Simplicity Is Often Best

While I was out on New Year’s Eve with my wife participating in the traditional Japanese temple bell ringing ceremonies, I was on the lookout to pictures beyond the usual. It is a different mindset that just taking the family snappy pix. 

While walking up north Teramachi Street, which is lined with temples, we saw some people coming out of a temple we had never been to before. We went in to investigate. There was a relatively smaller temple tower with no attendants and a few other people around. It was lit on by small candles placed around the bell tower. 

After taking photos of my wife ringing the bell, I took this shot of candle. I am fascinated by fire. An open flame is not something we actually see often in the modern world. I love the glow of light around the flame.

I moved in close with my high speed 35mm f1.4 Fujifilm lens (it's like 50mm film lens) and shot several frames so that I would have to some choices with the shape of the frame while editing. One of the things I love about my mirrorless cameras is that I get to see the exposure while I am shooting and can adjust my settings accordingly. 

As for the composition, I find the very simple subject appealing. 

We can think about the light inside of ourselves. How do we keep it lit? How do we make it brighter? And how do we relight it if it goes out?

(Photo by Paul Crouse)