During summer I am often recharging at my Niigata satellite office and taking private camping excursions with my family or having barbecues with friends instead of leading local Niigata Photo Tours, but at least once each summer, I can be coaxed out onto the road to lead a Niigata Photo Expedition or at least a scouting adventure to open up new opportunities for participants who join my Japan Photo Workshops.  An excellent motivation is Niigata’s natural beauty, specifically its floral beauty.  I’ve mentioned tulips as an amazing appeal in a previous newsletter, but later in the summer, right now in fact, lotus blossoms reach their peak bloom.  Their striking white or soft pink blossoms are a sight to behold, and they are an amazing way to start any day of photography.  The lotus blossoms are buoyed on the water’s surface, emerging from a rippling array of green pedestals.  When the morning light illuminates them, and I have the opportunity to photograph them, I am overcome with a sense of calm as I create gallery worthy photos.  These flowers are at their best in the mornings, but don’t worry about the times of locations, I am a Niigata native, so leave all the logistics to me.  All you have to do is be prepared with camera in hand, and once the luxury SUV stops, I’ll take you to the precise location and the perfect time to capture your once in a lifetime lotus blossom photos.

Perhaps related to the calm I feel is that inherent link between the lotus blossom and spirituality, specifically Buddhism.  If you look closely at what Buddha is sitting on in many of the temples around Japan, you’ll see that he’s ensconced on a lotus blossom, a symbol of enlightenment.  Some of the teachings suggest that Lotus Blossoms are a symbol of purity of body, speech, and mind, as they emerge from the muddy waters untouched and radiant as Buddha did when he relinquished his desire for material things and physical desire.  Being well-schooled in the teachings of Buddhism myself, I would be happy to share information with you while on your private Niigata photo adventure if you choose to join me.  This summer may be too late, but I encourage you to make your reservations now for 2022 in Niigata.