Enjoy the quiet beauty of Sakura season in Japan with Michiko Seike

Michiko Seike, Photographer

Born in Fukuoka, Japan. After working as a color coordinator, Michiko became a landscape photographer
and works mainly in Kyushu.
Currently, she is working on corporate calendars, photo magazines, lectures at camera manufacturers, and
photo workshops.
On her YouTube channel, she is distributing short films composed by landscape photography, color
psychology, and landscape videos, etc.
Website
YouTube

I had always wanted a compact and reliable tripod that I could take with me when I was traveling, and that's when I met Manfrotto Befree GT tripod .

I've tried several tripods for travel, but most of the compact and lightweight tripods are wobbly. However, this tripod is very stable even when I put a telephoto lens on full format interchangeable lens camera system although it is very compact when folded. I am satisfied with the payload performance, and it doesn't wobble even when the center column is extended high.

What impressed me most about the Manfrotto Befree is its design and functionality when folded. I think many people have experienced getting their fingers caught when folding a tripod, but the tripod has space when folded, so there's no risk of getting your fingers caught, and it's great to be able to hold it securely in your hand. Moreover, it looks very cool, as expected from Italian design!

You may decide not to bring a tripod with you when you go on a trip because it will be in your luggage, but there are always situations when you absolutely need a tripod when taking photos.

When you come across a wonderful landscape, or a view that you'll never see again, if you're a photographer, you'll definitely want to take a good photo of it. To do this, you want to securely set the camera on a tripod so that it doesn't shake and preserve it as a piece of work. I recommend Manfrotto Befree, which you can carry anywhere, so that you don't have big regrets when you check it on your computer when you get home.

This time I would like to introduce recommended scenery from spring to early summer in Kyushu, where I live.
All photos were taken using a tripod. If you have a chance, please come and visit us with the Befree travel tripod range.

Cherry blossoms in Kyushu

I go to take pictures of the weeping cherry blossoms every year which gracefully weep like a waterfall and gently sway when the wind blows. Some cherry blossoms are illuminated at night, so use a tripod and take photos at a shutter speed of around 1 second. We can see the most beautiful colors in the twilight hours, before the sunsets and it becomes pitch black.

Neapolitans and Water
The exploration of Neapolitans' connection to water uncovered its crucial role in Naples and humanity, revealing insights into its significance for survival and the imperative of preservation.

Minobu cherry blossoms, Ukiha-city, Fukuoka

Shinjoji Temple, Nakatsu-city, Oita

Sustainable Future
Landscape photography served as an invitation to preserve the beauty of nature, in a project that featured shots portraying the beauty of Procida – a plastic-free island.

Ohori Park, Fukuoka

Sustainable Future
Landscape photography served as an invitation to preserve the beauty of nature, in a project that featured shots portraying the beauty of Procida – a plastic-free island.

Hojuji Temple, Saga

New Normal
After Italy's first lockdown, the project focused on various areas of Naples to document the 'New Normal,' capturing day-to-day life in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Cherry trees, Oita

New Normal
After Italy's first lockdown, the project focused on various areas of Naples to document the 'New Normal,' capturing day-to-day life in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Shimizu cherry blossoms, Taketa-city, Oita

Kyushu with beautiful fresh greenery

Once the cherry blossoms are over, the season of beautiful fresh greenery arrives. Kyushu is a region full of greenery, and the season of fresh greenery is especially recommended. My favorite place is Oshitoishi Hill. The beautiful green gradation is most beautiful around May, and I often take photos here with a telephoto lens. Telephoto lenses are prone to camera shake, so always use a tripod.

Water scenery representative of Kyushu

In Kikuchi Valley, Kumamoto Prefecture, you can see impressive rays of light on early summer mornings. I started taking landscape photography seriously after seeing this landscape for the first time. It is a beautiful sight that will remain in my memory. If you come to Kyushu, this is a recommended scenic spot that you absolutely don't miss. When taking pictures of waterside, you can express the flow of water by taking pictures with a shutter speed of around 1 second. Please try taking pictures of it without using a tripod – it is not feasible.

Beautiful starry sky

There are many places where you can photograph beautiful starry skies at night, but my favorite is around Aso-Kuju National Park. This area is surrounded by beautiful mountains and the air is very clear, so the night sky is very clear, and you can see many stars. When photographing the Milky Way, you will be shooting at a shutter speed of about 15 to 20 seconds, so be sure to use a sturdy tripod.

Carp streamer at Tsuetate Onsen

I think carp streamers are probably only found in Japan. In the past, carp streamers were hung up in houses with boys during the May festival. This custom seems to have diminished since there are many apartment buildings now, but still there are so many carp streamers on display in this area in April to early May that it is a sight to behold for tourists. Carp streamers waving in the wind make you feel as if you are being transported to a mysterious world of folk tales.

Explore the beautiful coastline

Lastly, I would like to introduce Miyazaki Prefecture, the southernmost tip of Kyushu.

Miyazaki Prefecture has many coastlines, especially the Nichinan coast, which is very popular with surfers but also loved by photographers. The sea of strangely shaped rocks called Washing Rocks and Cape Iruka will arouse your desire for photography, and you can enjoy the sight of the Misaki Horse, a wild horse designated as a national natural monument. The sight of the horses illuminated by the setting sun is especially emotional.