Snapshots of Mount Fuji on the Move

 

A random look at the onmi-presence of Mount Fuji in the common landscape of local neighborhoods, revealing its ethereal beauty that has continued to evoke inspiration and imagination since time memorial.


View of Mt. Fuji from the Expressway



View of Mt. Fuji from a Back Lane



Mt. Fuji in Urban Neighborhood I



Mt. Fuji in Urban Neighborhood II


Mt. Fuji in Urban Neighborhood III



Mt. Fuji in Urban Neighborhood IV



Mt. Fuji in Urban Neighborhood V



Mt. Fuji in Rural Neighborhood I



Mt. Fuji in Rural Neighborhood II



Mt. Fuji in Rural Neighborhood III



Mt. Fuji in Rural Neighborhood IV



Mt. Fuji in Rural Neighborhood V



Mt. Fuji in Rural Neighborhood VI



View of Mt. Fuji through Pampas Grass



Mt. Fuji & Its Reflection in the Mud Pond



View of Mt. Fuji from the Worn Steps



View of Mt. Fuji through the Fence



Glimpse of Mt. Fuji amidst Stormy Clouds



Mt. Fuji on the Move






Explanation Notes:

Most of the shots are taken in a travelling bus that wines through the urban and rural neighborhoods between Lake Kawaguchi and Lake Yamanaka. Spontaneity is deliberately built into the shooting process to minimize the preconception of ideas, the pre-selection of scenes and the prior planning of views. The aim here is to capture the views of Mount Fuji as they appear along the journeys and from the view point of the locals who go about their daily life - Views that every local resident will have encountered as they move around in their neighborhoods.

 

From the bus, Mount Fuji can be spotted behind the constantly changing silhouettes of buildings, carparks, telecom poles, hanging wires, roadside trees, farmland, backyard gardens etc. These are scenes commonly seen in the neighborhood landscape. Although, they look rather ordinary, the appearance of Mount Fuji is like the touch of a magic wane, transforming these common scenes from the physical realm into the realm of transient and significance.

 

There are also some shots that are taken while cycling around Lake Yamanaka in the same day. Unlike those shots taken in the travelling bus, where the view point is elevated and high speed exposure is essential, these shots tend to be taken lower towards the ground and their exposure time longer, as the subject matters dictate.  

 

This is a day of changing weather conditions with an atmospheric lighting quality that is unique; It has an overcast sky that appears to be stormy at first but soon turn into partial sunny towards the evening. A huge patch of lingering dark cloud can be seen hovering over Mount Fuji, but strangely it refrains from blocking the view of the mountain. Mount Fuji is seen bathing in a soft simmering light, revealed itself entirely and prominently in the sky - its distinctive forms; the snow-capped peak and the gentle ascending slopes on both of its sides, are clearly visible.

 

The appearance of Mount Fuji is highly unpredictable; One will encounter situations where at one moment Mount Fuji is completely hidden behind moving clouds, but at another moment just an hour later, its snow-capped peak will be fully reviewed. The clouds tend to add an element of surprise and also frustration to the viewers. As always, Mount Fuji exude its beauty in its own mystical ways that is always beyond one’s imagination.


Time             : 11:00am - 4:30pm (spring season)

Camera        : Canon 6D

Lens             : 16-35mm F4    

ND Filter     : 8, 64, 1000.


JS  .  Photography









Comments

Popular posts from this blog

冰火两重天的“河口湖”:Contrasting Moods of Lake Kawaguchi

Hokkaido Winter Landscapes Series: II

Odaiba beach, Rainbow bridge and Tokyo waterfront skyline.