First Encounter with Fuji

It was really early that day, departing from Tokyo at 3 AM, driving drowsily with the navigation showing 120 kilometers to go. I followed several RVs along the way, probably other photography enthusiasts heading to Lake Kawaguchiko for sunrise. Driving on the highway for about two hours, it was still pitch dark.

Arriving at Lake Kawaguchiko just after 4 AM, I eagerly opened the trunk and unloaded all my equipment as soon as I parked. By then, quite a few photographers were already waiting for sunrise by the lake, some chatting in small groups, others adjusting their equipment. Despite being late autumn, the morning temperature was cold enough to make one shiver. I tightened the collar of my down jacket and took a sip of hot coffee from my thermos.

Panoramic Charm

Mount Fuji's charm is truly captivating. That morning I put in considerable effort, having checked the sunrise time online the night before and calculated the exposure parameters. Before dawn, I had already set up my tripod and mounted my most expensive 16-35mm wide-angle lens, a "big glass" that I had saved several months' salary to buy.

Honestly, the waiting process was excruciating. My phone showed it was only 3 degrees Celsius, and I paced back and forth stamping my feet, afraid to miss the perfect moment. The eastern sky gradually brightened, and Lake Kawaguchiko's surface became visible, like a giant mirror. Suddenly, the first ray of sunlight broke through the clouds and hit Fuji's peak - I almost shouted in excitement! The snow on the summit turned pink, the clouds transformed into rose gold, and the entire scene became surreally beautiful.

After years of landscape photography, I've found that timing is crucial when shooting Mount Fuji. Especially from November to February, 6:15 to 6:45 AM is the prime time. The light is particularly gentle during this period, and you can capture "Red Fuji." However, luck plays a big role in getting the perfect shot. I've studied weather data, and while the probability of clear skies during this period is above 65%, only about half of those days are actually suitable for photography.

Mid-Range Documentation

After sunrise, I switched to my 70-200mm medium telephoto lens. This focal length is perfect for capturing mountain details. Mount Fuji's tree line is at around 2,400 meters above sea level, with snow-covered areas above that. Through the viewfinder, I could clearly see the boundary between the forest and snow line, like a perfect dividing line drawn by nature.

At noon, as the sunlight's angle changed, the snow on the mountainside began to reflect light, creating beautiful light and shadow effects. I deliberately found an angle to include several bare dead trees in the frame, creating a desolate atmosphere. A few thin clouds floating around Fuji's peak added some dynamism to the photos.

Macro Discoveries

In the afternoon, I switched to my macro lens and began exploring the microscopic world along Lake Kawaguchiko. On what appeared to be an ordinary rock, I discovered a forest of moss. These moss plants looked crystal clear in the sunlight, with water droplets on each tiny leaf refracting rainbow-colored light. I adjusted the focusing distance and stopped down to f/16 to achieve greater depth of field.

While shooting, I also found several small spiders moving through the moss, their webs adorned with dewdrops like diamond necklaces. These tiny lives are also part of Mount Fuji's ecosystem - though small, they are equally fascinating.

Street Photography Stories

While wandering around Kawaguchiko town, I met an elderly gentleman with graying hair who was organizing photo albums in a photo studio. Through simple conversation, I learned that he had been photographing Mount Fuji for 50 years. He said that Mount Fuji has changed significantly compared to when he first started shooting, most notably that the snow period has shortened by nearly 20 days.

He showed me his treasured old photographs taken with film cameras. Although the photos had yellowed somewhat, you could still feel Mount Fuji's majesty. The old man said that while young people today prefer digital cameras for their immediate results, he still prefers the anticipation that comes with film photography.

Technical Sharing

Regarding equipment selection, my experience is that you really need to match gear to different scenarios. For wide-angle shots, I typically use a 16-35mm lens, which is ideal for panoramas. I usually keep the aperture between f/8 and f/11 to ensure sharpness from foreground to background. For capturing mountain details, a 70-200mm medium telephoto lens is the best choice. For macro photography, I use a 100mm macro lens with LED lighting to highlight foreground details.

Different seasons require different equipment preparations when photographing Mount Fuji. Winter shooting especially requires attention to warmth - I prepare professional cold-weather gloves to maintain dexterity while operating the camera. Also, cold temperatures drain camera batteries quickly, so I usually prepare 3-4 spare batteries just in case.

Additionally, filter usage is important. I use different filters for different times of day. For sunrise shots, I use graduated neutral density filters to balance the brightness difference between sky and ground; for waterfalls or streams, I use ND filters to extend exposure time and create silky water effects.

Experience Summary

Throughout that day, I took over 200 photos with different focal lengths. Each focal length seemed to show a different Mount Fuji. The wide-angle lens captured Fuji's majestic presence; medium telephoto allowed me to focus on the mountain's detailed changes; while the macro lens took me into a completely different world.

Photographing Mount Fuji taught me that true travel photography isn't about simply being there or posting on social media. It's about discovering and recording unique moments through the lens, experiencing nature's masterful work. Each focal length offers a different perspective, helping me understand this famous mountain more comprehensively.

If you're planning to photograph Mount Fuji, I recommend doing your homework. Besides checking weather forecasts, understand sunrise and sunset times. November through February is the best season for photography, but safety is crucial. Weather can change quickly, so always keep an eye on forecasts.

Finally, I want to say that photography is truly fascinating. It's not just about pressing the shutter - it requires careful observation, technical expression, and patient waiting. Like that day at Mount Fuji, from wide-angle to macro, each frame showed me a different kind of beauty.

I hope readers of this article can find their own photographic perspective. Remember, good photos don't depend on expensive equipment but on whether you put your heart into discovering beauty. Next time you visit Mount Fuji, try experiencing its charm through different focal lengths - you're sure to gain new insights.