Racing to photograph cloudy Tokyo Gate Bridge
In December 2019, I photographed a decidedly cloudy Tokyo Gate Bridge. Many people say it looks like a dinosaur, but not me. I don’t see any prehistoric shapes in all that metal and concrete. Two horses with back trouble, maybe?
It is an interesting structure on Tokyo Bay. From it you can see Mount Fuji. Fuji can be tricky because it is only visible from the bridge if the weather is good. When I left home in December 2019 for these photos, the forecast was good. But would it hold?
The weather gods decided to sock it to me. But they weren’t too unkind. By the time I got to my destination, the sky had changed. I was looking at a cloudy Tokyo Gate Bridge. Such is life.
Yes, the clouds were thick, but I could still see a beautiful sunset through them. I needed to photograph quickly, and I continued even when the sky became completely gray. The pictures you see here were all I kept out of one hundred and fifty frames. So many looked pretty horrible, to be honest.
Where were these Tokyo Gate Bridge photos taken?
On the right of the bridge is a concrete wall. It’s nearly 300 meters long with a barrier. Many anglers use it. You can set up your tripod without fear of it falling into the water. The view stretches across the bay to Mount Fuji in the distance. It’s a great photo.
To the left of the bridge is a rock wall. You can incorporate Mount Fuji and the bridge in your photos if you shoot from it. But it is more dangerous. The surface of the boulders is unstable for a tripod. And, waves crash onto them, so be careful. You have been warned!
Conclusion
Hopefully, next time, I’ll be luckier with the skies. A cloudy Tokyo Gate Bridge isn’t what I want. I’d prefer clouds that were a little thinner and fluffier. Those are the best. Maybe mid-winter might be perfect! Leave questions and comments below.
Rohan Gillett
Rohan has lived in Tokyo for 30+ years. He loves photography and plans to capture the entire city.
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External related websites:
- Rainbow Bridge (official website)