A shoebox of memories
Recently, while revisiting some photos taken during a trip to Japan in 2009, I was reminded of the times when we used to shoot in film – how we used to send the rolls off to be printed, selecting the ones we liked for a slip-in album, while all the rest along with their negatives would go in a shoebox, tucked away inside a cupboard never to see the light of day again.
In some ways, the process of selecting and storing digital images is quite familiar. Take our Japan photos for example – while a small handful (taken on a Canon 5D Mark II) were selected for posting on facebook and on our work blog, the majority of RAW files from the trip simply remained unedited and untouched, sitting there on our hard drive, unseen by others, much like the poor rejected ones in the shoeboxes.
I must say, it has been quite a fun experience delving into the ‘shoebox’ of our Japan photos again after all these years. A pleasant surprise was discovering some new gems, images that had previously gone unnoticed, and giving them new life through the magic of editing.
Umeda Sky Building
The images on this post were taken at the Umeda Sky Building. Though not the tallest structure in the Osaka Prefecture, it is nevertheless a popular destination for visitors seeking a view of the city’s skyline.
The building, a unique landmark of steel and glass designed by architect Hiroshi Hara, consists of two 40-storey towers and a viewing deck known as the Floating Garden Observatory which joins the two structures at the top.
To get to the observatory, you’ll have to ride up the world’s highest escalator (definitely not one for those with a fear of heights). It’s also a great place for photos, especially if have a wide angle lens.
There are two levels within the circular observatory. The photos below were taken on the lower level (located indoors) where you can view the city from within the safety of glass windows.
A short walk up a staircase will lead you to the upper level, an outdoor viewing platform offering a stunning 360 degree view of the city.
On the way down, don’t forget to take more photos at the escalator!
