![Sunbeams through trees](https://i0.wp.com/lestaylorphoto.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Sunrise-Through-The-Pines_Web.jpg?fit=1024%2C684)
Sunrise Through The Pines
It was late April, and I had just completed a long night photographing the Milky Way and the beautiful colors of dawn on Lake Motosoku. Returning to my family’s campsite, I was tired and ready to enjoy some breakfast, assuming my photography was basically finished for the day. But then I saw the sunrise bursting through the trees around the campground, and I knew I had to capture it. This particular campground is expansive, and...
![Yasaka Pagoda](https://i0.wp.com/lestaylorphoto.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Yasaka-Pagoda-Sunset_smaller_logo.jpg?fit=1024%2C684)
Sunset at The Yasaka Pagoda In Kyoto
One of the main places I wanted to visit and photography during my recent trip to Kyoto was the Kiyomizu Temple. I was able to go but unfortunately the grounds close at 6pm, which is far too early during the warmer months to capture the sunset, as was my goal. I took what photos I could and then, a bit disappointed, headed back down the hill toward Kyoto. Thankfully, this leads right through some beautiful...
![Lake Motosuko Mt Fuji](https://i0.wp.com/lestaylorphoto.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Motosuko-Milkyway_smaller.jpg?fit=1024%2C760)
Lake Motosuko and The Milkyway
During a camping trip with my family and mother-in-law to Lake Motosuko, one of my goals was to try some astrophotography. I’ve shot a lot of nature here on earth, but not much focused on space, so it seemed like a great opportunity to do just that. I headed out very early in the morning to a viewpoint along Lake Motosuko, and remained there all the way through sunrise. I was pretty amazed when I...
![Ryugaeshi Falls Nagano](https://i0.wp.com/lestaylorphoto.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Ryugaeshi-Falls_smaller.jpg?fit=1024%2C684)
Ryugaeshi Falls
This past week I was able to take part in a church retreat in Nagano Prefecture, which was great in and of itself! But since Nagano is a beautiful prefecture full of amazing natural scenery, I had to take advantage of the opportunity on my way home, which led to a visit to Ryugaeshi Falls (竜返しの滝). This waterfall is just outside of Karuizawa along the Shiraito Highland Highway, and thus easy to access. The nearby...
![Pacific Sunrise](https://i0.wp.com/lestaylorphoto.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Pacific-Sunrise_smaller.jpg?fit=1000%2C668)
Pacific Sunrise
Back in January I took a trip to Choshi on the Pacific coast of Chiba Prefecture with my photographer buddy Anthony Wood. I got there later than I had intended, which meant I missed the real sunrise. This was truly unfortunate, because it was beautiful … from the car! But, I did arrive at the coast in time to grab this shot. This was taken right next to the Choshi Lighthouse, which is a pretty...