kyoto

Two men are standing in front of a traditional Japanese building. One man holds a blue camera towards the viewer. The PetaPixel logo and the text "Hands-On" are displayed in the bottom left corner.

Panasonic Lumix S9 Initial Review: Small, Pretty, and Confusing

One of my favorite cameras of all time was the Panasonic GM5. With its interchangeable lenses and ultra-compact design, I could truly take it anywhere and still have full manual control. Compromises had to be made given such a small design, and the Micro Four Thirds format did limit potential image quality, but I had an EVF and a creative camera that was perfect for travel.

Photographer Captures the Neon Beauty of Kyoto at Night

Photographer Xavier Portela’s shots of Kyoto, Japan, at night give a newfound appreciation for the neon charm of the city. Propelled by his vision to articulate and illustrate the various sounds, temperatures, and pulsating electricity of bustling cities, Portela’s images stir the imagination and set stories of intrigue and possibility adrift.

Historic Kyoto Neighborhood Cracks Down on Rude Street Photographers

The historic Gion neighborhood in Kyoto has enacted a photography ban near one of the area's most photographed streets. The law comes in response to rude tourists and street photographers who have been flocking to the neighborhood to capture photos of its narrow alleyways, picturesque tea houses, and the geishas who call Gion home.

Cinematic Street Photos of Japan by Day and by Night

I fell in love with Japan. Deeply. The culture, the clean streets, the friendly and respectful people and the full spectrum of experience that it offers. From high rise cities to quaint, beautiful gardens and temples. All within walking distance of each other.

A Clever Camera Store Ad on the Side of a Bus

Over in Japan, the electronics chain Yodobashi Camera places these creative ads on the sides of buses that turn the rear wheel into a lens for a giant camera. Kevin Warnecke spotted this one in Kyoto, Japan.

Rude Tourist Photographers are Getting Photography Banned in Japanese Temples

Any travel photographer, or traveller in general, will tell you how important it is that you respect the locations you are exploring. This applies as much for natural environments as it does for sacred manmade spaces, and it's the latter of these that are having to ban photography because of rude tourist photographers who are ignoring this fundamental rule.

Photographer Bernie DeChant Takes the New Panasonic GX7 for a Spin in Japan

Earlier this month, Panasonic unveiled the new Lumix GX7: a rangefinder-style Micro Four Thirds camera that the company packed full of Panasonic firsts. Since Panasonic is hoping the camera appeals to professionals and consumers alike, the folks over in advertising decided to put together a series of videos dubbed "Shooting Impressions" in which they get professionals to use the GX7 on assignment and talk about the features they liked best.

The video above features photographer Bernie DeChant and his recent trip to Kyoto, Japan where he photographed the "erikae" ceremony through which a "meiko" (an apprentice geisha) becomes a full-fledged geisha.