Up until now I think I had been using PENTAX cameras in large part because it is light and compact.
However, the solidity and the way it can handle a variety of shooting conditions without any trouble seem likely to broaden my capacity for taking photographs. Maybe it’s the way it seems like a dependable big brother.
The more I use it, and the more I know about its abilities, the more I want to challenge it with new ventures.
01 The Hokuriku Main Line (Tsutsuishi Station in a tunnel)
An unusual station where the platform is located in a deep tunnel, five minutes down a long subterranean tunnel from the ticket gate. I shot the dim tunnel with its bomb-shelter like ambience by hand, achieving a finely resolved result without any blurring. The camera allowed me to shoot just like I was shooting snapshots aboveground.
Lens used: HD PENTAX-D FA 15-30mmF2.8ED SDM WR
02 Shinto dances at an enjoyable spring festival
Situated in the snow mountains of Niigata in Japan’s Joetsu region, in May Nakanomata hosts a spring festival eagerly awaited by the local villagers. Of the events held, the Kagura (Shinto dance) performance is notably popular, with the villagers joining together to celebrate spring and pray for a bountiful harvest. I shot the festival from beginning to end with a 15-30mm lens and flash, allowing me to capture every detail.
Lens used: HD PENTAX-D FA 15-30mmF2.8ED SDM WR
03 Light beams on sea
I shot the air and sea to the west of the Enoshima bridge.
The beams of light shining through the rushing clouds and the kayakers make a dramatic background for the shot; the fact that I was able to capture such high-quality images while shooting by hand is a real confidence booster.
Even the highlights provided by the gaps in the clouds are free from overexposure, giving proof that you can leave everything to the camera even under conditions such as these.
Lens used: HD PENTAX-D FA 28-105mmF3.5-5.6ED DC WR
04 Grow bountifully
Newly planted rice fields at the foot of Mount Myoko, taken using a tripod. I used a shutter speed of 1/125 to keep the blur of the rice plants stirring in the strong wind to a minimum.
I was very satisfied with the fine resolution provided, with the camera capturing every detail of the tiny, just-planted seedlings as they swayed.
Lens used: HD PENTAX-D FA 15-30mmF2.8ED SDM WR
05 Water lilies blooming in the rain
The camera captured these rain-wet lily blooms (taken using a tripod) beautifully, and did a fine job of depicting the leaves—also wet—with a rich gradation free of any loss of texture, which provided immediate evidence of the broader conditions under which I could shoot.
This camera shows its abilities when I shoot in poor conditions.
Lens used: HD PENTAX-D FA 28-105mmF3.5-5.6ED DC WR
Born in Niigata. Graduated from the College of Art of Nihon University. A member of the Japan Professional Photographers Society.
Principal works: “Gaku no Boken” (The Adventure of Gaku), published by Hon no Zasshisha, “Chikyu Kyokugen no Machi” (Cities at the Ends of the Earth), published by Joho Center Publishing, “Umi Made 100 Mile” (100 Miles to the Sea), published by Shobunsha, “Chinkon Sekai Boeki Center” (Requiem World Trade Center), published by Magazine Support, “Yukon,” published by Switch Publishing, “North Shore 1970-1980,” published by Bueno! Books, “Ame no Namae” (Name of Rain), published by Shogakukan, “Ame no Kuni” (Rainy Land), published by PIE Books, and many others.
Currently focusing on the themes of depopulated villages and the rain in Japan.