The Treetop Temple Protects Kyoto

(from my HDR Tutorial at www.stuckincustoms.com/hdr-tutorial )

I'm just finishing up almost two weeks in Japan, and it has been an amazing trip! Usually I try not to start posting shots until the trip is at its close, and this is the first.

While there, I spent time all over the country. I got a rail pass and just jumped on the bullet train to take me from one remote spot to another. I ended up with a few days in Tokyo to do my best to capture the city. I'll be posting photos from the trip throughout the next few weeks, months, and years, as usual. I hope this is a new line of photographs that will be interesting to you.

Photographed here is the Kiyomizu-dera temple in Kyoto. The city is known for its traditional Japanese architecture, slower-paced life, natural beauty, graceful geishas, and zen peacefulness. I probably could have stayed in Kyoto capturing scenes the entire trip. I remained here until the sky turned black, and then I headed back down some winding streets to find an old small restaurant where the food was mysterious and every course was served with a gentle bow.

from the blog at www.stuckincustoms.com

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Comments

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(160 comments)

ecstaticist says:

Super strong colors Trey. Good sense of the richness of the night.

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Posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

fritzology says:

Stunning!
Posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

Eraslpmus says:

whoaaaaaaaaaa! magnificent!
Posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

Toi-Vido says:

This is a nice picture, beautiful show, beautiful colors, good processing, nice shot.
Greetings from Iceland
Posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

xlu29466 says:

Splendid! Love the magic light on the tree and the house.
Posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

misscrabette says:

Beautiful. I love how the temple lights contrast with the overall cold atmosphere.
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Posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

Definitive HDR says:

Gotta love those twilight images!!! :)
Posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

jimgspokane says:

This is terrific! I like the lighting under the canopy!
Posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

Miss.Sarah says:

This just amazing! I've never seen Kiyomizu-dera captured like this before.
Posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

evad310 (changing to Dave DiCello!) says:

What a view, this is incredible!
Posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

T.Le Photography says:

wow this blows my mind it is so beautiful
Posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

bevcraigwhite says:

such a beautiful moment you have captured here ...a dream in fact ! INVITE to post photo...
I think this photo is a

Please add your photo to www.flickr.com/groups/supershot/
After you add it to the group pool, please tag this photo as a SuperShot
Posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

mycaptureoftime says:

beautiful..
Posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

chris_rutkowski (work-hiatus) says:

I love the Japanese mountains...
Posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

simon_long says:

more photo from Japan ? wish to see you work my friend !!!
Posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

Ah Hman says:

beautiful!
Posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

Life Reflections ♥ (Lila) says:

This is fabulous...love the colors, the setting. How nice to go to such a beautiful country ...I don't know if you have seen this stream but you might enjoy it so much
www.flickr.com/photos/glenn-in-japan/
His work is beautiful..
Posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

dixieroadrash says:

Wow! I don't even know what else to say. Just wow. :)
Posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

Kieran 2009 says:

Think you might have had a person on the deck there as there appears to be a ghost like appearance in the one corner. Love the imgae of the temple with the city in the background. Look forward to seeing more of Japn thru your work.
Posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

Balhau says:

Amazing shot...
Posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

Soul_Smiling says:

Gorgeous pic!Nice tones.
Posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

Michael Lewis Glover says:

Fantastic shot!
Posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

Stuck in Customs says:

Thank you very much everyone!
Posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

Hear45 says:

looks like a movie set... the lighting is awesome... in the top 3 places i need to go
Posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

murphy_h says:

You are amazing!
Posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

Phil's Photos. says:

Wow! Very nice...
Posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

Louise Lindsay says:

this is absolutely stunning- glorious light there- and what a view-- beautiful
Posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

TomFox2 says:

Wow! Awesome shot!
Posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

Weaselmcfee says:

You take so many interesting trips, and share glimpses with us. It's very nice of you, I love to see a photograph like this and imagine staying in the mountain top villa .. just for a second.....thanks to you ;)
Posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

alan(ator) says:

I want your life.
Posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

Dj Poe says:

Wow what a beautiful location.. Great work
Posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

kevincole says:

Beautiful shot, the treatment is superb as always, this is one of your very best IMO.
Posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

plaskota says:

Fantastic. Very Dream-like!
Posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

Jeanette Runyon says:

spectacular
Posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

A.Alwosaibie says:

Awesome shot!
Posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

evtwal says:

We have a winner. Not too strong, but enough to fully set the mood. One of my personal favorites.
Posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

jdanvers says:

Japan is so awesome - I lived there for a few years while in the Navy. Lucky you - I would love to go back someday. :)
Posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

Jimages Digital says:

Otowasan Kiyomisu-dera

Lived 10 minutes away and used to walk up here when I was 14, so your image brings back much. Your trip, Trey, sounds like a learning and growing experience, spiritually as well as with your images. . . wonderful.

This is Perfect!

This photo has been selected for The Perfect Photographer Award
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Posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

Marcelo Cerri Rodini says:

Amazing Place.. great shot
Posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

Vancouver Wedding Photographer: Ophelia Photograph says:

looks like a painting
Posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

AliAlbdri says:

great shot
I love the color and the composition
:)
Posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

the_tahoe_guy says:

Outstanding shot! Great capture.
Posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

susan_r4 says:

OMG....this has to be one of my favorites of yours! Absolutely beautiful - this is the stuff dreams are made of - I want to go there!!
Posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

petertoshiro says:

Splendid!...good processing...distinct soft blend of warm and cool texture...smooth deep color saturation and shadows...interesting place.

Big canvas hanging on the empty wall perfectly suits for this magnificent artwork.
Posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

BadAssFlip says:

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

jacynthe blaire {slowly catching up} says:

that is a brilliant work!!!!! congrats on FP!! ^_^
Posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

Pύγkamo@Tнαi says:

amazing shot :-) i like the lighting and colors!!
wonderful place.
Have a nice day!!
Posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

mattsantomarco says:

So so good. I love the glowing light in the trees!
Posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

whidbychick says:

This is such a beautiful image.
Posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

chanwai says:

a really nice shot！
Posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

mr.hemmo (taking a break) says:

very very cool place! cant wait to see more from your japan trip!
Posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

Jurassic-O says:

Gorgeous light and colours. Beautifully taken.
Posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

ρrakaz says:

Very nice shot.. Seen in Explore and FP!
Posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

Bern@t says:

Congratulations!!! your photo reach Explore Front Page
You can download the capture in lab.bernatcasero.com/flickr/frontpagecapture? user=9557272...
Posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

*flick says:

Really stunning! great job
Posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

mliebenberg says:

Cool shot Trey. Did you get to see /\ltus & the family?
Posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

Manal Photography says:

woow so beautiful picture as well the place
Posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

Beppe's says:

oh oh wow
Posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

freezs235 says:

one word-amazing!
Posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

baliktanaw says:

Amazing! Looking forward to the rest of the Japan photos.

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Posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

ricardobed says:

Wow! That's an incredible shot.
Posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

Ivan Padovani says:

what amazing place!
Posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

anee.baba says:

I really love this, and i´m just a little bit jealous of you, that you made it there :) Keep those photos posted.
Posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

Musfeque [Away] says:

beautiful !!

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Posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

Momoc HDR says:

Sometimes HDR photo make me wanna cry because of its beauty.
Posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

brunopion says:

Very peaceful indeed. Love the ghostly shadows of the people on the terrace. Nice Job!
Posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

Miguel Herrera says:

Amazing shot, great colours!

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Posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

Paul Duggan says:

Beautiful photo. One of my favourite SiCs!
Posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

EvanGearing says:

Ditto on the comments above. Nicely done!
Posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

evantravers says:

Wow. Fantastic, like a scene out of a movie.
Posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

.●•°•Lijo George.●•°•● [deleted] says:

wow.............super
Posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

ill-tempered [Jakov Cordina] says:

amazing capture!!!
Posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

kay's kamera says:

Thank you for sharing your trip with us...Always fun to see and hear of others adventures.
Posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

Matt Shoots says:

Beauty, best one I've seen from you in a while.
Posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

marcp_dmoz says:

What a stunning compsition and amazing view!
Outstanding processing!
Bravo!
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Posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

Meta-Man says:

The light play, especially the secret-passage looking stuff from below, is very cool. The picture would not have the same air of mystery without them.

Also, very brave of you to go exploring an exotic place like that without a guide. Did you find English speaking folk all over, or did you depend on the fact that you knew how to get back to your hotel if you got stuck? Nice work.
Posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

Edgar Mendoza [deleted] says:

Wow una excelente foto.....
Posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

yoursecretfriend says:

WoW! Amazing! Great hdr.
Love it!
Posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

when_night_falls says:

Serene atmosphere in this shot. One of your best.
Posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

oldtobegin says:

mindblowing. the lights in the trees below are mesmerizing.
Posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

danichro says:

Posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

hidesax says:

This is absolutely great. I've never seen a picture of Kiyomizu like this. Nice work, Trey.
Posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

madcrow says:

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Explored <100, and we'd love to have this added to the group!
Posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

HighDynamic says:

Just AMAZING!
Posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

OrƥhîC ExpOsuRe-✪» says:

amazing
Posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

gato-gato-gato says:

Impressive shot. Well done!
Posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

Xindaan says:

These are awesome colours.
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Posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

snorski says:

absolutely gorgeous....!
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Posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

Tao of jonathon says:

This photo belongs in the world of Spirit. Though you captured the image on the camera, you captured much more. there is a sacredness to this image. It's as though nature has allowed you to capture some of the essence. What a rare, special gift you have. Thank you for sharing it with us!
Posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

Susuwa says:

WOW <3
Posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

Lari Design says:

WOW.,..this is amazing!
Posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

Image By Design Works says:

WOW ~ magnificent!
Posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

ApexRally.com says:

excellent shot!

Posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

sory's view says:

wouu!
impresionante!!!
Posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

X-Ray Dennis says:

Beautiful capture! Looks like there was a small person on the balcony.
Posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

aschnauberphoto says:

Beautiful image
Posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

Surrealize says:

Brilliant shot, just saw this on FP Explore, congrats! Another masterpiece for sure!
Posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

Lyssa_claret says:

wow!!!
Posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

Prizto says:

Amazin! I love HDR!
Posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

mrapplegate says:

Beautiful sot. Seen on explore.
Posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

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Taken with a Nikon D3X.
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Taken on September 28, 2009
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