The Takahata Fudoson Hydrangeas Made Me Change to Eterna

pagoda and Tokyo skyline behind trees

After a two-year hiatus, I returned to Takahata Fudoson in 2021 to photograph its famed hydrangeas. While the day presented some challenges, it also led to an unexpected discovery about my photography process. This visit was a reminder that even on a cloudy day, there can be moments of clarity.

Photo gear for this shoot

  • Camera body: Fujifilm X-T2
  • Lens: Fujifilm XF 16-55mm F2.8 R LM WR

A promising day with a few challenges

I had two goals for this trip. Of course, I wanted to do flower photography. My other purpose was to get enough material to write about the temple. Unfortunately, the cloud cover was too heavy. Behind the buildings was just a sea of white, which didn’t look attractive. Luckily, I did manage to get one nice photo of the pagoda from a hill. That made my day, but I was hoping for more.

blue hydrangeas

Another problem was the rebuilding work at Takahata Fudoson. Workers were everywhere. Some were ripping out the insides of buildings to give them a facelift. Others were keeping the hydrangea gardens in good condition. The temple grounds didn’t look appealing.

With the temple buildings largely out of the frame, my focus shifted entirely to the hydrangeas themselves. The overcast sky, which had been a hindrance for architectural shots, actually provided soft, diffused light perfect for flower photography. This change in focus also presented the perfect opportunity to experiment with a new film simulation: Eterna.

Takahata Fudoson temple hydrangeas

A new approach: Swapping Velvia for Eterna

It was my first time using the Eterna film simulation, and it made a significant difference. For years, I relied on Velvia, which is renowned for its vibrant colors and high contrast—perfect for dramatic landscapes. However, I began to feel that its high saturation, while initially appealing, was creating a look that was more “cartoonish” than I intended, especially for the delicate tones of flowers.

jizo statue with red bib and cap

Eterna, on the other hand, is designed to emulate the look of cinematic film, with its characteristic low contrast and muted colors. This results in a softer, more realistic image that captures the subtle beauty of the hydrangeas exactly as I saw them. This shift addressed a recurring question in my work: Shouldn’t images reflect what we truly saw?

I now feel Eterna is a superior simulation for this type of photography. Its muted, realistic look has become an essential part of my post-processing workflow. Fujifilm has created an exceptional tool for photographers seeking a more natural aesthetic.

man and woman looking at many hydrangea flowers

Final thoughts on the day

Anyway, I had an enjoyable time at Takahata Fudoson hydrangeas that year. Yes, it was a little cloudy, but as I pointed my camera down at the flowers, that was okay.  Still, if I had the chance to go again on a sunny day, I’d take it.

pink hydrangea flower

Where is Takahata Fudoson?

The temple and gardens are close to Takahatafudo Station, on the Keio Line. Leave via the station’s south side and turn right. It’s only a two-minute walk.

Here it is on Google Maps:

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External related websites