: Isshingyo Grand Cherry Blossom Tree (Kumamoto Prefecture)
2: Ryuganbuchi, Uruigawa River (Shizuoka Prefecture)
3: Gokanjoshi Park (Gunma Prefecture)
In the next part, we will introduce the following scenic spots that reach full bloom a bit later, from mid- to end-April (in blue on the map):
– The Boat Houses of Ine (“Ine-no-funaya”) and Cherry Blossoms of Kaizoji Temple (Kyoto Prefecture, Western Honshu)
– Takada Park (Niigata Prefecture, Northeastern Honshu)
– Kitakami Tenshochi Park (Iwate Prefecture, Northeastern Honshu)
– Ageishi Fudo Cherry Blossoms (Fukushima Prefecture, Northeastern Honshu)
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Tips for Taking Great Photos of Cherry Blossoms
Cherry Blossoms in bloom are one of the most beautiful and photographed signs that Spring has finally arrived. Most well known in Japan, there are numerous parks and arboretums in cities across the US that feature cherry trees. And many of these places also celebrate with a Cherry Blossom festival—bringing people out in droves to enjoy the view. Cherry Blossoms—being so photogenic—offer a myriad of ways in which to photograph them. To make the most of your Cherry Blossom photography, we’ve gathered 15 tips for capturing these stunning displays of Spring’s arrival.
Glossary
Off On
Use the compositional technique of a framing element. The tree is the main focus in the image, but also frames the scene.
Use the compositional technique of a framing element. The tree is the main focus in the image, but also frames the scene.
C herry Blossoms in bloom are one of the most beautiful and photographed signs that Spring has finally arrived. Most well known in Japan, there are numerous parks and arboretums in cities across the US that feature cherry trees. And many of these places also celebrate with a Cherry Blossom festival—bringing people out in droves to enjoy the view.
Cherry Blossoms—being so photogenic—offer a myriad of ways in which to photograph them. To make the most of your Cherry Blossom photography, we’ve gathered 15 tips for capturing these stunning displays of Spring’s arrival.
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When visiting gardens or arboretums, there may be trees that aren’t in full bloom yet. These budding flowers are highlighted against the darker, out of focus background.
When visiting gardens or arboretums, there may be trees that aren’t in full bloom yet. These budding flowers are highlighted against the darker, out of focus background.
Using contrast, you can add additional emphasis to your subject. The lighter colored blossoms stand out against the darker background.
Using contrast, you can add additional emphasis to your subject. The lighter colored blossoms stand out against the darker background.
Use a wide aperture so the background becomes a completely out of focus blur of color.
Use a wide aperture so the background becomes a completely out of focus blur of color.
Choosing Your Lens
Bring a zoom lens or if you normally shoot only with prime (fixed focal length) lenses, a few different focal lengths so you can capture a variety of photographs. You’ll want to bring your widest lens, whether that’s a 14-30mm (NIKKOR Z 14-30mm f/4 S) for the Z series mirrorless cameras, the 8-15mm fisheye zoom (AF-S FISHEYE NIKKOR 8-15mm f/3.5-4.5E ED) or 14-24mm (AF-S NIKKOR 14-24mm f/2.8G ED) if you’re shooting full-frame DSLR or 16-80mm (AF-S DX NIKKOR 16-80mm f/2.8-4E ED VR) or 18-55mm kit lens (AF-P DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G) for a DX format DSLR. Another thing to remember if you’re using the Z series cameras is that with the Mount Adapter FTZ, you can use most Nikon lenses that are made for SLRs. (Check your camera’s manual to make sure your specific lenses will work with your Z camera.)
You’ll also want to bring a telephoto such as a 24-120mm (AF-S NIKKOR 24-120mm f/4G ED VR), 28-300mm (AF-S NIKKOR 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR), 70-200mm (AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f/4G ED VR), or even a prime lens in the 105mm (AF-S NIKKOR 105mm f/1.4E ED) to 300mm (AF-S NIKKOR 300mm f/4E PF ED VR) focal length range.
The third type of lens you’ll want to bring is a macro lens, if you own one.
Even if you only have one lens, don’t be discouraged. Remember that you may always be able to back up or walk closer to the subject if your lens doesn’t get you where you want to be.
The types of photographs you can make of the Cherry Blossoms are almost as numerous as the varieties of blossoms.
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Whether you’re photographing Cherry Blossoms in a Japanese style garden or on a city street, use some of the architecture in the frame. Slightly tilting the camera (a technique known as the Dutch Tilt) adds uniqueness.
Whether you’re photographing Cherry Blossoms in a Japanese style garden or on a city street, use some of the architecture in the frame. Slightly tilting the camera (a technique known as the Dutch Tilt) adds uniqueness.
Another example of using the architecture of the location within the image to give the viewer more information about the setting.
Another example of using the architecture of the location within the image to give the viewer more information about the setting.
Isolate one entire Cherry Blossom tree in an image. The light pink flowers in this image stand out against the darker background foliage and sky.
Isolate one entire Cherry Blossom tree in an image. The light pink flowers in this image stand out against the darker background foliage and sky.
15 Cherry Blossom Photography Tips:
- Shoot wide. Fill the entire frame with an entire tree or shoot an entire grove of trees.
- Zoom in tight. Zoom in for a close-up showing a small grouping of blossoms.
- Depending on the size of the tree, you may be able to get up close and even use a macro lens to capture the petals, showing minute details.
- Some varieties of Cherry Blossom trees have branches that hang down to the ground, or when planted near ponds or other water features, the branches dangle over the water. Compose a photograph to juxtapose the blossoms and branches with the water beyond for a unique image. Play with the placement in the frame of the blossoms against the sky too.
- Look for a darker or lighter background for the flowers or tree branches you’re photographing. By placing a lighter subject against a darker background or darker subject against a lighter background, the subject will stand out much more. You may have to walk around a tree or trees to find just the right spot for your composition to be successful, but it’s worth taking the time to do so.
- First look up. From underneath a tree, or in the middle of a grove, shooting upwards into the sky will allow you to make an image that is more graphical—blocks of color filling the frame with little bits of blue sky visible in the background as opposed to individual blossoms. Look for trees that are next to one another that feature different color blossoms for a more colorful image.
- Then look down. You may find blossoms that have fallen to the ground or full blossoms or petals floating on the water. You may even find most of the blossoms of one tree have fallen—and are blanketing the ground. Bare branches juxtaposed against the fallen flowers show the circle of life.
- Go high key. Shoot light colored blossoms against the bright sky.
- And low key. Shoot darker colored blossoms against a dark sky or water in the background. Use a polarizing filter on your lens to darken the sky or water in the frame.
- If the tress you’re photographing are in a Japanese style garden, you’ll definitely want to make some pictures using the architecture of the garden to complement the Cherry Blossoms, for added interest.
- Look for instances where the tree limbs or branches not necessarily the flowers become the focal point of your photograph. Look for leading lines, which are lines that compositionally flow through an image, directing the viewer’s eye.
- Use your widest aperture to separate a bunch of blossoms against the soft bokeh blur of color.
- Use your camera to its fullest. Take horizontal compositions, vertical compositions and if your camera offers it, square or 16:9 format images. The 8-15mm fisheye zoom can even take fully circular images when zoomed all the way out to 8mm on a full-frame camera body. See how you can use branches or architecture to frame your shot and how it varies when you change the image format.
- Don’t put the actual Cherry Blossoms in the frame. Use the reflection of blossoms in the water or other reflective surface such as the windows of a nearby building as your main subject, for an abstract image.
- See how lighting and shadow affect the mood of your image. Backlighting blossoms or trees will evoke a different mood than bright noon-day sunlight or early morning/late afternoon sun.
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Cherry Blossoms hang from thin branches over the pond next to where the tree stands. Using the Dutch Tilt adds more interest to the composition. The pink flowers stand out against the darker background but the alternating green, blue, green of the water also adds to the image.
Cherry Blossoms hang from thin branches over the pond next to where the tree stands. Using the Dutch Tilt adds more interest to the composition. The pink flowers stand out against the darker background but the alternating green, blue, green of the water also adds to the image.
Another image showing hanging flowers and the reflection of the trees in the water. There are fewer branches and flowers in this photo than in the previous one, and it evokes a more mellow mood.
Another image showing hanging flowers and the reflection of the trees in the water. There are fewer branches and flowers in this photo than in the previous one, and it evokes a more mellow mood.
Yet another image showing hanging branches and flowers. This image, a vertical, distinctly shows part of the tree along with it’s reflection in the water.
Yet another image showing hanging branches and flowers. This image, a vertical, distinctly shows part of the tree along with it’s reflection in the water.
When do the blossoms bloom?
The internet is your friend when it comes to researching when you might expect to see the Cherry Blossoms in your area.
Cherry Blossoms bloom throughout the Spring, however depending upon where in the country you live, they may bloom earlier or later. For instance, the southern states may have blooms in February or March. More northern states might be in April or even May.
The entire season lasts about a month, although there are early and late blooming varieties. You can photograph Cherry Blossoms prior to blooming, in full bloom and even post bloom, with each image looking distinctively different.
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Looking up towards the sky, you’ll see the trees differently than you would looking straight on. You may have to walk, to find just the right combination of differently colored blossoms, but by framing a photograph in this way, you’re showing the viewer a more graphical look at the Cherry Blossoms, as blocks of color instead of individual flowers.
Looking up towards the sky, you’ll see the trees differently than you would looking straight on. You may have to walk, to find just the right combination of differently colored blossoms, but by framing a photograph in this way, you’re showing the viewer a more graphical look at the Cherry Blossoms, as blocks of color instead of individual flowers.
Actual Cherry Blossoms don’t even have to be in the frame for you to capture a photo to set the scene. The reflections of the branches and flowers is enough to tell you where this photo was taken.
Actual Cherry Blossoms don’t even have to be in the frame for you to capture a photo to set the scene. The reflections of the branches and flowers is enough to tell you where this photo was taken.
Just as you should look up to the sky, also look down. Cherry Blossoms that have fallen to the ground may also make nice photographs. Placing the single flower in the corner of the frame, surrounded by a darker background makes the flower stand out more.
Just as you should look up to the sky, also look down. Cherry Blossoms that have fallen to the ground may also make nice photographs. Placing the single flower in the corner of the frame, surrounded by a darker background makes the flower stand out more.
