Today I shot a set of daily-style uniform photos in Futakotamagawa. I carried a Nikon Z5II body, and the lenses were three Viltrox prime lenses: 35mm F1.8 EVO, 55mm F1.8 EVO, and 85mm F2 EVO, basically covering all focal lengths from environmental shots to close-ups. To match this daily sense of life, I chose a dark blue blazer and a white shirt, paired with a black pleated skirt, black thigh-high stockings with a gold logo, classic black loafers, and a school bag, bringing out the overall vibe.
It was extremely windy during the shoot, and my hair kept blowing onto my face, but it was precisely this natural wind-blown feel that gave the photos a dynamic look. I originally planned to shoot on the bridge, but later found the steps and railings much more interesting. Using the 85mm focal length compresses space wonderfully, blurring out the background apartment buildings and utility poles to make the subject pop. With sunlight hitting from the side, lowering the exposure compensation slightly in M mode preserved the highlights of the hair. The 35mm lens is great for capturing environmental interaction scenes; because of the backlight, lens flare actually became a bonus, giving a dreamy Japanese feel.
When shooting those phone selfie shots on the steps, I was a bit worried the angle would look deliberate, but stepping back two steps with the 55mm focal length naturally captured that unpretentious candid feel. There were also moments like shaping my hair into a little mustache or stretching on the railing; to keep my balance, my legs and core were working hard, but the resulting effect was very lively. Especially the shot with my head tucked inside my jacket, head tilted back and eyes closed—the sunlight was actually a bit harsh at that moment, but the halo in the final photo was gorgeous, making the skin texture look very translucent.
The whole shooting process was quite exhausting, constantly climbing up and down and balancing on railings, but seeing the final photos made it all worthwhile. The black thigh-high stockings I wore today had good elasticity and didn't keep slipping down, giving me peace of mind while posing in front of the lens. By the time we wrapped up, it was getting dark, streetlights were turning on, and looking back at the Futakotamagawa street snap view, it gave off a sense of deja vu like a Japanese drama ending theme song.
Standing at the intersection blowing in the evening breeze, I checked the time and realized it was dinner time. All this hassle today consumed a lot of energy, and a thought popped into my head: 'Am I going home for dinner today?' Actually, after finishing this set of photos, what I missed most was that bowl of hot soup at home. But before that, I wanted to daydream a little longer facing this breathtaking sunset, keeping this peace in my memory.