B&W Film Series_Vol. I_Kobe Port Tower 「関西旅行＿神戸」

白黒フィルムセット＿Vol. I

関西旅行/ /神戸

While we're still roaming the streets of Kobe, there was a part of Kobe I didn't explore on my last trip in 2011 due to weather conditions, that I'd like to share with you. This time around, I was set on going to the Kobe Port Tower and to climb to the top see the spacious view of the harbor city. With half a day to explore Kobe with friends, there wasn't much time to visit Rokko Island which is next on my list to visit. 

With my batteries charged, my SD card emptied, and lenses wiped down, my DSLR was ready for action. At that moment, I packed them all up and loaded my black and white film in my dad's Minolta that I revived back from the 90's. There's something about the sound of the film winding up after loading and the whiny shutter after each shot that overwhelms me with instant gratification.  

With only 36 exposure at my "disposal", I had to feel out each shot, recompose and constantly change the settings. There's a lot of things you can learn from shooting in black and white. Lighting conditions and color contrast make a world of difference. 

I see people these days buying the latest and most expensive cameras and lenses which are great investments, but I've realized through my years of shooting that the real investment is in honing your skills instead of relying on your equipment. I'd rather do the shooting rather than my camera and lenses doing all the work. That is why on this trip I'm taking the time and investing myself into film to refine my skills and to "re-compose" myself.    

I can go on about my philosophy of photography but let's get back to what this blog is all about.

Kobe blessed us with fair weather this time around, besides the chilly winds blown in from the ports, the sun was out to keep us warm. After making our way up top of the Port Tower, half of the scenery was filled with buildings crawling up the mountain sides and half harbor ports.

Every time I go to Kobe, I fall love in love with this city more and more. I guess because it has some of the best elements of Japanese architecture inland, yet carries some traits of the San Francisco bay mixed with San Diego ports.  

If there was a place for me to live in Japan, Kobe you have my heart!