Michael Ross PHOTOGRAPHY: Featured Galleries and Collections

Fuji Safari Park 19JUN2009

mikeross32@gmail.com (Michael Ross PHOTOGRAPHY) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Perth 02-07JUL2009

mikeross32@gmail.com (Michael Ross PHOTOGRAPHY) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Traveled to Perth, WA in July of 2009 to meet my wife as the USS George Washington pulled into (or at least near to) port in Freemantle, or Freeo as the locals sometimes call it. Had a great time visiting a few wineries and animal parks as well as frequenting the Beer and Food scene!

Mt Takao 20JUN2009

mikeross32@gmail.com (Michael Ross PHOTOGRAPHY) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Somewhat ironically titled as Mt Takao doesn't really make an appearance in any of these photographs (well, we're on the lower slopes for the hydrangeas). My friend Lauren and I went on a hike to Mt Takao on the recommendation of some friends. The approach was really crowded and not really all that picturesque... there was a shrine on the way up where people pray at a waterfall and you can only enjoy it if you actually go in, they have it blocked from views from the trail. So after a little while and lots of stairs carved into the trail, we emerged at the summit (Lauren doing just fine and me sucking wind). After a brief break, we decided that instead of going back down the way we came up, we'd go off the backside of the summit to a ridge trail, a second summit and a drop into a valley finally emerging at the Sagamiko train station. Again, lots of up and down and it's a testament to how wiped I was that I only took a few pictures. I'll have to go back again so that I can take a more leisurely look at the beautiful forest there. Unfortunately, the view from the top of Mt Takao was incredibly hazy and because of power transmission towers, not all that picturesque, so I don't have any shots from there that were worthwhile. Perhaps in the spring or fall things will have cleared up a bit.

Izuminomori Park 11MAY2009

mikeross32@gmail.com (Michael Ross PHOTOGRAPHY) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

I went out to play with my Tokina 12-24 that is made for cropped sensors on my full frame 5D. Ordinarily, it would make an incomplete circular image in the sensor, but I found quite by accident that the petal shaped hood really does it's job by shading in a rough rectangle. It turned out to be a neat effect in my mind for at least some of the compositions that I came upon. Again, a great little stroll through Izuminomori Park not ten minutes walk from our house.

Kyoto 21-24APR2009

mikeross32@gmail.com (Michael Ross PHOTOGRAPHY) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Day one of our Kyoto trip. Starting near Kyoto Station, a Huge temple complex under construction, some views from the hotel room, and a little stroll in the rain to Arashiyama on the outskirts of Kyoto. The Arashiyama bit wouldn't have been nearly as picturesque without the rain in my opinion, and it really didn't keep us from doing anything that day. I just wish I had taken my big camera. The G10 takes a mean picture, but it just can't beat the large sensor of the 5D and steady hand.
Day two took us to several shrines and temples as well as the Gion district of Kyoto. Amazing sight seeing and cultural sightseeing as we saw several Geisha on our tour.
Day Three had us searching in vain for souvenirs in the morning and then finding them at the end of our sake tasting tour at the Geikekkan Sake Brewery.
Day four brought us to Nijo Castle in the center of Kyoto. The former seat of the Imperial family, the castle is home to such attractions as the Nightingale Floor (which you aren't allowed to photograph) and several large halls where official business was once carried out. Then it was back on the Shinkansen and back home to Ebina!

Izuminomori Park 06APR2009

mikeross32@gmail.com (Michael Ross PHOTOGRAPHY) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

I made a trip to a park just around the corner from our home. I never even knew it was there until a friend mentioned it and subsequently I found it on Google Earth. It is fantastic! It is really a great place to have a picnic, go for a run or walk, or, during a certain magical time of year, view the cherry blossoms, or Sakura. I went just for this reason as the trees are in full bloom and have just begun to drop their petals. I am really enjoying the outdoor aspects of living where we do and am excited to explore and discover more!