Sompo Japan and beautiful light trails
Standing tall in Nishi-Shinjuku, the Sompo Japan Building is more than a skyscraper. It’s a fortress of imagination. Mesmerizing light trails weave below its sleek, sloping walls. This iconic structure is a dream for long-exposure photography. Let me take you behind the lens to show you how I captured its magic. I’ll also tell you why it remains one of my favorite subjects in Tokyo’s urban jungle.
It’s a beautiful but imposing skyscraper. The walls gently slope in from the base, then go straight up 193 meters to its forty-third floor. In a way, it reminds me of a powerful fortress. A location in Akihabara has a similar feeling. Both are great. There is a difference between them, though.
I made this photo at a pedestrian bridge near the skyscraper. Shooting from there allows you to capture the light trails of the car below. A flood of traffic will pass underneath you. The beams divert left and right around the building, away from the walls. It’s great for long-exposure photographs.
How did I take this photo of Sompo Japan?
- Camera location: Tripod used: Yes
- Camera used: Fujifilm X-T3
- Lens: Fujifilm XF 10-24mm (Version 1)
- How many photos? 9
- I used an L-Bracket to put the camera in portrait mode.
Camera Settings:
- Shutter speed: It ranged from 20 to 30 seconds.
- f/11 or f/14
- ISO 200
- Film Simulation: Eterna
Notes on processing:
- I made basic edits to the files in Lightroom and then exported them into PhotoShop for stacking.
- A couple of buildings just entered the frame on the left side. I cloned them out.
Where are Sompo Japan and New City Pedestrian Bridge?
- They’e in about 500 meters northeast of Shinjuku Station. The building’s address for map applications is 1 Chome-26-1 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku City, Tokyo.
- The bridge will be just to the northeast. Its name is New City Pedestrian Bridge (新都心歩道橋).
- Here it is on a Google map:
Nearest train/subway stations:
- Shinjuku (Yamanote, Chuo, Odakyu lines etc.)
- Nishi-Shinjuku (Marunouchi line)
Location photo
Please note: A major road passes under the pedestrian bridge, so be careful if you use filters. If you drop anything, it might fall onto the traffic below. Also, the bridge is quite wide, but many people use it. Keep your gear clear of anyone wanting to get past.
Notes on lenses
This photo is of a skyscraper and traffic. Only a wide-angle lens can capture that scene from close proximity. I used the Fujifilm 10-24 mm. Stitching should also work.
What is Sompo Japan?
Sompo Japan is an insurance company. It is Japan’s second-largest property insurance company, only behind Tokio Marine.
Conclusion
Sompo Japan and beautiful light trails make a beautiful photo. The scene provokes images of fantasy or science fiction. One’s imagination can run wild.
By the way, New City Pedestrian Bridge is the spot for another long-exposure photo. Turn around, and you’ll see the cars move toward neon-filled Kabukicho. It is also a great scene. The link is below.
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