On a crisp late January morning, the Southern Alps Viewpoint in Nakano-Kura, Minobu Town, revealed a stunning vista of Mt. Arakawa. Set against the vivid blue sky, the snow-capped peak of Mt. Arakawa at 3,141 meters emerged distinctively from the verdant Akaishi Mountains, also known as the Southern Alps.
Photo Description – Capturing the Pinnacle
The photograph showcases Mt. Arakawa’s snow-crowned summit peeking from behind the dense greenery of the Akaishi Mountain range. The azure sky forms a stark contrast, emphasizing the mountain’s prominence in the Southern Alps’ central to southern range.
Story Behind the Photo – A Glimpse of Geological Wonder
Although not visible in the photo, the area around Mt. Arakawa is known for its glacially sculpted terrain, featuring numerous cirques (or karls). These mid-slope and basin areas transform into vast fields of alpine flowers in summer, particularly the slopes leading from Nakadake and Maedake towards the Arakawa Hut.
From an Amateur Photographer’s Perspective – Embracing Vintage Lenses
Using a Nikon Df camera paired with an older manual focus NIKKOR-Q C Auto 200mm F4 lens presented challenges in capturing high-resolution images. However, the clear blue sky enabled a vivid portrayal of Mt. Arakawa, pulling the majestic winter mountain closer and capturing its beauty despite the equipment’s limitations.
Equipment and EXIF Information
- Camera: NIKON Df
- Lens: NIKKOR-Q C Auto 200mm F4
- Shutter Speed: 1/640 s
- Aperture: ƒ16
- ISO: ISO 400
- Exposure Compensation: 0 ev
Location