Chasing the late autumn railway scenery in Hokkaido
October 23rd - November 5th, 2019
Photographer / Hirokazu Nagane
Every year in late October, I suddenly want to go to Hokkaido. I really like the time after the peak season of autumn leaves has passed, and the beginning of winter. Hoping to take pictures of the snowy scenery, I changed into studless tires and boarded a ferry to Hokkaido.
It has been more than two years since I started using the Markins Ballhead. I have been a 3-way head user for more than 20 years, but now the Markins Ballhead has become my best friend. It doesn't take much time to set up. I'm embarrassed to say this, but I was impressed by how convenient the Arca-Swiss compatible head is after I met Markins.
My main equipment is the Canon EOS R. Since I have a battery grip attached, I use the L plate LC-R1G SET. The L plate is indispensable when using a lens without a tripod mount for vertical composition. I find it extremely useful as it has no effect on the camera's operation.
It has been more than two years since I started using the Markins Ballhead. I have been a 3-way head user for more than 20 years, but now the Markins Ballhead has become my best friend. It doesn't take much time to set up. I'm embarrassed to say this, but I was impressed by how convenient the Arca-Swiss compatible head is after I met Markins.
My main equipment is the Canon EOS R. Since I have a battery grip attached, I use the L plate LC-R1G SET. The L plate is indispensable when using a lens without a tripod mount for vertical composition. I find it extremely useful as it has no effect on the camera's operation.
Now, let me introduce two of the many photos I took. First, the view of white waves crashing on the railway can be seen from Ochiishi Cape on the Nemuro Main Line. What I wanted to aim for here was, above all, the white waves. Furthermore, I wanted to capture the moment when the train glittered in the setting sun. I had the approximate time of day when this glitter would occur memorized, so it wasn't a problem, but the white waves were the real problem. Seeing the weather forecast calling for wind speeds of 10m/s, I made the big move from Otaru to Nemuro, which was a great decision. As expected, white waves were waiting for me. It was so windy that it was difficult to even stand, but the Markins Ballhead helped me to lock in the composition perfectly.
Next up is the Super Tokachi express train, which takes on the Karikachi Pass, a familiar sight to all railroad fans. One of the reasons I love Hokkaido in late autumn is the autumn leaves of the larch trees. At Karikachi Pass, you can shoot in several locations while following the train. Therefore, you have to keep taking pictures while quickly changing the composition. The Markins Ballhead allows you to change the weight of the ball to your liking with the limit dial, so it's perfect for shooting where you need to change the composition while following the train.
There are still many photos I want you to see, but I will publish them somewhere else. The photos that make me smile are all because of the great work done by Markins. Why not go out and take some train photos with the same red Markins as me?
Hirokazu Nagane
Born in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture in 1974. Studied under railway photographer Mitsuhide Mashima. Works on railway company visual posters such as "Seishun 18 Ticket", as well as cover photos for calendars and timetables. Has also written many serials for member magazines and railway magazines. While well-known for photographs that express the functional beauty and strength of the trains themselves, also has many fans of dramatic railway landscape photographs. Motto is "works that make you hear the sound of the trains".
Member of the Japan Professional Photographers Society (JPS)
Vice-chairman of the Japan Railway Photographers Society (JRPS)
URL : http://hirokazu-nagane.com/
Member of the Japan Professional Photographers Society (JPS)
Vice-chairman of the Japan Railway Photographers Society (JRPS)
URL : http://hirokazu-nagane.com/
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