Byodo-In Temple on Lomopurple

Byodo-In Temple in Kaneohe is a stunning architectural marvel that is a must-visit for anyone who appreciates beauty and culture. Nestled at the foothills of the Ko'olau Mountains on the eastern side of Oahu, the temple is a replica of the 900-year-old Byodo-In Temple in Japan. It's a serene and tranquil oasis surrounded by lush greenery, beautiful ponds, and a magnificent Buddha statue.

I recently visited the Byodo-In Temple with my medium format camera, a 53-year-old Yashica 635, and one roll of Lomography’s purple film, Lomopurple. This is only the second roll of Lomopurple I’ve shot and I already knew I probably wouldn’t finish it on my temple visit. Even though I shoot 120mm film which gives me 12 exposures, I don’t take many photos so it usually takes more than one outing to run through a roll.

Lomopurple is a unique emulsion that shifts greens to purples, whites to pinks, yet red remains red. This is the main reason I wanted to visit Byodo-In Temple. I was curious to see how the red temple would look enveloped in a sea of purple trees and mountains.

As soon as I stepped into the temple grounds, I was amazed by the sheer beauty of the place. Although I have been here before, it’s rather breathtaking. The temple's architecture, surrounded by a serene pond and lush greenery, looked even more spectacular under the purple hue of the film. The pond's water turned into a deep shade of purple, almost silky black while the lush greenery around it transformed into a vibrant shade of purple and pink. It was surreal to see the familiar colors of nature change into something so different yet so beautiful.

Limited Edition Prints are available.