The Valley of the Dragons is a real place most will say “oh that is from a movie, or television show,” interestingly the majority are unaware that since ancient times the entertainment society has achieved their storytelling fame, from our human history and cultural folklore. Personally, I have not had time to watch tv in over 35 years, and don’t own a set, but I do watch the odd nature or photography related show over the net. For over 20 years I have been photographing in and around the valley of the dragons, in the Mt. Fuji territory seeking the ancient mystical traditional Japanese folklore imagery. I am most fond of collecting antique Japanese wood block prints, scroll paintings, plus others crafted by the folklore telling Japanese artisans. Annually I lead several groups on a Japan photography tour of the valley, participants spend a day a week in the area photographing and exploring. During the workshop phase of the journey, I provide tips on the finer points of cloudscape photography, along with gear set-up, camera settings, use of filters and anticipation n timing of incoming cloudscapes.
Durning clear skies we photograph in Aokigahara Jukai (The Mystical Sea Of Trees) which was created by mount fuji in the year 864 by the great Jougan eruption, leaving a lava field of over 3000 hectares spanning 24 square kilometers across the base of Fujian, where the trees now stand in natural volcanic planting pots. The forest is gaining in popularity among fine artists, with its incalculable mythological forms appearing from the tree roots and moss growing in around and between the volcanic lava. The a.m. golden hour is the best time to photograph Mt. Fuji, at one of its five lakes Yamanakako, its highest and most easternmost lake, followed by Kawaguchiko, Saiko, Shojiko and the deepest Motosuko.