Kyu-Furukawa Gardens Rose Festival 2022: A Photographer’s Review

When the Kyu-Furukawa Gardens Rose Festival returned this October, I decided to tackle it differently. Armed with my Fujifilm X-T3 and a flash, I was eager to experiment with a new technique for my flower photography.

A lively atmosphere and a photographer's patience

Even on a Friday, the gardens were bustling—Tokyoites truly love their flower festivals. While navigating the crowds can be frustrating, patience is essential for any photographer. If you want the shot, you learn to work with the situation, and the results are always worth it.

A new flash technique for natural-looking photos

The first half of my visit was overcast, providing soft, diffused light ideal for flower photography. This was the perfect opportunity to practice a new flash technique. In a previous shoot at Jindai Botanical Gardens, I used High-Speed Sync to create dramatic, dark backgrounds.

This time, however, I wanted a more natural feel. By using the flash as a key light and keeping my shutter speed at 1/250s or slower, I could illuminate the roses while preserving the ambient light in the background. This technique, combined with a few handheld composites, gave the photos the authentic feel I was aiming for.

Once I was home, I processed everything in Lightroom. I edited the photos minimally. It didn’t take too long. Each one took about five minutes maximum.

The unfortunate challenge: Damaged flowers

While the garden’s presentation was beautiful as always, the event had one significant downside. My plan to use an extension tube for close-up shots was quickly thwarted by a sad reality: many of the roses had been crushed by visitors’ handling them.

The park management made announcements over the PA system. Many times they said, “Please don’t touch the flowers.” But some people ignored them. The lesson is simple. Go to these events as early as possible while the flowers are in good condition.

I walked around the garden many times, looking for undamaged flowers. It was frustrating, but it happens to every flower photographer. While it doesn’t happen at every event, it happens often enough.

Final thoughts: A successful day despite the flaws

Despite that frustration, it was still a pleasure to be in the presence of the historic Josiah Conder mansion, which provides such a timeless backdrop for the gardens. Ultimately, I left having accomplished the new photographic style I set out to capture, making it a successful day in my book.