Fresh snow and autumn leaves
November 2021
Photographer / Yoshio Shinkai
Even if you go out to photograph autumn leaves, you may not encounter beautiful autumn leaves.
This autumn, I heard that the autumn leaves on high-altitude mountains from September to early October are very beautiful, but I was disappointed.
Many places were still green and had not yet turned color. This was probably due to the high temperatures in early October.
I had no choice but to travel from Nagano Prefecture to Tochigi Prefecture, Yamagata Prefecture, Akita Prefecture, and finally Aomori Prefecture.
In the morning, when I looked at Lake Towada, there was still a lot of green, and the Oirase Gorge had shallow autumn leaves. When I headed for Hakkoda, Kasamatsu Pass was closed until 9am due to snow. It was nothing short of abnormal.
I changed my destination to the Tashirodaira Marshland, where blue skies and fresh snow on Mt. Hakkoda were waiting for me. The surrounding autumn leaves were also colorful, and the water lilies on the pond were turning red. I finally got to see the autumn leaves.
This autumn, I heard that the autumn leaves on high-altitude mountains from September to early October are very beautiful, but I was disappointed.
Many places were still green and had not yet turned color. This was probably due to the high temperatures in early October.
I had no choice but to travel from Nagano Prefecture to Tochigi Prefecture, Yamagata Prefecture, Akita Prefecture, and finally Aomori Prefecture.
In the morning, when I looked at Lake Towada, there was still a lot of green, and the Oirase Gorge had shallow autumn leaves. When I headed for Hakkoda, Kasamatsu Pass was closed until 9am due to snow. It was nothing short of abnormal.
I changed my destination to the Tashirodaira Marshland, where blue skies and fresh snow on Mt. Hakkoda were waiting for me. The surrounding autumn leaves were also colorful, and the water lilies on the pond were turning red. I finally got to see the autumn leaves.
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV / EF16-35mm F4L IS USM / F11 1/20 s ISO-100
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV / EF70-200mm F4L IS USM / F11 1/125 s ISO-200
The next morning, the snow was amazing. It started snowing heavily from 6am, so snowplows had to work to clear the snow, and the snow had accumulated to 5cm.
The snow showed no signs of stopping, so I started walking with an umbrella to take pictures of the autumn leaves covered in snow.
The red berries of the rowan tree were covered with white snow caps. The snow continued to fall, so I covered my camera with plastic, but the snow got on the lens, so I used an umbrella to stop the snow from getting on the lens.
A ball head is useful in such situations. This ball head (Q10i-BK) provides a firm hold even when working with one hand.
The snow showed no signs of stopping, so I started walking with an umbrella to take pictures of the autumn leaves covered in snow.
The red berries of the rowan tree were covered with white snow caps. The snow continued to fall, so I covered my camera with plastic, but the snow got on the lens, so I used an umbrella to stop the snow from getting on the lens.
A ball head is useful in such situations. This ball head (Q10i-BK) provides a firm hold even when working with one hand.
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV / EF24-70mm F4L IS USM / F11 1/500 s ISO-200 +0.67EV
When we arrived at Jigoku-numa in Sukayu, the trees were covered in white leaves, white steam rose from the swamp, and soft light shone on the area.
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV / EF24-70mm F4L IS USM / F11 1/160 s ISO-100 +0.33EV
When the sun comes out, the snow melts quickly in this season. To do this, it is important to move quickly and find the subject you want to shoot. Setting up your camera without stress will affect the accuracy of your photo. Some people say that it is faster to shoot with a handheld camera when you are in a hurry, but it is better to check subtle things like the depth of field properly with a camera mounted on a tripod.
To do this, I think the accuracy of the ball head is very important.
To do this, I think the accuracy of the ball head is very important.
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV / EF24-70mm F4L IS USM / F11 1/125 s ISO-100 +0.33EV
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV / EF24-70mm F4L IS USM / F8 1/320 s ISO-100 +0.33EV
As the temperature rises and the snow begins to melt, the beech forest becomes more colorful as the autumn leaves bathe in sunlight.
Unlike the green bamboo grass near the ground, where snow is piled up, the melted snow falls from the tops of the trees.
Composition is very important with subjects like this.
Shooting with a tripod has the advantage that you can focus only on composition. This is because you can shoot without worrying about the shutter speed. (Setting is aperture-priority auto shooting)
One thing to pay particular attention to in composition is the placement of the tree trunks on the left and right.
Unlike the green bamboo grass near the ground, where snow is piled up, the melted snow falls from the tops of the trees.
Composition is very important with subjects like this.
Shooting with a tripod has the advantage that you can focus only on composition. This is because you can shoot without worrying about the shutter speed. (Setting is aperture-priority auto shooting)
One thing to pay particular attention to in composition is the placement of the tree trunks on the left and right.
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV / EF16-35mm F4L IS USM / F8 1/50 s ISO-100
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV / EF16-35mm F4L IS USM / F8 1/5 s ISO-100 +0.33EV
It was only when the snow started to melt that I noticed the overlapping and arrangement of the trees.
I put more of the right side of the frame because the trees on the right are lined up nicely.
I noticed this when I looked through the rear viewfinder of my camera. This is thanks to the use of a tripod.
I put more of the right side of the frame because the trees on the right are lined up nicely.
I noticed this when I looked through the rear viewfinder of my camera. This is thanks to the use of a tripod.
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV / EF16-35mm F4L IS USM / F8 2.5 s ISO-100
It's a little scary to look directly under the Jogakura Bridge.
But the color of the beech tree at the forefront was beautiful, so I leaned my camera over the bridge railing and shot it in the frame.
Here too, I felt that the ball head (Q10i-BK) was great. I couldn't have shot leaning over the bridge without using live view.
Without a sturdy ball head, it would be difficult to keep the camera balanced, and there would be a risk of the camera falling. With the Markins ball head, there's no need to worry about that.
If you fix it firmly, you can rest assured that it won't come off.
Even then, I felt that it was an important partner for photography.
But the color of the beech tree at the forefront was beautiful, so I leaned my camera over the bridge railing and shot it in the frame.
Here too, I felt that the ball head (Q10i-BK) was great. I couldn't have shot leaning over the bridge without using live view.
Without a sturdy ball head, it would be difficult to keep the camera balanced, and there would be a risk of the camera falling. With the Markins ball head, there's no need to worry about that.
If you fix it firmly, you can rest assured that it won't come off.
Even then, I felt that it was an important partner for photography.
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV / EF16-35mm F4L IS USM / F11 0.3 s ISO-200
Yoshio Shinkai
Born in Nagano Prefecture in 1953. After graduating from Chiyoda Design Photography School, worked as a color technician at Photo Kosha Co., Ltd., then transitioned to a photo library photographer, capturing landscapes around Japan with a large-format camera. Since 2007, started using digital cameras and providing works for calendars and photo magazines. Has exhibited in both solo and group exhibitions.
Member of the Japan Landscape Photographers Association
URL : www.shinkai-photo.com
Reviewed Products
