Gion Matsuri festival in Kyoto

In July, I’ve travelled to Japan with my girlfriend. On our three weeks trip we saw many amazing sights and experienced the Japanese way of living. It was a treat to our eyes and cameras. In this blog entry I would like to share with you some photos of the Gion Matsuri festival in Kyoto. 

Samsung NX10 │ 1/180s │ f2.0 │ 30mm │ ISO 3200 

Samsung NX10 │ 1/250s │ f2.0 │ 30mm │ ISO 3200   

Samsung NX10 │ 1/125s │ f2.0 │ 30mm │ ISO 3200 

This annual festival is one of the many popular festivals in Japan. Beforehand, a lot of people warned us that it would be very very crowded, but due to all of our big music festivals in Belgium, we felt prepared. 

Samsung NX10 │ 1/90s │ f2.0 │ 30mm │ ISO 1600 

Samsung NX10 │ 1/180s │ f2.0 │ 30mm │ ISO 1600 

Samsung NX10 │ 1/250s │ f2.0 │ 30mm │ ISO 1600 

Samsung NX10 │ 1/60s │ f2.0 │ 30mm │ ISO 1600

Samsung NX10 │ 1/50s │ f2.0 │ 30mm │ ISO 1600

Samsung NX10 │ 1/50s │ f2.0 │ 30mm │ ISO 1600

Samsung NX10 │ 1/60s │ f2.0 │ 30mm │ ISO 1600

Samsung NX10 │ 1/125s │ f2.0 │ 30mm │ ISO 1600

What we saw was something quite different though. The Japanese people who seemed (with all respect) quite modest, closed and calm turned into wild party animals during the consecutive celebration nights. 

Samsung NX10 │ 1/250s │ f2.0 │ 30mm │ ISO 1600 

Samsung NX10 │ 1/350s │ f2.0 │ 30mm │ ISO 1600

Samsung NX10 │ 1/180s │ f2.0 │ 30mm │ ISO 1600

Samsung NX10 │ 1/80s │ f2.0 │ 30mm │ ISO 1600

Samsung NX10 │ 1/100s │ f2.0 │ 30mm │ ISO 1600

Samsung NX10 │ 1/125s │ f2.0 │ 30mm │ ISO 1600

A lot of them dressed up, most of them in traditional kimono, but we bumped into a lot of silly costumes as well.

Samsung NX10 │ 1/320s │ f2.0 │ 30mm │ ISO 3200 

Samsung NX10 │ 1/160s │ f2.0 │ 30mm │ ISO 3200

Samsung NX10 │ 1/2s │ f2.0 │ 30mm │ ISO 100

Samsung NX10 │ 1/250s │ f2.0 │ 30mm │ ISO 1600

The main attraction of the nights we visited seemed to be a group of Shinto followers carrying a mikoshi (a portable shrine) on their shoulders, jumping up and down and shouting. It created a very energetic atmosphere. 

Samsung NX10 │ 1/40s │ f2.0 │ 30mm │ ISO 1600

Samsung NX10 │ 1/50s │ f2.0 │ 30mm │ ISO 1600

Samsung NX10 │ 1/200s │ f2.0 │ 30mm │ ISO 1600

Samsung NX10 │ 1/125s │ f2.0 │ 30mm │ ISO 3200

Despite the beautiful decorations, the streets were dark. Too dark for most cameras perhaps, so I didn’t have to think long which camera to bring. I took the NX10 because of its ISO 1600 and 3200 setting in combination with the pancake f2 lens. The results were a bit grainy, but after all these are high ISO values. In my opinion, this grain doesn’t bother and I like the quality, especially when you think of the size and weight of this camera. 

All photos, above, may not otherwise be reproduced, distributed, cropped, re sized, or otherwise altered without the written permission of the contributor. All photos represent the sole opinion of their individual authors and contributors and don’t express the opinion of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Samsungimaging.net or the opinion of any affiliates unless specifically marked as such. All photos, above, have been shot with the Samsung NX10, which has been provided by Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. In order to become an official SamsungImaging.net blogger, please click here

태그: belgium, Gion Matsuri festival, High ISO, Japan, kyoto, mirrorless, Nicholas Hendrickx, nx10, photography, real Photographer, Samsung digital camera