Yakushima-The Shiratani Unsuikyo forest

[molested_cow]

Yakushima is an island south of Kagoshima. A few things make it really special. 1. It's not very big, but has peaks almost reaching 2000m in altitude. It's round, so everyone lives along the coast with the majority of the land mass being beautiful mountains. 2. Most of the trees are ancient Cedar, with the oldest one dating to be at least 2700 years old. 3. It's a hiker's heaven. There are many trails that form a big network. You can hike for a day, or hike for many days. There are shelters with toilets at certain spots, but you are not allowed to pee or poo as you like. You have to take everything with you. The sewage at the shelter toilets will be carried back to the city by volunteers. 4. It's a World Natural Heritage Site, absolutely stunning place.

Most people who visit the island are here to hike, particularly to find that 2700 years old Cedar. That's a good 10 hour hike fro and back. I was with my family and we could only do another trail. This trail is called The Shiratani Unsuikyo forest, which is the place that gave much inspiration the Hayao Miyasaki's Princess Mononoke. For those who are familiar with this master piece of animation, you will definitely understand the reference with these photos.

On a technical side, this really puts my gear to test, particularly the dynamic range of my D750. The morning sunshine vs forest shade made the lighting difference very difficult to handle. I wasn't going to carry a tripod on a 5 hour steep hike, so everything was taken free-handed. For convenience sake, I had the 28-300mm and 20mm F1.8 lens. Most of the photos were taken with the 28-300, which has very less than desirable aperture size and picture quality, so I was also putting the lens to test.

My strategy was to expose for highlights and rely on the dynamic range of the camera to pull the details back out in RAW. Many of my shots were taken at -2 stops, and it really pushed the RAW files to the max. ISO was between 1250~2000. I try to keep it below 1600. Overall I am happy with the shots, I hope you guys enjoy them too!

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#4

#5

#6

#7

#8

#9

#10

 

[molested_cow]

Here are some close-ups, also with the 28-300. I love those moss!

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#15

This one looks like a cliff. It's a tree stump.

#16

 

[Jeff G]

A couple of nice sets, beautiful scenery!

 

[dxqcanada]

Umm, you didn't happen to see a large white stag with many antlers ??

Ah Japan, you make me want to come to the land of my ancestors ... I will one day.

 

[Fujidave]

Beautiful and colourful scenic views, like them all but my favourites are #5 and #8 are stunning.

 

[molested_cow]

Umm, you didn't happen to see a large white stag with many antlers ??

Ah Japan, you make me want to come to the land of my ancestors ... I will one day.

That will be where Miyasaki ate unknown mushroom in the forest. There are many Sika deer on the island. Small deers, a little taller than a golden retriever, but skinny.

Now to think of it, I am surprised that the animation didn't include the monkeys in the story. There were tons of them on the island!