So, here is a report on the night time at Ashikaga Flower Park.
I thought I was visiting the park off-peak during Golden Week, but there were so many visitors. Men and women, young and old, from all over the country and abroad. Since it is a flower park, I guess there were more female visitors than male. Of course, there were a few solo visitors like myself, men and women in “shooting” mode. There were more people watching videos than I had expected.
Anyway, after taking a lot of photos in the sunlight and doing some reconnaissance, I took a break for an hour or so until sunset.
Waiting in line for cafes, restaurants, and fast food is a waste of time and energy, so I sit on a bench and plan my strategy while rehydrating and nourishing myself with calorie mates and mineral water. I reflect on the afternoon session and the arrangements for the evening session….
The sun was setting nicely, and I set up my tripod to take a good look at the “USUBENI-fuji(Pale red wisteria) Bridge” lit up as planned.
I set up my tripod and started to take a close look at the bridge lit up as planned.
From the evening view like this
I stuck with it and finally took this shot of the light-up view.
Hmmm.
Unfortunately, there was a bit of wind and the water surface didn’t calm down, so I forced myself to slow down the shutter speed to create this water mirror. However, it didn’t turn out to be a very beautiful water mirror, and the wisteria lights were weirdly blown out due to the side effects, which was a shame, even though it was the composition I was aiming for.
I managed to get myself together, folded up my tripod, and went out to take pictures of the night scenery.
The wisteria trellis of the OH-fuji(Large wisteria) while being shaken by the crowd.
Also a Large wisteria. It is a fantastic glow different from daytime.
Pale red wisteria Bridge. I didn’t get a good full view, but this one was nicely put together.
YAE-fuji(Double wisteria) blooms in short, clumped, grape-like shapes. The fragrance is so strong that when people smell the fragrance at this wisteria trellis, they all have various comments. It smells so good,” “It smells so good,” “Muzan Kibutsuji can’t get near it, this.”
Another Large wisteria trellis seen from the location of that Double wisteria. The reflection of the water is beautiful.
Panoramic view of the pond by widening the angle of view. The white balance is difficult because of the mixture of various lights. I left it to the machine and it somehow made it look like it fit.
I actually got a taste of how well this photo turned out when I set the WB to auto, so I redeveloped many of my other nightscape photos with the WB set to auto.
The last one is a OONAGA-fuji(Large & Long wisteria). The flowers are still in the process of growing, so I am sure they will be gorgeous and bewitching at their peak.
So, as I am reminded of my inexperienced and inadequate skills in night photography.
I have read on some sites that you should wait until the last minute before the park closes to take pictures of wisteria at Ashikaga Flower Park, and aim for the moment when the crowds are leaving the park.
However, It is time for me to leave today.
In the next article, I will tell you about the “You can take pictures of other things but wisteria in the park”.
