I thought it might be a good idea to show that I am not dead and decided to make the best out of my situation right now and post some pictures from my trip to Belgium in late August.After alot of trouble and mishaps I savely arrived in Hasselt and was able to meet up with Smithy.The Results of that Trip can be found after the jump!
Smithy told me a few weeks ago about the biggest Japanese Garden in Europe which is located in Hasselt/Belgium.We decided that we could meet up there if the weather allows it and soon decided on a weekend.It turned out that the weather god wasnt on our side but luckily we were able to enjoy the garden without getting wet.
Smithy didnt come alone but also brought along his Yoko Dollfie to take some pictures of her and to convince me to join the dark side.It was quite funny to see other visitors reactions when Smithy started his photo sessions with his big ass doll.Before I arrived at our Destination I got lost in the Netherlands though and arrived about 1 1/2 hours late in Hasselt and then had major problems finding that damned garden.Smithy already told me that its okay to bail out if its such trouble to get to him but soon after that I found him.Due to all that trouble most pictures didnt turn out too great but I decided to post them anyways since I used them as Training Material for Colour and Lighting Adjustment.Its my very first try and fear some results may look unnatural ^^;;;
There isnt much more to say as of now except that until the mold situation in my flat is solved I can only update very irregularly and only do things like magazine/artbook reviews since I cant access my equipement for figure reviews.
Enjoy the pictures!
Those were some BIG and vicious Koi!!!!
They look quite natural to me. The only thing that looks unnatural is the size of those koi XD They’re monsters! Some really great shots though, looks like a beautiful place to visit.
If you ever get here were gonna meet up with Smithy there :3
I doubt there is anybody who isnt amazed by the size of these Koi XD
I love the shot with the picture frames plants – that is one cool idea. Koi can be quite fierce when it comes to food – seemed like the kid was almost dragged in.
I have no Idea why those plants were framed and why they were displayed in the japanese garden but it is definately a unqiue way to display them.
Didnt expect anyone to like that particular picture though.
Kid eatin kois!
I personally think your photos turned out great, they all look lovely.
Do like that they have this bright, light atmosphere to them without looking overexposed, which is great considering it was rather cloudy, overcast weather that day.
Yeah, those koi fish are pretty massive, they’re about the size or even larger than a Volks Dollfie Dream which is 1/3 scale. ^^;;
This is probably due to my post processing in the lighting/colour department.My pics looks less vivid in their raw form.
I am glad these pictures convinced you to get a 500mm prime thouh
If youre into weird things you could let those Koi violate your DD.I bet theres a market for that on the internet ! XD
Those Koi are crazy, they must’ve been really hungry. Were those cacti supposed to be a part of the garden or were they just on display for a special exhibit?
I guess you mean those framed plants?
Are those Cacti?
I seriously cant tell what they were doing there.That Frame was the only one of its kind in the whole garden.The Display was next to the resting/picknick area so it might have been a special exhibit but whod display only one item in an exhibit?
We also hand-fed our grandparent’s huge koi(s) and they’re not that fierce unlike on the photos though…
Do you feed those koi per any chance with little children? That might explain why they dont go on a rampage as soon as a human gets close to the pond.
How many children a week do you have to sacrifice?
Seriously gorgeous photos! And Dollfies makes it that little bit more gorgeous too!
It looks like such a serene place c:
Hey there old chap!
Since youre a english gentleman how about visiting the continent for a cup of tea in this serene place.
Thanks alot! I guess I should have taken more pictures of Smithy`s Dollfie ^^
Hey nice pictures!
I always have wondered, are Koi fish eatable?
Hey, who’s that Dollfie? Is it yours?
Hmm…Thats a good question! I guess that theyre eatable but the fact that theyre so expensive should prevent them from landing on the grill.
I wonder if they tatse bad or good
Nah,its not mine! Shes Smithys Dollfie and I just snapped a few random pictures of her
@Flying-Blow: Hey, I thought it might be a good idea to show that I’m not dead either! Thus, my comment. Ah, another redesign, I see. Plus another word for the Dollfie: Creepy. ^_^
Ah its good to see that youre still alive!
I kinda miss your mega posts!
I rarely make it around blogs these days though. I need to get back in form!
Tell that Smithy the owner of the dollfie XD
Never knew there are such grand Japanese gardens available in Europe. In fact I wouldn’t think this to be in Belgium unless you told me!
Those plants arranged together on a painting board looks rather funny and interesting. They can almost fool me as if they are flat painting. Man those koi sure are bigger than most of those I’ve seen in person – and they look like they’re really hungry or something (if that kid falls in those koi are gonna overwhelm him ^^;)!
To be honest I didnt know either but I do know there are even 2 more Japanese Gardens in Germany!
One is in Bonn and the other one is in Leverkusen.I need to check those out aswell
I really wonder what those framed plants were doing there and if theres a deeper meaning behind it.There werent any information boards or anything close by so I guess itll remain a mistery ^^;
Ive actually never seen any Kois before but judging from the comments in this post they sure must be pretty burly kois.
Yeah,that kid would have been gone for sure! Piranhas are harmless compared to these kois
Wow those pictures are crazy. What were you drinking and eating? Don’t say sake cause I figure that what kind? But still amazing.
Wow, those koi are huge and majestic… and vicious looking.
I’ve been to Kew Gardens in England, it was nice. THe goal wasn’t to be Japanese but it definitely had a lot of Asian influence in some parts. Also those Koi are INSANE!
Ooh, pretty pictures, haha. If not for the title I’d have thought you’d went on a trip to Japan.
Not dead yet either, lol.
Holy shit…
Those Koi are Monsters!!!
anyway, nice pic