Posted on April 29, 2013
by Sam 
0 
Image Library
Recent Instagram Posts
panorama
Kinkakuji (金閣寺, Golden Pavilion) is a Zen temple in northern Kyoto whose top two floors are completely covered in gold leaf. Formally known as Rokuonji, the temple was the retirement villa of the shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, and according to his will it became a Zen temple of the Rinzai sect after his death in 1408. Kinkakuji was the inspiration for the similarly named Ginkakuji (Silver Pavilion), built by Yoshimitsu's grandson, Ashikaga Yoshimasa, on the other side of the city a few decades later.
Source: Japan Guide
More from Kyoto
More images from Kyoto's temples and other sights around...
Continue Reading »
Continue Reading »
We arrived in New Zealand's South Island and immediately jumped into the car. From Christchurch to Fox Glacier in 2 days. Below are some of the beautiful lakes we saw on the way.
Continue Reading »
Continue Reading »
Taken from the top of Braemar Hill, this is a famous lookout point among Hong Kong photographers, especially for Chinese New Year when people arrive up to 10 hours early to get one of the coveted two spaces big enough for a tripod. Before photographing the panorama, I spent two hours recording a timelapse sequence of the harbour activity as the sun set.
Continue Reading »
Continue Reading »
Boracay was originally home only to the indigenous Ati tribe. Of small stature, delicate frame, dark brown complexion, nappy hair, this indigenous people arrived crossing land bridges when sea levels were lower and the Philippines was still connected to the mainland.
Continue Reading »
Continue Reading »
A few steps from Queen’s Road Central, concealed by skyscrapers, is an ancient, picturesque, Chinese market. It is a fascinating place.
Continue Reading »
Continue Reading »
A little something in-between the heavy rain showers battering Hong Kong this weekend; a 16-image panorama of the Tsing Ma Bridge with heavy rain clouds overhead. A poster print of this image is also available.
Continue Reading »
Continue Reading »
A quick blog for a Tuesday evening. Here is a skyscape panorama over Lake Crowley in California taken from a lay-by on the I395.
Continue Reading »
Continue Reading »
You probably already know that I like taking panoramas. It was only the other week, however, that I discovered the pocket camera I recently bought (a Samsung ST93) had the auto-panning panorama feature. Instead of taking a series of pictures and stitching them together on the computer afterwards, the camera does it immediately and combines all of the images taken into a single panorama image on the spot. Truthfully, it's going to take a lot of practice to get good results. Move too fast and it doesn't like it. Move too slowly and you don't get much of a panorama at all. I tried many different...
Continue Reading »
Continue Reading »
Today's hike was hard, simply because of the heat. The three sets of seemingly infinite steps upwards was tough enough on the body, but the 'very hot' weather warning and the incredible humidity made it a struggle at times. Nevertheless, this was the view at the top as the sun set over Hong Kong. Then we waited until darkness fell for a night panorama. Click on the images for a larger version and to order prints.
Continue Reading »
Continue Reading »
Rambler Channel, formerly Tsing Yi Channel, is spanned by Stonecutters Bridge, a high level suspension bridge connecting Nam Wan Kok Island and Stonecutters Island. The bridge has a height of 298 meters making it the 4th tallest bridge in the world.
Continue Reading »
Continue Reading »
While the heatwave hits North America, it has reached "very hot" levels (as officially declared by the Hong Kong Observatory) here in Hong Kong as well. Yesterday it was blistering 33 degrees Celsius (91 degrees Fahrenheit), but that didn't deter us from heading out for a walk up to The Peak to watch the sun set over Victoria Harbour.The shot above is a composite panorama of 15 images (5x3) taken from the top of the Hong Kong Trail just as the sun was disappearing. Somedays you get nothing as the mist / fumes / fog at the horizon blocks the sun in the final minutes, but last night we were lucky...
Continue Reading »
Continue Reading »
The trip to Vietnam took me to both the waters of Ha Long Bay and the hillsides of Sapa. Both places afforded the most beautiful panoramas and I took the opportunity to capture black & white images of each.
Continue Reading »
Continue Reading »
As I type, I still ache from yesterday's hike. 6 hours of walking along the Pat Sin Range from Hok Tau Reservoir to Tai Mei Tuk (map here for hiking enthusiasts). The final hour was completed in the middle of an Amber Thunderstorm - which is enough water to soak you to the bone in under 10 seconds. Fortunately the gear, sealed inside zip-lock bags as the rain began, was unharmed. Before the gear went away though, I managed to get a shot of the range we had almost finished walking (first image), then as the dark clouds rolled in, the skies went black (second image). Thanks to Miranda Legg for her picture...
Continue Reading »
Continue Reading »
My final shots of 2010 took me back up to the Peak, this time at nightfall, in order to get my first shots of the skyline after dark. The conditions were great. For the first time in days there was a lot less pollution, thanks to a gentle breeze, and the lower temperatures meant that the air was considerably less hazy than usual also. The first shot is a series of 7 images stitched together while the second is a black-and-white hyper dynamic range image created from three images taken just as the last light was falling on Hong Kong and then combined using Photomatix Pro. Click on the images...
Continue Reading »
Continue Reading »
Haytor derives its name from heah meaning high. It stands in Dartmoor National Park at 1,499 ft (457m) and consists of two granite outcrops classified as an 'avenue tor' because the central section of the tor has been eroded leaving an avenue running between two outcrops.
Continue Reading »
Continue Reading »
There are roughly three New Yorks. There is, first, the New York of the man or woman who was born there, who takes the city for granted and accepts its size, its turbulence as natural and inevitable.
Continue Reading »
Continue Reading »
As the temperature rises, people flock to Sheep Meadow to escape the grit and grime of the downtown Manhattan streets.
Continue Reading »
Continue Reading »
