Recently, I bought my first DSLR camera.
To be honest, I still don’t really understand the settings or composition — I’m very much a beginner.
My style for now is just “shoot first, fix in Lightroom later.”
It’s a cycle of trial and error, but walking around Kamakura with a camera in hand has opened up a surprisingly fun world.
In this post, I’d like to share a photo report of the scenery I captured as a beginner photographer during an early-November stroll through Kamakura — from the sea to the townscape and the temples.
1. Yuigahama Beach in the Morning — A Scene Even Beginners Want to Capture
In early November, the morning light at Yuigahama Beach is soft and transparent.
Even as a complete beginner, I often found myself thinking,
“Hmm… this actually looks pretty nice?”
The sunlight reflects on the wet sand as the sea slowly wakes up,
and the silhouettes of surfers naturally add an accent to the frame.
Of course, as a beginner:
- the exposure often blows out the highlights
- the blues get overly strong
- and mistakes pile up
But even those “didn’t turn out the way I expected” photos feel fun in their own way.
Every day brings new discoveries like,
“Wow, the same place looks totally different depending on the time of day.”
2. Inamuragasaki — A Place Where Even a Simple Click Looks Like a Photograph
Inamuragasaki is amazing because even beginners can take photos that look “legit.”
The sea and sky stretch out in a single line, and the rocky cliff on the left anchors the composition.
Even though I still find composition difficult,
here I can just press the shutter and end up with a satisfying shot.
The deep blue of the ocean, the crisp sky, the white of the waves —
seeing them come out beautifully made me think,
“Ah, so this is what a DSLR can do.”
3. Autumn at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu — Accidentally Capturing the Perfect Moment
At Tsurugaoka Hachimangu, I happened to capture birds flying over the Genpei Pond.
Motion is actually hard to photograph,
but the birds suddenly entered the frame just as I pressed the shutter,
and I thought,
“Wait… this came out really good!?”
These unexpected lucky shots are especially rewarding for beginners.
The ginkgo trees were also starting to turn yellow,
and the sunlight filtering through the leaves created a beautiful, delicate scene.
4. Gokurakuji Station — A Nostalgic Station Bathed in Autumn Light
Gokurakuji Station looks like a scene from an old movie.
The wooden station building becomes even warmer and more charming in the gentle autumn sunlight.
This is one of those places where you don’t really need to think about composition —
just capturing the atmosphere is enough to convey the essence of Kamakura.
Even as a beginner, simply taking photos here feels relaxing.
5. Kamakura, the “Season of Light” — Autumn Colors Even Beginners Can Capture
Early November is a wonderful time in Kamakura.
The green trees begin to mix with hints of autumn colors,
and the subtle seasonal transition is easy to see.
With the soft light of this season,
even beginners like me can take photos where the trees look vibrant and beautiful.
Conclusion: Early November in Kamakura Is Perfect Even for Beginner Photographers
What I realized during this little photo walk is:
- With a DSLR, even familiar streets feel like part of a journey
- The November light in Kamakura is incredibly beautiful and beginner-friendly
- The sea, temples, and everyday town corners all become photogenic subjects
I took plenty of failed shots, but walking around and taking photos was simply fun.
This season naturally makes me want to improve and keep learning.
I’m excited to continue practicing and capturing the everyday scenery and seasonal moments of Kamakura.
鎌倉の日常や季節の風景を撮っていきたいと思います。