I've made a two-part gallery for Cherry Blossoms in 2008 since I took many photos and would like to exhibit as many as possible. Here are 31 photos taken in Hiroshima City as "Part 1" gallery.

Weeping Cherry in Hiroshima World Peace Memorial Cathedral
I took photos of red weeping cherry in a rainy day in Hiroshima World Peace Memorial Cathedral. Cherry blossom with rain drops gives us somewhat tender feeling. 6 photos are available here. There is no cathedral image at a glance, but if you look at the rain drop of the last photo very carefully, you'll find a image of the cathedral upside down.

Blossoms before break of day
Kodak Ektachrome E100VS reproduces in purple with the ambient light before sunrise. I prefer this color rendering and took photos frequently before sunrise. Macro photography in purple color looks noble, I think.

At sunrise
Cherry blossoms with the rising sun is my favorite subject. Exposure is very difficult to define and I use manual mode with spot metering technique. These photos can be taken only in very short period of time in the morning and it was very hurrying job for me.

Blossoms in soft and gentle space
These photos are taken with macro lens or high speed telephoto lens plus close-up filter by ultimately utilizing bokeh effect.

Feel of traditional Japan
I felt very traditional Japanese style by seeing these scenery and took photos to emphasis on "Japan".

Cherry blossom trees
These are wider view of cherry blossom trees. Cherry blossom is a heart of Japanese people and give us fantastically elegant scenery only in a few days a year.

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