Getting the best photos of Cherry Blossoms can be tricky, sometimes.
The Sakura (桜) flowers are not in full bloom yet, up on Okinawa's Mt. Yaedake.
That's where the expression "Chasing Cherry Blossoms" comes in handy.
Way before the crowds of travelers and tourists start filling up the mountain roads, it's possible to sit on the highway right under a cherry tree and
compose a photo where your favorite blossom is isolated in the scene.
Use the Rule of Thirds or, just put the bright red flower buds dead center in the frame.
When you chase the Cherry Blossoms early in the season you just have to find the prettiest tree.
Then position yourself anywhere you like to compose the photo.
The center of this picture has the island of Ie Shima peeking through some branches.
Shades of green in the background of this shot give those Sakura Blossoms a chance to stand out.
Selective focus on one particular Sakura (桜) blossom is one of my favorite ways to display these pretty flowers. The rest of them are just a blur.
It will be almost impossible to shoot a photo like this when the hills are crowded with tour buses and everyone else is out chasing the cherry blossoms with their cameras.
What I'll do, if enough people are interested, is go back up there when Cherry Blossom Season is in full swing. And get some photos to show you how wild it gets up in the mountains when:
ALL OF JAPAN GETS CHERRY BLOSSOM FEVER !
ALL OF JAPAN GETS CHERRY BLOSSOM FEVER !
RELATED SAKURA (桜) POSTS:
SAKURA SEASON IS COMING ANY DAY NOW
PHOTO ESSAY: CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL
FLOWER: SAKURA (桜) OKINAWA, JAPAN
4 comments:
Cherry blossoms are so beautiful from buds to full bloom. Your photos really capture their beauty. Love the pic with the island of Shima in it.
Cathy,
Thank you. Glad you like the Ie Shima shot. It took sitting on the side of a muddy, slippery hill to compose that one and I was kind of disappointed with they grey skies. I'll go back and getter dud propery when the trees are in full bloom with some blue skies in the background.
Absolutely lovely! Cherry blossoms are one of the main reason why I'd love to visit Japan one day. Although I do get to see some at my homebase, too. But not the same :)
Sherry,
That's correct. Okinawa has a different cherry tree than what you'd see in mainland Japan or the USA. Ours came from Taiwan and the blossoms face downward, like bells. I think the other brands bloom with the flower opening skyward.
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