Rikugien Gardens Autumn Illumination is a magical autumn wonderland. Beautiful hues and ethereal reflections bounce off the tranquil pond and trees. The atmosphere is enchanting. But here’s the catch. It’s one of Tokyo’s most popular events. The crowds are as thick as the foliage. So, how do you get your photos without losing your cool? Here is my experience.
2016 was my first time there for this event. These photos are from that visit. The night scene knocked me off my feet. Whoever organized the lights did an excellent job. The trees and pond were alive with colors and reflections.
Dealing with event crowds
It was a pity the crowd was huge. That required you to make a decision. You could wait for people to move so you could take your pictures. That took time. Or you could move on but risk missing a photo opportunity.
Timing your visit
There was another alternative, though. It paid to go later in the night. As the temperature dropped, the number of people did too. That can be a good tactic at Rikugien Garden’s Autumn Night Light Festival!
Autumn Illumination night photography
Anyway, the pond area was the worst for crowds. Usually, it takes a minute to get to it from the entrance, but not for this event. When the crowd was at its peak, it took about five minutes, which was conservative.
The grounds were thick with people. With many stopping to take pictures or enjoy the view, minimal movement occurred. It was a human traffic jam. Security told everyone to keep moving, but that didn’t happen. It was understandable. Everyone wanted to enjoy the autumn leaves under the lights leisurely so they delayed moving as long as possible.
Low light gear challenges
On this occasion, I learned something. For this type of event, a tripod was necessary. My Pentax K-3 was a nice camera, but not for low-light usage. It was tough shooting handheld under mixed and poor lighting conditions. I had to use a very high ISO, which resulted in a lot of noise. At home, even Topaz noise reduction software (which I ceased using several years later in 2019) didn’t help.
Considering how crowded the Rikugien Gardens Autumn Night Light Festival was, I shouldn’t complain too much. I would like to see wider paths, though. They might make the flow of people better. I’m not sure if that would be possible as the park is small.
Overall, I had a good time. It wasn’t the perfect night, but I got some pictures to share with the world. By the way, I have a complete article about the Rikugien Gardens light up, if you want to learn more. Please leave your questions and comments below.
My photography gear for this shoot
- Camera body: Pentax K-3
- Lenses: HD DA 21mm F3.2 AL and SMC Pentax-M 50mm F1.7