This winter, I traveled to Hokkaido to experience minimalism photography, which has filled me with sentiments of peacefulness, calmness, tranquility and serenity.
The main idea behind minimalist photography is simplicity. In this genre, composition is crucial because there is little need for distracting components in a picture. Our attention to lighting, textures, patterns, and shapes draws attention to the subject matter when it is presented in an uncluttered manner.
The little town of Biei is encircled by expansive farmland and gently undulating hills. Cycling or driving around the hills and stopping at some of the flower fields and well-known trees is a lovely way to take in Biei's attractiveness.
There are a few noteworthy trees in Biei that have drawn interest from both residents and visitors. Since this was my first visit, I wanted to experience firsthand what all the fuss was about as they appear to be the more popular spots.
Marketing experts have been drawn to the area's beauty over the years, and certain trees have appeared in advertisements or on package labels. These well-known trees include the Seven Star Tree (which was featured on cigarette packaging), a poplar named Ken and Mary Tree (from a vehicle commercial), and a series of larch trees on the Mild Seven Hill (from a cigarette commercial).
Mild Seven Hill is a popular tourist destination in Biei-Ten Tow. It was featured in a cigarette commercial, which got its name from the breathtaking view that stretches out.
A lovely hill surrounded by wheat fields, with a view of a Japanese larch windbreak in the distance.
This hill's ability to display different expressions according to the season is another draw.
The subject is a popular theme amongst locals and minimalist fine art photographers.
Although it appears that there are multiple Mild Seven Hills, each one has a number of trees arranged in a tidy row. These trees were mostly used to protect farmers' crops from wind, but in one area, farmers have chopped down some of the trees. Why? Farmers had to contend with trespassers who trampled on the crops and destroyed them merely to get a good shot as a result of the increase in tourists visiting these locations. Not infrequently, a bus full of tourists would arrive, many of them trespassing to take pictures, including selfies. To make it less photogenic than it was, these farmers decided to cut down the trees themselves.
As with most tourist attractions, the crowds can be immense, even with the subzero freezing temperatures during winter.
Remember that all of these trees are on private property, so please respect the lines and don't cross them in order to capture "that shot." I took all of my photos from public roads, and thankfully, most of these spots have parking close by so you can go around and snap pictures from the street.
In order for us to continue enjoying beautiful places for many years to come, we must all do our part to prevent tourists from trespassing on these farms, which has been a big problem for these farmers.
I took this shot using a 400mm lens. I picked a time when there is heavy snowfall and a day when the sky is white. I get my inspiration from the Yang (Jia 甲) Wood element in Fengshui. I wanted a minimalistic picture, but I also want an auspicious picture. Yang Wood is the dominant element in 2025. In Asian/ Chinese fengshui/ bazi calculations, we are each of one of the Ten Heavenly Stems. People with the Yang Wood Master Element mimic sturdy trees with deep roots that allow them to stand firmly in place. Just like those trees, these people could withstand almost anything. (The downside is they can also be very bull-headed and persistent in getting what they want.) Yang Wood people are the type who could visualize the grand scheme of things and pinpoint the major factors in a particular issue. But it is also because of this mentality that they tend to get directly to their end goal without thinking over the smaller details which give them a tendency to be frivolous especially in making decisions. The Jia Wood Daymaster is a symbol of strength, stability, and ambition that embodies the tenacity of trees. The qualities of an Jia Wood Daymaster are strong yet adaptable, reaching for greater goals like a tall tree. 2025 can be a difficult time for most people, and perhaps in these difficult times, only Jia Wood still stand out prominantly.
The photo is intended to be a minimalistic fine art print and can be presented as a landscape or portrait mode. This one should do very well with a walnut frame.
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