Colors of My Heart

Held on Saturday, August 1, 2026, the 67th Itabashi Fireworks Festival and the 73rd Todabashi Fireworks Festival are cherished summer traditions jointly hosted on opposite banks of the Arakawa River by Itabashi City, Tokyo, and Toda City, Saitama Prefecture. Together, the two events launched approximately 15,000 fireworks, brilliantly illuminating the night sky and the river's surface. Spectators were captivated by the overwhelming display, which featured giant "Shaku-gosun-dama" (No. 15 shells)—among the largest in Tokyo—artistic creations by Japan’s top pyrotechnicians, and the grand finale, the famous "Niagara Falls" setup. I photographed the event from home using a 200–500mm telephoto lens. Although the windy conditions made telephoto photography somewhat challenging, the wind also quickly swept away the fireworks smoke, allowing me to capture clear, beautiful shots even from a distance. Nikon D850 / AF-S 200-500mm F5.6E ED VR / F5.6 / 1/5s / ISO400 / -2.0 N...

These photos were taken with Nikon F that I inherited as a keepsake from my grandfather. Even today, I treasure it dearly. With its solid, all-metal construction and timeless presence, it feels more like a finely crafted piece of history than simply a camera. My grandfather passed away nearly fifty years ago at the young age of 67. At the time, I was only an elementary school student and knew nothing about photography. Although he often talked to me about ISO, aperture settings, and shutter speeds, I was too young to fully understand what he was trying to teach me. Now, I am approaching sixty years of age myself and have come to appreciate both the technical and artistic aspects of photography. I know that what I wish for can never come true, but if it were possible, I would love nothing more than to spend one more day taking photographs with my grandfather in heaven. I often find myself wishing that he could see the photographs I have taken as an adult. These photographs were taken in...

Zion National Park, Utah Soaring cliffs of red and white sandstone towering overhead, and the vivid golden hues of cottonwood trees painting the canyon in autumn. To capture this overwhelming majesty of nature, I set off on a journey with two trusty companions: my Nikon D40x and Nikon F2. This time, I’d like to share the frames taken with the Nikon F2. A true masterpiece among mechanical SLRs, the Nikon F2 was paired with the exceptionally sharp AF-S NIKKOR 28-70mm f/2.8D, loaded with Kodak Gold 100—a film cherished for its warm, rich color palette. Endless crystal-clear blue skies, sun-drenched red rock faces, and trees glowing in brilliant gold. The signature warm yellows and reds of Kodak Gold 100 harmonized perfectly with the subtle mood of Zion in the fall. Carefully metering each frame and pressing the shutter with intention, these photographs remain some of my fondest memories. Camera: Nikon F2 Photomic AS at Ken Rockwell Lens: AF-S NIKKOR 28-70mm f/2.8D ED-IF at L\Ken Rock...